U.S. patent application number 13/449813 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-25 for toolbar for displaying video content.
This patent application is currently assigned to WINNOL LLC. Invention is credited to Paramjit Singh Bedi.
Application Number | 20120272278 13/449813 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47022285 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120272278 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bedi; Paramjit Singh |
October 25, 2012 |
TOOLBAR FOR DISPLAYING VIDEO CONTENT
Abstract
Methods and systems for distributing content and displaying
content are disclosed. A toolbar configured to be docked to a
browser is provided over a network to a user terminal. The toolbar
is configured to occupy a first portion of a browser window while
leaving room in the browser window for the browser to display a web
page in a second portion of the browser window. A plurality of
items of content or representations thereof are provided and
presented via the toolbar while the web page is displayed in the
second portion of browser window. A user selection of a first of
the plurality of items of content is received, and video content
corresponding to the first item of content is streamed for display
on the toolbar while the web page is displayed in the second
portion of browser window.
Inventors: |
Bedi; Paramjit Singh;
(Glendale, CA) |
Assignee: |
WINNOL LLC
Glendale
CA
|
Family ID: |
47022285 |
Appl. No.: |
13/449813 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61477978 |
Apr 21, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/105 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0241 20130101;
H04N 21/23424 20130101; G06Q 30/0207 20130101; H04N 21/44213
20130101; H04N 21/4782 20130101; H04N 21/25435 20130101; H04N
21/812 20130101; H04N 21/4755 20130101; H04N 21/4316 20130101; H04N
21/4438 20130101; H04N 21/4784 20130101; H04N 21/25891 20130101;
H04N 21/4826 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/105 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/173 20110101
H04N007/173 |
Claims
1. A content management system, comprising: at least one processing
device; a non-transitory computer readable medium storing
programmatic instructions thereon, that when executed by the at
least on processing device, are configured to cause the content
management system to perform operations comprising: providing over
a network to a user terminal a toolbar configured to be docked to a
browser; enabling the toolbar to occupy a first portion of a
browser window while leaving room in the browser window for the
browser to display a web page in a second portion of the browser
window; providing a plurality of items of supplementary content or
representations thereof to be presented via the toolbar while the
web page is displayed in the second portion of browser window;
receiving a user selection of a first of the plurality of items of
supplementary content; and streaming video content corresponding to
the first item of supplementary content for display on the toolbar
while the web page is displayed in the second portion of browser
window.
2. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of items
of supplementary content includes one or more items of video
content.
3. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the toolbar is
configured to display at least four items of supplementary content
at the same time.
4. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the toolbar is
configured to display six items of supplementary content at the
same time.
5. The system as defined in claim 1, the operations further
comprising: selecting the plurality of items of supplementary
content based at least in part on a profile of a user associated
with the user terminal; accessing information indicating respective
time lengths and/or qualifying viewing times corresponding to the
plurality of items of supplementary content; causing at least in
part the respective time lengths and/or qualifying viewing times to
be displayed in association with the plurality of items of
supplementary content, wherein in response to a user selection, a
first item of supplementary content included in the plurality of
items of supplementary content is played; and at least partly in
response to receiving an indication that a first amount of the
first item of supplementary content was viewed via the user
terminal, assigning one or more redeemable credits to the user.
6. The system as defined in claim 5, the operations further
comprising: causing, at least in part, a timer to be displayed on
the user terminal, wherein the timer is displayed at least after
the first amount of the first item of supplementary content has
displayed on the user terminal; determining if the user activated a
first control before the timer expired; and at least partly in
response to determining the user activated the first control before
the timer expired, assigning the redeemable credit to the user.
7. The system as defined in claim 5, wherein the one or more
redeemable credits may be redeemed for products.
8. The system as defined in claim 5, wherein the redeemable credits
may only be redeemed for products from a specified source.
9. The system as defined in claim 5, wherein the redeemable credits
may only be redeemed for products presented in at least one of the
first plurality of items of supplementary content.
10. The system as defined in claim 5, the operations further
comprising: providing a user interface for display on the user
terminal offering a first item for acquisition; providing a value
for the item expressed in currency; and providing a value for the
item expressed in redeemable credits.
11. The system as defined in claim 5, the operations further
comprising: providing a user interface for display on the user
terminal offering a first item for acquisition; and providing, for
display, a value for the first item expressed in legal tender;
providing, for display, a value for the first item expressed in
redeemable credits; receiving a user specified number, the user
specified number corresponding to a number of redeemable credits,
wherein the number of redeemable credits is less than the value for
the first item expressed in redeemable credits; and calculating a
legal tender amount based at least in part on the user specified
number corresponding to the number of redeemable credits, wherein
the combination of currency corresponding to the calculated legal
tender amount and the number of redeemable credits corresponding to
the user specified number is sufficient to acquire the first
item.
12. The system as defined in claim 5, wherein the redeemable
credits may be redeemed for products, the operations further
comprising: determining how much the user has spent acquiring items
from at least a first source during a first period of time; if the
user has spent less than a first threshold, enabling the user to
earn redeemable credits up to a first limit; and if the user has
spent an amount equal to or greater than the first threshold,
enabling the user to earn redeemable credits up to a second limit,
wherein the second limit is greater than the first limit.
13. The system as defined in claim 5, the operations further
comprising, offering the user free products selected based at least
in part on an amount of supplementary content viewed by the user,
wherein the user does not have to pay for the for the free products
using legal tender or redeemable credits.
14. The system as defined in claim 1, the operations further
comprising: storing a history of supplementary content viewed by
the user; enabling the user to access at least a portion of the
history; receiving a selection from the user of at least one item
of supplementary content from the accessed history; at least partly
in response to the user selection of the at least one item of
supplementary content, offering for acquisition at least one
product associated with the selected at least one item of
supplementary content.
15. A method of distributing content, the method comprising:
providing by a computer system over a network to a user terminal a
toolbar configured to be docked to a browser, wherein the toolbar
is configured to occupy a first portion of a browser window while
leaving room in the browser window for the browser to display a web
page in a second portion of the browser window; providing by the
computer system a plurality of items of supplementary content or
representations thereof to be presented via the toolbar while the
web page is displayed in the second portion of browser window;
receiving at the computer system a user selection of a first of the
plurality of items of supplementary content; and at least partly in
response to receiving the user selection of the first item of
supplementary content, locating and streaming by the computer
system video content corresponding to the first item of
supplementary content for display on the toolbar.
16. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein the plurality of
items of supplementary content includes one or more items of video
content.
17. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein the streamed content
is displayed by the tool bar while the web page is still displayed
in the second portion of the browser window.
18. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein the toolbar is
configured to display at least four items of supplementary
content.
19. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein the toolbar is
configured to display six items of supplementary content.
20. The method as defined in claim 15, the method further
comprising: selecting the plurality of items of supplementary
content based at least in part on a profile of a user associated
with the user terminal; accessing information indicating respective
time lengths and/or qualifying viewing times corresponding to the
plurality of items of supplementary content; causing at least in
part the respective time lengths and/or qualifying viewing times to
be displayed in association with the plurality of items of
supplementary content, wherein in response to a user selection, a
first item of supplementary content included in the plurality of
items of supplementary content is played; and at least partly in
response to receiving an indication that a first amount of the
first item of supplementary content was viewed via the user
terminal, assigning one or more redeemable credits to the user.
21. The method as defined in claim 20, the method further
comprising: causing, at least in part, a timer to be displayed on
the user terminal, wherein the timer is displayed at least after
the first amount of the first item of supplementary content has
displayed on the user terminal; determining if the user activated a
first control before the timer expired; and at least partly in
response to determining the user activated the first control before
the timer expired, assigning the redeemable credit to the user.
22. The method as defined in claim 20, wherein the one or more
redeemable credits may be redeemed for products.
23. The method as defined in claim 20, wherein the redeemable
credits may only be redeemed for products from a specified
source.
24. The method as defined in claim 20, wherein the redeemable
credits may only be redeemed for products presented in at least one
of the first plurality of items of supplementary content.
25. The method as defined in claim 20, the method further
comprising: providing a user interface for display on the user
terminal offering a first item for acquisition; providing a value
for the item expressed in currency; and providing a value for the
item expressed in redeemable credits.
26. The method as defined in claim 20, the method further
comprising: providing a user interface for display on the user
terminal offering a first item for acquisition; and providing, for
display, a value for the first item expressed in legal tender;
providing, for display, a value for the first item expressed in
redeemable credits; receiving a user specified number, the user
specified number corresponding to a number of redeemable credits,
wherein the number of redeemable credits is less than the value for
the first item expressed in redeemable credits; and calculating a
legal tender amount based at least in part on the user specified
number corresponding to the number of redeemable credits, wherein
the combination of currency corresponding to the calculated legal
tender amount and the number of redeemable credits corresponding to
the user specified number is sufficient to acquire the first
item.
27. The method as defined in claim 20, wherein the redeemable
credits may be redeemed for products, the method further
comprising: determining how much the user has spent acquiring items
from at least a first source during a first period of time; if the
user has spent less than a first threshold, enabling the user to
earn redeemable credits up to a first limit; and if the user has
spent an amount equal to or greater than the first threshold,
enabling the user to earn redeemable credits up to a second limit,
wherein the second limit is greater than the first limit.
28. The method as defined in claim 20, the method further
comprising, offering the user free products selected based at least
in part on an amount of supplementary content viewed by the user,
wherein the user does not have to pay for the for the free products
using legal tender or redeemable credits.
29. The method as defined in claim 15, the method further
comprising: storing a history of supplementary content viewed by
the user; enabling the user to access at least a portion of the
history; receiving a selection from the user of at least one item
of supplementary content from the accessed history; at least partly
in response to the user selection of the at least one item of
supplementary content, offering for acquisition at least one
product associated with the selected at least one item of
supplementary content.
30. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing programmatic
instructions thereon, that when executed by the at least on
processing device, are configured to cause the content management
system to perform operations comprising: providing over a network
to a user terminal a toolbar configured to be docked to a browser,
wherein the toolbar is configured to occupy a first portion of a
browser window while leaving room in the browser window for the
browser to display a web page in a second portion of the browser
window; providing a plurality of items of supplementary content or
representations thereof to be presented via the toolbar while the
web page is displayed in the second portion of browser window;
receiving a user selection of a first of the plurality of items of
supplementary content; and streaming video content corresponding to
the first item of supplementary content for display on the toolbar
while the web page is displayed in the second portion of browser
window.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
61/477,978, filed Apr. 21, 2011, the contents of which is
incorporated by reference in its entirety. This application is
related to copending application, entitled METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR
DISTRIBUTING CONTENT OVER A NETWORK, Serial Number [Unknown]
[Attorney Docket No. WNNOL.001A], and copending application,
entitled METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DISPLAYING CONTENT, Serial Number
[Unknown] [Attorney Docket No. WNNOL.001A2], filed on the same date
as the present application, the contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
COPYRIGHT RIGHTS
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the reproduction by any one of the patent
document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the patent and
trademark office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all
copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention is generally directed to distributing
content, such as video content or image content to remote devices,
and in particular to distributing content over a network to remote
devices.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Content distribution has become a key feature of the
Internet and viewing content has become one of the prime uses of
user devices, such as mobile phone, tablet computers, and the like.
However, distribution of such content utilizes massive and
expensive resources, including server farms. Further, the creation
of such resources can likewise require a great deal of resources.
Conventional systems fail to provide an adequate way to compensate
providers of content.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The following presents a simplified summary of one or more
aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects.
This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated
aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical
elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all
aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or
more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed
description that is presented later.
[0008] Certain embodiments described herein map viewers' interests
as to online content, including sponsored content, versus content
sponsors' desires to reach a targeted, demographically relevant
audience. In certain embodiments, such mapping is facilitated by
rewarding viewers with redeemable credits for viewing sponsored
content. Optionally, users may earn credits per time unit (e.g.,
per second, per minute, or other time unit) the user spends viewing
such sponsored content. An online marketplace may be provided via
which the user can "purchase" items using such earned credits
and/or currency (wherein the term "currency" as used herein is
intended to refer to currency other than earned credit for viewing
content; for example, currency may be issued by or on behalf of a
governmental entity and may be in the form of dollars, euros, yen,
pounds, wan, other legal tender, etc. (including smaller related
currency, such as cents; of course a user may be provided with the
option of using a credit card to make a currency payment). Thus,
certain embodiments enable content desired by viewers to be
subsidized by sponsors in exchange for viewing information and
other content from sponsors.
[0009] In an example embodiment, a first plurality of items of
content, which may include sponsored video or static image content,
is selected based on one or more criteria, such as the user's
profile and targeting information. Information is accessed
indicating respective time lengths and/or qualifying viewing times
needed to earn a respective specified credit, corresponding to
items in the first plurality of items of content. The first
plurality of items of content or representations thereof is
provided for display on the user terminal in association with the
respective time lengths and/or qualifying viewing times. In
response to a user selection, a first item of content included in
the first plurality of items of content is caused to be played or
otherwise distinctly presented (e.g., enlarged in size) by the user
terminal. At least partly in response to receiving an indication
that a first amount of the first item of content was viewed via the
user terminal, a redeemable credit is allocated to the user.
[0010] In an example aspect, a content distribution system
comprises: an interface to one or databases storing at least video
content; a computer system coupled to the interface, and computer
system configured to perform operations comprising: receiving an
indication that a first user is accessing an online resource using
a user terminal; identifying a profile associated with the first
user, the profile including: preference information, demographic
information, viewing history information, and navigation history
information; accessing specified target information provided by one
or more content providers, the specified target information
including at least target demographics; selecting primary content
based at least in part on the first user profile; selecting a first
plurality of items of supplementary content based at least in part
on the first user profile and the specified target information
provided by the one or more content providers, wherein items in the
first plurality of items of supplementary content includes a video
component; accessing respective metadata associated with the first
plurality of items of supplementary content to determine respective
time lengths of items in the first plurality of items of
supplementary content; causing, at least in part, at least a
portion of the selected primary content to be provided for display
on the user terminal; causing, at least in part, the first
plurality of items of supplementary content or representations
thereof to be provided for display on the user terminal; causing,
at least in part, information regarding the first plurality of
items of supplementary content to be provided for display on the
user terminal, the information regarding the first plurality of
items of supplementary content including information on the
respective time lengths of items in the first plurality of items of
supplementary content, and on respective credit amounts to be
awarded for viewing items in the first plurality of items of
supplementary content; receiving a selection by the first user of a
first item of supplementary content in the first plurality of items
of supplementary content, wherein the first item of supplementary
content includes a first video component and is associated with a
first length and a first credit amount related to the first length;
causing at least in part the first video component to be provided
to the user terminal for playback by the user terminal; receiving
an indication as to whether the first video component was played by
the user terminal; and if the received indication indicates that
the first video component was played by the user terminal, at least
partly in response, assigning the first credit amount to the first
user. The supplementary content may optionally include an
advertisement.
[0011] Optionally, the interface is coupled to one or more cloud
based databases storing at least video content. The interface may
be coupled to at least one database operated by an entity different
than the entity that operates the system. The system is configured
to inhibit the assignment of the first credit amount to the first
user if the received indication indicates that the first video
component was not completely played by the user terminal. The
system may provide a user interface with which the first user is to
interact while the first video component is played by the user
terminal or within a specified period of time after the video
component has been played; monitor the first user's interactions
with the user interface; and if the first user's interactions with
the user interface fail to satisfy a first criterion, inhibit
assignment of the first credit amount. The operations may further
comprise asking the first user at least one question related to the
first video component; and if the first user does not respond to
the at least one question, inhibiting assignment of the first
credit amount. The operations may further comprise providing a user
interface configured to receive profile information from the first
user, including at least information regarding genres of content
the first user prefers and personalities the first user is
interested in, and utilizing the received profile information to
select both primary and supplemental content. The operations may
further comprise offering an item for purchase to the first user
substantially immediately after the first item of content is played
by the user terminal, wherein the offer includes a price expressed
in earned credits for viewing content.
[0012] In addition or instead, the operations may further comprise:
providing a catalog user interface for display on the user
terminal, the catalog user interface including images of a first
plurality of articles available for purchase using at least earned
credits for viewing content; providing for display, in association
with respective articles in the first plurality of articles,
respective prices expressed in earned credits for viewing content;
receiving a purchase request for a first article, wherein the first
article is associated with a first price in the form of a first
amount earned credits for viewing content; determining if the first
user has sufficient accumulated earned credit to purchase the first
article at the first price; at least partly in response to the
purchase request and the determination that the first user has
sufficient accumulated earned credit to purchase the first article,
causing, at least in part, the first article to be provided by the
first user and deducting the first amount of earned credit from an
account associated with the first user.
[0013] In addition or instead, the operations may further comprise:
providing a catalog user interface for display on the user
terminal, the catalog user interface including an image of at least
a first article available for purchase using at least earned
credits for viewing content; providing for display, in association
with the first article a corresponding respective price expressed
in earned credits for viewing content; receiving a purchase request
for a first article, wherein the first article is associated with a
first price in the form of a first amount earned credits for
viewing content; providing information on a first location to the
first user with respect to where the first article is available for
pickup; processing the purchase request; accessing a photograph of
the first user; generating a receipt for the purchase of the first
article, the receipt including the photograph of the first user and
an identification of the first article, wherein the receipt is to
be used to verify, at the first location, that the first user is
authorized to pickup the first article.
[0014] In addition or instead, the operations may further comprise:
providing a catalog user interface for display on the user
terminal, the catalog user interface including an image of at least
a first article available for purchase using at least earned
credits for viewing content; providing for display, in association
with the first article a corresponding respective price expressed
in earned credits for viewing content and a respective price
expressed in legal tender.
[0015] In addition or instead, the operations may further comprise:
providing a catalog user interface for display on the user
terminal, the catalog user interface including an image of at least
a first article available for purchase using at least earned
credits for viewing content, wherein the first article is selected
to be offered to the first user based at least in part on user
characteristics specified by a provider of the first article.
[0016] In addition or instead, the operations may further comprise:
providing a catalog user interface for display on the user
terminal, the catalog user interface including entries for a first
plurality of articles available for purchase; providing for
display, in association with respective articles in the first
plurality of articles, respective prices; receiving a purchase
request for a first article; at least partly in response to the
completion of the purchase of the first article be the first user,
determining whether a membership level of the first user is to be
enhanced to provide one or more benefits to the first user that the
first user was previously not entitled to.
[0017] In addition or instead, the operations may further comprise:
receiving a value indicating how much supplemental content the
first user viewed over a first period of time; at least partly in
response to determining that the value indicates that the first
user viewed more than a first amount of content, assigning the
first user a first enhanced benefits package, the first enhanced
benefits package having one or more benefits than the first user
was entitled to prior to the assignment of the first enhanced
benefits package; at least partly in response to determining that
the value indicates that the first user viewed more than a second
amount of content, assigning the first user a second enhanced
benefits package, the second enhanced benefits package having one
or more benefits than the first enhanced benefits package.
[0018] Optionally, the representations of the first plurality of
items of supplemental content include respective icons and/or
screenshots. The first article may be a product or service. The
user terminal may include a phone, a laptop computer, a desktop
computer, a networked television, and/or a game console.
Optionally, the information on the respective time lengths and the
information on the respective credit amounts are the same.
[0019] The selected primary content may include a plurality of
items of primary content, and the operations may further comprise:
receiving from the first user an instruction to play a first item
of primary content included in the plurality of items of primary
content; and at least partly in response to the first user
instruction to play the first item of primary content, causing, at
least in part, the first item of primary content to be streamed to
the user terminal.
[0020] In addition or instead, the operations may further comprise
causing, at least in part, the first item of supplemental content
to be played to the first user at a first website, and if the first
user navigates away from the first website to a second website
while the first item of supplemental content is being played,
causing, at least in part, the first item of supplemental content
to be played to the first user at the second website. In addition
or instead, the operations may further comprise automatically
causing a second plurality of items of supplemental content to be
displayed on the user terminal in place of the first plurality of
items a first period of time after the first plurality of items of
supplemental content is displayed on the user terminal. In addition
or instead, the operations may further comprise providing a
multidimensional targeting array for display on a terminal of a
first content provider, the multidimensional targeting array
including a first axis corresponding to categories and a second
axis corresponding to demographics, wherein the first content
provider can specify target parameters by selecting a plurality of
intersections within the targeting user array and utilizing the
selected intersections in determining which users one or more items
of supplemental content is to be displayed to.
[0021] In an example aspect, a content distribution system
comprises: an interface to one or databases storing at least video
content; a computer system coupled to the interface, and computer
system configured to perform operations comprising: selecting a
first plurality of items of content for display on a user terminal
of a user; accessing information indicating respective time lengths
and/or qualifying viewing times corresponding to items in the first
plurality of items of content; causing, at least in part, the first
plurality of items of content or representations thereof to be
provided for display on the user terminal in association with the
respective time lengths and/or qualifying viewing times; in
response to a user selection, causing, at least in part, a first
item of content included in the first plurality of items of content
to be distinctly presented by the user terminal; and at least
partly in response to receiving an indication that the first item
of content was viewed at least a first amount of time via the user
terminal, assigning by the computer system a first amount of
redeemable credits to the user, wherein the first amount of
redeemable credits magnitude is related to the first amount of time
magnitude.
[0022] In an example aspect, a method of distributing content
comprises: selecting by a computer system a first plurality of
items of content for display on a user terminal of a user;
accessing by the computer system information indicating respective
time lengths and/or qualifying viewing times corresponding to items
in the first plurality of items of content; the computer system
causing, at least in part, the first plurality of items of content
or representations thereof to be provided for display on the user
terminal in association with the respective time lengths and/or
qualifying viewing times; in response to a user selection, causing
by the computer system, at least in part, a first item of content
included in the first plurality of items of content to be
distinctly presented by the user terminal; and at least partly in
response to receiving an indication that the first item of content
was viewed at least a first amount of time via the user terminal,
assigning by the computer system a first amount of redeemable
credits to the user, wherein the first amount of redeemable credits
magnitude is related to the first amount of time magnitude.
[0023] In an example aspect, a non-transitory computer readable
medium stores programmatic instructions thereon, which when
executed, are configured to cause a computer system to perform
operations comprising: selecting a first plurality of items of
content for display on a user terminal of a user; accessing
information indicating respective time lengths and/or qualifying
viewing times corresponding to items in the first plurality of
items of content; causing, at least in part, the first plurality of
items of content or representations thereof to be provided for
display on the user terminal in association with the respective
time lengths and/or qualifying viewing times; in response to a user
selection, causing, at least in part, a first item of content
included in the first plurality of items of content to be
distinctly presented by the user terminal; and at least partly in
response to receiving an indication that the first item of content
was viewed at least a first amount of time via the user terminal,
assigning by the computer system a first amount of redeemable
credits to the user, wherein the first amount of redeemable credits
magnitude is related to the first amount of time magnitude.
[0024] In an example aspect, a content management system comprises:
at least one processing device; a non-transitory computer readable
medium storing programmatic instructions thereon, that when
executed by the at least on processing device, are configured to
cause the content management system to perform operations
comprises: receiving an indication that a first user is accessing
an online resource, wherein the indication is received via a user
terminal including a display having a display area, the online
resource providing at least a first item of primary visual content
for display on the user terminal with an associated size control,
wherein the associated size control, when activated by the first
user, is configured to cause the first item of primary content to
occupy substantially all of the display area; identifying a profile
associated with the first user, the profile including preference
information, demographic information, or both preference
information and demographic information; accessing from a storage
medium information provided by one or more supplementary content
providers, the specified information including demographics of
desired viewers and/or metadata related to content of the one or
more items of supplementary content; selecting a first plurality of
items of supplementary content based at least in part on the first
user profile and the specified information provided by the one or
more content providers, wherein one or more items in the first
plurality of items of supplementary content includes a video
component; accessing respective metadata associated with the first
plurality of items of supplementary content to determine respective
time lengths and/or qualifying viewing times of items in the first
plurality of items; causing, at least in part, the first plurality
of items of supplementary content or representations thereof to be
provided for display on the user terminal; causing, at least in
part, information regarding the first plurality of items of
supplementary content to be provided for display on the user
terminal, including some or all of the following: respective time
lengths of items in the first plurality of items of supplementary
content, respective qualifying viewing times for items in the first
plurality of items of supplementary content, respective credit
amounts to be awarded for viewing items in the first plurality of
items of supplementary content, causing, at least in part, the
operation of the size control to be modified, wherein at least
partly in response to the user activating the size control: the
first item of primary content will be increased in size but will
not occupy substantially all of the display area so as to leave
room on the user terminal display area to display the first
plurality of items of supplementary content or representations
thereof, or the plurality of items of supplementary content or
representations thereof will be caused to overlay the primary
content; receiving a selection by the first user of a first item of
supplementary content in the first plurality of items of
supplementary content, wherein the first item of supplementary
content includes a first video component and is associated with a
first credit amount; causing at least in part the first video
component to be provided to the user terminal for reproduction by
the user terminal; receiving an indication as to whether the first
video component was reproduced by the user terminal; and if the
received indication indicates that the first video component was
reproduced by the user terminal, at least partly in response,
assigning by the computer system the first credit amount to the
first user.
[0025] Optionally, the plurality of items of supplementary content
or representations are caused to overlay the primary content in a
translucent manner. Optionally, the operations further comprise
providing a control via which the user can specify that the
plurality of items of supplementary content or representations are
not to be displayed when the size control is activated. In an
example aspect, a method of controlling content windowing, the
method comprises: receiving at a computer system an indication that
a first user is accessing an online resource, wherein the
indication is received via a user terminal including a display
having a display area, the online resource providing at least a
first item of primary visual content for display on the user
terminal with an associated size control, wherein the associated
size control, when activated by the first user, is configured to
cause the first item of primary content to occupy substantially all
of the display area; identifying, by the computer system, a profile
associated with the first user, the profile including preference
information, demographic information, or both preference
information and demographic information; accessing from a storage
medium, by the computer system, information provided by one or more
supplementary content providers, the specified information
including demographics of desired viewers and/or metadata related
to content of the one or more items of supplementary content;
selecting, by the computer system, a first plurality of items of
supplementary content based at least in part on the first user
profile and the specified information provided by the one or more
content providers, wherein one or more items in the first plurality
of items of supplementary content includes a video component;
accessing, by the computer system, respective metadata associated
with the first plurality of items of supplementary content to
determine respective time lengths and/or qualifying viewing times
of items in the first plurality of items; the computer system
causing, at least in part, the first plurality of items of
supplementary content or representations thereof to be provided for
display on the user terminal; the computer system causing, at least
in part, information regarding the first plurality of items of
supplementary content to be provided for display on the user
terminal, including some or all of the following: respective time
lengths of items in the first plurality of items of supplementary
content, respective qualifying viewing times for items in the first
plurality of items of supplementary content, respective credit
amounts to be awarded for viewing items in the first plurality of
items of supplementary content, causing, at least in part, the
operation of the size control to be modified, wherein at least
partly in response to the user activating the size control: the
first item of primary content will be increased in size but will
not occupy substantially all of the display area so as to leave
room on the user terminal display area to display the first
plurality of items of supplementary content or representations
thereof, or the plurality of items of supplementary content or
representations thereof will be caused to overlay the primary
content; receiving by the computer system a selection by the first
user of a first item of supplementary content in the first
plurality of items of supplementary content, wherein the first item
of supplementary content includes a first video component and is
associated with a first credit amount; the computer system causing
at least in part the first video component to be provided to the
user terminal for reproduction by the user terminal; receiving, at
the computer system, an indication as to whether the first video
component was reproduced by the user terminal; and if the received
indication indicates that the first video component was reproduced
by the user terminal, at least partly in response, assigning by the
computer system the first credit amount to the first user.
[0026] In an example aspect, a non-transitory computer readable
medium storing programmatic instructions thereon, that when
executed by a computer system, are configured to cause the computer
system to perform operations comprises: receiving an indication
that a first user is accessing an online resource, wherein the
indication is received via a user terminal including a display
having a display area, the online resource providing at least a
first item of primary visual content for display on the user
terminal with an associated size control, wherein the associated
size control, when activated by the first user, is configured to
cause the first item of primary content to occupy substantially all
of the display area; identifying a profile associated with the
first user, the profile including preference information,
demographic information, or both preference information and
demographic information; accessing from a storage medium
information provided by one or more supplementary content
providers, the specified information including demographics of
desired viewers and/or metadata related to content of the one or
more items of supplementary content; selecting a first plurality of
items of supplementary content based at least in part on the first
user profile and the specified information provided by the one or
more content providers, wherein one or more items in the first
plurality of items of supplementary content includes a video
component; accessing respective metadata associated with the first
plurality of items of supplementary content to determine respective
time lengths and/or qualifying viewing times of items in the first
plurality of items; causing, at least in part, the first plurality
of items of supplementary content or representations thereof to be
provided for display on the user terminal; causing, at least in
part, information regarding the first plurality of items of
supplementary content to be provided for display on the user
terminal, including some or all of the following: respective time
lengths of items in the first plurality of items of supplementary
content, respective qualifying viewing times for items in the first
plurality of items of supplementary content, respective credit
amounts to be awarded for viewing items in the first plurality of
items of supplementary content, causing, at least in part, the
operation of the size control to be modified, wherein at least
partly in response to the user activating the size control: the
first item of primary content will be increased in size but will
not occupy substantially all of the display area so as to leave
room on the user terminal display area to display the first
plurality of items of supplementary content or representations
thereof, or the plurality of items of supplementary content or
representations thereof will be caused to overlay the primary
content; receiving a selection by the first user of a first item of
supplementary content in the first plurality of items of
supplementary content, wherein the first item of supplementary
content includes a first video component and is associated with a
first credit amount; causing at least in part the first video
component to be provided to the user terminal for reproduction by
the user terminal; receiving an indication as to whether the first
video component was reproduced by the user terminal; and if the
received indication indicates that the first video component was
reproduced by the user terminal, at least partly in response,
assigning by the computer system the first credit amount to the
first user.
[0027] In an example aspect, a content management system,
comprises: at least one processing device; a non-transitory
computer readable medium storing programmatic instructions thereon,
that when executed by the at least on processing device, are
configured to cause the content management system to perform
operations comprising: receiving an indication that a first user is
accessing an online resource, wherein the indication is received
via a user terminal including a display having a display area, the
online resource providing at least a first item of primary visual
content for display on the user terminal with an associated size
control, wherein the associated size control, when activated by the
first user, is configured to cause the first item of primary
content to occupy substantially all of the display area; accessing
from a storage medium information provided by one or more
supplementary content providers, the specified information
including demographics of desired viewers and/or metadata related
to content of the one or more items of supplementary content;
selecting a first plurality of items of supplementary content based
at least in part on the specified information provided by the one
or more content providers, wherein one or more items in the first
plurality of items of supplementary content includes a video
component; causing, at least in part, the first plurality of items
of supplementary content or representations thereof to be provided
for display on the user terminal; causing, at least in part,
information regarding the first plurality of items of supplementary
content to be provided for display on the user terminal, including
at least: respective time lengths of items in the first plurality
of items of supplementary content, causing, at least in part, the
operation of the size control to be modified, wherein at least
partly in response to the user activating the size control: the
first item of primary content will be increased in size but will
not occupy substantially all of the display area so as to leave
room on the user terminal display area to display the first
plurality of items of supplementary content or representations
thereof, or the plurality of items of supplementary content or
representations thereof will be caused to overlay the primary
content; receiving a selection by the first user of a first item of
supplementary content in the first plurality of items of
supplementary content, wherein the first item of supplementary
content includes a first video component and is associated with a
first credit amount; causing at least in part the first video
component to be provided to the user terminal for reproduction by
the user terminal; and receiving an indication as to whether the
first video component was reproduced by the user terminal.
[0028] In an example aspect, a content management system comprises:
at least one processing device; a non-transitory computer readable
medium storing programmatic instructions thereon, that when
executed by the at least on processing device, are configured to
cause the content management system to perform operations
comprises: providing over a network to a user terminal a toolbar
configured to be docked to a browser; enabling the toolbar to
occupy a first portion of a browser window while leaving room in
the browser window for the browser to display a web page in a
second portion of the browser window; providing a plurality of
items of supplementary content or representations thereof to be
presented via the toolbar while the web page is displayed in the
second portion of browser window; receiving a user selection of a
first of the plurality of items of supplementary content; and
streaming video content corresponding to the first item of
supplementary content for display on the toolbar while the web page
is displayed in the second portion of browser window.
[0029] Optionally, the plurality of items of supplementary content
includes one or more items of video content. Optionally, the
toolbar is configured to display at least four items of
supplementary content at the same time. Optionally, the toolbar is
configured to display six items of supplementary content at the
same time. Optionally, the operations further comprise: selecting
the plurality of items of supplementary content based at least in
part on a profile of a user associated with the user terminal;
accessing information indicating respective time lengths and/or
qualifying viewing times corresponding to the plurality of items of
supplementary content; causing at least in part the respective time
lengths and/or qualifying viewing times to be displayed in
association with the plurality of items of supplementary content,
wherein in response to a user selection, a first item of
supplementary content included in the plurality of items of
supplementary content is played; and at least partly in response to
receiving an indication that a first amount of the first item of
supplementary content was viewed via the user terminal, assigning
one or more redeemable credits to the user. Optionally, the
operations further comprise: causing, at least in part, a timer to
be displayed on the user terminal, wherein the timer is displayed
at least after the first amount of the first item of supplementary
content has displayed on the user terminal; determining if the user
activated a first control before the timer expired; and at least
partly in response to determining the user activated the first
control before the timer expired, assigning the redeemable credit
to the user. Optionally, the one or more redeemable credits may be
redeemed for products. Optionally, the redeemable credits may only
be redeemed for products from a specified source. Optionally, the
redeemable credits may only be redeemed for products presented in
at least one of the first plurality of items of supplementary
content. Optionally, the operations further comprise: providing a
user interface for display on the user terminal offering a first
item for acquisition; providing a value for the item expressed in
currency; and providing a value for the item expressed in
redeemable credits. Optionally, the operations further comprise:
providing a user interface for display on the user terminal
offering a first item for acquisition; and providing, for display,
a value for the first item expressed in legal tender; providing,
for display, a value for the first item expressed in redeemable
credits; receiving a user specified number, the user specified
number corresponding to a number of redeemable credits, wherein the
number of redeemable credits is less than the value for the first
item expressed in redeemable credits; and calculating a legal
tender amount based at least in part on the user specified number
corresponding to the number of redeemable credits, wherein the
combination of currency corresponding to the calculated legal
tender amount and the number of redeemable credits corresponding to
the user specified number is sufficient to acquire the first
item.
[0030] Optionally, where the redeemable credits may be redeemed for
products, the operations further comprise: determining how much the
user has spent acquiring items from at least a first source during
a first period of time; if the user has spent less than a first
threshold, enabling the user to earn redeemable credits up to a
first limit; and if the user has spent an amount equal to or
greater than the first threshold, enabling the user to earn
redeemable credits up to a second limit, wherein the second limit
is greater than the first limit. Optionally, the operations further
comprise offering the user free products selected based at least in
part on an amount of supplementary content viewed by the user,
wherein the user does not have to pay for the for the free products
using legal tender or redeemable credits. Optionally, the
operations further comprise: storing a history of supplementary
content viewed by the user; enabling the user to access at least a
portion of the history; receiving a selection from the user of at
least one item of supplementary content from the accessed history;
at least partly in response to the user selection of the at least
one item of supplementary content, offering for acquisition at
least one product associated with the selected at least one item of
supplementary content.
[0031] In an example aspect, a method of distributing content
comprises: providing by a computer system over a network to a user
terminal a toolbar configured to be docked to a browser, wherein
the toolbar is configured to occupy a first portion of a browser
window while leaving room in the browser window for the browser to
display a web page in a second portion of the browser window;
providing by the computer system a plurality of items of
supplementary content or representations thereof to be presented
via the toolbar while the web page is displayed in the second
portion of browser window; receiving at the computer system a user
selection of a first of the plurality of items of supplementary
content; and at least partly in response to receiving the user
selection of the first item of supplementary content, locating and
streaming by the computer system video content corresponding to the
first item of supplementary content for display on the toolbar.
[0032] In an example aspect, a non-transitory computer readable
medium storing programmatic instructions thereon, that when
executed by the at least on processing device, are configured to
cause the content management system to perform operations
comprising: providing over a network to a user terminal a toolbar
configured to be docked to a browser, wherein the toolbar is
configured to occupy a first portion of a browser window while
leaving room in the browser window for the browser to display a web
page in a second portion of the browser window; providing a
plurality of items of supplementary content or representations
thereof to be presented via the toolbar while the web page is
displayed in the second portion of browser window; receiving a user
selection of a first of the plurality of items of supplementary
content; and streaming video content corresponding to the first
item of supplementary content for display on the toolbar while the
web page is displayed in the second portion of browser window.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] The disclosed aspects will hereinafter be described in
conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and
not to limit the disclosed aspects, wherein like designations
denote the elements.
[0034] FIGS. 1A-5 illustrate example user interfaces.
[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates an example system architecture.
[0036] FIGS. 7, 7A illustrate an example process for selecting and
delivering content to a user.
[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates an example tiered membership
structure.
[0038] FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate example demographics specification
user interfaces.
[0039] FIG. 10 illustrates an example data flow.
[0040] FIGS. 11A-E illustrate example functionality of an
embodiment of a video player.
[0041] FIGS. 12A-C illustrate additional example user
interfaces.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] The amount and types of media to be delivered to viewers as
viewers browse for content continues to increase. For example, a
given webpage or other networked document may include videos, text,
images, and advertisements (which may be in the form of an image,
video, and/or text), all sharing the same screen space on a user
terminal (e.g., cell phone, laptop computer, desktop computer,
networked television, a game console, etc.). Further, in the case
of advertisements, the sheer number of advertisers, as well as the
provision of non-relevant advertisement content to viewers, are
diluting the value of advertisements for both viewers and
advertisers.
[0043] Certain embodiments described herein address some or all of
the foregoing drawbacks of conventional content distribution
technologies. Certain embodiments establish a mapping between
viewers' desires as to the content, including sponsored content
(e.g., video or still advertisements, product lists, etc.), they
may want to view versus the advertisers' desires to reach a
targeted, demographically relevant audience. In certain
embodiments, such mapping is facilitated by rewarding viewers with
redeemable credits for viewing content (e.g., sponsored content).
Optionally, users may earn credits per time unit (e.g., per second,
per minute, or other time unit) the user spends viewing such
content. The user may continuously accumulate such credits from
viewing multiple items of content, so as to be able to save up
credits to purchase or redeem more "expensive" items with such
accumulated earned credit.
[0044] For example, the content for which a user earns credit may
comprise targeted advertisements selected by and/or distributed by
a content distribution system, and the redeemable credits may be
subsidized, in whole or in part, by advertisers whose
advertisements are being viewed. The user may be able to apply such
earned credits to purchase certain items (wherein the term
"purchase" is intended to further include renting, unless the
context indicates otherwise). By way of illustration, the user may
be able to apply such earned credits to purchase articles, such as
products associated with the advertisers (e.g., food products,
electronics, clothing, etc.) and services. For example, in addition
to being able to use credits to purchase products, the credits may
be used to purchase the right to play online games or to purchase
virtual items in such games, where the earned credit may be used as
virtual currency. In addition, the user may be able to combine such
earned credits with currency/legal tender, in order to purchase
items or services (e.g., access to online games, movies, television
shows, etc.). For example, an online marketplace may be provided,
wherein a given item (e.g., a product or service) may have a posted
earned credit price, currency price, and/or a combined earned
credit and currency price.
[0045] Advertisers and retailers may be provided with a user
interface via which they can specify what items may be sold via the
content distribution system online marketplace and may further
specify profiles of users to whom the items are to be offered for
sale and/or to whom the items are not to be offered for sale. The
advertisers and retailers may also specify profiles of users to
whom the items are to be offered at a specified discount.
[0046] Certain embodiments track the accumulation and expenditures
of earned credits, as well as the items purchased by users using
the earned credit and/or currency for reporting to the user, a
system operator, advertisers, and/or other entities. In addition,
the system may track the status of ordered items (e.g., whether the
item has been shipped, received, returned, etc.) and report the
status to the user or other authorized persons/entities.
[0047] The user may enter, via a user account interface, preference
information with respect to content and/or products/services. For
example, with respect to content, the user may specify specific
movies, television shows, or webcasts the user would like to view,
genres of movies or shows the user likes (e.g., comedy, drama,
action, science fiction, animation, etc.), specific
celebrities/stars/athletes the user likes, and/or specific
organizations the users likes (e.g., religious institutions,
academic institutions, sports teams, companies, etc.). With respect
to products, the user may specify certain brands the user likes
and/or types of products the user likes (e.g., automobiles,
electronics, cooking equipment, clothing, food, etc.). The user may
also provide demographic information (e.g., age, gender, income,
marital status, profession, location, etc.), which the system may
use to generate/supplement a profile of the user. The user may also
specify a desired minimum or maximum length of primary content
(content that is primarily non-advertisement content, such as
movies, television shows, news, etc.) or supplemental content
(e.g., sponsored content) the user wants to view. For example, the
user may specify that the user does not want to view sponsored
content having a viewing length of more than 15 seconds, even if
the user will thereby earn less credit per item of sponsored
content viewed than if the user was willing to view sponsored
content 30 seconds long or longer. In this example, the system will
identify sponsored items of 15 seconds or less in length to present
to the user and from which the user may select.
[0048] In addition to or instead of the system utilizing expressly
specified preferences from the user to select content (e.g.,
movies, television shows, and/or advertisements) for display to the
user, information obtained from monitoring user actions or
characteristics may be used by the system to select content. By way
of illustration, the system may monitor the user's web page
navigation history, purchases, viewing history, other user usage
information, the user's location, mood (as indicated by the user
clicking on a mood control indicating if the user is happy, sad,
energized, lonely, etc.), etc., and utilize some or all of the
foregoing in selecting content or suggesting to be presented to the
user. The system may optionally utilize heuristics in selecting
advertisements for a given user or group of users.
[0049] Multiple advertisements may be presented in conjunction with
other content, such as a movie, television show, news item,
photograph, etc. Some or all of the advertisements may optionally
be in the form of a video advertisement. For example, the user may
be presented with multiple advertisements from which to select,
where the advertisements are initially represented in a visual menu
using respective text and/or static graphics, such as thumbnail
images or logos. In addition, the length of each advertisement
(and, if different, the qualifying viewing time needed to earn a
corresponding credit) and the amount of credit to be earned by
viewing the advertisement may be displayed in association with a
respective advertisement (including with the thumbnail image or
other representation of the advertisement). Optionally, the earned
credit may itself be expressed as a quantity of time units (e.g.,
the user earns 1 minute credit for each minute watched, and so that
if the user watches 10 minutes of advertising content, the user may
have 10 minutes of credit). Different advertisements may have
different lengths (in units of time) and may earn a viewing user
different amounts of credits.
[0050] The user may click on or otherwise select one of the
advertisements. If the advertisement is a video advertisement
(which may be an animated advertisement and/or a filmed
advertisement), the advertisement begins playing in response to the
user selection. The advertisement may be streamed from the content
distribution system or from a third party system. For example, the
advertisement (and other video content) may be compressed and
encoded (e.g., using a video codec, such as an MPEG 4 codec, a
H.264 codec, to compress the video portion, and using an audio
codec, such as MP3 or Vorbis, to compress the audio portion), and
assembled in a container/bitstream format (e.g., AVI, Ogg, MOV,
ASF, FLV, SWF, FLV, F4V, MP4, MPEG-4, MP4, M4V, F4F, 3GPP etc.).
The bitstream may then be delivered from a streaming server to a
streaming client using a transport protocol, such as Real Time
Streaming Protocol (RTSP). In addition to or instead of streaming
content for substantially immediate display, the advertisement (or
other content) may be downloaded to the user device for later
playback. The media may be provided using progressive video (e.g.,
using FLV, F4V, MP4, MP4V-ES, M4V, 3GPP, 3GPP2, QuickTime/MOV, or
other format). If the advertisement is a still image, the image may
be provided using a variety of formats (e.g., PNG, GIF, JPG, etc.).
A sponsored still image selected by the user may optionally be
expanded (e.g., to fill a majority of substantially all of the
display or window), in order to make the selected image easier to
view and to distinguish the selected image from other
advertisements. Optionally, images and videos can be presented in
3D.
[0051] While a given advertisement is being played and/or is
provided in expanded form so that the user may earn viewing credit,
a countdown timer may be displayed as well, indicating how much
longer the user needs to view the advertisement in order to receive
the associated earned credit and/or indicating the time length of
the advertisement.
[0052] The system tracks and records how long the user watches the
advertisement/sponsored content. Optionally, the user earns credit
proportional to the amount of time the user views the
advertisement, as calculated by the system. Optionally, the user
instead does not earn any credit for viewing a given advertisement
unless the user views the entire advertisement or a specified
amount of qualifying time, at which point the user earns the stated
earned credit amount. For example, if the system detects that the
user has navigated away from the advertisement or has stopped the
advertisement, the system determines the user has not viewed the
entire advertisement. In addition or instead, the user may be
instructed to click on a "viewed" control within a certain amount
of time after the advertisement has finished playing in order to be
allocated the earned credits. Otherwise, the system will not
allocate the user the earned credits associated with watching the
advertisement.
[0053] In certain embodiments, as a user scrolls through a page
displayed on the user's device, an advertisement inserted by the
system remains displayed at substantially the same location to
enable the user to continuously view the advertisement, even while
scrolling through a webpage. Further, as a user navigates from page
to page and site to site, a given advertisement may follow the user
and be displayed on each page or site (or a selected subset
thereof). For example, the advertisements may be displayed via a
toolbar downloaded (e.g., from the content distribution system or
other network resource) and docked to the user's browser. The
toolbar may display the advertisements in an area occupying about
25% of the browser window (although it may be sized to occupy more
than 25% or less than 25% of the browser window). Similarly, as a
user navigates from page to page and site to site, the user's
profile may follow the user so that the content distribution system
may continue provide targeted advertisements to the user even as
the user navigates from site to site and page to page.
[0054] Optionally, in certain embodiments, once an advertisement
(or other specified content) has been viewed by the user, the user
is automatically (or in response to a user activation of a control
provided by the system) presented with a page or other interface
via which the user can (i) add the item advertised and/or one or
more different items to the user's wish list; (ii) request more
information regarding the item advertised and/or one or more
different items; or (iii) add the item advertised and/or one or
more different items to the user's shopping cart for purchasing
(and complete the purchase). For example, the interface may be an
online catalog user interface. Optionally, the different item(s)
offered to the user may be selected by the system based at least in
part on one or more of the following: the user's profile (e.g.,
user specified preferences, user behavior, user characteristics),
advertiser/retailer specified criteria, and/or other criteria. The
item page may display a price expressed in earned credits, dollars
(or other legal tender), and/or a combination of earned credits. If
more than one product is to be displayed to the user, then multiple
products may be presented via a single page, or each product may be
presented on a dedicated page, and the user can navigate among the
product pages. The user then may purchase one or more of the
products, and the user will be charged accordingly (in earned
credits and/or in legal tender).
[0055] Users may pool their credits earned by viewing content, such
as advertisements, with credits earned by other users earned by
viewing content in order to purchase an item. Optionally, pooling
may be selectively allowed for purchasing certain specified items,
but not for other items. Optionally, user may be charged earned
credits and/or cash in order to pool earned credits to make a
purchase. For example, users may be charged a surcharge that is a
flat fee or a percentage (e.g., 20%) of the earned credit purchase
price. Optionally, a user may begin a group or be appointed to run
a group. For example, user running the group may approve requests
to join the group and/or send electronic invitations to join the
group. Various organizations, such as non-profits (e.g., schools,
religious institutions, etc.) may form a group.
[0056] Certain illustrative embodiments will now be discussed with
reference to the figures.
[0057] FIG. 1A illustrates an example home page of a user. As
discussed in greater detail below, the information presented via
the home page may be selected based in part on the user's profile.
The home page may include links 102A, 116A to other areas of the
content provider site (e.g., games, news, magazine, music, videos,
store, etc.), where the user can access the other areas may
activating a corresponding link. A login/logout control 104A may be
provided as well. An alerts control (not shown) enables the user to
access message relevant to the user (e.g., regarding the user's
account or regarding news of upcoming events). Optionally, a
specific website may be provided for users under a specified age
(e.g., under 18 years old, under 3 years old, etc.) with
appropriate content and optionally without requiring the user to
login.
[0058] Optionally, viewers/users of the content distribution system
may be required to be logged in prior to being able to earn credits
by watching advertisements presented by the system. In certain
optional embodiments, once users are logged in, login information
is maintained locally on a viewer's system via the use of browser
cookies. Therefore once logged in, as viewers visit websites that
utilize the credit-based viewing technologies, those websites will
automatically display advertisements that enable the user to
accumulate of minutes or time credits based on the login
information stored in the local cookie file, on information stored
in the content distribution system database, and/or and on the
credits associated with viewing such advertisements. In addition,
such websites may utilize the information stored in the cookie to
access demographic information associated with the user and to use
such demographic information to serve up demographically targeted
advertisements to the user.
[0059] In certain embodiments, because the system tracks the
validity of a viewer's membership (using identifying information
retrieved from a cookie stored on the user's terminal) to the
content distribution system, advertisements that are capable of
earning redeemable minutes or time credits will be displayed by
websites as long as a viewer has a valid login account, whether
logged in or not. In certain embodiments, if the viewer is logged
in at the time the enabled advertisement is displayed, the action
of viewing and earning redeemable minutes or time credits will take
effect immediately. In certain embodiments, if the viewer is
currently not logged in at the time the enabled advertisement is
displayed, the viewer will be asked to login first before such
redeemable minutes or time credits can be earned.
[0060] A search field 106A may be provided via which the user can
search across the website. For example, the user can search for
products or content, which, if located, will be provided in a
search result listing to the user, wherein a given search result
may have an associated link to a corresponding resource (e.g., a
web page or item of content). The user can select a search result
item to access a corresponding linked-to resource.
[0061] A featured items area 108A may be presented that optionally
includes primary content and/or videos being promoted. For example
the featured items area 108A may include a trailer for an upcoming
movie, an episode of a television series being promoted, a clip
from a television show, still images from a movie or of a movie
set, a text article on a celebrity (optionally also include still
images and/or videos), etc. In this example, the representations of
the featured items include still images from the featured items,
with relevant text and/or logo overlaid thereon.
[0062] If a user selects one of the featured items, it will begin
playing (if a video or an audio track), an image album will be
displayed (if the featured item is still images), or the text will
be displayed (if the featured item is a text document). When the
featured item is played or displayed, the system or client software
may cause the featured item to be expanded in size to occupy a
larger portion of the window in which the home page is displayed.
For example, the playing or displayed featured item may be sized to
occupy one quarter, one half, or substantially all of the window.
In certain embodiments, the selected featured item is expanded in
size, but enough room is reserved to display at least one or more
sponsored items of content (e.g., such as the sponsored items of
content area illustrated in FIG. 1G). As discussed elsewhere, some
or all of the featured items may be selected based at least in part
on the user's profile and/or on criteria specified by respective
providers of the featured items.
[0063] A "people" area 110A displays images of celebrities (e.g.,
athletes, actors, singers, writers, etc.). If the user selects a
photograph, a page describing the celebrity (e.g., latest album,
history, awards, etc.) and providing celebrity related content
(e.g., interviews, music videos, etc.), may be presented.
Optionally, the celebrity page may be a page from a website
controlled by the celebrity, and monetization resulting from the
user accessing the celebrity page may be shared among the
celebrity, the content distribution system operator, the user,
and/or other entities.
[0064] The home page may also have a "what's new" section 112A that
provides recent information regarding content available via the
content distribution system site.
[0065] A "company" area 114A displays names and/or logos companies,
who may pay a fee to have their name/logo included. If the user
selects a company name/logo, a page describing the company (e.g.,
products/services offered, number of employees, awards received,
etc.) and providing company related content (e.g., new products
being offered, new store locations, etc.), may be presented.
[0066] An account control is optionally provided that, when
activated, provides the user with the user's account information
(e.g., total credits earned, total video watching time, amount of
unredeemed credits, amount of items purchased by the user
(expressed in cash currency and/or credits) order status for
purchased items, user profile information (which the user may edit
and update), user titles/membership level, items on the user's wish
list, earned/available free items, user-specific message, system
messages, etc.).
[0067] A sponsored content area 102G illustrated in FIG. 1G may be
provided that includes one or more items of sponsored content
(which may include video content, still image content, textual
content, animated content, etc.). In this example, representations
of four items of sponsored content are presented, with a time
length for each item displayed as an overlay on a given item. Fewer
or additional items may be displayed. In this example, the
representations of the items of sponsored content include still
images from the items of content, with relevant text and/or logo
overlaid thereon. If a user selects one of the items of sponsored
content, it will begin playing and/or the content may be expanded
in size. For example, when an item of sponsored content is select
or is being played, the system or client software may cause the
item content to be expanded in size to occupy a larger portion of
the window in which the home page is displayed. By way of
illustration, the playing item of sponsored content may be sized to
occupy one quarter, one half, or substantially all of the
display/window, optionally leaving room to display a visual menu
listing additional items of sponsored content from which the user
may select. As discussed elsewhere, some or all of the items of
sponsored content may be selected based at least in part on the
user's profile and/or on criteria specified by a respective
sponsor. The sponsored content area 102G is illustrated in an
enlarged version in FIG. 1Ga.
[0068] The sponsored content area 102G may be embedded on one or
more web pages of a third party site and/or of a site hosted by the
content distribution system. As illustrated in FIG. 1Gb, a login
user interface may be provided via the sponsored content area 102G,
enabling the user to login in to the user's account with the
content distribution system. The login user interface may
replace/overlay an item of sponsored content, and after the user
logs in, the login user interface may be replaced with an item of
sponsored content. The user can click on an item of content
displayed in the sponsored content area and the selected content is
played, as illustrated in FIG. 1Gc. Optionally, the selected
content is expanded to occupy substantially all of the sponsored
content area 102G, or substantially the entire window or screen.
The sponsored content area, even when provided via a third party
site, may also display the amount of credits the user has earned
(e.g., retrieved from the content distribution system), and provide
a control via which the user can redeem earned credits or add items
to the user's wish list, as illustrated in FIG. 1Ge. The
redeem/wish list controls may replace/overlay an item of sponsored
content, and after the adds an item to the wish list, the
redeem/wish list user interface may be replaced with an item of
sponsored content.
[0069] Optionally, prior to the selected advertisement being fully
played, the viewed control displayed but "grayed" out to indicate
that the viewed control cannot yet be activated (see, e.g., FIG.
1C, controls 108C). Then, substantially immediately after the
selected advertisement has been played (e.g., the advertisement
illustrated in FIG. 1C 102C), the "viewed" control 108D is
presented or enabled, as illustrated in FIG. 1D and a countdown
timer is displayed. In this example, the user needs to activate the
"viewed" control before the countdown timer times out in order to
be entitled to and awarded the earned credits for viewing the
advertisements. If the user does not activate the "viewed" control
within the time limit specified by the countdown timer, the user is
not awarded the credits associated with viewing the advertisement
and the advertiser is not charged for the viewing.
[0070] Optionally, a history of advertisements viewed by the user,
as well as the advertisements themselves, may be made maintained by
the system. A user may be provided access to the history via a user
interface, which may be presented in the form of still images form
the respective advertisements. The user may then select one or more
of the advertisements for a repeated viewing. Optionally, a control
may be provided in association with a given advertisement via which
the user can access a user interface for purchasing an item being
promoted by the advertisements and/or a similar item. Thus, if a
user views an advertisement, and some time later would like to
purchase the advertised item, the user can access the user's
viewing history, and select the corresponding advertisement, the
system will offer the advertised item for purchase, and the user
may acquire (with legal tender and/or earned credits) the
corresponding advertised item for purchase.
[0071] In certain embodiments, the user may log directly into the
system website or via another website, such as a social network
website (such as Facebook.RTM., Twitter.RTM., Google+.RTM.,
MySpace.RTM., etc.). The system may construct a dynamic, customized
home page for the user when the user visits and logs into the
website hosted by the system. The home page presented to the user
may be based, at least in part, or user profile and/or usage
history. For example, a customer menu (which may be a text menu
and/or a presentation of thumbnails or icons of different items of
content) of primary content (content that is primarily
non-advertisement content, such as movies, television shows, news,
etc., although such primary content may include, for example a
product placement, such as a character in a movie driving a car
whose manufacturer paid to have included in a scene) may be
generated by the system based on the user's expressed preferences,
actions, or characteristics, which are matched with content
metadata to locate appropriate content.
[0072] Optionally, targeted, minor websites may be provided which
have a look-and-feel and functionality similar to or identical the
"main" website, but with different and appropriate selected
content. For example, the site may be targeted to users under 13
years old, with appropriately rated content (e.g., no content
having a more mature rating than a PG rating).
[0073] By way of illustration, if the user has previously indicated
that the user likes comedy television shows (expressly or by
viewing a significant amount of comedy television shows), icons or
still images corresponding to one or more selected comedy shows may
be provided for display to the user device. The sponsored content
icons or still images may be presented in the form of a quadrant,
such as that illustrated in FIG. 1G, although fewer or additional
items of content may be presented (see, e.g., FIG. 1E, sponsored
content area 102E, where six content icons or still images may be
displayed as a hexagon). The content icons or screen captures may
be manually or automatically changed periodically (e.g., every 15
seconds, 30 second, or other time period). The user may select from
the menu which content is to be played, and the selected content is
then played.
[0074] Similarly, if the user had indicated an interest in
specified celebrities, the system may locate photographs of the
celebrities, which may be displayed to the user. As discussed
above, the user may click on one of the celebrities' photographs
(or other link identifying or related to the celebrity) and the
user may be navigated to an official or fan website of the
celebrity (which may be a virtual or sub-website hosted by or
operated by the content distribution system, with content provided
by another system (e.g., the actual celebrity's site).
Advantageously, the navigated-to site may monetize the user's visit
(e.g., by presenting advertisements or selling products to the
user), which may be shared with the content distribution system
operator and/or the celebrity. Optionally, the user may earn
credits for visiting the real or virtual celebrity site and for
making purchases at the celebrity site or at a sub-shopping site
(offering celebrity-specific products, such as clothing (with
images of the celebrity and/or branded with the celebrity's name),
posters of the celebrity, audio and/or video performances by the
celebrity (e.g., in the form of CDs, DVDs, digital downloads),
etc.), hosted by/operated by the content distribution system.
[0075] Optionally, a content provider and celebrity sub-site may be
provided via the content distribution system, wherein content and
products for sale may be imported for display to users. The video
player can display video and image content stored at third party
sites or may import and store such content in a designated content
distribution network. For celebrity (and/or content sites) shopping
may be hosted and performed by the content distribution system, and
the system may offer for purchase celebrity-specific products, such
as clothing (with images of the celebrity and/or branded with the
celebrity's name), posters of the celebrity, audio and/or video
performances by the celebrity (e.g., in the form of CDs, DVDs,
digital downloads), etc.).
[0076] A similar process may be performed for other targets of
interest to the user (e.g., academic institutions, sports teams,
political parties, religious organizations). Thus, the content
distribution system enables owners of other websites to monetize
users' utilization of the technology for earning credit for viewing
content.
[0077] Additionally, a menu of sponsored content (e.g.,
advertisements) may be selected by the system based on a
combination of some or all of: the user's preferences,
characteristics, actions, and advertiser specified demographics for
a given campaign or specific advertisement. The advertisements may
be presented in the form of a quadrant displayed on the right hand
side or left hand side of the page (e.g., centered vertically, even
when the user scrolls through the page), although fewer or
additional advertisements may be presented, and the advertisements
may be presented at different locations (e.g., at the top or bottom
of the page). The advertisements displayed in the menu may change
periodically (e.g., every 15 seconds, every 30 seconds, or other
time frame).
[0078] When the user views primary content and/or sponsored
content, the user's profile maintained by the system may be updated
accordingly.
[0079] An advertiser may also setup an advertiser profile. For
example, the advertiser may enter the company name, contact
information, and specify the category of products/services they
offer. Advertisers may upload video and non-video (e.g.,
photographs, graphics, text) advertisements. In addition,
advertisers may add tags relevant to their advertisements (e.g.,
specifying the ad subject, such as "cars", "clothing", "travel",
etc.) and specify the demographics of desired viewers.
[0080] FIG. 2 illustrates another sample browsing experience
provided by the content distribution system. FIG. 2 is a depiction
of that portion of the website page that represents the content
distribution system framework, and may be contained as part of the
larger browser window that is providing additional content, such as
the home page illustrated in FIG. 1A.
[0081] FIG. 1H illustrates an example user interface for purchasing
items. This example user interface includes an optional "free"
control. If the item is available for free (where "free" in this
instance, means without having to spend legal tender or earned
credits to obtain the item), the user may activate a free control
to acquire the item for free. Optionally, the content distribution
system operator may pay for the item being acquired by the user for
free. The price may also be listed in terms of earned credit
minutes and in legal tender. The user can enter into a "minutes"
field how many earned credit minutes the user wants to utilize to
purchase the item. If the number of earned credit minutes is not
sufficient to obtain the item, the system will calculate and report
to the user how much legal tender the user needs to submit in
conjunction with the credit minutes to purchase the item.
Similarly, the user can enter a legal tender amount into a
corresponding field, and if the legal tender amount is insufficient
to purchase the item, the system will calculate and report how many
credit minutes the user needs to contribute in order to complete
the purchase. Once the user has entered a sufficient combination of
the credit minutes and legal tender, the user may activate the
checkout control to complete the checkout and to acquire the
item.
[0082] FIG. 3 is a reproduction of the screenshot in FIG. 2 with
annotations. In FIG. 3, main media player 301 may stream the video
images. A given website might use, by way of example and not
limitation, Windows Media Player, QuickTime, HTML5, or any other
media player integrated into the site. As shown in FIG. 3, once a
viewer is logged into the content distribution system, multiple
context sensitive, targeted advertisements in smaller windows 305
may be displayed under the larger main media player 301. Smaller
windows 305 containing the advertisements may scroll automatically
substantially immediately or after a pre-configured time interval,
and/or optionally, the viewer can manually scroll backwards or
forwards to either the previous or next advertisements by pressing
the arrow keys depicted on either side of smaller windows 305. The
length of the advertisements and/or the amount of credit to be
earned may be displayed in conjunction with the advertisements.
[0083] From the list of smaller windows 305 in FIG. 3, viewers can
choose to view a company or product commercial for a short duration
of time or to view a company's product list for a longer duration
of time by depressing the appropriate minute icons contained within
the advertisement image. Once a viewer has selected to view the
product list, a viewer has the option to scroll through a list of
the company's products that are relevant to the selected
advertisement. The product list will be displayed for a longer,
specified number of seconds, and the viewer has the option to
simply scroll through the list of products, to select to purchase
one by redeeming minutes, paying cash, or a combination of both,
and also to add products directly to the viewer's wish list. The
short commercial view and the longer product list view are shown in
more detail in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.
[0084] As discussed above, viewers are awarded redeemable time
credits, which may be in the form of bankable minutes, by the
system in exchange for viewing the commercial or company product
list. Viewers who choose to view the longer product list
advertisements may be awarded a larger number of minutes/credits
than those viewers who choose to view shorter commercial versions
of the same advertisements. The more minutes of viewing performed
by the user, the more redeemable credits the user may earn.
However, in certain instances, viewing certain advertisement will
earn the viewer more credits on a per time period basis than other
minutes. For example, a first advertiser may want to provide an
increased incentive to view its advertisements, and so may
subsidize twice as many credits per viewing minute as a second
advertiser. As previously discussed, these accumulated credits are
then redeemable for products or services, or special offers such as
discounts or upgrades for such products or services.
[0085] Users of the content distribution system are able to redeem
their accumulated minutes or time credits at partner stores (online
and traditional brick and mortar stores) and at participating
fulfillment centers. Redemption rights of specific viewers may be
validated by sending viewers an encoded electronic barcode to
viewer's emails and/or image enabled cellular telephones, and the
resulting barcode can then be scanned at the partner store or
fulfillment center for substantially instant validation and product
or service fulfillment.
[0086] Optionally, in order to authenticate the user, the system
may generate a receipt for the purchased item and include the
user's picture on the receipt (e.g., using a photograph uploaded by
the user during the receipt process or previously uploaded by the
user and stored in the user's profile). The receipt may further
include an order number and a barcode encoding the order number
and/or authentication information. The user may then print out the
receipt and/or display the receipt on the user's mobile device
(e.g., a mobile phone) and provide/display the receipt to a
customer service person at the pickup location. The customer
service person may then verify that the user is authorized to pick
up the item by comparing the picture on the receipt with that of
the bearer and/or by scanning the barcode (which may be verified
against barcode information stored in the content distribution
system database) to determine that the receipt is a valid. Once
authentication has been performed, the service person may then
provide the user with the item.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 3, once viewers are logged in, a viewer's
personal profile information 302 may be displayed. Near the top of
personal profile information 302 a viewer's personal photo or
chosen representation thereof (avatar) and a personalized welcome
back message with the viewer's name may optionally be displayed.
Below the greeting message will be prominently displayed an
eventual chosen product name for the content distribution system
may be prominently displayed. Near the bottom of personal profile
information 302 is a summary of the viewer's currently banked
minutes or time credits as well as a button that can be pressed to
initiate the minute redemption process.
[0088] In FIG. 3, a special offer 303 from a specific advertiser
who is participating in the credit-based viewing service may be
displayed. This special offer is for a free or discounted item from
an advertiser, and viewers can click on the offer to answer one or
more questions and receive the free or discounted item. These
questions may include responding to a few survey questions posed by
the advertiser, or the agreement to opt in and provide personal
information such as an email address to receive correspondence on
future opportunities and special offers. In certain embodiments
there is no correlation between the currently displayed special
offer 303 and the scrolling small window advertisements 305 in FIG.
3. Advertisers have the option to have their advertisement appear
as a special offer 303 in the side bar or as a viewable
advertisement 305, or both.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 3, an optional history tray 304 of the
number of recently earned minutes/credits and activity is
displayed. As viewers accumulate redeemable minutes or time
credits, the history tray will move to the right to depict
accumulating minutes and will store a historical accounting of all
advertisements viewed. Viewers can see their viewing history by
hovering a cursor/pointer over the history tray. When the viewer
hovers the cursor over the minute number it shows the history of
viewed advertisements and commercials so that the viewer can
revisit the previously viewed advertisements or commercials 502, as
shown in FIG. 5. Optionally, the user's viewing history may be
stored and/or accessible only for the current session, or the
user's viewing history may be stored and accessible for multiple
sessions.
[0090] In order to select a previously viewed advertisement the
viewer can select an item from the drop-down list and optionally
add a product of choice to the wish list. In certain embodiments,
no time is earned during this additional period of activity, as the
viewer can only get credited one time for viewing an advertisement.
However, optionally, the user may be able to earn credits for
watching an advertisement repeatedly. When the recently accumulated
redeemable minutes reaches a preset limit (in this example, 5
minutes), viewers are optionally required to add an item to their
wish list before being able to accumulate more minutes. Optionally,
a cap may be provided on how many credits a user may earn in a
specified time period. For example, a user may be restricted from
earning more than 1000 credit minutes in a month (even if the user
watches more than 1000 minutes of advertising during the month).
Optionally, as discussed in greater detail below, the user may be
enabled to earn more than cap if the user takes certain actions.
For example, if the user makes certain purchases, the user may have
the cap raised to a higher amount (e.g., 2000 credit minutes in a
month). Other example actions that may optionally be specified
include adding an item to a wish list, transferring an item from a
wish list to a shopping cart, inviting another person to be become
a user of the system (e.g., by provided contact information of the
invitee to the system, which may then transmit an invitation to the
person), etc.
[0091] Optionally, the user may only be entitled to earn a maximum
number of credits per day, up to a specified maximum number of
credits per month (or other time period). For example, if the user
has a maximum cap of 1000 credit minutes per month, the user may
only be allowed to earn 33 credit minutes per day for watching
eligible sponsored content. However, optionally, if the user earned
less than 33 credit minutes in a given day (because the user did
not watch sufficient sponsored content that day to earn 33 credit
minutes), the user may be able to "catch-up" by watching additional
advertisements on future days in the month. For example, if the
user did not earn any credit minutes one day, the user may be
allowed to earn 66 credit minutes the next day. Thus, on a given
day, the user may be allowed to earn:
(specified maximum credits per month/number of days in the
month)+(the cumulative number of earned credits the user was
entitled to earn that month up to the current day-the cumulative
number of earned credits the user actually earned that month up to
the current day)
[0092] However, optionally, the user is prevented from getting
ahead of the cumulative daily total cap. For example, in the
example above, on the first day of the month, the user may be
prevented from earning more than 33 credit minutes.
[0093] A given user's wish list depicts the user's desired
products, services, or discounts and special offers that the viewer
would like to consider redeeming their points towards. However,
even in those embodiments where the user is required to add an item
to their wish list, the user may not be required to redeem any
minutes at this time. Optionally, there will be no limit as to the
number of minutes/credits that any viewer can earn before
redemption of such minutes/credits. However, optionally, a user may
be required to expend a certain amount of credits within a certain
period of time after being earned, or the credits will be deleted
or expire (e.g., within 12 months or other time period). In certain
embodiments, when a user is ready to add an item to the user's wish
list, the user presses the "W/L" (wish list) button which is part
of history tray 304.
[0094] When a logged in viewer chooses to view a shorter product or
company commercial, the commercial may be shown in the main player
window 301 illustrated in FIG. 3. The selection may be made by the
viewer by pressing on a small oval icon on the left side of one of
the smaller advertisements 305 depicted in FIG. 3. The advertiser
may or may not choose to offer a shorter viewing option for the
specific advertisement.
[0095] When a logged in viewer chooses to view a product list from
the company, the selection may be made by the viewer by pressing on
a small oval button on the right side of one of the smaller
advertisements 305 depicted in FIG. 3. The product list may be then
shown in the side bar to the right of the main player window in
FIG. 3. The area of the screen depicted in personal profile
information 302 and special offer 303 may be replaced by the
product list from the company sponsoring the advertisement. The
product list may be closely associated with the specific product
line or product type that was displayed in the small window
advertisement. An example of the content distribution system with
the product list being displayed is shown in FIG. 5. As is the case
for the shorter commercial, an advertiser may or may not choose to
offer a product list option for the specific advertisement.
[0096] FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed example of a smaller window
305 advertisement that would be scrolling and appear in one of the
windows of FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, a left oval button 402 may be pressed
to view a short company commercial in the main player window. Oval
buttons that can be pressed to access shorter commercials contain a
smaller number representing a shorter time period that the
commercial will be viewed for along with a the letter "c" after the
numbers representing the fact that a viewer will be viewing a
commercial. The shorter number represents the number of seconds
that the commercial will be shown for, and viewing the commercial
in its entirety will credit the viewer's banked redeemable minutes
or time credits with the identical number of seconds. In this
example, left oval button 402 illustrates a button containing "10c"
which signifies that the commercial will play in the main player
window for 10 seconds, and the fact that selecting the button will
display a commercial as opposed to a product list. Upon viewing the
commercial for 10 seconds, the viewer will be credited with 10
redeemable seconds or time credits.
[0097] With respect to the user interface illustrated in FIG. 4, a
right oval button 404 may be pressed to view a product shopping
list in the side bar. The oval button in this example is displayed
on the right side of the main player window. Oval buttons that can
be pressed to access product lists contain a larger number
representing a longer time period that the list must be viewed to
earn redeemable minutes or time credits, followed by the letter "p"
representing the fact that a viewer will be viewing a product list.
The larger number represents the number of seconds that the product
list will be shown for, and viewing the product list for that
duration will credit the viewer's banked redeemable minutes or time
credits with the identical number of seconds. In this example,
right oval button 404 illustrates a button containing "60p" which
signifies that the product list will be displayed in the sidebar
area for 60 seconds, and the fact that selecting the button will
display a product list as opposed to a commercial. Upon viewing the
product list for 60 seconds, the viewer will be credited with 60
redeemable seconds of time credits, or 1 minute.
[0098] The content distribution system also has an associated login
webpage which may be made available for all registered users. Using
this website, users are able to update comprehensive personal
profile and preference and interest information to allow targeted
demographic advertisement delivery, as similarly discussed
above.
[0099] Thus, there is a multitude of ways that a viewer can be
awarded redeemable minutes or time credits from advertisers.
Numerous advertisers can be recruited in large quantities around
the world to participate in the system. Numerous websites can also
be recruited in large quantities around the world to participate in
the system. Advertising slots in small window 305 of FIG. 3 may
optionally also be reserved for smaller, local advertisers
participating in a geographically limited area. Thus, advertisers
are provided with great flexibility in the manner in which their
ads are displayed. Via the content distribution system, advertisers
can offer up their advertisements in video or static form, they can
scale the minutes or time credits they award based on the scope of
the viewer's involvement, they can focus on narrow geography or
widespread geography for advertisement display, and they can data
mine user profiles to target demographically significant viewing
audiences.
[0100] FIG. 6 illustrates an example system architecture. A content
distribution system 600 (which may be cloud based) includes a
server 602 (which may include one or more geographically
distributed servers) including a database 604, which may be in the
form of a relational database. The database (which may be hosted on
one or more servers) may store user account information, user
profiles, advertiser campaign and target demographic information,
primary video content, advertising content, thumbnails/screenshots
of primary and advertisement content, surveys and quizzes. For
example, the surveys or quizzes may be presented to a viewer during
or after the playing of the advertisement, wherein the viewer needs
to answer in order to demonstrate to the system that the user is
actually watching the advertisement in order to earn viewing
credits (where if the system determines that the user did not
answer, or did not answer a sufficient number of questions
correctly, the system does not assign credit for the viewing). A
given item of stored content may be associated with metadata. For
example, the metadata may include object identifiers (OID), and
tags describing the subject matter of the content, an associated
advertiser, etc.
[0101] The system information flow may depend on user usage and
whether a website visited by a user is or is not a partner with the
content distribution operator. For a partner, a widget and/or a web
solution may be utilized to provide the user interfaces and certain
functionality described herein. For example, some or all of the
logic and intelligence for displaying advertisements and video
content may be performed using a custom web application for a given
partner. The widget or web application may be provided to the
partner by the content distribution system operator or other
entity. Optionally, for non-partners, a toolbar (such as the
toolbar described elsewhere herein) may be utilized to provide the
advertisements to the user. Optionally, the same toolbar
implementation may be utilized for large numbers or all users.
[0102] The content distribution system 600 may be coupled via a
network (e.g., the Internet) to the one or more third party content
provider systems 606, 608 hosting content such as online television
shows or movies. In addition, the system 600 may be coupled to one
or more advertiser content provider systems 614, 616 to request and
receive advertisement content served by the advertiser content
provider systems 614, 616. The system 600 may be accessed by user
devices 610, 612, which may be in the form of computer systems,
mobile smart phones, interactive television sets/set top boxes,
etc. The system 600 may transmit the user interfaces and content to
the users devices 610, 612 as similarly described above.
[0103] The system 600 may be accessed wirelessly, via wired
broadband connection, or via a public switched telephone network,
by way of example.
[0104] FIG. 10 illustrates an example tiered architecture, content
delivery network (CDN) and data flow. In this example, there is a
data tier, a logic tier, and a presentation tier. The presentation
tier is the top-most layer of the architecture. The presentation
layer presents user interfaces to the user via the user terminal.
The presentation layer translates task and results for presentation
to the user. The logic layer coordinates the processes described
herein, processes commands, makes logical decisions, and performs
calculations, such as those described elsewhere herein. The logic
layer further routes, processes, and caches data communicating by
the presentation and data tier. The data tier stores data to and
retrieves data from one or more databases/file systems. Thus, for
example, data retrieved from the data tier is passed to the logic
tier for processing, and the processed data is in turn passed by
the logic tier to the presentation tier for presentation to the
user. The CDN may replicate the video to geographically distributed
data centers (e.g., distributed around the world). Then, based on
user location and network available bandwidth, the CDN may stream
the video from one of the data centers with minimal or no video
hiccups and with a reliable and consistent quality of video
delivery service. Thus, the system may be implemented using a
cloud, collocation, and/or CDN architecture.
[0105] Thus, for example, if the user requests, via a user
interface presented on a browser, information regarding the user's
past purchases or advertisement viewing history, the request is
passed from the presentation layer to the logic layer. The logic
layer formulates a corresponding query, and passes the query to the
data tier. The corresponding purchase data is retrieved from the
database and passed to the logic tier. The logic tier accumulates
the purchase amounts and passes the total to the presentation layer
for display to the user.
[0106] FIGS. 7, 7A illustrate an example content selection and
presentation process. At state 702, a user logs into the content
distribution system via an access device (e.g., a personal
computer, mobile phone, etc.), wherein the user's user identifier
and password is manually or automatically provided to the system
(as discussed elsewhere herein, the user may optionally instead
login via a third party site, such as a social networking site). At
state 704, the content distribution system accesses profile data
for the user, using the user's login information and/or information
obtained from a cookie or other file stored on the user's device.
At state 706, the system accesses advertiser information, including
information on active campaigns, budget information, and desired
demographics. At state 708, the system utilizes the user's profile
information to identify one or more available items of primary
content that the user would likely want to view. For example, the
system may identify the four items of content (or other number of
items of content) that most closely match the user's interests as
indicated by the user's profile, and that the user has not
previously viewed using the system.
[0107] At state 710, the system utilizes the user's profile
information and the advertiser information to identify one or more
active ads (or other forms of sponsored content) targeted to the
user. For example, the system may identify active advertisements
(where the sponsor indicates an end date or an expenditure that may
be used to determine with an active advertisement becomes inactive)
whose targeted demographics match or substantially match the
demographics of the user and/or that match or substantially match
the user's interests as determined from the user's profile.
[0108] At state 712, the system provides for display on the user's
device text/icons/screenshots of one or more of the identified
items of primary content (e.g., four items of primary content) and
icons/screenshots of one or more of the identified advertisements
(e.g., four or six items of advertisements). The system accesses a
time length and/or qualification viewing time, and a viewing credit
associated with each of the identified advertisements and displays
the time length and viewing credit in conjunction with the
corresponding advertisement icon/screenshot. While other numbers of
items of content may be displayed (e.g., one item, eight items,
twelve items, etc.), the display of four-six items of content
(rather than less than four items or more than six items) more
likely ensures that at least one item of content will be of
interest to the user, while not overwhelming the user or presenting
items of less interest to the user, as might occur if more than
four-six items were presented.
[0109] Optionally, the system may cause a first set of items of
primary content and a first set of advertisements to be initially
displayed, and then, if the user does not make a selection of an
item of primary content or advertisement within a specified period
of time (e.g., within 15 seconds), cause a second set of primary
content or a second set of advertisement content to be displayed,
and so on.
[0110] At state 714 the system determines if the user has selected
an advertisement or an item of primary content to be displayed.
[0111] If the user selected an item of primary content, the process
proceeds to state 716, and the selected item of primary content is
streamed to the user device for playback.
[0112] If the user selected an item of advertisement, the process
proceeds to state 718, and the selected advertisement is streamed
to the user device for playback. Optionally, if the user was
viewing a primary content video while selecting the advertisement,
the playing of the primary video is automatically paused. At state
720, a determination is made as to whether the user has viewed the
entirety of the ad (or other specified minimum amount of the ad).
If the user has viewed the entirety of the ad (or other specified
minimum amount of the ad), then at state 722, the user is assigned
the corresponding credit (e.g., by storing and/or accumulating the
credit amount in the user's account information). Otherwise, the
user is not assigned the corresponding content. Optionally, if the
primary content video is paused, playback is automatically
re-initiated after playback of the advertisement is completed.
[0113] At state 724, a purchase user interface may be presented
whereby the user can purchase one or more products/services
depicted or discussed in the advertisement and/or one or more other
items. The user interface can indicate the cost of the item in
terms of credits earned from viewing advertisements, a currency
amount (e.g., in dollars/cents), and/or one or more combinations of
earned credits and currency. The item(s) presented to the user may
optionally be selected based in part on the user's profile and/or
target purchaser characteristics specified by the advertiser or a
retailer selling the item(s). Any discounts or rebates that the
user may be entitled to (e.g., as a result of the user's membership
level or by simply being a registered using the content
distribution system) may be identified and applied by the system to
the purchase.
[0114] In certain instances, one or more items may be offered for
free to the user (wherein the user does not need to use redeemable
credits or legal tender to purchase the items), optionally on a
pseudo random or random basis. Optionally, the user is offered one
or more free items based in whole or in part on the amount of
advertisements (e.g., measured in time and/or quantity) the user
has viewed within a given period (e.g., that day, the current week,
the current month, the last 7 days, the last 30 days, etc.). Thus,
the system may operate a first timer or other accumulator that
tracks the number of minutes or times a user has watched eligible
sponsored advertising in order to determine how many redeemable
credits the user is to be assigned, and a second timer or other
accumulator that that tracks the number of minutes a user has
watched eligible sponsored advertising in order to determine what
free items to offer the user. Optionally, the second timer or other
accumulator tracking the number of minutes a user has watched
eligible sponsored advertising in order to determine what free
items to offer the user is reset each time a user has purchased an
item and/or periodically (e.g., each month or every 30 days) in
order to encourage the user to select a free item periodically
(where the user is notified periodically of the reset policy).
Optionally, rather than reset the "free" timer each time a free
item is selected by the user, the "free" timer is decremented an
amount corresponding to the free item selected, wherein the
selection of certain free items (e.g., relatively more valuable
free items), may cause the "free" timer than the selection of other
free items (e.g., relatively more valuable free items).
[0115] The free products or services may be purchased by the
content distribution system operator using a portion of the fees
received from advertisers/content sponsors. Thus, in an example
embodiment, the user benefits by earning free products and
services, and by earning redeemable credits which may be applied to
the purchase of products and services. The content sponsors may
benefit in that their advertisements are presented to users that
actually view the advertisements, and by having their products
purchased by the system operator (optionally using a portion of the
revenue received from the advertisers/content sponsors), and
provided to users that may be interested in purchasing their
products in the future. The system operator benefits in that it may
retain as profit a portion of the fees paid by the
advertisers/sponsors. Optionally, certain or all of the credits
earned by users may only be redeemed via the system and/or its
partners, and/or for items offered by the system or its
partners.
[0116] The user can select one or more items to purchase. If the
user is making a purchase using earned credits, a determination may
be made as to whether the user has sufficient earned credits to
make the purchase. If the user does not have sufficient earned
credits to make the purchase, the user may be informed as to how
much earned credit the user has, the difference between the amount
of earned credit the user has and the amount of earned credit
needed, and an amount in currency the user will need to pay to make
up the difference (which may be calculated by the system).
Optionally, the user may be offered the option to purchase
additional credits at a specified price.
[0117] For certain items, the user interface may indicate that the
item may be shipped to the user and/or may be picked up by the
user. In certain instances the user may be provided with a control
via which the user can instruct the system to arrange to have the
item available for pickup. At state 726, purchase requests made by
the user are processed by the content distribution system or
another system, and the user is charged (in credits and/or
currency) for the item(s) and the item(s) are provided to the user
(or to another person designated by the user).
[0118] If the user instructed the system to arrange for the
purchased item to be picked up at a retailer or other location,
then at state 728, the system generates a receipt to be printed and
provided by the user or displayed by the user (e.g., via a mobile
phone or computer) at the pickup location. As discussed elsewhere
herein, the receipt may include the user's image on the receipt
(e.g., using a photograph uploaded by the user during the receipt
process or previously uploaded by the user and stored in the user's
profile). The receipt may further include an order number and a
barcode encoding the order number and/or authentication
information.
[0119] At state 730, the user's profile is updated by the system to
reflect the purchase. This updated profile may be used to better
target advertisements and products to the user. Any credits used to
pay for the purchase are deducted from the user's account. At state
732, a determination is made as to whether the purchase entitles
the user to an upgraded membership/title (which may have increased
benefits as described elsewhere herein). If the user is entitled to
an upgraded membership/title, then at state 734, a corresponding
indication is stored in the user's account/profile information, and
a notification is transmitted to the user (e.g., via email, SMS,
MMS, a web page, etc.) regarding the upgrade and the associated
benefits. If the user is not entitled to an upgrade, at state 736,
the upgrade is inhibited.
[0120] Optionally, the rewards for viewing content (e.g.,
advertisements or other sponsored content) may be tiered. For
example, the rewards may increase at certain threshold(s) (e.g., in
linear or non-linear proportion to the amount/time duration of
advertisements viewed). Thus, for example, the incremental reward
provided to the user for watching a second hour of advertisements
may be greater than the reward provided for the first hour of
watching advertisements. The rewards may also be tiered based on
the amount of total purchases made by the user overall or over a
certain period of time (e.g., per month, the last month, over the
last year, etc.).
[0121] In addition, when the user achieves certain thresholds of
viewing time, earned credits, and/or purchases, the user may be
awarded certain titles and/or membership levels (e.g., "Top
Viewer", "Top 1000 Earner", "Silver", "Gold", "Platinum", "Black
Gold", etc.) by the system, and such titles/membership levels may
be provided for display to other users of the system and/or the
titles may be posted on one or more external social networking web
pages. The system may generate messages to the user (e.g., via
email, instant messaging service, SMS, MMS, or otherwise) regarding
the user's prizes, points, purchases, membership levels, etc.
[0122] Optionally, certain benefits may be provided to a user based
at least in part on the thresholds reached or membership levels.
Optionally, the user may be offered certain products or services
for free. The value/desirability of the free product and/or service
being offered may optionally increase in proportion (in linear or
non-linear proportion) with the user's earned time, credits,
purchases, title, and/or membership levels. Products or services
may be provided randomly to users (e.g., to some but not all users
viewing or having just viewed an advertisement) to provide an
incentive to the users to stay online and/or view targeted
content/advertisements. The membership of a given user may be
automatically determined by the system based on one or more of the
foregoing factors (e.g., the user's purchases, earned time/credits,
etc.) and recorded in an account record of the user.
[0123] By way of illustration and not limitation, where the
membership levels are based on purchases, a user may be assigned to
the lowest level if the user has made less than a first threshold
dollar amount of purchases in a first period of time (e.g., the
previous month, week, day, or year). The threshold can optionally
be set as low as the lowest currency value (e.g., a penny), so that
if the user made any purchases, the purchase would enable the user
to exceed the first threshold. At the lowest membership level, the
user may be entitled to a first maximum dollar value (or quantity)
of free product/services (where the term "free" in this instance
indicates that the user does not have to apply money or earned
redeemable credits to obtain the product or service). In addition,
the user may be entitled to earn a first maximum amount of credits
for viewing advertisements within the first time period. Thus, even
if the user views more than enough advertisements within the first
period of time to earn more than the first maximum amount of
credits, the user will not be assigned more than the first maximum
amount of credits.
[0124] The user may be assigned to a second, higher membership
level if the user has made more than the first threshold dollar
amount of purchases in the first period of time and less than a
second threshold dollar amount (if there are still higher
membership levels). As a benefit of being assigned to the second
membership level, the cap on the amount of credits that may be
earned within the first period may be raised to a second maximum
amount. In addition, the user may be entitled to earn a second
maximum dollar value (or quantity) of free product/services (the
second maximum dollar or quantity value higher than the first).
Further, the types of free items from which the user may select may
include items of a different type (e.g., more preferred) than that
offered to users at the first membership level. For example, users
at the first membership level may be offered free fast food,
drinks, promotional items, while users at the second membership
level may be able to select from the same items offered to users at
the first membership level, but in addition, may be offered free
movie tickets, downloadable songs and movies, meals at upscale
restaurants and membership to online content provider services
(e.g., streaming media services).
[0125] The user may be assigned to a third, still higher membership
level if the user has made more than the second threshold dollar
amount of purchases in the first period of time and less than a
third threshold dollar amount (if there are still higher membership
levels). As a benefit of being assigned to the third membership
level, the cap on the amount of credits that may be earned within
the first period may be raised to a third maximum amount. In
addition, the user may be entitled to earn may be entitled to a
third maximum dollar value (or quantity) of free product/services
(the third maximum dollar or quantity value higher than the
second). In addition, the types of free items from which the user
may select may include items of a different type (e.g., more
preferred) than that offered to users at the first and second
membership level (although the user may be able to select from
items offered to users at the first and second membership levels).
In addition, the user may be allowed to purchase, via the system,
credits. Thus, for example, the user may be offered 7 redeemable
credit minutes (the equivalent of watching 7 minutes of
advertising) for $1.00, where the user does not have to actually
watch the 7 minutes of advertising to earn the 7 credits. In
addition, the user may be awarded, without charge, a certain amount
of credit minutes (e.g., the equivalent of watching 500 minutes of
advertising) where the user does not have to actually watch the
corresponding minutes of advertising to earn the awarded
credits.
[0126] Of course, there could be addition or fewer levels of
membership and the benefits may differ from those provided in the
examples herein.
[0127] Optionally, even if a user purchases an item via the system
utilizing the user's own money (e.g., without using viewing credits
to make the purchase), the user may be granted a discount or
refund. Optionally, the discount or refund may increase in
proportion (in linear or non-linear proportion) with the user's
earned time, credits, title and/or membership levels.
[0128] Tiered benefits for viewing content and making purchase will
now be described with reference to FIG. 8. As discussed above, user
rewards may be tiered based on the amount of total purchases
overall or over a certain period of time. In certain embodiments,
purchases made using earned credits are optionally not counted in
the purchase total. FIG. 8 illustrates an example tier structure.
In this example, users that have made no cash purchases over a
specified time period (e.g., the last month), but only purchased
items using earned credits (or have not made any purchases at all)
may be assigned to a silver level. The user may only be allowed to
earn up to 1000 credit minutes/month. Thus, if a credit minute has
a cash equivalent of 12 cents, the user may earn up to the cash
equivalent of $120 (1000.times.$0.12). The user may be entitled to
a first set of free benefits (e.g., free fast food, drinks,
promotional items, etc.). Users that have spent above a first
threshold (e.g., $500) in making cash purchases over a specified
time period (e.g., the last month) may be assigned to a gold level.
The user may be allowed to earn up to 2500 credit minutes/month.
Thus, if a credit minute has a cash equivalent of 12 cents, the
user may earn up to the cash equivalent of $300 (2500.times.$0.12).
The user may be entitled to a second, enhanced set of free benefits
(e.g., free fast food, drinks, movie tickets, download songs,
download movies, promotional items, etc.). Users that have spent
above a second threshold (e.g., $1000) in making cash purchases
over a specified time period (e.g., the last month) may be assigned
to a platinum level. The user may be allowed to earn up to 5000
credit minutes/month. In addition, in this example, the user is
awarded 500 credit minutes without having to watch corresponding
videos. Thus, if a credit minute has a cash equivalent of 12 cents,
the user may earn up to the cash equivalent of $660
((5000.times.$0.12)+(500.times.$0.12)). The user may be entitled to
a third, further enhanced set of free benefits (e.g., free fast
food, drinks, gourmet restaurants, vacations, airline tickets,
hotel stays, concert tickets, back passes, sporting events, movie
tickets, download songs, download movies, promotional items, etc.).
Users that have spent above a third threshold (e.g., $10,000) in
making cash purchases over a specified time period (e.g., the last
month) may be assigned to a black gold level. The user may be
allowed to earn up to 10,000 credit minutes/month. In addition, in
this example, the user is awarded 1000 credit minutes without
having to watch corresponding videos. Thus, if a credit minute has
a cash equivalent of 12 cents, the user may earn up to the cash
equivalent of $1320 ((10000.times.$0.12)+(1000.times.$0.12)). The
user may also be entitled to a fourth, enhanced set of free
benefits (e.g., all of the benefits of the platinum level, plus
addition benefits, such as VIP status, celebrity dinners, first
class tickets, worldwide travel, etc.).
[0129] As similarly discussed above, in addition to the incentives
of earning redeemable minutes or time credits, there are a number
of additional factors available to advertisers which encourage
viewers to watch advertisements to completion, and to deter the use
of automatic `bot` programs that attempt to circumvent the
infrastructure and attempt to earn redeemable minutes dishonestly.
These additional factors include the ability for advertisers to
request that viewers respond to survey questions upon completion of
viewing, the factor that incomplete viewings will not advance the
scroll bar portion of history tray 304 of FIG. 3 in order to add
items to the wish list, and the availability of a timeout mechanism
that may log viewers out of the system upon expiration of a
predetermined timeout if viewers remain logged in without viewing
any minute or time credit enabled advertisements. Optionally,
instead of, or in addition to the survey questions, a user may be
instructed to click a control within a certain time period of
viewing an advertisement in order to demonstrate that the
advertisement was viewed. For example, after completion of the
advertisement, a countdown timer may be displayed to the user
indicating how much time the user has to click the appropriate
control (which may optionally be emphasized via flashing or
otherwise).
[0130] Advantageously, certain embodiments of the content
distribution system benefit users by refining the demographic
targeting of advertisements, thereby providing users with more
relevant advertising. Not only can user entered preferences and
profiles provide a basis for targeted advertisement delivery, but
each completed viewing over time establishes a viewing pattern for
the viewer, which in turn provides additional refinement in the
targeting formulas available to the advertiser. Thus, the content
delivery system learns and over time improves its ability to
deliver accurate demographics to the advertiser.
[0131] Another advantageous attribute of certain embodiments of the
content distribution system are the analytics or heuristic
conclusions that can be derived from viewer profiles and viewing
patterns. As the viewing membership multiplies, and as more data is
aggregated concerning viewer advertisement selection, viewing
habits, and website selection, predictive analytics can be derived
from the membership data that serves to even further refine
demographic targeting of advertisements.
[0132] Optionally, a multi-dimensional technique may be provided
for specifying users that are to be targeted with a given ad
campaign or products. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, an
advertiser (or an operator entering data on behalf of the
advertiser) may be presented with a multi-dimension matrix (e.g., a
two dimension matrix). In this example, the x axis represents
categories, and the y matrix represents demographics. A user or
content information axis may be provided as well as illustrated in
FIG. 9B. In addition, a time axis may be provided, where an
advertiser may certain times/events/shows at which a given
advertisement is to be displayed. Thus, for example, a two, three,
or four dimensional matrix may be used to specify how
advertisements are to be targeted.
[0133] For example, the demographics can include ages or age
ranges, birth date, gender, sexual orientation, locations (e.g., by
zip code, city name, radius around a zip code area, etc.), marital
status (e.g., single, married, divorced, cohabitating), professions
(e.g., doctor, IT specialist, service provider, attorney,
accountant, construction worker, etc.), income level (e.g., under
$20K, $20K-60K, $60K-120K, $120K-250K, above $250K, etc), education
level (e.g., high school, GED, college, graduate school) ethnicity,
religion, political affiliation (e.g., independent, Democrat,
Republication), preferences (e.g., favorite network(s), book type
(e.g., non-fiction, science fiction, best sellers, trade
paperbacks, humor, etc.,) sports (e.g., MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL), music
(e.g., rock, rap, country, adult alternative, alternative,
classical)_etc. By way of example, "categories" may relate to types
of goods or services (e.g., accessories, clothing, jewelry, movies,
music, news, automobiles, travel, health, beauty, auctions,
electronics, computers, cameras, cell phones, food, coffee,
restaurants, tools, education, sporting events, entertainment,
etc.). In this example, for a given category, the advertiser
indicates (e.g., via a Y(es) entry), which demographics the
advertiser wants to target for a given advertisement, group of
advertisements, and/or products (where the products are to be sold
via the content distribution system website or an affiliate
thereof). Optionally, the matrix may be initially automatically
populated with N(o)s, which indicates that the corresponding
demographic is not to be targeted with a respective advertisement
or product. Optionally, the advertiser may specify a dollar amount
for a given advertisement campaign. The system may then process the
completed matrix and select and target advertisements and/or
products accordingly.
[0134] The selections of advertisements for a user can be
autonomic. The autonomic self-tuning algorithms adjust to actual
user behavior instead of using user stated preferences which
conflict or contradict user stated preferences.
[0135] In another example embodiments, a user interface may be
presented to an advertiser, including a plurality of categories and
demographics with associated check boxes (or other selection
mechanisms). Some or all of the example demographics and categories
discussed elsewhere herein may optionally be included in the user
interface. The advertiser may select the desired categories and
demographics for which a given advertisement or campaign is to be
directed.
[0136] In certain embodiments, when a user visits a site, such as a
website, of a third party and activates a link to the system
provided via a webpage of the third party website (e.g., a site
providing online television shows, movies, etc.), the system takes
over inserts content onto the webpage (e.g., sponsored content,
such as an advertisement in the form of a video, an image, and/or
text selected based at least in part on a profile of the user). The
sponsored content may be displayed/played via a video player
application, installed on the third party webpage using code
provided by the content distribution system operator or otherwise.
The video player may display/play multiple items of sponsored
content in a quadrant or otherwise. The sponsored content may be
streamed to the video player from the content distribution system
or from another networked site. If a user clicks on an item of
sponsored content (e.g., a screen shot, icon, or other
representation of the sponsored content), a notification may be
transmitted back to the content distribution system, which may
cause, at least in part, the selected item of sponsored content to
be streamed to the video player hosted on the third party webpage.
The content distribution system may interact with the user as
similarly discussed elsewhere herein with respect to embodiments
where users interact directly with a site operated by the content
distribution system. For example, the video player may further
display a product offering which the user can purchase using legal
tender and/or earned credits, as similarly discussed above. The
video player may be customized for a given third party site, to
accommodate the functionality, layout and/or look and feel of the
third party site.
[0137] For example, the advertisement may be presented in
conjunction with primary content, such as a television show or
movie provided via the third party site. The primary content may be
supplied by the third party, and the sponsored content may be
provided from another source, such as the content distribution
system 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 (e.g., via an MySQL/File System
and/or via a content distribution network vendor having
geographically distributed servers).
[0138] As will be discussed below with respect to FIG. 1B, the
primary content may have a "full screen" control, which normally
would cause the display of the content to expand to occupy
substantially the entire screen of the user's playback device.
However, in an example embodiment, if the user activates the full
screen control after the system takes control of the webpage using
a video player (which may be sourced by the content distribution
system operator), the system will enable the content to expand in
size, but to a smaller size than the content would have expanded to
absent the system taking over the webpage. The expansion permitted
by the system leaves sufficient room on the user screen for the
selected advertisements to be displayed in conjunction with the
third party content. For example, the advertisements may be
presented in the form of a quadrant or "six-pack", or in the form
of an L-shaped toolbar or an inverse L-shaped tool bar, where
advertisements and/or offers may be presented on at least the left
or right side of the primary content, as well as beneath and/or
over the primary content. Thus, in certain optional embodiments,
even when the user activates the full screen mode, advertisements
(or thumbnails thereof) are still transmitted to and displayed to
the user as similarly discussed above.
[0139] FIG. 1B illustrates an example window 100B, where the user
activated a "full screen" control with respect to the primary
content 102B, and the primary content 102B is expanded to occupy a
large part of the displayed window 100B (a majority of the window
in this example), while still leaving room for sponsored content
104B (which may be relatively low resolution static images), and
optionally, an offer of a product or service (e.g., a free movie
ticket in this example) in an offer area 106B.
[0140] Optionally, instead, when the user activates the full-screen
control, the primary content may be displayed in true full screen
mode (occupying the entire screen or window), however, the
advertisements and/or offers may be caused to overlay a portion of
the primary content, such as in the form of the quadrant or
"six-pack", or in the form of an L-shaped toolbar or an inverse
L-shaped tool bar, as similarly discussed above. Optionally, the
user may activate a "fade" control, which causes the advertisements
and/or offers to be displayed at a lower intensity and/or in a
translucent manner (where the underlying content is at least partly
visible through the overlaying advertisements or offers) over the
primary content so as to be less distracting to the user.
Optionally, controls are provided via which the user can specify
which of the above modes are to be used in displaying
advertisements and/or offers on the user's terminal. As similarly
discussed above, in some or all of the modes, the advertisements
and/or offers may be periodically manually and/or automatically
rotated so that new advertisements/offers are presented to the
user.
[0141] The interface displayed in FIG. 1B may be provided by a
video player executed on the user's client computer. The content
may be sourced via a web server or a content distribution network
and transmitted to the video player using HTTP and/or RTMP delivery
protocols. The content distribution system may provide a source
address (e.g., an MRL (media source location), which may point to
the web server of the content distribution network.
[0142] FIG. 1C illustrates the user interface of FIG. 1B after one
of the items of sponsored content 104B was selected by the user.
The selected sponsored content 102C is displayed in the area where
the primary content 102B was displayed in the user interface of
FIG. 1B. A countdown timer is displayed showing the time remaining
with respect to the playing of the advertisement. Other selections
of sponsored content 104B may still be displayed. Area 106C
illustrates a first of a plurality of products being offered for
purchase. The plurality of products may have been selected based at
least in part the sponsored content selected by the user, the
user's profile, and/or buyer characteristics specified by the
merchant offering the product. Area 106C illustrates a static image
related to the video content 102C (e.g., an image of another
product from the same manufacturer or retailer), listing the
acquisition amount in dollars and earned credit minutes. The buy
now, wishlist, viewed, history and dim controls are inactive (as
indicated by their faded appearance) until the sponsored video
content 102C has completed playing.
[0143] FIG. 1D illustrates the product offering 108B shown in FIG.
1C, one the controls are enabled after the sponsored content has
displayed. The price for the product is shown in both currency and
earned credits. A "buy it now" control is provided, which when
activated by the user, causes the displayed product to be either
added to the user's shopping cart or to be immediately purchased,
depending on the system configuration. A "more about this item"
control is provided, which when activated by the user, causes more
information regarding the product to be displayed. An "add to wish
list" control is provided, which when activated by the user, causes
the product to be added to the user's wish list. The wish list may
be viewed by other users who may purchase the item as a gift for
the user. Controls are displayed which enables the user to cause
the user interface to display the other selected products. A time
limit number is displayed, wherein if the user activates a "viewed"
control within the specified time limit, the user is assigned
corresponding earned credits, and if the user does not activate the
"viewed" control within the time limit, the user is not assigned
corresponding earned credits. A redeem control is provided via
which the user can instruct the system to use earned credits to
make the purchase. Controls may also be provided that enables the
user to pause, rewind, play, or dim sponsored content or the item
offering.
[0144] FIG. 1E illustrates another embodiment, wherein the user
interface includes a toolbar area 102E and a web page viewing area
104E. The toolbar area 102E displays sponsored content similar to
the sponsored content display 102G illustrated in FIG. 1G. The
toolbar may be downloaded from a remote system by the user's
browser and installed on the browser. As the user navigates from
web page to web page in viewing area 104E, the sponsored content in
the toolbar area 102E persists, and so follows the user as the user
navigates from page to page and site to site.
[0145] FIG. 1F illustrates the toolbar area 102E displaying an item
offering, as similarly discussed above with respect to FIG. 1C. As
similarly discussed above with respect to FIG. 1E, the toolbar
persists as the user navigates in viewing area 102E from page to
page and site to site.
[0146] Thus, as similarly discussed above, certain embodiments
provide, via a website, phone application, or otherwise, in any
language or localization, the ability to deliver time credits
advertisement viewing technology to a viewer thus enabling the
viewer to accumulate redeemable minutes or time credits related to
the time expended for viewers to view the enabled advertisements,
commercials, or product lists. Optionally, the viewer can choose
the length of time to view or remain engaged in a advertisement,
commercial, or product list from a specific advertiser, wherein the
longer this length of time, the more redeemable minutes or time
credits are accrued by the viewer. Such viewing time or associated
credits may be redeemed for products, services, or discounts and/or
other special or free offers from advertisers. In certain
embodiments, a user (e.g., after the user is logged in), is
provided with an option to select commercials, advertisements,
and/or product lists from advertisers either while watching other
selected content, or upon temporarily pausing such selected
content. Optionally, the user is not limited as to the number of
minutes or time credits that can be accrued. In certain
embodiments, once a user is logged into the content distribution
system, the login session persists as the user moves from website
to website across the Internet.
[0147] Some or all of the content distribution system technology
can be placed within a third party content provider's website
including but not limited to websites configured to provide media,
digital video (live or recorded), text, social media, movie and
television network sites, interactive video games, business and
personal applications, and numerous other types of content.
[0148] Certain embodiments of the content distribution system
provide advertisers with demographic and viewer interest data in
order to target their advertisements (examples of which are
illustrated in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B). As the system records viewing
and purchasing preferences over time, advertisers can refine and
focus what is delivered to viewers by employing data mining and
predictive analytics techniques against the viewer database as more
advertisements, commercials, and product lists are viewed. Thus,
delivery platforms and infrastructures are described, embodiments
of which enable monetization of the advertisement viewing
experience for the viewer, the advertiser, and the content
provider.
[0149] In another example embodiment, a video player may be
embedded at a partner third party site--such as a website of
television network providing online primary content. The video
player may display to the user sponsored and/or non-sponsored
content. If a user activates a full screen mode control to maximize
the content being displayed, then in an example embodiment, the
video player will maximize the window displaying the content, as
illustrated in FIG. 11A, while still displaying sponsored content.
In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 11B, a control 1102B is
optionally provided which, when activated, causes an ecommerce user
interface, such as that illustrated in FIG. 11C, to be displayed,
as illustrated in FIG. 11D. In this example, the ecommerce user
interface provides the user with access to their profile
information, their online shopping cart, the ability to purchase
items, to add items to a wish list, to view the user's viewing
history, etc. When the content displayed in the full screen mode
has completed playing, the display reverts to the pre-maximized
mode, as illustrated in FIG. 11E.
[0150] FIG. 12A illustrates an example user interface displaying a
visual history listing of sponsored content viewed by the user. The
history user interface may be provided for display by the system at
least partly in response to the user activating a history control,
such as that illustrated in FIG. 1B.
[0151] The user can select an item of sponsored content from the
displayed history listing, and the content will be displayed to the
user, as illustrated in FIG. 12B. If the selected content is a
static image, the image (or a different image related to the same
item) may be presented in a larger format than that displayed in
the history listing (e.g., in a full screen mode, half screen mode,
etc.), or may be otherwise emphasized to the user (e.g., by fading
the intensity of other portions of the user interface being
displayed to the user). If the selected content is a frame of
content or corresponds to video content (even if it is not a frame
from the video content), the video content may be presented in a
larger format than that displayed in the history listing and it may
be played by a video content player, with an audio track if one is
present.
[0152] The system may cause additional information to be displayed
in association with the selected sponsored content. For example, as
illustrated in FIG. 12B, the cost to purchase the advertised item,
in terms of legal tender (e.g., $20.99) and/or earned credits
(e.g., 175 earned credit minutes), may be displayed to the user. If
the user selects a buy control (which may display such item cost),
a purchase user interface may be displayed to the user, such as
those discussed elsewhere herein, which enables the user to
purchase the advertised item.
[0153] If the user selects a "more information" control provided by
the user interface illustrated in FIG. 12B, (which may be otherwise
labeled, such as with the name or description of the item being
advertised or the control may be the image itself), then the
example user interface illustrated in FIG. 12C may be displayed.
The "more info" user interface may present additional information
regarding the item advertised in the selected sponsored
content.
[0154] While certain embodiments may be illustrated or discussed as
having certain example components, additional, fewer, or different
components may be used. Process described as being performed by a
server system may be performed by a user terminal or other system
or systems. Processes described as being performed by a user
terminal may be performed by a sever system or other system or
systems. Data described as being accessed from a given source may
be stored by and accessed from other sources. Further, with respect
to the processes discussed herein, various states may be performed
in a different order, not all states are required to be reached,
and fewer, additional, or different states may be utilized. User
interfaces described herein are optionally presented (and user
instructions may be received) via a user computing device using a
browser, other network resource viewer, or otherwise. For example,
the user interfaces may be presented (and user instructions
received) via an application (sometimes referred to as an "app")
installed on the user's mobile phone, laptop, pad, desktop,
television, set top box, or other terminal. Various features
described or illustrated as being present in different embodiments
or user interfaces may be combined into the same embodiment or user
interface. It is also understood that a content sponsor may
sometimes be referred to as the content provider, even if the
sponsor does not actually provide the content, but does sponsor is
distribution or showing.
[0155] The systems and methods disclosed herein can be implemented
in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. Software
can include computer readable instructions stored in memory (e.g.,
non-transitory, tangible memory, such as solid state memory (e.g.,
ROM, EEPROM, FLASH, RAM), optical memory (e.g., a CD, DVD, Bluray
disc, etc.), magnetic memory (e.g., a hard disc drive), etc.,
configured to implement the algorithms on a general purpose
computer, special purpose processors, or combinations thereof. For
example, one or more computing devices, such as a processor, may
execute program instructions stored in computer readable memory to
carry out processed disclosed herein. Hardware may include state
machines, one or more general purpose computers, and/or one or more
special purpose processors.
[0156] While certain embodiments may be illustrated or discussed as
having certain example components, additional, fewer, or different
components may be used. Further, with respect to the processes
discussed herein, various states may be performed in a different
order, not all states are required to be reached, and fewer,
additional, or different states may be utilized.
[0157] While reference may be made to a webpage, other interfaces,
such as may be provided via a phone application, a toolbar, an
interactive television, or otherwise may be used. While reference
may be made to a browser, other applications may be used to view
and navigate objects (e.g., web pages or other documents).
[0158] Conditional language, such as, among others, "can," "could,"
"might," or "may," unless specifically stated otherwise, or
otherwise understood with the context as used, is generally
intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other
embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or
steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to
imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required
for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments
necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input
or prompting, whether these features elements, and/or steps are
included or are performed in any particular embodiment.
[0159] Any process descriptions, elements, or blocks in the flow
diagrams described herein, and/or depicted in the attached figures,
should be understood as potentially representing modules, segments,
or portions of code which include one or more executable
instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps
in the process. Implementations are included within the scope of
the embodiments described herein which elements or functions which
may be deleted, depending on the functionality involved, as would
be understood by those skilled in the art.
[0160] While the disclosure may reference to a user hovering over,
pointing at, or clicking on a particular item, other techniques may
be used to detect an item of user interest. For example, the user
may touch the item via a touch screen, or otherwise indicate an
interest.
[0161] Various aspects and advantages of the embodiments have been
described where appropriate. It is to be understood that not
necessarily all such aspects or advantages may be achieved in
accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, it
should be recognized that the various embodiments may be carried
out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group
of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other
aspects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
Further, embodiments may include several novel features, no single
one of which is solely responsible for the embodiment's desirable
attributes or which is essential to practicing the systems,
devices, methods, and techniques described herein. In addition,
various features of different embodiments may be combined to form
still further embodiments. For example, aspects found in different
user interfaces may be combined to form still further user
interface.
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