U.S. patent application number 13/974564 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-26 for user generated photo ads used as status updates.
This patent application is currently assigned to TEANECK ENTERPRISES, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is TEANECK ENTERPRISES, LLC. Invention is credited to Christopher M. Amidon, Eugene Matthew Farrelly, John Forese, Kunal Kandekar, Hugh Svendsen.
Application Number | 20130346220 13/974564 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46048629 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130346220 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Svendsen; Hugh ; et
al. |
December 26, 2013 |
User Generated Photo Ads Used As Status Updates
Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for generating and utilizing
photo advertisements ("ads"). In one embodiment, a photo
advertisement is posted as a status update for a user via a social
networking service. A plurality of filler images representing one
or more participants is associated with a photo ad template having
one or more photo wells. A photo advertisement based on the photo
ad template is generated by an electronic device such that the
associated plurality of filler images are inserted into the one or
more photo wells in the photo ad template. A status update that
includes the photo advertisement for presentation with the status
update is initiated responsive to generating the photo
advertisement.
Inventors: |
Svendsen; Hugh; (Chapel
Hill, NC) ; Forese; John; (Atherton, CA) ;
Amidon; Christopher M.; (Apex, NC) ; Kandekar;
Kunal; (Jersey City, NJ) ; Farrelly; Eugene
Matthew; (Cary, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TEANECK ENTERPRISES, LLC |
Wilmington |
DE |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
TEANECK ENTERPRISES, LLC
Wilmington
DE
|
Family ID: |
46048629 |
Appl. No.: |
13/974564 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13085869 |
Apr 13, 2011 |
8554627 |
|
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13974564 |
|
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61412584 |
Nov 11, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0271 20130101;
G06Q 30/0276 20130101; G06Q 30/0252 20130101; G06Q 30/0261
20130101; G06Q 50/01 20130101; G06Q 30/0255 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14.72 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 50/00 20060101
G06Q050/00; G06Q 30/02 20060101 G06Q030/02 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: associating a
plurality of filler images representing one or more participants
with a photo ad template having one or more photo wells;
generating, by an electronic device, a photo advertisement based on
the photo ad template such that the associated plurality of filler
images are inserted into the one or more photo wells in the photo
ad template; and responsive to generating the photo advertisement,
initiating a status update that includes the photo advertisement
for presentation with the status update.
2. The method of claim 1 comprising obtaining the photo ad template
based on a geographic location of the user.
3. The method of claim 1 comprising obtaining the photo ad template
based on at least one of a good purchased by the user, a service
purchased by the user, an event attended by the user, a website
visited by the user, a website to which the user is logged-in, a
listening experience of the user, and a viewing experience of the
user.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more participants
comprise the user.
5. The method of claim 1 comprising obtaining the photo ad template
based on data relevant to the user and participant information that
describes one or more potential participants.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the participant information
comprises at least one of a number of potential participants, a
gender of the one or more potential participants, age information
for the one or more potential participants, user profile
information for the one or more potential participants, user
identifiers for the one or more potential participants, and
geographic proximity to the user of the one or more potential
participants.
7. The method of claim 6 comprising identifying the one or more
potential participants in geographic proximity includes at least
one of using a wireless Near Field Communication (NFC) technique
and querying a location-based service.
8. The method of claim 5 wherein the participant information
comprises a social proximity to the user of the one or more
potential participants.
9. The method of claim 5 comprising querying a social networking
service to identity other users that are within a defined degree of
separation from the user in a social network maintained by the
social networking service and are in geographic proximity to the
user, wherein the plurality of potential participants comprise at
least one of the other users identified by querying the social
networking service.
10. The method of claim 5 wherein the participant information
comprises metadata associated with the filler images.
11. The method of claim 1 comprising submitting the photo
advertisement to a server computer.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein submitting the photo
advertisement to the server computer comprises sending, to the
server computer, (a) information that identifies the one of the
photo ad template, (b) the filler images of the one or more
participants, and (c) information that links the filler images of
the one or more participants to the one or more photo wells in the
photo ad template.
13. A computing device comprising: a hardware communication
interface; and a hardware controller associated with the
communication interface and adapted to: associate a plurality of
filler images representing one or more participants with a photo ad
template having one or more photo wells; generate, by an electronic
device, a photo advertisement based on the photo ad template such
that the associated plurality of filler images are inserted into
the one or more photo wells in the photo ad template; and
responsive to generating the photo advertisement, initiate a status
update that includes the photo advertisement for presentation with
the status update.
14. The computing device of claim 13 wherein the computing device
is a user device of the user, and, in order to include the photo
advertisement for presentation with the status update for the user,
the controller is further adapted to submit the photo advertisement
to a server computer such that the photo advertisement is used as
the status update of the user.
15. The computing device of claim 14 wherein, in order to submit
the photo advertisement to the server computer, the controller is
further adapted to send the photo advertisement to the server
computer.
16. The computing device of claim 14 wherein, in order to submit
the photo advertisement to the server computer, the controller is
further adapted to send, to the server computer, (a) information
that identifies the photo ad template, (b) the filler images of the
one or more participants, and (c) information that links the filler
images of the one or more participants to the one or more photo
wells in the photo ad template.
17. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing software for
instructing a controller of a computing device to: associate a
plurality of filler images representing one or more participants
with a photo ad template having one or more photo wells; generate,
by an electronic device, a photo advertisement based on the photo
ad template such that the associated plurality of filler images are
inserted into the one or more photo wells in the photo ad template;
and responsive to generating the photo advertisement, initiate a
status update that includes the photo advertisement for
presentation with the status update.
18. A computer-implemented method comprising: associating a photo
ad template comprising one or more photo wells with a photo
advertisement in response to a request from a user device;
receiving photo advertisement data from the user device for the
photo advertisement such that a plurality of filler images of one
or more participants identified for the photo advertisement is
inserted into the one or more photo wells of the photo ad template
to provide the photo advertisement; and responsive to receiving the
photo advertisement data, effecting publication of the photo
advertisement as a status update for the user.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the photo advertisement data
comprises the filler images of the one or more participants
identified for the photo advertisement, and information that links
the filler images of the one or more participants identified for
the photo advertisement to the one or more photo wells of the photo
ad template.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein associating a photo ad template
includes associating a photo ad template based on a geographic
location of the user.
21. The method of claim 18 wherein associating a photo ad template
includes associating a photo ad template based on at least one of a
good purchased by the user, a service purchased by the user, an
event attended by the user, a website visited by the user, a
website to which the user is logged-in, a listening experience of
the user, and a viewing experience of the user.
22. The method of claim 18 wherein associating a photo ad template
includes associating a photo ad template based on data relevant to
the user and participant information that describes one or more
potential participants.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the participant information
comprises at least one of a number of potential participants, a
gender of the one or more potential participants, age information
for the one or more potential participants, user profile
information for the one or more potential participants, user
identifiers for the one or more potential participants, and
geographic proximity to the user of the one or more potential
participants.
24. The method of claim 23 further comprising: storing the photo
advertisement; receiving an ad request from a requestor; and
providing the photo advertisement to the requestor in response to
the ad request.
25. A server computer comprising: a hardware communication
interface; and a hardware controller associated with the
communication interface and adapted to: associate a photo ad
template comprising one or more photo wells with a photo
advertisement in response to a request from a user device; receive
photo advertisement data from the user device for the photo
advertisement such that a plurality of filler images of one or more
participants identified for the photo advertisement is inserted
into the one or more photo wells of the photo ad template to
provide the photo advertisement; and responsive to receiving the
photo advertisement data, effect publication of the photo
advertisement as a status update for the user.
26. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing software for
instructing a controller of a computing device to: associating a
photo ad template comprising one or more photo wells with a photo
advertisement in response to a request from a user device;
receiving photo advertisement data from the user device for the
photo advertisement such that a plurality of filler images of one
or more participants identified for the photo advertisement is
inserted into the one or more photo wells of the photo ad template
to provide the photo advertisement; and responsive to receiving the
photo advertisement data, effecting publication of the photo
advertisement as a status update for the user.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/085,869, filed Apr. 13, 2011, entitled
"User Generated Photo ADS Used As Status Updates," which claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/412,584,
filed Nov. 11, 2010, the disclosure of both of which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
[0002] This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/085,853, filed Apr. 13, 2011, entitled "User Generated ads
Based on Check-Ins" and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/085,886, filed Apr. 13, 2011, entitled "Serving ad Requests
Using User Generated Photo Ads," both of which are commonly owned
and assigned and are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] The present disclosure relates to user generated
advertisements.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Check-in services, such as the FourSquare.TM. check-in
service, allow users to announce their presence at Points of
Interest (POIs) such as business establishments. Further, other
services, such as some social networking services, are starting to
provide similar check-in features. There is a need and a desire to
utilize check-ins of users in a manner that advertises the
corresponding POIs.
SUMMARY
[0005] Systems and methods are disclosed for generating and
utilizing photo advertisements ("ads"). In one embodiment, a photo
check-in process is performed for a user located within a
geographic check-in zone which results in a photo advertisement
that is utilized as a photo check-in for the user. More
specifically, one or more photo ad templates that are applicable to
the check-in zone are obtained, where each photo ad template
includes one or more photo wells. A photo advertisement is then
generated based on one of the photo ad templates such that a filler
image of a different one of one or more participants identified for
the photo advertisement is inserted into each of the one or more
photo wells in the photo ad template. The photo advertisement is
then used as a photo check-in for the user. In one embodiment, the
photo advertisement is also used as a status update of the user. In
another embodiment, the photo advertisement is stored and
subsequently used to serve ad requests.
[0006] In another embodiment, a photo advertisement is posted as a
status update for a user via a social networking service. More
specifically, first, one or more photo ad templates are obtained
for the user, where each photo ad template includes one or more
photo wells. The one or more photo ad templates may be relevant to
a geographic location of the user, a website that the user has
visited, a website that the user has logged into, a product that
the user has purchased, a service that the user has purchased, an
event attended by the user, a viewing experience of the user (e.g.,
a video watched by the user or a series of videos watched by the
user), a listening experience of the user (e.g., a song listened to
by the user or an album listened to by the user), or the like. A
photo advertisement is then generated based on one of the photo ad
templates such that a filler image of a different one of one or
more participants identified for the photo advertisement is
inserted into each of the one or more photo wells in the photo ad
template. The photo advertisement is then used as a status update
for the user. In another embodiment, the photo advertisement is
stored and subsequently used to serve ad requests.
[0007] In another embodiment, photo advertisements are created by
users and stored for subsequent use in serving ad requests. More
specifically, first, one or more photo ad templates are obtained
for the user, where each photo ad template includes one or more
photo wells. The one or more photo ad templates may be relevant to
a geographic location of the user, a website that the user has
visited, a website that the user has logged into, a product that
the user has purchased, a service that the user has purchased, an
event attended by the user, or the like. A photo advertisement is
then generated based on one of the photo ad templates such that a
filler image of a different one of one or more participants
identified for the photo advertisement is inserted into each of the
one or more photo wells in the photo ad template. The photo
advertisement is then stored. This process is repeated such that
numerous photo advertisements are stored. At some point, an ad
request is received from a requestor. The requestor is preferably a
website or web service such as, for example, a social networking
service. In response, one or more of the photo advertisements that
satisfy the ad request are selected and returned to the
requestor.
[0008] In another embodiment, a computer server obtains and stores
user-created photo advertisements. Each of the user-created photo
advertisements is generated based on a corresponding photo ad
template having one or more photo wells such that filler images of
one or more participants are inserted into the one or more photo
wells. For each user-created photo advertisement, the one or more
participants include at least a user by which the photo
advertisement was created. In addition, the computer server effects
use of the stored user-created photo advertisements as sponsored
advertisements.
[0009] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the
present disclosure and realize additional aspects thereof after
reading the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments in association with the accompanying drawing
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0010] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming
a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the
disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the
principles of the disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for generating and utilizing
user generated photo advertisements ("ads") according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary photo ad template used to
generate photo advertisements according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0013] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an exemplary photo ad template
used to generate photo advertisements according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates the operation of the system of FIG. 1 to
generate a photo advertisement according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0015] FIGS. 5A and 5B are a flow chart illustrating a process for
generating a photo advertisement according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0016] FIGS. 6A through 6E illustrate an exemplary Graphical User
Interface (GUI) that may be provided to enable a user to create a
photo advertisement according to the process of FIGS. 5A and
5B;
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary GUI that may be provided to
a potential participant to obtain permission to be used in a photo
advertisement;
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of the system of FIG. 1 to
store and utilize photo advertisements generated by the users to
serve ad requests according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary webpage presented to a user
of the social networking service of FIG. 1 in which photo
advertisements are presented as status updates from corresponding
friends of the user and used as sponsored advertisements according
to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIGS. 10 through 15 illustrate several additional
embodiments of a photo ad template according to the present
disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the check-in server of FIG. 1
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of the social network server of
FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
and
[0023] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of one of the user devices of
FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary
information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the
embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the
accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will
understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize
applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein.
It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall
within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 10 that enables the generation
and utilization of user-created photo advertisements ("ads")
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The system
10 includes a check-in server 12, a social network server 14, a
number of user devices 16-1 through 16-N (generally referred to
herein collectively as user devices 16 and individually as user
device 16) having associated users 18-1 through 18-N (generally
referred to herein collectively as users 18 and individually as
user 18) located within a check-in zone 20, and a user device 22
having an associated user 24 communicatively coupled via a network
26. The network 26 is generally any type of network suitable to
allow interaction between the check-in server 12, the social
network server 14, the user devices 16, and the user device 22. For
example, the network 26 may be a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local
Area Network (LAN), or any combination thereof and may include
wired and/or wireless components. Preferably, the network 26 is a
distributed, public access network such as, for example, the
Internet, where the check-in server 12, the social network server
14, the user devices 16, and the user device 22 are capable of
connecting to the network 26 via wired and/or wireless connections.
An exemplary wired connection to the network 26 is an Ethernet
connection. Exemplary wireless connections are cellular
communications connections (e.g., 3G or 4G cellular communications
connections such as Global System for Mobile communications (GSM)
connections, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) connections, Long
Term Evolution (LTE) connections, or the like) and local wireless
connections (e.g., IEEE 802.11x connections to IEEE 802.11x access
points connected to the network 26). Further, various networking
protocols may be used such as, for example, Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Hypertext Transport Protocol
(HTTP), and File Transfer Protocol (FTP).
[0026] As illustrated, the check-in server 12 is a server computer.
However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
check-in server 12 may be implemented as multiple server computers
operating in a distributed manner for purposes of load sharing
and/or redundancy. Notably, the check-in server 12 is one type of
advertisement server that may enable users to create photo ads
according to the present disclosure. The check-in server 12
includes a tracking function 28, a check-in function 30, an ad
function 32, a user accounts repository 34, a photo ad template
repository 36, and a photo ad repository 38. The tracking function
28, the check-in function 30, and the ad function 32 are preferably
implemented in software, but are not limited thereto. The tracking
function 28 generally operates to track geographic locations of
registered users of the check-in server 12 such as, but not limited
to, the users 18 and 24. For example, the user devices 16 and 22
may report their geographic locations, and thus the geographic
locations of the users 18 and 24, to the check-in server 12.
Alternatively, the check-in server 12 may periodically poll the
user devices 16 and 22 for the geographic locations of the users 18
and 24.
[0027] As discussed below in detail, the check-in function 30
operates to enable users, such as the users 18 and 24, to perform a
simple check-in or a photo check-in. As used herein, a check-in is
an announcement by a user that the user is currently located within
a particular check-in zone. The check-in zone is preferably a
geographic area that corresponds to boundaries of a Point of
Interest (POI). As used herein, a POI is user-defined,
system-defined, or either user-defined or system-defined depending
on the particular implementation. In general, a POI is a specific
location that someone may find useful or interesting. Some
exemplary POIs are business establishments (e.g., restaurants,
bars, gas stations, stores, or the like), sports arenas, schools,
buildings, museums, historic landmarks, or the like. As used
herein, a simple check-in is an announcement that the user is
currently located within a particular check-in zone that is not in
the form of a photo advertisement as described herein. As used
herein, a photo check-in is an announcement that the user is
currently located within a particular check-in zone in the form of
a photo advertisement created from a corresponding photo ad
template by inserting a filler image of the user and, in some
embodiments, filler images of one or more additional participants
into photo well(s) in the photo ad template.
[0028] As discussed below in detail, the ad function 32 enables
users, such as the users 18 and 24, to create photo advertisements
using photo ad templates stored in the photo ad template repository
36. In this embodiment, the photo advertisements are utilized as
photo check-ins published by the check-in server 12. In addition or
alternatively, the photo advertisements are provided to the social
network server 14 as status updates of the corresponding users 18
and 24. Still further, the photo advertisements are stored in the
photo ad repository 38 for subsequent use. More specifically, the
ad function 32 may serve advertisement requests using the photo
advertisements stored in the photo ad repository 38.
[0029] The user accounts repository 34 stores a user account 40 for
each registered user of the check-in server 12. Here, the
registered users of the check-in server 12 include, but are not
limited to, the users 18 and 24. The user account 40 of each
registered user includes user preferences of the registered user,
social network credentials of the registered user, and/or the like.
The photo ad template repository 36 includes a number of photo ad
templates and associated metadata. Each photo ad template includes
one or more photo wells into which filler images are to be inserted
to provide photo advertisements. The metadata for the photo ad
templates generally includes information that describes the photo
ad templates. For example, for each of the photo ad templates, the
metadata for the photo ad template may include information that
defines a number of photo wells included in the photo ad template.
In addition, if the photo wells are face knockouts for persons
appearing in a picture included in the photo ad template, the
metadata may include metadata for each face knockout that describes
a class of users for which the face knockout is suitable. For
example, the metadata for a face knockout may include a gender, an
age or age range, ethnicity, and/or the like. In addition, in this
embodiment, the metadata includes data that identifies one or more
check-in zones, such as the check-in zone 20, to which the photo ad
template is applicable. Notably, as discussed below, the present
disclosure is not limited to generating photo advertisements based
on check-in zones. As such, in other embodiments, the metadata may
alternatively include data that identifies one or more geographic
locations to which the photo ad template is applicable, one or more
websites to which the photo ad template is applicable, one or more
goods to which the photo ad template is applicable, one or more
services to which the photo ad template is applicable, and/or the
like.
[0030] The photo ad repository 38 stores a number of photo
advertisements and associated metadata. The photo advertisements
are photo advertisements created by the registered users of the
check-in server 12 using the ad function 32. For each photo
advertisement, the metadata for the photo advertisement generally
includes data that describes applicability data and creation
information. The applicability data, in this embodiment, describes
the check-in zone to which the photo advertisement applies. The
data that describes the check-in zone may include, for example, a
name or identifier of a corresponding POI or a location of the
corresponding POI. The creation information may include, for
example, an identifier such as a Globally Unique Identifier (GUID)
of the photo ad template from which the photo advertisement was
created, a list of participants appearing in the photo
advertisement such as a list of GUIDs of the participants appearing
in the photo advertisement, Uniform Resource Indicators (URIs) for
filler images to be inserted into the photo wells of the
corresponding photo ad template to provide the photo advertisement,
a maturity rating of the photo advertisement, and product placement
data for the photo advertisement (e.g., data that identifies one or
more products appearing in the photo advertisement). Still further,
the metadata for the photo advertisement may include data that
defines one or more restrictions placed on the use of the photo
advertisement by the creator of the photo advertisement (i.e., the
user 18 or 24 that created the photo advertisement). For example,
the metadata may include information that defines a class of users
to which the creator has agreed to allow the photo advertisement to
be shown (e.g., only direct friends of the creator in the social
network maintained by the social network server 14, other users
within a defined degree of separation from the creator in the
social network maintained by the social network server 14, other
users located within a defined geographic distance from the
creator, other users in the social network based on relationship
type (e.g., "friend," "relative," or "colleague"), and/or the
like). As another example, the metadata may include user-defined
restrictions of a frequency of use of the photo advertisement
(e.g., used as a sponsored advertisement no more than once an
hour), an ad lifetime, a location restriction, a social distance
restriction with respect to the creator of the photo advertisement,
and/or the like.
[0031] As illustrated, the social network server 14 is a server
computer. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that the social network server 14 may be implemented as multiple
server computers operating in a distributed manner for purposes of
load sharing and/or redundancy. The social network server 14
includes a social networking service 42 and a user accounts
repository 44. Notably, while the check-in server 12 and the social
network server 14 are separate in the illustrated embodiment, the
present disclosure is not limited thereto. In an alternative
embodiment, the functionality of the check-in server 12 and the
social network server 14 may be combined. For example, the
functionality of the check-in server 12, and particularly the ad
function 32, may alternatively be incorporated into the social
networking service 42.
[0032] The social networking service 42 is preferably implemented
in software, but is not limited thereto. The social networking
service 42 generally includes a status update function 46 and a
sponsored ad function 48. The status update function 46 enables
registered users of the social network server 14, such as the users
18 and 24, to post status updates, which are viewable by friends of
the registered users in a social network maintained by the social
networking service 42. As used herein, a status update is a message
provided by a user for publication via a status update, or
micro-blogging, service such as, for example, the Twitter.RTM.
micro-blogging and social networking service or the Facebook.RTM.
social networking service. The status update may include a
text-based status update, an audio status update, a video status
update, an image status update, or any combination thereof. As an
example, a status update may be a tweet provided by a user of the
Twitter.RTM. micro-blogging and social networking service or a post
made by a user of the Facebook.RTM. social networking service,
which are two exemplary status update services. Further, as
described herein, status updates may also be photo advertisements
created by the users 18 and 24 via the ad function 32 that are
submitted as status updates of the users 18 and 24 that created the
photo advertisements. For example, a photo advertisement created by
the user 18-1 may be submitted to the status update function 46 as
a status update of the user 18-1. The status update function 46
then publishes the photo advertisement as a status update of the
user 18-1. The sponsored ad function 48 operates to obtain photo
advertisements from the ad function 32 of the check-in server 12
and to present the photo advertisements to the registered users of
the social network server 14 as sponsored advertisements. The user
accounts repository 44 includes a user account 50 for each
registered user of the social network server 14. The user account
50 of each of the registered users includes a user profile of the
registered user, a social network graph of the registered user,
status updates posted by the registered user, and the like.
[0033] The user devices 16-1 through 16-N are generally computing
devices such as, for example, smartphones (e.g., Apple.RTM.
iPhone.RTM.), tablet computers (e.g., Apple.RTM. iPad.RTM.),
notebook computers, or similar devices. In this embodiment, the
user devices 16-1 through 16-N are preferably mobile user devices,
but are not limited thereto. The user devices 16-1 through 16-N
include check-in clients 52-1 through 52-N (generally referred to
herein collectively as check-in clients 52 and individually as
check-in client 52) and social network clients 54-1 through 54-N
(generally referred to herein collectively as social network
clients 54 and individually as social network client 54). The
check-in clients 52 and the social network clients 54 are
preferably implemented in software, but are not limited thereto.
The check-in clients 52 generally enable the users 18 to interact
with the check-in server 12 to perform simple check-ins and photo
check-ins as desired. The social network clients 54 enable the
users 18 to interact with the social network server 14 to, for
example, post status updates and to view status updates posted by
their friends in the social network maintained by the social
networking service 42.
[0034] The user device 22 is generally a computing device such as,
for example, a smartphone (e.g., Apple.RTM. iPhone.RTM.), a tablet
computer (e.g., Apple.RTM. iPad.RTM.), a notebook computer, a
personal computer, or a similar device. The user device 22 includes
a check-in client 56 and a social network client 58 that operate as
described above with respect to the check-in clients 52 and social
network clients 54 of the user devices 16. Notably, while only one
user device 22 outside of the check-in zone 20 is illustrated, it
should be understood that there may be any number of user devices
22 outside of the check-in zone 20 and at least some of these other
user devices 22 may be located in other check-in zones.
[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates a photo ad template 60 according to one
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment,
the photo ad template 60 includes a picture 62 including photo
wells 64 through 70. In this embodiment, the photo wells 64 through
70 are face knockouts, or knockouts of faces, of corresponding
persons that appear in the picture 62. The photo ad template 60
also includes a text area 72 in which user-defined text may be
inserted. Lastly, the photo ad template 60 includes an
advertisement portion 74. In this example, the photo ad template 60
is a photo ad template for the restaurant "Joe's Italian Cafe."
Notably, the photo ad template 60 may have been created by or on
behalf of an owner or operator of "Joe's Italian Cafe" and
submitted to the check-in server 12 for storage in the photo ad
template repository 36 and subsequent use by users that desire to
create photo advertisements for "Joe's Italian Cafe." Notably, the
metadata for the photo ad template 60 in this embodiment may
include, for example, data that indicates that there are four photo
wells 64 through 70 in the photo ad template 60. In addition, the
metadata for the photo ad template 60 may include data that defines
locations of the photo wells 64 through 70 in the photo ad template
60 and/or dimensions of the photo wells 64 through 70 in the photo
ad template 60. In addition, the metadata for the photo ad template
60 may include data that defines an ideal or required orientation
for filler images to be inserted into the photo wells 64 through
70. Still further, for each of the photo wells 64 through 70, the
metadata for the photo ad template 60 may include data that defines
a class of users (e.g., gender and age range) for which the photo
well is suitable. For example, the metadata for the photo ad
template 60 may include data for the photo well 64 that defines
women in the age range of 20 to 35 years old as being suitable for
the photo well 64. As a result, male participants are not selected
for the photo well 64. In addition, female participants that are
not in the age range of 20 to 35 years old are also not selected
for the photo well 64. Note that if a suitable participant is not
found for a photo well, a default face image may be included to be
placed in the photo well rather than leaving it empty, where the
default image may be, for example, an original face in the photo ad
template 60 (i.e., the default image may be an image of a face of a
corresponding person appearing in the photo ad template 60 to
provide the face well).
[0036] FIG. 3A illustrates a photo ad template 76 according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In this
embodiment, the photo ad template 76 includes a photo well 78 and
an advertisement portion 80. In this embodiment, the advertisement
portion 80 is an ad for a restaurant named "General's Fried
Chicken." A user selected image is inserted into the photo well 78
to provide a resulting photo advertisement as illustrated in FIG.
3B. The user selected image may be selected from a local repository
of photos stored by the corresponding user device, selected from a
number of photos previously posted by the user via the social
networking service 42, or the like. Note that in the photo ad
template 76 of FIG. 3A, there is only one photo well 78, and that
the filler image for the photo well 78 does not have to be a
person's face, and in fact may be any image. If the photo well 78
is to be filled with a type of image other than a person's face
(e.g., a specific type of product such as a beverage), then this
fact should be stored in the metadata for the photo well 78. In one
embodiment of the present disclosure, the image chosen to fill in
the photo well 78 is automatically chosen from the images stored on
the user's device based on matching the current geographical
location with the capture location of the stored image. Note also
that the image may be chosen based on matching the faces of nearby
participants with the faces present in the images on the user's
device.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates the operation of the system 10 of FIG. 1
to enable user creation of a photo advertisement using a photo ad
template according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As
illustrated, one of the user devices 16 in the check-in zone 20
initiates a photo check-in process (step 1000). In one embodiment,
the check-in client 52 of the user device 16 receives user input
from the user 18 of the user device 16 and initiates the photo
check-in process in response to the user input. For example, the
user 18 may launch the check-in client 52 and select a photo
check-in button. In another embodiment, the check-in client 52
determines that the user device 16 is within the check-in zone 20
and automatically initiates the photo check-in process. For
example, the check-in client 52 may obtain a current location of
the user device 16 from, for example, a Global Positioning System
(GPS) receiver of the user device 16 and query the check-in server
12 to determine whether the user device 16, and thus the user 18,
is currently located within any check-in zone. In response, the
check-in server 12 may map the current location of the user device
16 to the check-in zone 20 using a stored database of check-in
zones and then notify the check-in client 52 that the user device
16 is located in the check-in zone 20. The check-in client 52 may
then automatically initiate the photo check-in process.
[0038] Next, the check-in client 52 of the user device 16 obtains a
list of potential participants (step 1002). The list of potential
participants includes the user 18 of the user device 16 and, in
some embodiments, one or more additional potential participants
identified by the check-in client 52. In order to identify the one
or more additional potential participants, in one embodiment, the
check-in client 52 utilizes a local wireless communication
interface of the user device 16 to detect at least some of the
other user devices 16 in the check-in zone 20. The local wireless
communication interface is preferably a Bluetooth.RTM. interface
(e.g., a class 2 Bluetooth.RTM. interface having a range of
approximately 10 meters or a class 3 Bluetooth.RTM. interface
having a range of approximately 3 meters), an IEEE 802.11x
interface, or similar wireless interface. The users 18 of the other
user devices 16 detected within the local wireless communication
range of the user device 16 or a select subset thereof are
identified as the one or more additional potential participants.
Additional criteria may be used to further limit the additional
potential participants. The additional criteria may be, for
example, degree of separation from the user 18 in the social
network maintained by the social network server 14, inclusion in a
contact list maintained by the user device 16 of the user 18, and
user preferences of the user 18 of the user device 16. The user
preferences of the user 18 may include, for example, preferences
that define users that can or cannot be used as participants in
photo advertisements created by the user 18. For example, the one
or more additional potential participants may be the users 18 of
the user devices 16 detected within the local wireless
communication range of the user device 16 that are also within a
defined degree of separation from the user 18 of the user device 16
in the social network maintained by the social networking service
42.
[0039] In another embodiment, the check-in client 52 utilizes the
local wireless communication interface of the user device 16 to
query nearby users, such as at least some of the other users 18 in
the check-in zone 20, to determine whether they would be willing to
participate in a photo advertisement. For example, the check-in
client 52 may broadcast a query via a Bluetooth.RTM. interface of
the user device 16. The other user devices 16 that are within the
range of the Bluetooth.RTM. interface of the user device 16 receive
the query and, if the corresponding users 18 are willing to
participate, respond to the query. The responses may be generated
automatically based on predefined preferences of the users 18 or
generated upon receiving user input from the users 18 that indicate
that the users 18 are willing to participate. The responses to the
query preferably identify the other users 18 that are willing to
participate. In another embodiment, the check-in client 52 utilizes
a Near Field Communication (NFC) interface of the user device 16 to
detect the other user devices 16 of nearby users 18.
[0040] In yet another embodiment, the check-in client 52 queries
the social network server 14 to obtain a list of other users such
as the other users 18 and 24 that are within a predefined degree of
separation from the user 18 of the user device 16 within the social
network maintained by the social networking service 42 and, in some
embodiments, are located near the user 18 of the user device 16.
Other users may be determined to be located near the user 18 if
they are sufficiently near the user 18 as defined by one or more
system-defined or user-defined criteria. For example, the other
users may be determined to be near the user 18 if they are located
at the same geographic location as the user 18 or located within a
predefined distance from the user 18.
[0041] In yet another embodiment, the user 18 manually selects the
one or more additional potential participants. More specifically,
the user 18 may manually select the one or more additional
potential participants from a contact list stored on the user
device 16. As another example, the user 18 may manually select the
one or more additional potential participants from a list of
friends of the user 18 in the social network maintained by the
social networking service 42.
[0042] After obtaining the list of additional potential
participants, the check-in client 52 sends a photo ad template
request to the check-in server 12 (step 1004). The photo ad
template request preferably identifies the check-in zone 20 in
which the user 18 is located and includes potential participant
information. The potential participant information is data that
describes the potential participants. The potential participant
information may include one or more of the following: [0043] the
number of potential participants, [0044] the gender of each of the
potential participants, [0045] age information for the potential
participants (e.g., the age or an age range for each of the
potential participants), [0046] user profile information (e.g.,
demographic information, interests, purchase history, web browsing
history, music playback history, video playback history, and/or the
like) that describes the potential participants, and [0047]
identifiers (IDs) of the potential participants used by the
check-in server 12, which may be used to: [0048] obtain user
profile information that describes the potential participants from
the user accounts 40 of the potential participants stored in the
user accounts repository 34 of the check-in server 12, or [0049]
obtain user profile information that describes the potential
participants from the social network server 14 using credentials
(e.g., usernames and passwords) of the potential participants for
the social network server 14 stored in the user accounts 40 of the
potential participants in the user accounts repository 34 of the
check-in server 12. Notably, in the preferred embodiment, the user
18 is required to participate in the photo advertisement. As such,
when selecting the photo ad template(s), the data describing the
user 18 may be given priority over the data describing the other
potential participants.
[0050] In response to the photo ad template request, the ad
function 32 of the check-in server 12 selects one or more of the
photo ad templates stored in the photo ad template repository 36
that satisfy the photo ad template request (step 1006). More
specifically, in one embodiment, the ad function 32 queries the
photo ad template repository 36 for photo ad templates that are
applicable to the check-in zone 20. The ad function 32 then selects
one or more of the applicable photo ad templates that best match
the potential participants based on the potential participant
information. More specifically, in one embodiment, the ad function
32 selects those applicable photo ad templates having photo wells
for which there are suitable potential participants. For example,
if the potential participants include two males and two females,
then the ad function 32 may select only those photo ad templates
that are applicable to the check-in zone 20 and that have two or
less photo wells for males and two or less photo wells for females.
In addition, when selecting the one or more photo ad templates, the
ad function 32 may also consider a potential audience of a
resulting photo ad. For example, if the photo ad is likely to be
viewed by friends in the social network of the user 18, then the ad
function 32 may also consider preferences of the friends of the
user 18, purchase histories of the friends of the user 18, and/or
the like. The ad function 32 then returns the one or more photo ad
templates selected in response to the photo ad template request to
the user device 16 (step 1008).
[0051] The check-in client 52 then operates to generate a photo
advertisement using one of the one or more photo ad templates
returned by the check-in server 12 (step 1010). More specifically,
in one embodiment, filler images are selected for the one or more
photo wells in one of the photo ad templates. The filler image of
the user 18 is selected for one of the photo wells in the photo ad
template. Note that if a filler image is not provided by the user
18, one may be automatically selected and extracted from the user's
18 existing photos using image processing methods, such as, for
example, face detection. In one embodiment, the metadata for the
photo ad template identifies one of the photo wells as a primary
photo well, and the filler image of the user 18 is automatically
selected for the primary photo well. In addition, if the photo ad
template includes more than one photo well, a different one of the
additional potential participants is selected for each of the
remaining photo wells. In another embodiment, multiple filler
images may be selected for each photo well in one of the photo ad
templates to thereby provide a photo advertisement. In this manner,
different filler images may be inserted into the photo ad template
depending on the intended recipient of the photo advertisement.
This may be particularly beneficial when using the photo
advertisements as sponsored advertisements as described below.
Still further, the photo ad template may include a product
placement feature, where the user 18 is enabled to select a product
to be placed into the photo advertisement as a secondary
advertisement. For instance, the photo ad template may have a space
for a beverage, where the user 18 is enabled to select the
particular beverage (e.g., a soda can of a particular soft drink)
to appear in the photo advertisement. As another example, the item
for the product placement feature may be automatically selected or
recommended based on, for example, a purchase history of the user
18. In yet another embodiment, the user 18 may actually be
presenting the product of interest in the filler image, such as by
holding a soda can prominently, and the product placement feature
may be automatically identified using image-processing methods such
as logo detection.
[0052] The check-in client 52 then sends the photo advertisement to
the check-in server 12 (step 1012). More specifically, the check-in
client 52 sends photo advertisement data to the check-in server 12.
In one embodiment, the photo advertisement data is the actual photo
advertisement. In another embodiment, the photo advertisement data
is data that defines the photo advertisement such that the photo
advertisement can subsequently be produced by the ad function 32
and/or an ad requestor (e.g., the social networking service 42). In
one embodiment, the data that defines the photo advertisement
includes: (a) information that identifies the photo ad template
(e.g., a unique ID of the photo ad template), (b) information that
identifies the filler image(s) of the participants selected for the
photo advertisement (e.g., URIs), and (c) information that links
the filler images to the appropriate photo wells in the photo ad
template. In another embodiment, the data that defines the photo
advertisement includes: (a) information that identifies the photo
ad template (e.g., a unique ID of the photo ad template), (b) the
filler image(s) of the participants selected for the photo
advertisement, and (c) information that links the filler images to
the appropriate photo wells in the photo ad template. Notably, the
data that defines the photo advertisement may be provided in, for
example, an Extensible Markup Language (XML) format.
[0053] The ad function 32 of the check-in server 12 stores the
photo advertisement as one of the photo advertisements in the photo
ad repository 38 (step 1014). Preferably, the ad function 32 also
stores the metadata for the photo advertisement. Notably, once
stored in the photo ad repository 38, the photo advertisement may
have a system-defined or user-defined ad lifetime. The ad lifetime
defines an amount of time after which the photo advertisement is
removed from the photo ad repository 38 or otherwise disabled. The
ad lifetime may be defined as an absolute amount of time (e.g., 1
week), a number of ad impressions (e.g., provided in response to 10
ad requests, presented to 25 ad targets, or the like), or the like.
It should also be noted that, as discussed below, the stored photo
ad can subsequently be used to serve photo ad requests. However,
before being used to serve photo ad requests, the photo ad may be
manually or automatically reviewed to ensure that the photo ad is
suitable for use as a photo ad. Automated methods include image
processing methods, such as detecting obscenities, logo detection
to ensure any rival products are not being depicted, face detection
to ensure that a face is in the image, and face identification to
ensure that the face belonging to the user 18 is in the photo
ad.
[0054] The ad function 32 of the check-in server 12 also publishes
the photo advertisement as a photo check-in of the user 18 (step
1016) and sends the photo advertisement to the social network
server 14 as a status update for the user 18 (step 1018). In
response, the status update function 46 of the social networking
service 42 posts the photo advertisement as a status update of the
user 18 (step 1020). The manner in which the photo advertisement is
posted as a status update of the user 18 depends on the particular
implementation of the social networking service 42. For example, in
one embodiment, the social networking service 42 is, or is similar
to, the Facebook.RTM. social networking service, and the photo
check-in is posted to the Facebook.RTM. wall of the user 18.
However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Further,
when posting the status update, a text that identifies the
participants in the photo advertisement may accompany the photo
advertisement in the status update. In addition or alternatively,
the filler images of the participants in the photo advertisement
may be user-selectable such that other users can select the filler
image of a desired participant to view additional information
related to that participant (e.g., status updates from that
participant, other photo advertisements in which that participant
has participated, and/or the like).
[0055] Lastly, the ad function 32 of the check-in server 12
provides a benefit to the participants appearing in the photo
advertisement in return for participating in the photo
advertisement (step 1022). The benefit is preferably in the form of
a coupon, but is not limited thereto. The benefit may be returned
to the participants by sending a coupon to the check-in clients 52
of the participants. Alternatively, the benefit may be returned to
the participants in some other manner (e.g., text message, e-mail,
or the like). Note also that the value of any coupon or other
consideration may scale based on the number of times a photo
advertisement is used.
[0056] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the photo advertisement creation
process in more detail according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure. In this discussion, the process of FIGS. 5A and 5B is
performed by the check-in client 52. However, it should be
appreciated that this process or portions of this process may
alternatively be performed by the ad function 32. Further, in this
embodiment, the photo ad templates include preselected pictures
having photo wells that are knockouts of faces of persons appearing
in the picture as described above with respect to FIG. 2.
[0057] First, the check-in client 52 obtains a list of potential
participants as described above with respect to step 1002 of FIG. 4
(step 2000). The check-in client 52 then obtains one or more photo
ad templates from the check-in server 12 based on the check-in
location, which in this embodiment is the check-in zone 20, and
potential participant information that describes the potential
participants identified in step 2000 (step 2002). More
specifically, in this embodiment, the check-in client 52 sends a
photo ad template request to the check-in server 12 and, in
response, receives the one or more photo ad templates from the ad
function 32 of the check-in server 12, as described above with
respect to steps 1004 through 1008 of FIG. 4.
[0058] Next, in this embodiment, the check-in client 52 computes a
fit score for each potential participant for each knockout in each
of the one or more photo ad templates obtained in step 2002 (step
2004). In other words, a fit score is computed for each potential
participant and knockout pair. Notably, in one embodiment, the user
18 may be required to be the participant for a primary knockout in
each of the photo ad templates. In this case, fit scores may only
be generated for each additional potential participant for each
knockout in each of the one or more photo ad templates other than
the primary knockouts to which the user 18 is required to be
assigned. However, in another embodiment, while the user 18 is
still preferably required to participate in the photo
advertisement, the user 18 may not be required to be assigned to
any one knockout in each of the photo ad templates. In this case,
fits scores may be computed for all potential participants
including the user 18 for each knockout in each of the one or more
photo ad templates.
[0059] For each potential participant and knockout combination for
which a fit score is to be computed, the fit score reflects a
degree to which the potential participant matches the knockout.
More specifically, in one embodiment, the fit score is computed
based on one or more predefined criteria such as, for example:
[0060] a degree to which the potential participant is suitable for
the knockout, which may specifically be a degree to which the user
profile of the potential participant matches the portion of the
metadata for the corresponding photo ad template that defines a
class of users that are suitable for the knockout, [0061] a degree
to which the potential participant is suitable for the photo ad
template in general, which may specifically be a degree to which
the user profile of the potential participant (e.g., demographics,
purchase history, music listening history, viewing history, web
browsing history, location history, interests, or the like) matches
a portion of the metadata for the corresponding photo ad template
that defines a class of users that are suitable for the photo ad
template in general, [0062] whether the potential participant has
provided a filler image for use in photo advertisements (note that
this may alternatively be a pre-requisite for being identified as a
potential participant), [0063] a geographic distance between the
user 18 creating the photo advertisement and the potential
participant, [0064] a social distance (i.e., a degree of
separation) between the user 18 and the potential participant in
the social network maintained by the social networking service 42,
[0065] a geographic distance between the potential participant and
the POI being advertised, and [0066] a social distance between the
potential participant and the POI being advertised in the social
network maintained by the social networking service 42. A high fit
score indicates a strong match between the corresponding potential
participant and knockout pair. Conversely, a low fit score
indicates a weak match between the corresponding potential
participant and knockout pair.
[0067] Next, the check-in client 52 removes, or prunes, any of the
potential participants that have no fit score that is greater than
a predefined minimum threshold value (step 2006). In this manner,
any of the potential participants that do not sufficiently match
any of the knockouts in any of the photo ad templates obtained in
step 2002 are removed from the list of potential participants. For
example, if one of the potential participants is a 13 year old
female but the photo ad templates only have photo wells for 20+
year old males and females, then the 13 year old female is to be
removed as a potential participant. Notably, some filtering may be
performed before calculating fit scores (e.g., when identifying
potential participants), where this filtering may ensure that
persons that would not match any of the knockouts would not be
identified as potential participants. In this embodiment, the
potential participants are then ranked for each knockout in each of
the photo ad templates based on the corresponding fit scores (step
2008), and the user 18 of the user device 16 is enabled to remove
any undesired photo ad templates and/or any undesired potential
participants (step 2010). Notably, if the user 18 removes one of
the photo ad templates, any of potential participants that no
longer have at least one fit score that is greater than the
predefined minimum threshold value in step 2006 may be removed.
[0068] Next, in this embodiment, preferred participants for each
knockout in each of the photo ad templates are selected (step
2012). More specifically, in the preferred embodiment, the user 18
is required to participate in the photo advertisement. For example,
the user 18 may be required to be the participant for a primary
knockout in each of the photo ad templates. As another example, the
user 18 may be required to participate but may be enabled to choose
which knockout he or she desires. As such, once one of the
knockouts in each photo ad template is allocated for the user 18,
preferred participants are selected for the remaining knockouts in
the photo ad templates.
[0069] In one embodiment, the preferred participants for the
remaining knockouts in each photo ad template are manually selected
by the user 18. In this case, the fit scores and/or rankings of the
potential participants may be presented to the user 18 or otherwise
utilized to assist the user 18 in selecting the preferred
participants for the knockouts. For example, for each remaining
knockout in each of the photo ad templates, the user 18 may be
presented with a list of potential participants for the knockout
that is sorted based on rank, and the user 18 may select the
preferred participant for the knockout from the sorted list of
potential participants for the knockout.
[0070] In another embodiment, the preferred participants for the
remaining knockouts in each photo ad template are automatically
selected by the check-in client 52. More specifically, for each
photo ad template, the check-in client 52 may first select the
potential participant having the highest fit score across all of
the remaining knockouts for the photo ad template as the preferred
participant for the knockout for which that potential participant
has the highest fit score. That potential participant is then
removed from the pool of available participants for the remaining
knockouts and the process is repeated until the "best" potential
participants for the knockouts in the photo ad template have been
selected as the preferred participants. This process is repeated to
select the preferred participants for any remaining photo ad
templates.
[0071] In yet another embodiment, for each photo ad template, the
user 18 is first selected as the preferred participant for the
knockout in the photo ad template for which the user 18 has his or
her highest fit score or ranking. Then, the user 18 is removed from
the pool of potential participants for the remaining knockouts in
the photo ad template, and the potential participant having the
highest fit score across all of the remaining knockouts in the
photo ad template is selected as the preferred participant for the
knockout for which that potential participant has the highest fit
score. That potential participant is then removed from the pool of
available participants for the remaining knockouts and the process
is repeated until the "best" potential participants for the
knockouts in the photo ad template have been selected as the
preferred participants. This process is repeated to select the
preferred participants for any remaining photo ad templates.
[0072] In each of the three aforementioned embodiments for
selecting the preferred participants for the knockouts, in some
situations, the selection of a potential participant as the
preferred participant for a first knockout may result in there
being no potential participants remaining for a second knockout. In
this case, if there are remaining potential participants for the
first knockout, then the potential participant may be changed from
the preferred participant for the first knockout to a preferred
participant for the second knockout. One of the remaining potential
participants may then be selected as the preferred participant for
the first knockout. Alternatively, the same potential participant
may be selected as the preferred participant for the first and
second knockouts. In addition, the user 18 may be enabled to edit
or modify the preferred participants for the knockouts.
[0073] The check-in client 52 then obtains filler images of the
potential participants (step 2014). In one embodiment, the check-in
client 52 obtains the filler images of all of the potential
participants including the preferred participants. In another
embodiment, the check-in client 52 obtains the filler images of
only the preferred participants. Preferably, the registered users
of the check-in server 12 predefine images to be used in photo
advertisements. These predefined images are referred to herein as
default filler images of the registered users and may be stored by
the corresponding user devices 16 or 22, the check-in server 12, or
the social network server 14. Thus, the filler images of the
potential participants obtained in step 2014 are preferably the
default filler images of the potential participants obtained from
the corresponding user devices 16 or 22, the check-in server 12, or
the social network server 14. In another embodiment, the filler
images may be captured on-demand during the photo ad creation
process, for example, by using the in-built cameras of the user
devices 16 or 22.
[0074] The check-in client 52 then requests permission from the
potential participants (step 2016). In one embodiment, the check-in
client 52 requests permission from all of the potential
participants including the preferred participants. In another
embodiment, the check-in client 52 requests permission from only
the preferred participants. More specifically, the potential
participants include the user 18 of the user device 16 and one or
more additional potential participants. Permission from the user 18
of the user device 16 may be implied since the user 18 initiated
the photo check-in process. Permission from the one or more
additional potential participants may be obtained by sending
corresponding permission requests to the check-in clients 52 or 56
of the corresponding user devices 16 or 22 either directly or via
the ad function 32 of the check-in server 12. In one embodiment,
the permission request sent to a particular user includes the one
or more photo ad templates and information that identifies one or
more of the knockouts into which the filler image of the potential
participant may be inserted. More specifically, in one embodiment,
permission is requested only from the preferred participants, and
the permission request sent to a particular user includes the photo
ad template(s) for which the user has been selected as a preferred
participant. Further, for each photo ad template for which the user
has been selected as a preferred participant, the photo ad template
included in the permission request may include the filler image of
the user inserted into the knockout for which the user has been
selected as the preferred participant.
[0075] The check-in client 52 then processes responses to the
requests for permission sent to the potential participants (step
2018). Each response indicates whether a corresponding potential
participant has granted permission to be used as a participant,
denied permission to be used as a participant, or requested that a
different filler image of the potential participant be used.
Notably, in one embodiment, a time-out period is defined where any
potential participant for which responses have not been received by
the end of the time-out period are deemed to have denied permission
to be used as a participant.
[0076] In one embodiment, the potential participants manually
choose whether to grant permission to be used as a participant. In
another embodiment, the potential participants may choose to
configure rules for automatically granting or denying permission to
be used as a participant. These rules may be based on social
network relationship, ad rating, advertised place, product,
service, and/or the like. Note that, in an alternative embodiment,
these automatic acceptance or denial rules may be taken into
consideration when selecting potential participants and/or
selecting the preferred participants for the knockouts in the photo
ad template.
[0077] After all responses have been received or after the time-out
period has expired, the check-in client 52 determines whether there
are any completed photo advertisements (step 2020). In the
embodiment where the filler images are obtained and permission
requested for only the preferred participants, a completed photo
advertisement is one resulting when all of the preferred
participants for all of the knockouts in one of the photo ad
templates have granted permission to be used as participants in the
photo advertisement. Note that if there is more than one photo ad
template, then there may be more than one completed photo
advertisement. In the embodiment where filler images are obtained
and permission requested for all of the potential participants, a
completed photo advertisement is one resulting when at least one
different potential participant has granted permission to be used
as a participant for each knockout in one of the photo ad
templates. Again, note that if there is more than one photo ad
template, then there may be more than one completed photo
advertisement.
[0078] If there are no completed photo advertisements, then the
check-in client 52 adjusts parameters used to obtain the list of
potential participants in step 2000 in such a manner as to result
in a larger list of potential participants or a list of all new
potential participants (except of course the user 18) (step 2022).
The process then returns to step 2000 and is repeated. If there is
at least one completed advertisement, one or more of the completed
photo advertisements are selected and submitted to the ad function
32 of the check-in server 12 (step 2024). More specifically, in the
embodiment where the filler images are obtained and permission is
requested from only the preferred participants, once all of the
preferred participants for one photo ad template have granted
permission to be used as participants, the filler images of the
preferred participants are inserted into or otherwise associated
with the corresponding knockouts of the photo ad template to
complete the photo advertisement. If there is more than one photo
ad template for which all of the preferred participants grant
permission to be used as participants in the photo advertisement,
then there are multiple completed photo advertisements. In this
embodiment, the user 18 then selects one or more of the completed
photo advertisements to be submitted to the ad function 32 of the
check-in server 12. If the user 18 selects more than one completed
photo advertisement, the user 18 may also select one of the
completed photo advertisements to be used as a photo check-in
and/or status update of the user 18. After step 2024, the process
ends.
[0079] In the embodiment where the filler images are obtained and
permission is requested from all of the potential participants, a
photo advertisement is complete once at least one different
potential participant has granted permission to be used for each
knockout in the corresponding photo ad template. If more than one
potential participant grants permission to be used in the same
knockout, then the preferred participant for the knockout is
selected for the knockout if the preferred participant is one of
the potential participants that has granted permission to be used
in the knockout. Otherwise, the highest ranked or scored potential
participant that has granted permission to be used in the knockout
and that has not already been selected for one of the other
knockouts in the photo ad template is selected for the knockout.
Once a participant has been selected for each knockout in the photo
ad template, then the filler images for those participants are
inserted into or otherwise associated with the corresponding
knockouts in the photo ad template to provide the completed photo
advertisement. Alternatively, the user 18 may manually select the
participants for each knockout from the potential participants that
have granted permission to be used in the knockout. As another
alternative, the photo advertisement may be submitted with one or
more participants for each knockout, where a participant for each
knockout is subsequently selected based on, for example, an
intended recipient of the photo advertisement.
[0080] FIGS. 6A through 6E illustrate an exemplary Graphical User
Interface (GUI) 82 provided by the check-in client 52 to enable the
user 18 to create a photo advertisement and submit the photo
advertisement as a photo check-in of the user 18 according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 6A,
the GUI 82 includes a main screen 84 that includes a simple
check-in button 86, a photo check-in button 88, a coupons button
90, a promotions button 92, and a preferences button 94. The main
screen 84 is presented to the user 18 either automatically or upon
request and generally enables the user 18 to initiate either a
simple check-in or a photo check-in for the check-in zone 20 in
which the user 18 is located. In this example, the check-in zone 20
is a geographic area corresponding to a restaurant called "Joe's
Italian Cafe."
[0081] If the user 18 selects the simple check-in button 86, the
check-in client 52 operates to create a simple check-in based on
user input from the user 18 and submit the simple check-in to the
check-in server 12. If the user 18 selects the photo check-in
button 88, the photo check-in process described above is initiated.
If the user 18 selects the coupons button 90, the user 18 is
enabled to view coupons that the user 18 has received in return for
participating in photo advertisements. Notably, coupons may be
earned when the photo advertisements are submitted and/or when the
photo advertisements are used. If the user 18 selects the
promotions button 92, the user 18 is enabled to view special
promotions such as, for example, a promotion being run by a
business establishment corresponding to the check-in zone 20 saying
that a particular benefit will be given to the user 18 (e.g., a
coupon) in response to creating a photo advertisement for the
business establishment. Lastly, if the user 18 selects the
preferences button 94, the user 18 is enabled to configure
preferences related to the creation and use of photo
advertisements.
[0082] More specifically, FIG. 6B illustrates a photo check-in
screen 96 that is presented to the user 18 in response to selecting
the photo check-in button 88 according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure. The photo check-in screen 96 includes a photo
ad template display area 98, navigation buttons 100 and 102 for
navigating through multiple photo ad templates, a solicit
participants button 104, a confirm participants button 106, a
submit button 108, and a cancel button 110. During the photo ad
check-in process, the user 18 may first select the solicit
participants button 104. In response, the check-in client 52
obtains a list of potential participants and sends a photo ad
template request to the check-in server 12, as described above. The
one or more photo ad templates returned to the check-in client 52
are displayed in the photo ad template display area 98. If more
than one photo ad template is returned, the user 18 may use the
navigation buttons 100 and 102 to navigate through the photo ad
templates. The user 18 may select a knockout in the photo ad
template displayed in the photo ad template display area 98 to, for
example, view a ranked list of potential participants for that
knockout, remove potential participants from the ranked list of
potential participants for that knockout, and/or select a preferred
participant for that knockout. The photo ad template illustrated in
FIG. 6B has a text area which may be selected by the user 18 to
enter desired text to appear in the text area. Then, the user 18
selects the confirm participants button 106. In response, the
check-in client 52 requests permission from the potential
participants or at least the preferred potential participants for
the photo ad template(s). Once one or more of the photo
advertisements have been completed and, in some embodiments, one or
more desired completed photo advertisements have been selected, the
user 18 selects the submit button 108 in order for the completed
photo advertisement(s) to be submitted to the check-in server 12.
Lastly, the user 18 may select the cancel button 110 at any time to
cancel the photo ad check-in process.
[0083] FIG. 6C illustrates a coupon screen 112 that is presented to
the user 18 in response to selecting the coupons button 90
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this
example, the user 18 has earned three coupons 114 through 118. FIG.
6D illustrates a promotions screen 120 that is presented to the
user 18 in response to selecting the promotions button 92 according
to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, one
promotion 122 is being offered to the user 18.
[0084] FIG. 6E illustrates a preferences screen 124 that is
presented to the user 18 in response to selecting the preferences
button 94 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In
this example, the preferences screen 124 includes a Facebook.RTM.
Connect button 126 and a number of buttons 128 through 138 for
selecting various preferences. The Facebook.RTM. Connect button 126
enables the user 18 to provide credentials (e.g., username and
password) that enable the check-in client 52 and/or the check-in
server 12 to access a social graph of the user 18 from the social
networking service 42 and/or to obtain user profile information for
the user 18 from the social networking service 42. The social graph
of the user 18 identifies friends and, in some embodiments, friends
of friends of the user 18 up to a defined maximum degree of
separation (e.g., 3 degrees of separation) in the social network
maintained by the social networking service 42. The button 128
enables the user 18 to select a preferred, or default, filler image
of the user 18 to be used in photo advertisements created by the
user 18 as well as photo advertisements created by other users in
which the user 18 participates. The button 130 enables the user 18
to select classes of users to which photo advertisements created by
the user 18 can be shown. Some exemplary classes of users are
friends of the user 18 in the social network maintained by the
social networking service 42, other users within a defined degree
of separation from the user 18 in the social network maintained by
the social networking service 42, other users within a defined
geographic distance from the user 18, or the like. While not
illustrated, the preferences screen 124 may enable the user 18 to
define additional or alternative user preferences such as, for
example, an ad lifetime for the photo advertisement (e.g., a total
number of ad impressions, an absolute amount of time, or the like),
a maximum frequency of use of the photo advertisement, one or more
websites on which the photo advertisement can or cannot be used,
and/or the like. Note that these user preferences may be ad
specific preferences, general preferences that are applicable to
all photo advertisements created by the user 18, or a combination
thereof.
[0085] The button 132 enables the user 18 to define what users can
be identified as potential participants for photo advertisements
created by the user 18. For example, the user 18 may indicate that
friends of the user 18 in the social network maintained by the
social networking service 42 can be used as potential participants
for photo advertisements created by the user 18, other users within
a defined degree of separation from the user 18 in the social
network maintained by the social networking service 42 can be used
as potential participants for photo advertisements created by the
user 18, other users within a defined geographic distance from the
user 18 can be used as potential participants for photo
advertisements created by the user 18, and/or the like.
[0086] The button 134 enables the user 18 to define types of POIs
or specific POIs at which the user 18 is to be prompted for
check-in. The button 136 enables the user 18 to define types of
POIs or specific POIs at which the check-in client 52 is to
automatically initiate a photo check-in. Lastly, the button 138
enables the user 18 to define a maximum maturity rating for photo
advertisements created by the user 18 or in which the user 18 is
willing to participate. The maximum maturity rating may be used to
select photo ad templates for photo advertisements created by the
user 18. In addition, the maximum maturity rating may be used to
automatically determine whether to automatically participate in
photo advertisements being created by other users.
[0087] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary GUI 140 that is presented to
one of the potential participants selected for the photo
advertisement being created via the GUI 82 of FIGS. 6A and 6B via
the corresponding check-in client 52 or 56 according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the GUI 140
includes a photo ad template display area 142, an accept button
144, a cancel button 146, and a select new image button 148. In
this example, the filler image of the potential participant is
inserted into a knockout 150 of the photo ad template. The
potential participant can grant permission to be used as a
participant in the knockout 150 of the photo ad template by
selecting the accept button 144 or deny permission to be used as a
participant in the knockout 150 of the photo ad template by
selecting the cancel button 146. Alternatively, the potential
participant may select a new filler image to be used for the
potential participant by selecting the select new image button 148.
Selecting a new filler image may also operate a grant of permission
to be used as a participant for the knockout 150 of the photo ad
template but only if the new filler image is used. Notably, the GUI
140 may provide additional or alternative features such as, for
example, enabling the potential participant to select a different
knockout in which the potential participant desires to be used.
[0088] FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of the ad function 32 of
the check-in server 12 to serve ad requests according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure. As discussed above, the photo
ad repository 38 of the check-in server 12 stores photo
advertisements created by registered users of the check-in server
12. In general, the ad function 32 utilizes the photo
advertisements stored in the photo ad repository 38 to serve ad
requests from entities such as, for example, the social networking
service 42. More specifically, the user 24 of the user device 22
logs into the social networking service 42 hosted by the social
network server 14 (step 3000). In response to the login or sometime
while the user 24 is logged into the social networking service 42,
the sponsored ad function 48 of the social networking service 42
hosted by the social network server 14 sends an ad request to the
check-in server 12 (step 3002). Notably, while in this embodiment
the social network server 14 requests advertisements, in an
alternative embodiment, advertisements may be pushed to the social
network server 14. The ad request includes target usage
information. The target usage information generally includes
information that describes a manner in which any photo
advertisements returned in response to the request is to be used,
information that describes a target of any photo advertisements
returned in response to the request (i.e., the intended recipient),
or both. More specifically, the target usage information may
include one or more of the following: ad network type (e.g.,
television, cable, closed circuit, Internet, or the like),
requestor information (e.g., website name, television station, or
the like), and ID of the intended recipient (e.g., social network
ID of the intended recipient). In this embodiment, since the social
network server 14 is the requestor and the user 24 of the user
device 22 is the intended recipient, the target usage information
preferably includes an ID of the user 24 used for the social
networking service 42. Using the ID of the user 24, the ad function
32 of the check-in server 12 is enabled to obtain information
regarding the user 24 from the social networking service 42 such
as, for example, the social graph of the user 24 and user profile
information describing the user 24 (e.g., demographic information,
interests, and/or the like).
[0089] In response to receiving the ad request, the ad function 32
of the check-in server 12 selects one or more photo advertisements
from the photo ad repository 38 that satisfy the ad request (step
3004). More specifically, in this embodiment, for each photo
advertisement, the metadata for the photo advertisement includes
data that describes a check-in zone (e.g., a POI) to which the
photo advertisement applies and creation information. In addition,
metadata for each photo advertisement may define a class of users
to which the photo advertisement may be shown, as defined by the
creator of the photo advertisement. Using the target usage
information in the ad request and the metadata for the photo
advertisements, the ad function 32 is enabled to select one or more
photo advertisements for the intended recipient. As an example, the
one or more selected advertisements may include one or more photo
advertisements created by a friend of the target user in the social
network, one or more photo advertisements having at least one
participant that is a friend of the target user in the social
network, one or more photo advertisements having at least one
participant that is within a defined degree of separation from the
target user in the social network, and/or the like. In addition to
social distance between the participants and the target user, the
ad function 32 may consider other criteria when selecting the one
or more photo advertisements such as, for example, geographic
distance between the participants in the photo advertisement and
the target user and a user profile of the target user (e.g.,
biographic information, demographic information, purchase history,
web browsing history, and/or the like). Notably, information such
as the social graph of the target user and the user profile of the
target user, if obtained, may be cached by the ad function 32 for
subsequent use.
[0090] In addition to selecting the one or more photo
advertisements based on the metadata for the one or more photo
advertisements and the target usage information, the ad function 32
may perform the selection further based on user preferences of the
creators of the one or more photo advertisements, system-defined
rules, advertiser-based restrictions, or a combination thereof. The
user preferences of the creators may, for example, place
restrictions on the usage of their photo advertisements. The
restrictions may restrict the class of users to which the photo
advertisements can be presented, a frequency of use of the photo
advertisements, ad lifetimes for the photo advertisements, and/or
the like. The system-defined rules may include, for example, ad
lifetimes for the photo advertisements, restrictions on the
frequency of use, and/or the like. Lastly, the advertiser-based
restrictions may place restrictions on to whom the photo
advertisements are presented based on criteria defined by the
advertisers by whom or for whom the corresponding photo ad
templates were created. For example, the advertiser-based
restrictions may be based on social network distance from the
advertiser in the social network, geographic distance from an
advertised POI, and/or the like.
[0091] The ad function 32 of the check-in server 12 then returns
the one or more photo advertisements selected in step 3004 to the
social network server 14 (step 3006). In response, the social
networking service 42 of the social network server 14 sends social
network content and the one or more photo advertisements to the
user device 22 (step 3008). In this embodiment, the social network
content and the one or more photo advertisements are sent to the
user device 22 in the form of a webpage. However, the present
disclosure is not limited thereto. Notably, in one embodiment,
where multiple participants may be identified for each photo well
in the photo ad template, either the ad function 32 or the social
networking service 42 performs the final selection of a single
participant for each photo well based on, for example, social
distance from the target user. For a photo well having multiple
participants, the participant having the closest relationship to
the target user in the social network may be selected. In addition
or alternatively, a user profile matching technique may be used
such that the participant having a user profile that most closely
matches that of the target user is selected for the photo well when
rendering the photo advertisement to the target user.
[0092] The social network client 58 of the user device 22 then
presents the social network content and the one or more photo
advertisements to the user 24 (step 3010). Lastly, the ad function
32 of the check-in server 12 provides a coupon or other benefit to
the creator(s) and other participants in the one or more photo
advertisements (step 3012). Notably, this benefit may be conferred
when the one or more photo advertisements are returned to the
social network server 14, when the one or more photo advertisements
are returned to the user device 22, or when the one or more photo
advertisements are displayed to the user 24. In addition or
alternatively, a benefit may be conferred to the creator(s) and
other participants if the user 24 selects one of the photo
advertisements and/or if one of the photo advertisements results in
a purchase of the advertised good or service by the user 24.
[0093] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary webpage 152 presented by the
social networking service 42 according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure. In this example, the webpage 152 is a homepage
for the user 24, whose name is Fred. Further, the user 24 is
friends with a user named Isabella. Isabella has created a number
of photo check-ins 154 through 158 using the ad function 32 of the
check-in server 12. As a result, the photo check-ins 154 through
158 are presented to Fred as a friend of Isabella. In addition, a
number of sponsored advertisements 160 through 166 are also
presented to Fred. The sponsored advertisements 160 through 166 are
photo advertisements obtained from the ad function 32 of the
check-in server 12 as described above with respect to FIG. 8.
[0094] The discussion above has focused primarily on the generation
of photo advertisements with respect to check-ins. However, the
present disclosure is not limited thereto. More specifically, the
ad function 32 may be incorporated into any type of ad server that
desires to enable users, such as but not limited to the users 18
and 24, to create photo advertisements that are relevant to the
users. These photo advertisements may then be used to serve ad
requests and, in some embodiments, used as status updates for the
corresponding users. For example, the ad function 32 may be
incorporated into an ad server that enables users to create photo
advertisements for websites visited by the users, websites logged
into by the users, goods purchased by the users, services purchased
by the users, geographic locations of the users, events attended by
the users, listening experiences of the users (e.g., songs, albums,
or music artists listened to by the users), viewing experiences of
the users (e.g., movies, television shows, or other videos watched
by the users), and/or the like. For instance, a photo advertisement
creation process may be triggered manually by a user or
automatically by the ad function 32 upon detecting a triggering
event (e.g., navigating to a website, logging into a website,
purchasing an item, purchasing a service, being located at a
particular geographic location, listening to a song, watching a
television show or movie, or the like). Then, potential
participants for a photo advertisement may be obtained. The ad
function 32 may then obtain one or more applicable photo ad
templates for the potential participants in a manner similar to
that described above. Filler image(s) of the user and, in some
embodiments, the additional participant(s) for the photo ad
template are then matched to photo well(s) in at least one of the
one or more ad templates using any suitable process to thereby
provide one or more completed photo advertisements. One of the
photo advertisements may be posted to the social networking service
42 as a status update of the user. In addition or alternatively, at
least one of the one or more completed photo advertisements may be
stored for subsequent use in serving ad requests from entities such
as, for example, the social networking service 42.
[0095] FIGS. 10 through 15 illustrate some exemplary photo ad
templates that may be used to create photo advertisements according
to some additional embodiments of the present disclosure. More
specifically, FIG. 10 illustrates a photo ad template 168 that may
be used to create photo advertisements for "Crazy Cola." For
example, the user 18 may create a photo advertisement for Crazy
Cola. The user 18 may manually initiate the photo ad creation
process, or the photo ad creation process may be triggered
automatically in response to the user 18 purchasing Crazy Cola. In
response, a filler image of the user 18 is inserted into a knockout
170 in the photo ad template 168. The resulting photo advertisement
may then be submitted to the social network server 14 either
directly from the user device 16 of the user 18 or via the ad
function 32 as a status update of the user 18. In addition or
alternatively, the ad function 32 may store the photo advertisement
for subsequent use in serving ad requests from entities such as,
for example, the social networking service 42. FIG. 11 illustrates
a similar photo ad template 172 including a knockout 174 that may
be used to create photo advertisements for "Best Beer."
[0096] FIG. 12 illustrates a photo ad template 176 including a
knockout 178 that may be used to create a photo advertisement for a
music album. In this embodiment, the photo advertisement creation
process may be manually initiated by the user. Alternatively, the
photo creation process may be triggered by a purchase of the music
album by the user. As another alternative, the photo ad creation
process may be triggered in response to the user attending a
concert of the corresponding music artist, in response to the user
purchasing a ticket to a concert of the corresponding music artist,
in response to the user listening to the music album utilizing a
music player, or the like. As another alternative, the photo ad
creation process may be triggered in response to the user listening
to a song from the album a threshold number of times within a given
time window, listening to all songs on the album a threshold number
of times within a given time window, or the like. Note that the
threshold value for number of times may be one, and the time window
may be infinite. In a similar manner, FIG. 13 illustrates a photo
ad template 180 including a knockout 182 that can be used to create
photo advertisements for a movie called "RELLICK." In this
embodiment, the photo advertisement creation process may be
manually initiated by the user. Alternatively, the photo creation
process may be triggered by a purchase of the movie by the user. As
another alternative, the photo ad creation process may be triggered
in response to the user viewing the movie at a movie theater, in
response to the user purchasing a ticket to the movie, or the like.
As another alternative, the photo ad creation process may be
triggered in response to the user watching a video or a television
show on internet TV. In one embodiment, the photo ad creation
process is triggered based on the user watching all of the episodes
in a season of a television show.
[0097] FIG. 14 illustrates a photo ad template 184 for Crazy Cola
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this
embodiment, the photo ad template 184 includes a photo well 186
that is a photo well for a picture in general rather than a
knockout. FIG. 15 illustrates a photo ad template 188 for Fancy's
Department Store that includes a photo well 190. In this
embodiment, the photo ad template 188 is in the form of an
invitation to visit a couple's gift registry for a bridal shower.
The photo ad template 188 may be used to create photo
advertisements in response to registering at Fancy's Department
Store. Again, the photo ad creation process may be initiated
manually by the user or automatically in response to a triggering
event such as completing a gift registry at Fancy's Department
Store.
[0098] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the check-in server 12
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As
illustrated, the check-in server 12 includes a controller 192
connected to memory 194, one or more secondary storage devices 196,
and a communication interface 198 by a bus 200 or similar
mechanism. The controller 192 is a microprocessor, digital
Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable
Gate Array (FPGA), or similar hardware component. In this
embodiment, the controller 192 is a microprocessor, and the
tracking function 28, the check-in function 30, and the ad function
32 (FIG. 1) are implemented in software and stored in the memory
194 for execution by the controller 192. Further, the repositories
34, 36, and 38 (FIG. 1) may be implemented in the one or more
secondary storage devices 196. The secondary storage devices 196
are digital data storage devices such as, for example, one or more
hard disk drives. The communication interface 198 is a wired or
wireless communication interface that communicatively couples the
check-in server 12 to the network 26 (FIG. 1). For example, the
communication interface 198 may be an Ethernet interface, local
wireless interface such as a wireless interface operating according
to one of the suite of IEEE 802.11 standards, or the like.
[0099] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of the social network server 14
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As
illustrated, the social network server 14 includes a controller 202
connected to memory 204, one or more secondary storage devices 206,
and a communication interface 208 by a bus 210 or similar
mechanism. The controller 202 is a microprocessor, digital ASIC,
FPGA, or similar hardware component. In this embodiment, the
controller 202 is a microprocessor, and the social networking
service 42 (FIG. 1) is implemented in software and stored in the
memory 204 for execution by the controller 202. Further, the user
accounts repository 44 (FIG. 1) may be implemented in the one or
more secondary storage devices 206. The secondary storage devices
206 are digital data storage devices such as, for example, one or
more hard disk drives. The communication interface 208 is a wired
or wireless communication interface that communicatively couples
the social network server 14 to the network 26 (FIG. 1). For
example, the communication interface 208 may be an Ethernet
interface, local wireless interface such as a wireless interface
operating according to one of the suite of IEEE 802.11 standards,
or the like.
[0100] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of one of the user devices 16
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This
discussion is equally applicable to the other user devices 16 and
22. As illustrated, the user device 16 includes a controller 212
connected to memory 214, one or more communication interfaces 216,
one or more user interface components 218, a location function 220,
and an image capture function 221 by a bus 222 or similar
mechanism. The controller 212 is a microprocessor, digital ASIC,
FPGA, or similar hardware component. In this embodiment, the
controller 212 is a microprocessor, and the check-in client 52 and
the social network client 54 are implemented in software and stored
in the memory 214 for execution by the controller 212. The one or
more communication interfaces 216 include a wireless communication
interface that communicatively couples the user device 16 to the
network 26 (FIG. 1). For example, the wireless interface may be a
local wireless interface such as a wireless interface operating
according to one of the suite of IEEE 802.11 standards, a mobile
communications interface such as a cellular telecommunications
interface (e.g., a 3G interface such as a GSM interface, a 4G
interface such as a LTE interface, or the like), or the like. The
one or more communication interfaces 216 may also include an NFC
interface. The one or more user interface components 218 include,
for example, a touchscreen, a display, one or more user input
components (e.g., a keypad), a speaker, or the like, or any
combination thereof. In this embodiment, the location function 220
is a hardware component such as, for example, a GPS receiver. The
image capture function 221 is preferably a digital camera enabled
to capture pictures to aid in the creation of the photo
advertisements.
[0101] The systems and methods disclosed herein provide substantial
opportunity for variation without departing from the spirit or
scope of the present disclosure. For example, as discussed above,
the ad function 32 is primarily described herein as being
incorporated in the check-in server 12. However, the ad function 32
is not limited thereto. The ad function 32 may be incorporated in
other types of ad servers as desired. As another example, while the
check-in server 12 and notably the ad function 32 are illustrated
in FIG. 1 as being separate from the social network server 14, the
present disclosure is not limited thereto. For instance, the ad
function 32 may be implemented in the social network server 14. In
this case, a photo check-in and a status update based on a photo
advertisement may be one and the same (i.e., the photo check-in is
one type of status update). In another embodiment, the photo
check-in process may be performed at a point-of-sale terminal of a
venue, whereby a user may be requested to participate in a photo
check-in while paying for purchased goods, and the user's image may
be captured immediately, for instance by a camera integrated with
the point-of-sale terminal. The advertised product may be
identified from one or more products purchased by the user. The
user's social network may be identified while processing the
payment, and the user may even be encouraged to hold up the product
in question for the photo capture.
[0102] In addition, in some of the embodiments described above,
faces of participants are inserted into photo wells in a photo ad
template to provide a resulting photo advertisement. However, it
should be noted that the filler images are preferably adjusted
(e.g., resized, cropped, or the like) in order to fit into the
corresponding photo well. In an alternative embodiment, the filler
images may be allowed to overflow or underflow the bounds of the
photo well. Also, while the photo wells have been described and
illustrated as voids in the photo ad template to be filled by the
faces of select participants, the present disclosure is not limited
thereto. Alternatively, the photo wells may be implemented as
positions or areas in a photo forming the photo ad template at
which filler images (e.g., faces) of select participants are to be
overlaid. These positions or areas may be manually identified.
Alternatively, these positions or areas may be programmatically
identified using, for example, a face recognition process.
Similarly, a face detection process may be used to extract the face
of a participant from a filler image. The face of an original
person appearing in the photo ad template may then be replaced with
the face of the participant extracted from the filler image.
[0103] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and
modifications to the preferred embodiments of the present
disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered
within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims
that follow.
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