U.S. patent application number 14/250049 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-16 for method and apparatus for presenting and aggregating information related to the sale of multiple goods and services.
This patent application is currently assigned to UNITY WORKS MEDIA. The applicant listed for this patent is UNITY WORKS MEDIA. Invention is credited to William C. WORTHEN.
Application Number | 20140310106 14/250049 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40073634 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140310106 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WORTHEN; William C. |
October 16, 2014 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING AND AGGREGATING INFORMATION
RELATED TO THE SALE OF MULTIPLE GOODS AND SERVICES
Abstract
A computer-implemented method can automatically present a
plurality of selectable rich media video clips associated with
goods and/or services offered for sale via an interactive networked
communication system including at least one client and at least one
server. A request to the server can be initiated at the client via
the interactive networked communication system to select a
plurality of rich media video clips from a database of rich media
video clips associated with corresponding goods and/or services. A
static descriptor can be displayed on the client for each of the
plurality of rich media video clips as selected and received from
the server. The plurality of rich media video clips can
automatically be presented on the client in a concatenated sequence
in a continuous rich media video stream.
Inventors: |
WORTHEN; William C.;
(Minnetonka, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
UNITY WORKS MEDIA |
Minneapolis |
MN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
UNITY WORKS MEDIA
Minneapolis
MN
|
Family ID: |
40073634 |
Appl. No.: |
14/250049 |
Filed: |
April 10, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11999523 |
Dec 4, 2007 |
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14250049 |
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11753412 |
May 24, 2007 |
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11999523 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.66 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/64322 20130101;
G06Q 30/0277 20130101; H04N 7/17318 20130101; H04N 21/85406
20130101; H04N 21/4788 20130101; G06Q 30/0269 20130101; H04N
21/2743 20130101; H04N 21/8405 20130101; H04N 21/4825 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14.66 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20060101
G06Q030/02 |
Claims
1-25. (canceled)
26. A method implemented on a machine having a processor, storage,
and a communication platform connected to a network, for creating a
personalized web page, comprising: receiving a request for a web
page personalized for a user and directed to a product; obtaining
first information including information related to the user and
second information characterizing one or more promotions associated
with the product; and automatically creating the personalized web
page that comprises a representation of a rich media video having
one or more rich media video clips, wherein each of the rich media
video clip describes at least one feature of the product and has
been personalized with respect to the user based on the first and
second information, and at least one text portion including
communication content personalized with respect to the user based
on the first and/or second information.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein: the first information also
includes information about a sale representative; and the
communication content in the at least one text portion of the
personalized web page is personalized as communication between the
sale representative and the user.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the request for a personalized
web page is received from the sale representative.
29. The method of claim 26, further comprising at least one of:
storing the created personalized web page for future retrieval;
associating the personalized web page with an actionable item on an
additional web page so that when the user acts on the actionable
item, the personalized web page is transmitted to the user; and
transmitting the created personalized web page and/or a link
thereof as a response to the request.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the personalized web page
and/or the link thereof is sent to the user in an electronic
communication about the product.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the link to the personalized
web page in the electronic communication can be activated by the
user in order for the personalized web page to be presented.
32. The method of claim 30, wherein any of the rich media video
clips in the personalized web page can be played back based on the
user's choice.
33. The method of claim 26, wherein each of the one or more rich
media video clips can be dynamically updated based on behavior data
associated with the user.
34. The method of claim 26, wherein each of the at least one text
portion can be dynamically updated based on information associated
with the user.
35. A system having a processor, storage, and a communication
platform connected to a network for creating a personalized web
page, comprising: a content aggregator configured for receiving a
request for a web page personalized for a user and directed to a
product, and obtaining first information including information
related to the user and second information characterizing one or
more promotions associated with the product; and an automated
production assistant configured for automatically creating the
personalized web page that comprises a representation of a rich
media video having one or more rich media video clips, wherein each
of the rich media video clip describes at least one feature of the
product and has been personalized with respect to the user based on
the first and second information, and at least one text portion
including communication content personalized with respect to the
user based on the first and/or second information.
36. The system of claim 35, wherein: the first information also
includes information about a sale representative; and the
communication content in the at least one text portion of the
personalized web page is personalized as communication between the
sale representative and the user.
37. The system of claim 36, wherein the request for a personalized
web page is received from the sale representative.
38. The system of claim 35, wherein the content aggregator is
further configured for at least one of: storing the created
personalized web page for future retrieval; associating the
personalized web page with an actionable item on an additional web
page so that when the user acts on the actionable item, the
personalized web page is transmitted to the user; and transmitting
the created personalized web page and/or a link thereof as a
response to the request.
39. The system of claim 38, wherein the personalized web page
and/or the link thereof is sent to the user in an electronic
communication about the product.
40. The system of claim 39, wherein the link to the personalized
web page in the electronic communication can be activated by the
user in order for the personalized web page to be presented.
41. The system of claim 39, wherein any of the rich media video
clips in the personalized web page can be played back based on the
user's choice.
42. A machine-readable tangible and non-transitory medium having
information for creating a personalized web page, wherein the
information, when read by the machine, causes the machine to
perform the following: receiving a request for a web page
personalized for a user and directed to a product; obtaining first
information including information related to the user and second
information characterizing one or more promotions associated with
the product; and automatically creating the personalized web page
that comprises a representation of a rich media video having one or
more rich media video clips, wherein each of the rich media video
clip describes at least one feature of the product and has been
personalized with respect to the user based on the first and second
information, and at least one text portion including communication
content personalized with respect to the user based on the first
and/or second information.
43. The medium of claim 42, wherein: the first information also
includes information about a sale representative; and the
communication content in the at least one text portion of the
personalized web page is personalized as communication between the
sale representative and the user.
44. The medium of claim 43, wherein the request for a personalized
web page is received from the sale representative.
45. The medium of claim 42, wherein the information, when read by
the machine, further causing the machine to perform at least one
of: storing the created personalized web page for future retrieval;
associating the personalized web page with an actionable item on an
additional web page so that when the user acts on the actionable
item, the personalized web page is transmitted to the user; and
transmitting the created personalized web page and/or a link
thereof as a response to the request.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a U.S. Continuation Application
of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/999,523, filed on Dec. 4, 2007,
which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/753,412, filed May 24, 2007, the contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the generation
and production of video advertisements to be presented via the
Internet. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
method and apparatus for high quality mass production of customized
video clips for the promotion of products and services.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The Internet has become an increasingly important part of
the sales industry. Today, many buyers perform some kind of online
research prior to making purchases. Not surprisingly, Internet
advertising has steadily increased as a percentage of all
advertising.
[0004] Developments such as these have spawned an entire industry
that specializes in providing services relating to the creation and
dissemination of advertising content. These kinds of business
generally use the Internet infrastructure to some degree.
[0005] As the number of buyers and sellers using the Internet
increases, the amount of product related information available on
the Internet has proliferated. Most of this information is
relatively undifferentiated, necessitating considerable time and
effort on the potential buyer's part to tease out the information
he or she seeks. One way to differentiate a given seller is to
create advertisements that stand out from the crowd or increase the
amount of time that is spent at the seller's web site so as to
improve the chances of making a sale to the web visitor.
[0006] While customized audiovisual advertisements are known to be
more attractive and increase the time a potential buyer spends at a
website, the costs involved in producing and disseminating high
quality, high bandwidth advertisements would be cost prohibitive if
professional video production were used. This problem is further
compounded when there is a need to efficiently and professionally
create a multitude of unique, customized advertisements for the
various products being sold by a given seller.
[0007] There are several techniques and technologies that make it
possible to automate the creation of rich media content and make it
possible to create productions involving the real-time display of
images and text synchronized to an audio track, for example. These
include animation tools (e.g. Flash from Macromedia Inc.),
authoring tools for streaming media (e.g. RealPlayer from Real
Networks Inc.), digital cameras, video recorders, commercial
software packages such as for example, MovingPicture software from
StageTools LLC in conjunction with video editors such as Adobe
Premiere or Avid Xpress DV.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,801,685 and U.S. Patent Publ. No.
20020175917A1 describe generalized video editing systems for
working with streaming media and video clips. U.S. Pat. No.
6,677,981 describes a system for video play-back of a still image
with an image generator for generating a panoramic image by
stitching together a plurality of images.
[0009] Various systems and techniques have been developed to aid in
the production of rich media audiovisual content that includes text
to be read accompanying the video footage. In the broadcast news
editing system described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,801,685, for example,
selected video clips are linked to a script text by embedding edit
link control sequences into the text at selected points. The
control sequences in the script text are linked to an edit decision
list (EDL) that defines the video clips that are to be synchronized
to the script text. In preparing a news story for broadcast, the
EDL is used to generate the video portion of the broadcast with the
synchronized text displayed for reading by a news announcer. U.S.
Pat. No. 6,654,930 discloses a similar editing system for producing
video news footage that displays a sequence of text associated with
a sequence of video frames, defining time codes in the text and a
reading rate to indicate whether the text matches the video
sequence.
[0010] It is also known to distribute such rich media content via
email. U.S. Patent Publ. No. 20040019648A1 describes a facility for
generating and presenting rich media email messages. U.S. Patent
Publ. No. 20060168064A1 describes a message management system for
creating and/or adapting electronic messages with digital
content.
[0011] Unfortunately, the learning curve to use these products can
be substantial and the amount of time required to produce any given
customized video segment is often measured in hours, not minutes.
As a result, mass production of customized rich media audiovisual
content using skilled operators can be cost prohibitive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention is directed to a method and system for
high quality semi-automatic production of customized rich media
video clips. Media source material, such as text, graphics,
pictures, and video clips can be submitted by a customer. A
computerized content aggregator utilizing an automated production
assistant can locate additional source material by searching
available information libraries and databases. The computerized
content aggregator may be programmed to organize and assemble the
various source materials to create suggested video elements and a
suggested voice-over script or recording. A human video producer
can then quickly and efficiently create a rich media video clip
from the suggested video elements and the voice-over script or
recording.
[0013] In one aspect of the present disclosure, high quality
customized rich media video clips are produced through a
semi-automatic method. Media source material can initially be
received over an electronic network. Available electronic
information libraries can then be automatically searched for
previously produced rich media video clips and rich media video
clip components related to the received media source material
through an automated process. Commercially available databases can
also be searched for database information related to the received
media source material through an automated process. The media
source material, previously produced rich media video clips and/or
rich media video clip components, and database information can then
be automatically translated into a suggested voice-over script or
recording. Suggested video elements derived from the media source
material, previously produced rich media video clips and rich media
video clip components, and/or database information can be
automatically organized and assembled. A rich media video clip can
then be created by a human operator based on the suggested
voice-over script or recording and the suggested video
elements.
[0014] In another aspect of the present disclosure, high quality
customized rich media video clips can be produced with a
semi-automatic system. The system can include a user interface
configured to facilitate the transmission of media source material.
A computerized content aggregator can be configured to receive the
transmitted media source material. An automated production
assistant in communication with the computerized content aggregator
can search information libraries for previously produced rich media
video clips and rich media video clip components related to the
received media source material and one or more commercially
available databases for database information related to the
received media source material. The automated production assistant
can be configured to communicate data to the computerized content
aggregator in the form of the previously produced rich media video
clips and rich media video clip components and/or database
information it located related to the received media source
material. The content aggregator can be configured to produce
production instructions that include, for example, a suggested
voice-over script or recording and also suggest video elements
based on the data received from the automated production assistant
and the received media source material. A video creation project
element file can contain the production instructions and suggested
video elements. A user interface can be configured to enable a
human operator to utilize the video creation project element file
to create a rich media video clip.
[0015] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a
computer-implemented method can automatically present a plurality
of selectable rich media video clips associated with goods and/or
services offered for sale via an interactive networked
communication system. A request to a server can be initiated at a
client via the interactive networked communication system to select
a plurality of rich media video clips from a database of rich media
video clips associated with corresponding goods and/or services. A
static descriptor can be displayed on the client for each of the
plurality of rich media video clips as selected and received from
the server. The plurality of rich media video clips can
automatically be presented on the client in a concatenated sequence
in a continuous rich media video stream. In certain embodiments, a
special offer associated with the corresponding good and/or service
for one or more of the rich media video clips can be presented
together with the corresponding ones of the rich media video
clips.
[0016] The above summary of the various representative embodiments
of the invention is not intended to describe each illustrated
embodiment or every implementation of the invention. Rather, the
embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the
art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of
the invention. The figures in the detailed description that follows
more particularly exemplify these embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method and system for
high quality semi-automatic production of customized rich media
video clips according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a screenshot of an order selection page of a user
interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a screenshot of a start page of a user interface
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a screenshot of a file upload page of a user
interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a screenshot of a file upload page of a user
interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a screenshot of a processing screen of a user
interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a screenshot of a file upload page of a user
interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a screenshot of a project notes page of a user
interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a screenshot of a create video page of a user
interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 10 is a screenshot of a create video page of a user
interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 11 is a screenshot of a create-video confirmation page
of a user interface according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 12 is a screenshot of a processing page of a user
interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 13 is a screenshot of a file upload page of a user
interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of the
automatic script generator according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0031] FIG. 15 depicts an edit mode of a user interface of an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the editing software of an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 17 depicts a teleprompter area of the editing software
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 18 is a notification email according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 19 is a customer webpage displaying a broadcast quality
advertisement according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0036] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a method and system for
high quality semi-automatic production of customized rich media
video clips according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0037] FIG. 21 illustrates generally a block diagram of avenues for
the conveyance of information relating to the sale of goods and/or
services to consumers.
[0038] FIG. 22 illustrates generally a block diagram of a work
order according to the subject matter disclosed herein.
[0039] FIG. 23 illustrates generally a flow chart diagram of the
operation of content distributor according to the subject matter
disclosed herein.
[0040] FIG. 24 illustrates generally a block diagram of the display
of content according to the subject matter disclosed herein.
[0041] FIG. 25 illustrates generally a block diagram of various
resources available to content management engine 2105.
[0042] FIG. 26 illustrates generally a block diagram showing
creation of a video through a combination of human effort and
logic.
[0043] FIG. 27 shows click behavior of customers on dealer and
aggregation engine websites.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0044] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method and system 100 for
high quality semi-automatic production of customized rich media
video clips. Rich media, as the term is used in this invention, may
be exemplified by a broad range of digital information consisting
of any combination of audio, graphics, video, voice and animation
delivered over the Internet or similar networked arrangement of
electronic devices. For purposes of this invention, a clip is a set
of contiguous frames of a video stream or segment, and each frame
is a single, still image taken from a recorded video or video-like
animation.
[0045] System 100 enables manual or semi-automated
mass-customization of rich media by integrating information
representing diverse input media source material into a rich media
video clip that can be stored at one or more repositories and
distributed on-demand over a communication network to one or more
end-users situated at widely dispersed geographical locations. The
input media source material may include motion video such as video
vignettes captured from a camera or camcorder with or without an
accompanying soundtrack, digital or digitized still
images/photographs, audio such as music or speech and static or
animated graphics and text or other formats which may be
incorporated into rich media presentations. The rich media video
clips are adapted for distribution using traditional and
contemporary information transmission channels such as for example,
by integration into e-mail, video streaming over the Internet,
file-sharing, web-page loading, broadcasting, multicasting and
pod-casting.
[0046] Referring again to FIG. 1, production of a rich media clip
for a customer by a third party may be initiated by a customer in
one of several ways. A customer can place an order for a rich media
video clip through a networked user interface, such as via the
Internet, at step 102. The customer can upload media source
material and instructions for use in creating the rich media video
clip via a user interface at step 104. Media source material that
may be uploaded include the customer's print ads, TV spots, video
clips, or a series of digital pictures. Where a customer has
previously uploaded media source material, an order can be placed
and a rich media video clip can be produced without the need to
upload additional source material. The customer can alternatively
upload rich media elements via a direct feed, such as a file
transfer protocol (ftp) link, at step 106. The customer then
contractually agrees that media source material sent via direct
feed will initiate a rich media video clip that will be put into a
customer library and onto specified websites for marketing
purposes. Media source material can also be transmitted through
manual e-mail, snail mail, track, or manual upload track at step
107.
[0047] In one embodiment, a "customer" is typically a seller of
goods or services. The customer contacts the third party video
producer in order to have a rich media video clip promoting one or
more of its products developed. The customer can then place the
rich media video clip onto its website where it will be viewed by
potential purchasers of its products.
[0048] FIGS. 2-13 depict screenshots of a user interface 200 which
can be used by the customer to upload media source material and
instructions. User interface 200 will typically be accessed by a
customer on a desktop or laptop computer, but can also be used on
any device with a visual display that is capable of communicating
over the internet, such as a personal digital assistant or a
cellular phone. FIG. 2 depicts an order selection page 202. The
order selection page 202 includes links 204, 206, 208, 210 for
various services offered by a third party video producer. One link
204 can provide the customer with the option of uploading a TV
advertisement or other pre-existing video for display. Other links
can be present to provide to allow the customer to choose which
type of media source material to upload for creation of a rich
media video clip. For example, there can be an upload digital
pictures link 206, an upload newspaper ad link 208, and an upload
miscellaneous files, such as, for example, video files, pdf's, or
jpeg's, link 210. In one embodiment, next to each link there can be
a price listing 212 for each service as well as links 214 that
describe each service in greater detail.
[0049] Once the customer selects a service from the order selection
page 202, a start page 204 such as that depicted in FIG. 3 can
appear. The start page 204 can list the steps which the customer
must accomplish to begin the process of having a rich media video
clip. The steps are uploading media source material 218, adding
project notes 220, and creating and organizing the desired video
content 222.
[0050] The customer can then advance to a file upload page 224,
such as one of the file upload pages 224 depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5.
File upload page can include a title box 226 for entering a name
for the project. Depending on the type of project selected by the
customer, various selection boxes 228-240 can appear on the file
upload page 224. For example, an any file box 228, a video clip box
230, an image box 232, a newspaper ad box 234, a pdf or doc box
236, and a zip file box 238 can be present to allow for the
uploading of the various listed file types. Alternatively, where
only digital pictures are being uploaded, the file upload page 224
can include only a digital picture box 240 (FIG. 5). Each selection
box 228-240 can include a browse button 242 to allow the customer
to locate the desired file on the customer's system. The file
upload page 224 can also include boxes into which the customer can
insert its name 244 and email address 246. The selected files can
be uploaded by pressing an upload files button 248.
[0051] As files are uploaded, a processing screen 250 (FIG. 6) may
appear to display a processing message 251 to inform the customer
that its files are in the process of being uploaded. As each file
is uploaded, the upload file page 224 can be updated to reflect the
uploaded files as shown in FIG. 7. The upload file page 224 can
provide a list 252 of the uploaded files. The list 252 can include
a thumbnail 254 and the name of the file 256 as well as the title
of the project 258 that the file belongs to. A file can be removed
from the list of uploaded files by use of a cancel or remove
feature 260.
[0052] After the customer has uploaded all of the files it wishes
to submit, the customer can move on to the add project notes step
220 at an project notes page 262 such as that depicted in FIG. 8.
Project notes 264 can be added in a notes box 266. The project
notes page 262 can allow the customer to select either a basic text
box option 268 or a rich text editor option 270 for entering its
project notes. The customer can also select from various data
format options, such as a text option 272, an html option 274, or a
raw option 276 to specify the format in which it wishes to enter
the data that comprises its project notes.
[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, once the customer has added its
project notes, the customer can proceed to the step of creating its
video 222. Where the customer has uploaded multiple files to be
used in the creation of a video production, thumbnails 280 of the
files can be put into the order the customer wishes them to appear
in the rich media video clip on a create video page 278. The
thumbnails 280 can be arranged by various methods, including
dragging and dropping them in the desired order into a designated
area 282 or by designating a number for each thumbnail 280
representing the order in which it is to appear. In one embodiment,
a description can be associated with each file by clicking on the
file's thumbnail 280 and entering text into a photo description box
284. The create video page 278 can also include a view slideshow
link 286 that allows a customer to view a slideshow of its files in
the selected order. The selected order can be saved with a save
layout button 288. Once the customer is satisfied with the layout
and description of its files, it can click on a create video link
289.
[0054] When the create video link 286 is selected, a create video
confirmation page 288 can appear. Create video confirmation page
288 can include the thumbnail 280 of each file in the selected
order. The description 290 associated with each file can be located
adjacent to its respective thumbnail 280. The project notes 292 for
the project can also be displayed on the create video confirmation
page 288. The description 290 and project notes 292 can later be
used to develop a script for a voiceover to be used with the rich
media video clip. The customer can confirm an order by clicking the
confirm button 294. If the customer wishes to change or cancel an
order, the customer can click the cancel button 296.
[0055] Once the customer has confirmed an order, a processing page
297 can appear with a message informing the customer that the order
is being processed 298 while the order is communicated to the third
party video producer (FIG. 12). Once the third party video producer
has received the order, a pop-up confirmation message 299 can
appear to confirm that the order has been received.
[0056] The above steps taken by the customer to submit files and
instructions can be done in a sequential order in order to provide
complete information to the third party video producer. This
provides for a more organized submission and allows for faster
video production by the third party video producer. Alternatively,
the customer may complete only some of the steps. For example, the
customer can access a file upload page 300 from which the customer
only selects files for upload 302, adds a brief summary of the
project 304, adds a description of the files 306, and uploads the
files 307. The third party video producer will then fill in the
gaps in the information received, such as project notes or
arrangement of files, to create a rich media video clip. Similarly,
if a customer submits files in an unorganized fashion, such as by
attaching them to an email, the third party video producer will
generate any additional information necessary to produce a rich
media video clip.
[0057] Referring again to FIG. 1, the customer's instructions and
uploaded media source material are transferred over a network 110
and received by a computerized content aggregator 130. The content
aggregator 130 is programmed to review the various input from the
customer and exercises logic to translate the input into
appropriate work orders and production instructions for submission
to the third party video producer.
[0058] In one embodiment, the computerized content aggregator 130
includes an automated production assistant 120 that is programmed
to utilize various automated processes and libraries 122 to aid in
organizing and serving up suggested video elements that the third
party video producer can use to create a rich media video clip. The
automated processes and libraries 122 can include pre-produced
intra and outro segments designed for ads of the specific customer,
clips, voiceovers, and script templates previously produced for the
customer, and an automated script developer tool. The production
assistant may also be programmed to access various databases that
contain descriptive information uniquely identified with the
product that is the subject of the customer's order.
[0059] In one example embodiment, a VIN database includes
information about specific cars or an MLS database includes
information about specific real estate properties. In such
databases, a unique identifier corresponds to each item in the
database. When the unique identifier is entered into the
computerized content aggregator, the automated production assistant
may be programmed to access these databases to obtain further
information, such as description or images, on the features of the
corresponding item. This information can then also be used in
selecting and constructing the suggested video elements packaged
for the third party video producer.
[0060] In another example embodiment, databases of the customer's
products or services and prepared marketing and rich media
materials, as well as databases of the customer's customer lists,
may be automatically accessed and compared as part of the process
executed by the automated production assistant. In another aspect
of this embodiment, the completed rich media clips may be
automatically emailed to a selected subset determined from the
customer's customer database to match attributes corresponding to
the particular work order used to generate the customized rich
media clip. For example, the work order may specify that a
recipient of the email containing the rich media clip may be
entitled to a special offer on a new vehicle if they are willing to
trade in their existing vehicle. In this example, the recipients
may be selected from the customer list for those recipients who
have an existing vehicle that matches the desired criteria of, for
example, a used vehicle for which there is a current increased
demand.
[0061] FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of one
embodiment of the automatic script generator 400 that can be
utilized by the automated production assistant 120. As seen in FIG.
14, block 402 represents a feature vector 404 for the rich media
video clip after it is populated with select alphanumeric
descriptors 406. The select alphanumeric descriptors are generated
based on the file descriptions 290 submitted by the customer and/or
the feature descriptions obtained from a proprietary database. In
one embodiment, the automatic script generator 400 includes a
natural language processor 408 communicating with a database 410
comprising a plurality of templates 412. Each template is a
lexically meaningful sentence of connected words which include the
alphanumeric descriptor or descriptors 406 corresponding to each
file or feature description. Each file or feature may be associated
with a plurality of templates and each template may represent a
variant of a sentence in a selected language. Each variant of the
sentence creatively conveys the essence of the associated file or
feature with a slant tailored to a particular promotion related
theme.
[0062] In one embodiment, a natural language processor 408 collects
the set of sentences corresponding to the plurality of templates
412 associated with the alphanumeric descriptors 406 populating the
feature vector 404 and generates a text message or script that is
substantially grammatically correct by using natural language
processing principles well known in the art. In one embodiment, the
script is uploaded to a script library accessible to the automated
production assistant 120 and catalogued for easy search using a
search key derived from the feature vector 404. A future rich media
video clip order that leads to an occurrence of the feature vector
404 may trigger the retrieval of script from the script library
into computerized content aggregator 130 instead of triggering the
automatic script generator 400.
[0063] The content aggregator 130 places the suggested video and
script elements in a video creation project element file 140 which
is transmitted to the third party video producer. A human operator
144 at the third party video producer can then import the video
creation project element file 140 into a user interface 142. User
interface 142 can be a user interface 144 of any known commercially
available video production software, such as, for example,
MovingPicture software from StageTools LLC. Alternatively, user
interface 142 can be a user interface 500 of a proprietary video
production software of the third party video producer.
[0064] FIG. 15 depicts an edit mode of a proprietary user interface
500 that provides the edit controls 502 necessary to affect the
transformation of the selected video elements from the video
creation project element file 140 into a rich media video clip.
User interface 500 is provided with intuitive controls such that an
operator 144 can quickly and efficiently produce a rich media video
clip based on decisions made by the human operator 144, and in some
embodiments, a customized voice over recorded by the human operator
144, without the need for specialized training.
[0065] In one embodiment, user interface 500 is configured with an
input box 504 for operator input of an alphanumeric input
representing a unique database identifier, a review area 506, a
storyboarding area 508, playback area 510 and a teleprompter area
512. Review area 506 has a first region 514 and a second region
516. First region 514 presents the operator 144 with thumbnail
icons 518 characterizing the selected video elements and script.
Exemplary thumbnail icons 518 include a still images icon, a motion
video icon, an audio track icon and a script track icon. The
absence of one or more types of selected video elements may cause
the icon 518 corresponding to that type of media to not display in
the first region 514. Other equivalent means can be used to
indicate the presence or absence of a particular component.
Operator selection of, for example, the still images icon, causes
the selected still digital photographs (i.e. frames) to display in
the second region 516 of the review area 506. Operator 144 can
construct a key frame set 520 by transferring (e.g. by dragging the
frames) a selected number of the still digital photographs (or
frames) to the storyboarding area 508. Operator selection of a
motion video icon will cause a video vignette of the selected
frames to play in the playback area 51 Playback controls 522 may
also be used to adjust the frame speed and a rectilinear cursor may
be used to grab a thumbnail 518 and cause it to be added to the key
frame set 520. The operator 144 can edit the key frame set 520 by
using intuitive frame-edit controls in the storyboarding area
508.
[0066] Editing software 550 can take as input the key frame set
520. In one embodiment of FIG. 16, the editing software 550 may be
either linear or non-linear. In one embodiment, the editing
software 550 is a component of a virtual `studio in a box`
hardware-software package, such as Creation Station solution by
UnityWorks! Media, the assignee of the present invention. Creation
Station comprises a video camera and green screen lights in
addition to the editing software 550 and provides full video
production, editing and streaming capabilities.
[0067] In an example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, editing
software 550 is operable in a semi-automatic mode, i.e. through the
intermediation of the operator 144 interacting with the editing
software 550 through the user interface 500 displayed on a display
device 552 of a computer. The editing software 500 "stitches" still
frames 554 or other video elements in the key frame set 520 into a
rich media video clip by adding dynamic motion through a predefined
set of motion-effects. Exemplary motion-effects include still, pan,
tilt, zoom, cut, wipe, fade and dissolve. Each still frame is
subjected to one or more of motion effects to create animated sub
clips. In effect, each motion effect involves creating a sequence
of sub-frames from the single frame representing the still frame.
The sequence of sub-frames represent periodic snapshots of the view
within a window bounding a limited region of the still frame while
the window is 1) moved continuously in a horizontal direction over
the still frame in either a left or a right direction (i.e.
panning) and/or 2) tilted continuously up or down in a vertical
direction (i.e. tilting) and/or 3) scaled continuously to zoom in
and/or zoom out. Animated sub clips associated with the key frames
may be "stitched" together into a rich media video clip through
appropriate cuts, wipes, fades and dissolves. Finally, an intro
segment can be pre-pended to the rich media video clip and an outro
segment can be appended to the rich media video clip to generate a
broadcast quality video.
[0068] In another embodiment, video editors such as Adobe Premiere
or Avid Xpress DV may be used for rendering the combination of the
rich media video clip, the intro segment and the outro segment into
the broadcast quality video. The playback area 510 of the
proprietary user interface 500 also provides the facility to render
the video. The operator 144 may iteratively modify the video when
needed using the editing software 550. In one embodiment, the
editing software 550 is configured to adjust the media effects
employed to generate the rich media video clip so that the total
playtime of the broadcast quality video is less than about a
minute, such as about 42 seconds.
[0069] FIG. 17 exemplifies one embodiment of a teleprompter area
512. Upon operator activation of the audio track icon 560, the
script 562 generated by the automated production assistant 120 is
displayed in the teleprompter area 512. User activated controls 564
in the teleprompter area 512 may be used to adjust the rate at
which the script 562 may be displayed or scrolled, for example. A
slider control 566 is provided where the length of the slot 568
represents 100% of the time duration to scroll the current script
562 in its entirety. The slider control 566 can be moved left or
right by the operator 144 to vary the time at which playback of the
video is automatically initiated relative to the scrolling duration
of the script 562.
[0070] In one embodiment, the operator, such as a person who has
been professionally voice trained, reads the script 562 as it
scrolls in the teleprompter area 512 to create a voice-over
capsule. Alternatively, the script 562 can be displayed in a static
presentation. Operator selection of a voice over icon in the user
activated controls 564 initiates a recording of the operator's
voice. The playback of the video contemporaneous with the scrolling
of the script 562 provides a visual cue to help the operator adjust
the pace of delivery and the tone of voice to the contents of the
video. Once recorded, the voice-over capsule may be replayed to
synchronize it with the video. The editor software 550 combines the
audio of the voice-over capsule with the video of the rich media
promo to generate a broadcast quality advertisement. Alternatively,
instead of an operator reading script 562 to generate the voice
over, editing software 550 can be adapted to automatically generate
the voice over. Editing software 550 can auto-generate a simulation
of a human voice for the voice over using human voice simulation
techniques commonly known in the art. As a further alternative,
editing software 550 can be adapted to stitch together pre-recorded
words or phrases to create the voice over.
[0071] In an alternate embodiment, the voice-over capsule is
created before the creation of the rich media video clip and the
duration of the audio in the voice-over capsule defines the total
playtime of the rich media promo. Irrespective of whether the
voice-over capsule is created before or after the rich media promo,
the total time it takes the operator 144 to create a broadcast
quality advertisement is less than about ten minutes and in one
embodiment is less than two to three minutes.
[0072] Upon completion of the broadcast quality advertisement, the
third party video producer can send an email 308 to the customer to
notify it that its order has been completed (FIG. 18). Within the
email 308, the customer can select a specific video 312 from a
specific customer library 310 to display the source code 314 for
the advertisement. The customer can then embed the source code 314
within its website 318 to allow the display of its broadcast
quality advertisement 316 (FIG. 19). In an alternate embodiment,
the email may contain either 1) an iframe code that may be inserted
by the customer into a web page such that the page may be served up
by the customer, or 2) a link to the rich media clip. In another
embodiment, the third party video producer may be contracted to
promulgate emails containing the rich media clip, such as, for
example, by incorporating an iframe or link to the rich media clip
in an email as described in U.S. Patent Publication No.
20050240596A1, the disclosure of the detailed description of the
invention which is hereby incorporated by reference other than the
express definitions contained therein.
[0073] Referring now to FIG. 20 there can be seen another diagram
illustrating a method and system for high quality semi-automatic
production of customized rich media video clips according to an
embodiment of the present invention. The various elements of the
diagram identified by the various reference characters have already
been described in reference to the previous Figures.
[0074] FIG. 21 generally illustrates a block diagram of the
presentation of information relating to the sale of goods and/or
services to consumers 2106. Although described with reference to
automobile sales, it is to be understood that the distribution of
information relating to any goods and/or services are within the
scope of the invention. In certain embodiments, the present
invention has particular applicability to goods and services that
are either individually unique or more expensive, like durable
goods, or both. Consumers 2106 can access websites of customers
2107 for information. Customers can include car dealers 2101, or
groups of dealers, whose websites convey information to consumers
2106 relating to the goods and/or services made available by the
dealers. Other customers can include aggregation engines 2102 whose
websites convey information to consumers 2106 relating to goods
and/or services of a variety of dealers 2101, including new car
dealers, used car dealers, and individuals attempting to sell a
cars themselves. Aggregation engine 2102 websites can include, for
example, websites such as Autotrader and cars.com. Aggregation
engine 2102 websites can acquire information relating to the goods
and/or services provided by dealers 2101 directly from
communication with dealers 2101 themselves. Aggregation engine 2102
websites can also acquire information by accessing the content
available on dealer 2101 websites, or through content created for
other avenues of content distribution such as television, radio, or
print media.
[0075] Content distributor 2103 can receive and provide information
relating to goods and/or services offered by customers 2107 such as
dealers 2101 and aggregation engines 2102. Such information can
include pictures, video, descriptive text, specials, or sale prices
relating to goods and/or services. Content distributor 2103 can be
made available to customers 2107, such as dealer 2101 and
aggregation engine 2102, by means commonly known, for example a
database or website, or by interactive custom cable or satellite
television channels accessible over an interactive networked
communication system. Interactive networked communication system
includes at least one server and at least one client interconnected
with the server. The client is the computer, interactive
television, or other device of the customer. Interactive networked
communication system can include one server or multiple servers and
one client or multiple clients.
[0076] FIG. 22 generally illustrates a block diagram of a work
order 2201 that can be input by a customer 2107 of content
distributor 2103. Work order 2201 may contain information as
previously discussed herein, such as content to be included in a
rich media video clip. Work order 2201 may further contain
information relating to a goods/services database 2202, for example
a VIN database or MLS database. Goods/services database 2202
includes information about specific cars (VIN database) or real
estate properties (MLS database), or other specific identifications
of goods and/or services. Work order 2201 may contain a
goods/services database identification of one or more particular
goods and/or services, such as a VIN number 2203 of an
automobile.
[0077] Work order 2201 may further include one or more specials
2204 relating to goods and/or services, such as information
relating to a sale for the particular good and/or service. Specials
2204 may also include information such as what a specific dealer
2101 or group of dealers 2101 is offering in a particular sale and
what VIN number 2203, set of VIN numbers, car make or car model the
sale applies to. Specials may also include information relating to
other goods and/or services, e.g. a gasoline discount or
maintenance discount, that may be associated with with the purchase
of an identified automobile or the purchase of any automobile
from_from an identified dealer.
[0078] Work order 2201 may also include posting information 2205.
Posting information 2205 may include when a particular good and/or
service is available for purchase, when a sale price or special
begins and when it ends, and when an ad is to be made available for
access by consumers 2106. Work order 2201 may be acquired from
customer 2107 by input through a website, through oral discussion
with account managers, or through access to a customer's 2107
website or advertisements. It is to be understood that work order
2201 can be provided through any form of communication that conveys
information relating to the sale of goods and/or services.
[0079] Referring again to FIG. 21, content distributor 2103 can be
adapted to manage content relating to the goods and/or services of
customers 2107. Content distributor 2103 can include a content
database 2104 adapted to hold information such as video, images,
pictures, descriptive text, specials, sale prices, and other
information as discussed above relating to a customer's inventory.
Content database 2104 can include information related to a
particular automobile (e.g. referenced by YIN number), a make or
model of automobile, or a particular dealer 2101 or set of dealers
2101. Content distributor 2103 can further include content
management engine 2105. Content management engine 2105 can be
adapted to process work order 2201, update content database 2104,
and manage the distribution of content to consumers 2106.
[0080] FIG. 23 illustrates generally a flow chart diagram of the
operation of content distributor 2103. At step 2301, content
distributor 2103 receives as input a work order 2201 from a
customer. At step 2302, content management engine 2105 processes
the work order 2201. The step of processing the work order 2201 can
include updating or storing information contained in content
database 2104 based on the information contained in the work order
2201. At step 2303, content management engine 2105 can work with
automated production assistant 120 to find and/or create rich media
video clips based on information provided by the work order 2201.
At step 2304, content management engine search content database
2104 and other available databases for video of the same or similar
automobile(s) specified by work order 2201. The search of content
database 2104 may be based on the make, model, features, condition,
or other characteristics of the car(s) specified by work order
2201. If video of the requested automobile(s) is found, at 2305,
the video can be modified by the automated production assistant 120
or an operator. The updated video can then be associated with the
requested automobile(s) in content database 2104. Alternatively,
the video(s) can be left as is. If video of the requested
automobile(s) is not found, at step 2306 a rich media video clip
can be created as described below.
[0081] FIG. 25 generally illustrates a block diagram of various
resources available to content management engine 2105. Content
database 2104 includes a plurality of production templates 2502
that can aid in turning the information contained in work order
2201 into a video. Production templates 2502 can include graphic
element templates 2504 and production timeline templates 2506.
Production templates 2502 allow the raw feed information contained
in a work order to be quickly put into usable video elements and
are constantly updated and maintained. Content management engine
2105 also searches various data libraries 2508 for elements that
can be used along with feed information to compile a video. Data
libraries 2508 can include VIN explosion libraries, libraries of
images taken of new and used cars, pre-produced graphic transition
and effects libraries, and script libraries for generic scripts,
specific automobiles, and specific automobile models.
[0082] Content management engine 2105 can also operate with auto
script generator 400 to automatically generate a script 562 or
script segment. If a script relating to the same or a similar
automobile(s) to the automobile(s) indicated in work order 2201 is
available, then script 562 can be automatically generated based on
an the existing script associated with the same or similar
automobile(s).
[0083] The feed information in work order 2201 is used to create a
video at step 2306 in FIG. 23 through a combination of human effort
and logic, as shown in a block diagram in FIG. 26. Initially, a
work order 2201 is received at step 2602 as previously described.
The automated production assistant than evaluates the work order at
step 2604. The best graphic element and production timeline
templates, video elements and script are then selected. To generate
a script, the work order can be evaluated and the automated
production assistant can pick the best saleable features of the
automobile identified in the work order 2201. A pre-existing video
of the identified automobile, if one already exists, can be
accessed, or the YIN number of the automobile can be compared to
existing VIN feature libraries to aid in automatically generating a
script or script segment. The templates, elements, and script are
then presented to a human producer as suggested best practice for
assembling a video from the work order at step 2606. The human
producer, at step 2608, then either accepts the suggested best
practice or overrides and modifies the suggested timeline and video
elements to create the video. At, step 2610, the human produce can
record the script and add it to the video. Alternatively, the
voiceover for the script can be automatically generated. A
simulation of a human voice for the voiceover can be generated
using human voice simulation techniques commonly known in the art.
As a further alternative, pre-recorded words or phrases can be
stitched together to create the voice over.
[0084] Content management engine 2105 can also continuously or
intermittently monitor the information contained in content
database 2104 for changes. For example, when the time period for a
special (as indicated by posting information 2205 in work order
2201) has expired or an automobile is no longer available, the
change can be reflected in content database 2104.
[0085] Content distributor 2103 can also update information
regarding the goods and/or services conveyed to consumers 2106
through dealer 2101 website or aggregation engine 2102 website.
When a change occurs (typically indicated through input of work
order 2201 or another trigger such as elapsed time), content
management engine 2105 can modify the information conveyed to
consumers 2106. Alternatively, dealer 2101 website or aggregation
engine 2102 website can have access to content database 2104. Then,
when a change occurs, one or more indicators in content database
2104 can be updated such that customer 2107 may reflect the change
in the information conveyed to consumers 2106.
[0086] Content management engine 2105 can further be adapted to
modify a video for a specific good and/or service based on a
change. For example, a video created for a particular automobile
can be pre-pended, appended, overlaid, or spliced with additional
information relating to the sale of that automobile such as a sale
price, dealership identification of where the automobile is
available, or specials associated with the purchase of that
automobile. This additional information may take the form of, for
example, additional video, voice-over speech, or text. For example,
the content management engine 2105 can modify the video to insert a
new special 2204 that was recently made available.
[0087] Content management engine 2105 can also control the display
of information based on demographic information about consumer
2106, or by choices consumer 2106 makes while searching for goods
and/or services. In one embodiment, where consumer 2106 selects a
particular automobile for display on aggregation engine 2102
website or dealer 2101 website, content management engine 2105 can
provide information about similar automobiles that consumer 2106
may be interested in. When consumer 2106 visits aggregation engine
2102 website or dealer 2101 website, content management engine 2105
can display pre-selected cars that demographic information
indicates that consumer 2106 may be interested in. When a
consumer's 2106 demographic information or choices indicate
interest in a particular special 2204 associated with an
automobile, e.g. a discount on gasoline purchases, content
management engine 2105 can provide information about other cars for
which the same or similar specials 2204 are offered.
[0088] FIG. 24 generally illustrates one manner of displaying
information relating to the sale of goods and/or services as
described herein. A display 2401 can convey information related to
goods and/or services in response to a search performed by a
consumer 2106, such as a search for a particular make or model of
automobile. Search can be performed on a website, such as, for
example, a dealer 2101 website or a content aggregator 2102
website. Display 2401 can include one or more videos 2402 of goods
and/or services selected based on the consumer search.
Alternatively, display 2401 can result from a selection of a
vehicle on a customer website. Display 2401 can include controls to
manipulate the display of video 2402, such as scroll bar 2404 as
illustrated in FIG. 24, or volume controls. Scroll bar 2404 can
allow consumer to skip ahead or go back in a video 2402. Display
2401 can further include additional description 2403 related to the
automobile depicted in the video 2402. Description 2403 can
include, for example, text, pictures, or audio information further
describing the automobile, or sales or specials related to the
automobile. Display 2401 can be presented through various ways,
such as, for example, a web portal or a plug-in on a website.
Display 2401 can be run by the same entity that runs the website on
which it is presented or by a different entity. In one embodiment,
display 2401 is presented on a client computer which receives
commands and information from a server.
[0089] When the consumer's search returns a video of more than one
car that matches the search terms (or car selection on customer
website), display 2401 can include static depictions 2414 of
additional search results 2405. In one embodiment, video 2402 can
seamlessly transition between a rich media video clip corresponding
to each search result depiction 2414 in a sequential manner. As the
video 2402 changes to display rich media video clips of different
automobiles, the additional description 2403 can also change to
correspond to the automobile currently being displayed in the
video. The additional search results 2405 can also be provided to a
user in a selectable format. Additional search results 2405 can be
provided to consumer 2106, for example, in the form of thumbnails
or text. In one embodiment,the consumer 2106 can skip between the
automobiles in the search results by clicking on the depiction 2414
associated with a search result. The video 2402 will then
seamlessly skip to a rich media video clip for the selected result.
The video 2402 can then continue by playing the next search result,
or, alternatively, can return to the first search result that was
skipped.
[0090] Display 2401 can further include results showing similar
automobile(s) 2406. A depiction 2414, such as thumbnails or text,
of automobiles having similar features and/or similar specials to
the automobile(s) searched for by the consumer can be displayed. If
a consumer 2106 selects one of the similar results, the video 2402
can seamlessly skip to a rich media video clip of the selected
automobile and additional description 2403 of the selected vehicle
can be displayed. Once the rich media video clip corresponding to
the selected automobile has completed, the video can continue to
display rich media video clips of similar automobiles 2406, or can
return to displaying rich media video clips of the automobiles in
the additional search results 2405. Where display 2401 results from
a selection of a vehicle on a dealer or other website, similar
automobile(s) 2406 can comprise, for example, similar new
automobile(s) or comparable used automobiles.
[0091] Video 2402 can be displayed in a seamless concatenated
sequence 2408. Seamless sequence 2408 can include video clips of
automobiles 2410 with each automobile having a special 2412
relating to that automobile tagged thereto. Each special 2412 can
play seamlessly along with the clip of the automobile 2410 to which
it is tagged. One or more automobiles 2410 can alternatively have
multiple specials 2412 or no special 2410 tagged to it. The user
can skip around in the sequence 2408 by clicking on additional
search results 2405 or similar vehicles 2406.
[0092] The behavior of consumers on customer websites, such as
dealer websites and aggregation engine websites, can be used to
refine the display 2401. The description 2403 on display can be
modified to display suggested options to the consumer for refining
the search results 2405. For example, where the click behavior of
the consumer appears to indicate that the consumer is interested in
a certain special, the description 2403 can display an option to
allow the consumer to display all search results that are keyed to
that particular special or similar specials.
[0093] Referring to FIG. 27, the click behavior of customers on
dealer websites 2702 and aggregation engine websites 2704 can also
be used to refine the video clips presented on display 2401. The
selections made by consumers on the websites 2702. 2704 are
transmitted back to the automated production assistant 120. The
videos onto which consumers click the most indicate which types of
video elements are better at selling cars. The production templates
2502 used, as well as the type, content and ordering of the graphic
elements and scripts suggested by the automated production
assistant 120, can subsequently be modified to include, or make
more prominent, such elements. Newly assembled video clips can also
take these preferences into account. Modified and newly assembled
videos incorporating user preferences based on the click behavior
analysis can then be presented on the websites 2702, 2704. In this
way, the video clips presented in display 2401 can continually be
refined so that the elements comprising the clips are presented in
a way that provides consumers with the most relevant search results
and customers the most effective advertising presentations.
[0094] The above description of the disclosed embodiment is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic
principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which
is limited by nothing other than the appended claims.
* * * * *