U.S. patent application number 14/684690 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-06 for system and method for dynamic generation of video content.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dynamic Video LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Dynamic Video LLC. Invention is credited to Jack COHEN-MARTIN.
Application Number | 20150221000 14/684690 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41569743 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150221000 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
COHEN-MARTIN; Jack |
August 6, 2015 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC GENERATION OF VIDEO CONTENT
Abstract
An automated system method for dynamically generating a
composite video clip by a computer. In some embodiments of the
invention, a template may be provided including at least one
digital media asset and one or more placeholders, each placeholder
associated with a respective dynamic content object and a
respective layout. The system and method may extract from one or
more websites, for example, e-commerce sites, data items
corresponding to each of the dynamic content objects, and generated
a composite video clip including the media asset, wherein the
dynamic content objects are replaced with respective extracted data
and presented in association with the media asset based on their
respective layouts.
Inventors: |
COHEN-MARTIN; Jack;
(Brooklyn, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dynamic Video LLC |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Dynamic Video LLC
|
Family ID: |
41569743 |
Appl. No.: |
14/684690 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12490688 |
Jun 24, 2009 |
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14684690 |
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12127873 |
May 28, 2008 |
9032298 |
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12490688 |
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12127873 |
May 28, 2008 |
9032298 |
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12490688 |
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60940977 |
May 31, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0601 20130101;
G06Q 30/06 20130101; G11B 27/034 20130101; G06Q 30/0277 20130101;
G06Q 30/02 20130101; G11B 27/34 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20060101
G06Q030/02 |
Claims
1. An method for generating an advertisement by a computer,
comprising: providing a template for an advertisement including at
least one dynamic component and at least one static component;
selecting a dynamic data object linked to a placeholder associated
with the dynamic component; automatically generating one or more
video advertisements based on the template advertisement, wherein
each video advertisement is personalized or customized based on
data sources referenced by the dynamic data object.
2. The method of claim 1, comprising selecting whether properties
of the dynamic component are dynamic or static.
3. The method of claim 1, comprising replacing the placeholder with
content from the dynamic data object.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the dynamic data object is
selected based on parsing data sources or feeds in binary or
textual format including XML files, hypertext markup language
(HTML) repeater, HTML table or an object on a website that can be
parsed automatically.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more video
advertisements are generated according to one or more predefined
rules, the predefined rules including one or more of selecting a
background video clip, determining position of the selected dynamic
data objects, animation effects to be used on dynamic data objects,
selecting a soundtrack, and presentation of text data.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the dynamic data object is stored
on a server or is a universal resource locator (URL), path, or
database connection link.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein each video advertisement is
customized or personalized based on dynamic input data which
includes product information, personalized data, geo-location data
or other input data used for creating advertisements including
images and video.
8. An apparatus for generating an advertisement by a computer,
comprising: a memory; and a processor configured to: provide a
template for an advertisement including at least one dynamic
component and at least one static component; select a dynamic data
object linked to a placeholder associated with the dynamic
component; automatically generate one or more video advertisements
based on the template advertisement, wherein each video
advertisement is personalized based on data sources referenced by
the dynamic data object.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to
select whether properties of the dynamic component are dynamic or
static.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured
to replace the placeholder with content from the dynamic data
object.
11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the dynamic data object is
selected automatically based on predefined knowledge of typical
webpage construction.
12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the dynamic data object is
selected based on, parsing offline or online data sources including
an XML file, an hypertext markup language (HTML) repeater, HTML
table or an object on a website that can be parsed
automatically.
13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each video advertisement is
customized or personalized based on information about potential
target audience characteristics that are random or given including
at least one of purchasing or browsing history, page views,
geo-location, browser software or operating system, type of device,
and product sales preferences.
14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the memory is to store a
library of a plurality of video and music clips provided by a
plurality of content providers.
15. A system for generating a video advertisement, comprising: a
first server to store a plurality of templates, each template
including dynamic and static components; a second server or a web
client to access the server over a network the server or web client
configured to select one of the plurality of templates and to
select dynamic data objects to be used with the selected one of the
plurality of templates, wherein the selected dynamic data objects
replace placeholders associated with the dynamic components of the
selected template; and a video processor to generate a video clip
using the selected template according to a set of predetermined
rules.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the second server or web client
is configured to select the dynamic data objects based on
predefined knowledge of typical webpage construction.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein the video clip is personalized
to a recipient based on data sources referenced by the dynamic data
objects.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein the video clip is personalized
based on information about a potential consumer including at least
one of purchasing or browsing history, page views, geo-location,
browser software or operating system, type of device, and product
sales preferences.
19. The system of claim 15, wherein the second server or web client
allows selection of whether properties of the dynamic components
are dynamic or static.
20. The system of claim 15, wherein the second server or web client
is to populate the selected one of the plurality of templates with
the selected dynamic data objects according to predefined rules.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is both a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/490,688, filed Jun. 24, 2009, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/127,873, filed May 28, 2008, and a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/127,873, filed May 28, 2008, which
in turn claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/940,977, filed May 31, 2007, all of which are incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to video production,
and more particularly to a Web application system for online video
producers and advertisers, affordably enabling ad conception to
campaign rollout in real-time.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The advertising market generates approximately a hundred
billion dollars a year in America alone and is a huge force within
the global economy. Without advertising, manufacturers and service
providers would not be able to make themselves known to the public.
In a competitive and advanced marketplace advertising plays a
central role in helping new products penetrate the market as well
building trust between a client and a specific product or service.
[0003] Television advertising as a media has created some legendary
commercials. In the 1980's, during the third quarter of the Super
Bowl, Apple Computer introduced the Macintosh computer with a
60-second Orwellian epic commercial called "1984." The spot cost
$400,000 to produce and $500, 000 to broadcast in its single
national paid airing. The commercial turned the Super Bowl into a
major ad event and began an era of advertising as news. Television
advertising reached an all-time high in the 1990s with
infomercials, huge mergers and ambush marketing.
[0004] In recent years there has been a major change in the
internal division of media types open to advertisers, as
advertising on the Internet is growing and accelerating, while
older media such as printed newspapers and radio are fading.
Internet Advertising
[0005] The growth of Internet advertising since its 1994 birth has
been truly phenomenal What started out with banners, as bland and
common as roadside billboards has exploded into a rich-media
interactive environment that may soon rival the rabbit hole in
Alice in Wonderland. In the 1990's online advertising was born when
HotWired signed up fourteen advertisers for its online debut. The
following year saw the emergence and public acceptance of the Web
as an interactive medium. Both United Airlines and Maytag
introduced their Websites and promoted them through banners. By
1996, advertisers were promoting Websites using traditional
media.
[0006] Now, online advertising is a world of rich media. Banners
pop up into their own browser windows, advertisements appear on
screen before the page is finished downloading and advertising
interrupts online games and other interactions. Images are
beginning to resemble television commercials. Online advertising is
quickly becoming more diverse as sites cater to more traditional
advertisers' and search for ways to better meet advertisers
needs.
[0007] Forecasts for the future of Internet advertising are
positive, and researchers are in agreement that advertising on the
Internet will only grow and expand in the coming years. An
outstanding trend, as supported by research, is the development of
video advertising on the Internet. Early Internet advertising is
based on banners and text announcements, but in the future the
weight of video Internet advertising will grow and its reach will
widen. As of today, there are four major types of video Internet
advertising:
[0008] 1. Pre-Roll Video Ads--Advertising that appears before the
beginning of video content that a user is watching.
[0009] 2. Mid-Roll Video Ads--Advertising that appears during the
video content that a user is watching
[0010] 3. Post-Roll Video Ads--Advertising that appears after the
video content that a user is watching
[0011] 4. In Banner Video Ads--Advertising videos that are
integrated in the Web page. Such an ad is usually shown as a static
slide picture that is taken from a video advertisement with a
special mark, usually a triangle that shows PLAY. Clicking on the
slide makes the advertisement start playing.
[0012] In-banner ads run as part of Web page content within a box
on a Web page. Transitional ads appear between page displays, where
the only content is the ad. Pre-roll ads run prior to
user-requested video content as part of the same stream. See prior
art FIG. 1a, Consumers select which content to view, providing
advertisers with a highly captive, self-targeted audience.
Companion banners complement the pre-roll spot, enabling consumers
to click to learn more. Pre-roll advertising is the fastest-growing
video format, thanks to its integration with user-requested content
and similarities to television. See prior art FIG. 1b, reference
block. Because of its impact and accountability, pre-roll video is
in high demand, but supply is limited and execution is complex.
[0013] The most effective and TV-like form of online video
advertising is found in the pre-roll format, but inventory is
limited because of the limited amount of content publishers offer.
Pre-roll tends to be more effective than banner. Therefore,
frequency capping is needed most for pre-roll, which is the most
effective form of online video, and also has the least inventory.
Video production costs are still extremely high. An advertiser
seeking scale has to send ten beta tapes to ten Web sites and have
each encoded in different player formats. More coordination is
needed on the publisher side.
[0014] One might be led to believe that streaming video commercials
are the next "big thing" As broadband gradually replaces dial-up,
it becomes possible for online users to receive video commercials
with sound and motion quality equal to television. One of the
mistakes of the past is to assume that content from traditional
media could be repurposed for the Web. That might have worked for
recipes and baseball scores, but it didn't for news stories (which
are now shorter and full of hotlinks). Magazine ad pages didn't
translate to the Web successfully and neither will 30-second TV
spots. TiVo and Replay TV notwithstanding, TV spots are made
knowing that the audience is essentially passive and in many cases,
downright inert. The audience hardly even picks up the phone and
dials an 800 number anymore (unless it is to vote off a singer or a
comic). There is no interaction with the ad, so it tends to be loud
and convey a brand "feeling," rather than a product attribute. By
the third or fourth exposure, you might start to remember the
product name. Advertisers still have faith that the 30-second spot
moves product off shelves.
[0015] But online, consumers are anything but passive. They are
actively engaged in the medium and have the power to stop a video
spot in a heartbeat. The idea that users idly "surf` the `Net is a
myth of bygone days. People go to the Internet with a purpose and
infrequently go beyond their bookmarked sites. While this
engagement with the medium means people are paying attention (and
are poised to take advantage of the Internet's unique
interactivity), it also means they are somewhat impatient. They
will not sit still for 30 seconds of sight sound and motion.
[0016] However, for a Web ad 10-60 seconds is about right. It is
enough time to engage the viewer then hand them off to a static
Website or e-commerce shop, or the chance to play a longer video of
their choosing. Everything in our lives has been time compressed
and we have developed a shorter attention span. Just behind us is
the MTV generation which can multi-task and will probably only see
commercials in the context of five others things they are doing at
the same moment. To that and still younger generations, 30 seconds
of anything (unless they really like it) is an eternity.
[0017] A whole new industry will grow up around the creation of
10-60 second Internet streaming video commercials. But since it
will be able to deliver a very short brand message, it will have to
be inexorably linked to the interactivity of the Web in order to
provide users who really want to engage, the additional information
they want. The creative approach will have to be unlike anything on
TV now, and there will have to a seamless transition to other Web
resources. Implemented effectively, 10-60 second spots will pull
in-market buyers to a place where retailers, dealers or even
manufacturers know they have a hot prospect and can shorten the
buying cycle. Pre-roll ads are under 15 seconds to avoid annoying
the viewer and are custom created by the client or a creative team.
Either way, they enhance brand image and message with high quality
video content that plays to a Web savvy and educated
demographic.
[0018] Video ads combine television's sight, sound and motion with
the Internet's immediacy and accountability to reach and engage
online audiences. Plus, online video overcomes the challenges that
can accompany TV--including the increased use of digital video
recorders (DVR's) and ad-skipping technologies.
[0019] Google, which began to be active in the marketplace only in
the last years, changed the "rules of the game" of Internet
advertising when it started to offer advertising based on search
results. The company has succeeded in creating a new advertising
market, and today it rules this market without opposition.
[0020] The advantage of Google is that it succeeded in providing a
precise placement system for online advertising that was easy for
advertisers to generate, available immediately and offered
advertisers a campaign that is targeted for a well-defined
population, whether based on geographic location or demographic
profile. Google makes it possible to run a campaign without
requiring a minimal budget and that opens the Internet advertising
market to a wide range of small advertisers that previously did not
have access to it. Before Google entered, campaigns were manually
executed by advertising account managers who were not interested in
accommodating small budgets. Google also brought a media advantage
to the market. Google campaigns are directly executed by the
advertisers enabled to control and change its definitions at any
given moment. Before Google campaign change necessitated
intervention of the advertising company's representative and
therefore the nature of change was slow and infrequent. Google
makes it possible for advertisers to change the definitions of
their campaigns in real time and thus achieve better results.
[0021] Video advertising on the Internet is still not widely used,
mainly because of the high production price involved. Even though
it is possible to run low budget campaigns, production costs are
what prevent small companies from using this option.
Television Advertising
[0022] As indicated previously, advertising on television is a vast
industry that brings in approximately seventy billion dollars a
year. The majority of advertising budgets are found in the hands of
big companies that invest enormous sums in the production of
commercials and broadcasts. The cost of production of a television
advertisement ranges to hundreds of thousands of dollars, where
even the most economical productions range to the tens of thousands
of dollars. Additionally, some production budgets can range well
into the millions of dollars. Television advertising is the
accepted way for advertisers to create awareness and loyalty to
their brand, and it is agreed that television is the most effective
medium through which to emotionally involve viewers in a product or
service. In light of the high production cost, few small businesses
use television as an advertising platform.
[0023] Naturally, not all advertising broadcast time on TV is used
to its fullest advantage. To be sure, if a potential advertising
slot is not sold to an advertiser, once the time of the slot passes
it expires and thus the broadcasting station cannot profit from it
anymore. This creates a time limit on the viability of each
advertising minute on TV. Within that, there are a lot of
advertising minutes that could be sold at a price that would be
affordable to small businesses; however selling these "unused" time
slots poses two challenges:
[0024] One challenge is the production cost of the advertisement
that stands at tens of thousands of dollars;
[0025] The second challenge--before Google, the treatment and
selling of broadcast time on the Internet was done manually and
therefore there was no financial justification for low budget
businesses to be involved.
Production Cost
[0026] Google, the cable companies, and additional bodies, have
already declared their intentions to develop an automatic system
that will enable buying and creating of television advertisements,
in a manner that will open the market to small advertisers as well.
Here too, the central problem remains the production cost of the
advertisement itself.
[0027] The prior art provides four ways for the advertiser to
acquire a video advertisement that would remain in its possession
during a campaign:
[0028] 1. Hiring a production company that would produce and film
the ad for the company. In this type of production, many
professional personnel are involved--screenwriters, filmmakers,
narrators, recording artists, actors and editors--and therefore a
quality production would not succeed without a budget of tens of
thousands of dollars.
[0029] 2. Developing a production that is based on video library
material only. In this case, the process itself would be
complicated because it requires a search in a number of different
libraries to find video clips, voice and effects. This requires
hiring professional personnel that would execute the search. It is
a complicated process to be the middleman between the production
and the client because the latter cannot be involved in the
creation process itself, but will only receive the finalized
product. If the client wants to participate in the production
process, the time of the production would lengthen, and the price
would rise.
[0030] 3. Purchasing from companies that offer half ready made
templates. The client is invited to choose the template that fits a
specific advertiser. This method has two central disadvantages.
[0031] First, the production process is limited in its ability to
involve the advertiser; and
[0032] Second, there are limited templates to choose from because
they were prepared by company employees whose job it is to create
templates.
[0033] 4. Filming the advertisement based on self-production alone.
In this case, the cost of production would be very low, however the
quality of the final result is uncertain.
[0034] US Pat Applic. No. 20070156524, Systems and Methods for
Content Customization, by Grouf, et al, discloses methods and
systems for providing customized advertisements, and hereinafter is
referred to as the "Spot Runner" application. The method, for
example, including storing a set of templates of components of
advertisements, the templates defining a set of media objects;
receiving, over a computer network, information related to an
advertiser; based on the information related to the advertiser,
presenting to the advertiser, over the computer network, a list of
a subset of the set of templates of at least components of
advertisements; receiving from the advertiser a selection of a
template from the list of the subset of the set of templates;
playing the template that the advertiser selected, without custom
information from the advertiser; prompting the advertiser to
provide input to create a customized advertisement based on the
selected template; and creating a customized advertisement from the
selected template and the input provided by the advertiser. The
method may include using an edit decision list to represent
organization of objects in templates.
[0035] Thus it would be advantageous to have an improved system and
method for economical, user-friendly, user-empowered interactive
production of a vast library of 10-60 second Internet and
Television commercials.
SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0036] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present
invention to enable the advertiser to create video advertisements
himself, ads that are compatible with the Internet, TV and cellular
networks, at a competitive price and with full creative
flexibility.
[0037] It is one further principal object of the present invention
to dramatically decrease video ad production cost, while speeding
up the production and creation process.
[0038] It is one added principal object of the present invention to
enable ad conception to campaign rollout to all be done in
real-time.
[0039] It is one more principal object of the present invention to
enable quality production and competitive pricing for video
advertisements.
[0040] It is still another principal object of the present
invention to provide an improved system and method for economical
production of a vast library of short video segments.
[0041] It is yet another principal object of the present invention
to provide a comprehensive system and method for user-friendly,
self-produced 10-60 second Internet and TV spot commercials from a
vast library of short video segments.
[0042] It is one other principal object of the present invention to
provide an improved system and method for user-empowered,
interactive production of a vast library of 10-60 second Internet
and TV spot commercials.
[0043] It is a further principal object of the present invention to
provide an improved system and method for revenue-sharing
production of a vast library of uploaded short video segments.
[0044] It is a yet a further principal object of the present
invention to provide an ad request feature where an advertiser
requests a specific video format and producers quickly produce
appropriate submissions with suggested prices.
[0045] The present invention is an Internet-based platform for the
creation, customization and distribution of video ads and a
thriving community of video content producers. This service is one
of the first of its kind, giving businesses the ability to create
professional quality video ads at a cost that is significantly
lower than traditional production methods and giving content owners
a marketplace for the monetization of their content.
[0046] The present invention has four main features:
[0047] 1. Providing galleries of raw material content: video clips,
music clips, narration, audio or video effects and pictures that
can be searched for content by the advertisers. One can also record
himself online.
[0048] 2. An online editing program that's located on the Website,
which is coordinated with an online MIXER, which allows the
advertiser to edit his advertisement himself in a simple and
friendly way from the raw material that he chooses.
[0049] 3. A system for distributing the advertisements is provided
at the site to deliver material to advertising distribution
networks according to advertising distribution agreements. Examples
of such advertising distribution networks are Google.TM.,
ValueClick.TM., cable television companies or cellular providers.
In the advertising distribution agreements the advertiser could
define the targeted audience of the campaign, specify the budget
and geographic coverage and start broadcasting the advertisements
that have been created using the inventive system.
[0050] 4. A parallel platform in which content producers and
commercial libraries could upload their raw material and set their
price. Non-uploaded raw material in commercial libraries would also
be made accessible to the advertisers. The system of the present
invention would also be able to follow-up each purchase that was
initiated and pay the content producers and owners accordingly.
[0051] The present invention provides five main advantages:
[0052] 1. Competitive price: The present invention is based on a
do-it-yourself approach thereby obviating intermediaries. It does
not require hiring a production company to create a ready-made
model or template for the advertiser. Each template can be used to
create a variety of customized ads.
[0053] 2. Speed: The system enables immediate creation of
advertisements. In contrast with prior art ad creation, the
advertisement is likely to be ready within less than an hour and
even be included in a campaign in the same time frame. The system
eliminates response time. Ad conception to campaign rollout is done
in real-time.
[0054] 3. Variety: Advertisers' stand to have a wide selection of
raw materials and content from which to choose. Tens of thousands
of producers and professional libraries worldwide make their
content available. The variety and amount is exceptional and unique
to the present inventive method.
[0055] 4. Full creative control of process; The advertiser himself
prepares the advertisement and decides on its exact final look. By
contrast, prior art advertising is prepared by a different person,
not necessarily exactly on target to the needs of the advertiser
and his taste. With the present invention, the advertiser knows
exactly how the final advertisement will look even before he has
purchased it and will not be surprised to discover changes that
were done without his knowledge or agreement.
[0056] 5. Quality: Despite cost savings, the present invention
still promises final quality at a professional level. With the
prior art, the only way for the advertiser to produce a product at
a price level of $300-$700, for an advertisement that would be
broadcast on television, would be to produce it himself. This prior
art form of self-production cannot compete with the quality
advertisement provided by the present invention, due to the
benefits of a vast array of professional raw materials and
advanced, but easily implemented editing capabilities.
[0057] The present invention gives publishers and developers of
content an outlet for their work. Small, mid-sized and local
businesses can tap this content for personalized advertising needs.
Elimination of several layers of production lets this be done at
prices affordable to even the smallest businesses.
[0058] The present invention provides a Web application system with
an online video production tool, which allows small businesses to
create their own short advertisements for the Web. The online
videos can be 10-60 second video clips. Normally these clips cost
between $5,000 and $50,000 to produce. This inventive tool enables
production for a considerably lower cost, and therefore many more
advertisers can use them.
[0059] The system is based on a template which the advertiser can
customize. The template is based on content in the form of raw
video clips created in advance by members of the community of
content creation artists (producers). The video clips are
ultimately played in a pre-roll period. Pre-roll is the time before
a Website normally delivers a regular video for viewing.
[0060] That upload requires a few seconds, and this pre-roll time
can be used for advertising by use of these customized 10-60 second
video clips. For example, when CNN does a download of video news
frames, there is a period before that download is available, and
that period can be used as a pre-roll period for the advertisement
of various good and services.
[0061] Other video ad formats, besides pre-roll, include:
[0062] Mid roll--The video ads run during the video content.
[0063] Post-roll--The video ads run by the end of the video
content.
[0064] In banner video--The video ad appear inside a banner on a
web page.
[0065] Click per play--The video ad appear at a search result page,
similar to text ads.
[0066] Contextual video ads--during playing the video content, a
text line appears next to the player window. Clicking on that line
plays the video inside a pop up window or next to the original
player window, (reference:
http://newteevee.eom/2007/05/11/youtubes-new-inline-ads-screenshots/)
[0067] The video clip is stored in the servers, and can be viewed
from the producer's domain, where upload of various content
materials has been provided by the community of producers. These
materials include videos, audio, pictures and text, which can be
placed in the library for searching by a producer/advertiser/user
who wants to use these to create a template for his own needs. The
advertiser can search the library to access a given template. He
then customizes that template using an online mixer, by providing
all the details, such as changing text, adding slogans, voice,
music patterns, colors, background, images (i.e., images of the
business or the business owner), the name of the business, address,
logo, etc.
[0068] The main capability provided by the system is to take
various sources of media content and integrate them in a video
template. This template is then available for personalization and
customization (the system can automatically personalize a different
copy for each person) by the advertiser and also personalize the
individual fields in the template to match the distribution list
with features such as names, pictures, etc.
[0069] Once the advertiser has customized the template and created
an advertisement, if he likes what he sees, he can then buy that
customized ad for his own use. He has several options on the
purchase, including having exclusive or non-exclusive use of that
video clip, territorial use, industry-wide type use with certain
segments of businesses, or time periods for which he will have the
right to use this specific template.
[0070] The producers' community shares in the benefits of this
system by deriving revenue once purchases of the video clips are
made by advertisers. It an advertiser has purchased an
advertisement (customized template), the money can be distributed,
with a percentage each to the producer and the Website owner,
perhaps a 50% split so that the producers who have uploaded content
for which they have not been paid, can now be paid for their
content and its creativity. The total cut of the revenues that goes
to the producer, will be split between all the producers that had
submitted the component for that specific template: the one that
contributed the footage, the one that contributed the sound track
and the one who put all those components together with his own idea
for a unique template.
[0071] The components of the system include a Web application that
uses a database and outside Web services for encoding and
formatting the video clip in particular formats, such as Adobe
Flash or MPEG. These outside services may also host the clips or
stream the clips for use by this Website. The Web application
accesses outside servers for providing given services, such as
encoding, storing and streaming the video clips. In a preferred
embodiment, Web forms in the Web application may be written for any
suitable format or framework, e.g., MicroSoft.TM., .Net.TM., and
MacroMedia Flash.TM., and may be used for developing specific
components inside the Web application. It will be recognized that
any suitable multimedia format or platform for adding animation or
video and/or interactivity to web pages may be used in connection
with embodiments of the present invention. The format may
manipulate, for example, vector and raster graphics, and support
bidirectional streaming of audio and video; it may use a scripting
language, e.g., ActionScript for Adobe Flash.
[0072] The five major features of the system are:
[0073] Search (herein: Find-it): find the particular video clip,
which the producer wants to use for his template
[0074] Edit (herein: Ad-it): edit the video clip and turn it into
an ad; add to and change the various things related to that video
clip, such as the text, music and background colors
[0075] Buy: The third feature allows you to purchase the ad and
make it available for the advertiser's use. The ad can be published
and sent to another Website, such as Google's Web advertising
service. The advertiser can use a Web advertising service for
publishing the video clip at various times and in various locations
for a price which he establishes with Google, to develop a
marketing campaign.
[0076] The fourth feature of the system is the producer's
sub-domain where uploads occur from the community of producers who
are rewarded once these clips become part of a published video clip
that is used by a given advertiser who has purchased it.
[0077] Run: (herein Run-it): The fifth feature provides connecting
with a Wizard, for example, to create an online broadcast
advertising campaign, using such services as Yahoo! Video
Advertising.TM., Spot Exchange.TM., and Google Adsense.TM. network
as well as other networks.
[0078] A summary of additional features includes:
[0079] Video clips, soundtracks and sounds can be uploaded to our
inventory for sale
[0080] Producers are screened by approval committee
[0081] Quality of production
[0082] Flow of content
[0083] Combinations of existing inventory can be mixed to form new
ideas
[0084] Prices for clips are set by the Producer
[0085] Producers retain the copyright to their individual clips,
the license is only for the completed video ad
[0086] Advertisers and producers have a simple, process patented
mixer that lets them create customized content
[0087] Thousands of clips, soundtracks and sounds are available to
choose from. These can be combined in any form to create a unique
ad, all from stock content
[0088] Narration recorded by the advertiser further customizes the
ad for their own purposes
[0089] Graphics and titles can be added along with special effects
that create a call to action, bringing customers to their
business
[0090] Hyper targeted delivery of advertisements
[0091] Download a clip and self-distribute
[0092] Utilize streaming web services to meet your advertising
needs.
[0093] For example, a small hamburger stand in Chelsea, NYC, wishes
to make a video advertisement. Using the present invention, they
could shoot a commercial showing their world famous burger, and
arrange for that ad to run from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM on weekdays in
the zip code of the location of the business.
[0094] The present invention is contrasted with the `Spot Runner`
application, described above, in terms of 6 major differences:
[0095] 1. Community aspect of the present invention. The present
invention creates the opportunity for the existence of a community
of contributors/creators of the clips, which they upload to the
database. The clips are provided by creator/users in the community
and turned into ads by advertiser/users in the community.
[0096] By contrast, Spot Runner clips are created by their own
production/editors in-house. Spot Runner is in the business of ad
creation. Their clips are not generated by the users of the Spot
runner Web site.
[0097] Thus, the present invention provides a larger variety of
clips and a larger range of prices for these components.
[0098] Spot Runner does not allow for transparency in pricing in
building the template from the video clips. The Spot Runner staff
creates a few ad templates and sets prices. With Spot Runner there
is little client control of the artistic content.
[0099] Thus, Spot Runner is a closed shop vs. the present
invention, which is an open market. With the present invention:
[0100] a) More combinations are available;
[0101] b) Free market pricing for building ad templates is
possible; and
[0102] c) A user-generated content marketplace is developed.
[0103] 2. Output:
[0104] Spot Runner's business is air-time slots, i.e., sales of
air-time slots at affordable prices. This enables advertisers to
get exposure at low cost. They are in the air-time business and
content is secondary to them.
[0105] By contrast, the present invention automates the output
process. The user generates his own content and customizes it, so
the user is spending his own time and the output (production) has
reduced cost and self-managed cost since it is do-it-yourself.
[0106] Aditall.TM., assignee of the present invention, places the
advertiser in the "production" business:
[0107] enabling more "hands-on" in production;
[0108] enabling connection of two sectors: producers and
advertisers; and
[0109] allowing the output to be owned by the producer.
[0110] 3. Ad Request:
[0111] The present invention provides a Bulletin Board for
"seeking" raw material or a pre-packaged ad or to "float" an "ad
concept," optionally with a suggested price;
[0112] The bulletin board could initiate activity by the creator
community;
[0113] The bulletin board process connects the producer community
with the advertiser community; and
[0114] There are two approaches to the ad request production
process:
[0115] 1) Open Loop: an ad request initiates producer activity (an
ad) which the requestor may purchase once it is uploaded and the
requestor is notified; and
[0116] 2) Closed Loop: an ad request could be used to identify a
project to which a producer responds, which will probably result in
a higher price established to "start" the work. The closed loop
process also has an escrow feature, where a deposit is held to
guarantee to the producer some payment/Furthermore the process has
a) financial assurance and b) quality assurance: the "back office"
Website manager and the advertiser have to approve the product.
[0117] 4. Output channels: The present invention provides for
various platforms, including Interne/cellular/mobile/TV/print
media/banners/video format.
[0118] 5. Mixer: The present invention supports video ads/video
clips.
[0119] 6. Customization/personalization supported by mixer:
[0120] The process of creating a template from a video clip is
customization. The process of making an ad out of a template is
personalization.
[0121] The template has a "placeholder" for insertion of dynamic
personalized components, for example audio, text, images in the
form of logo, telephone number, etc. Changing the info in the place
holders is called personalization for different clients, different
products, different outlets, etc. The content is variable and can
be changed endlessly for a variety of media usages and a variety of
targets. Each instantiation over the Internet can even be targeted
to each individual recipient by adding "Hello John Doe" to an ad
directed at John Doe and "Hello Jane Doe" to an ad directed at Jane
Doe, etc.
[0122] A variety of personalized outputs can also be achieved
automatically. For example, General Motors can produce an ad and
can upload a list of car dealers, A set of ads can be produced,
each with the name of a different car dealer in the proper place
holder from the uploaded list.
[0123] Some components are static and cannot be changed. For
example, the video is static after it has been customized. When
creating a template the producer can decide which of the components
are dynamic and which are not, and which of the properties of the
dynamic components are dynamic and which are not. For example, text
may be dynamic, but even though the wording may be changed, the
font and color may not be changed.
[0124] The producer can:
[0125] 1. Upload raw materials; video footage, music, narration,
etc.
[0126] 2. Customize a template using an ad concept and the uploaded
elements, "My materials" or other producers' materials. The
producer can also specify which parameters can be changed and which
cannot.
[0127] 3. Specify an ad request for specific video footage or
narration, for example.
[0128] The template can be personalized to produce a specific ad as
an end product. Certain features can be limited in their access or
level treated.
[0129] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows hereinafter may be better
understood. Additional details and advantages of the invention will
be set forth in the detailed description, and in part will be
appreciated from the description, or may be learned by practice of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0130] For a better understanding of the invention with regard to
the embodiments thereof, reference is made to the accompanying
drawings, in which like numerals designate corresponding elements
or sections throughout, and in which:
[0131] FIG. 1a is a prior art screenshot illustrating the art of
pre-roll video advertising;
[0132] FIG. 1b is a pair of prior art graphs comparing the art of
pre-roll video advertising with traditional forms of online
advertising;
[0133] FIG. 2a is a schematic block diagram of the system
architecture of the proprietary Website, constructed according to
the principles of the present invention;
[0134] FIG. 2b is a schematic layout of the system application
server of the Website of the present invention, constructed
according to the principles of the present invention;
[0135] FIG. 2c is a flow chart of the method of the present
invention, constructed according to the principles of the present
invention;
[0136] FIG. 2d is a screenshot of the Home Page of the Website of
the present invention, constructed according to the principles of
the present invention;
[0137] FIG. 3a is a pair of screenshots illustrating the
Producer/advertiser's Domain, which includes the
Producer/advertiser's MasterPage and the Producer/advertiser's
HomePage, constructed according to the principles of the present
invention;
[0138] FIG. 3b is a screenshot illustrating a preferred embodiment
of the Producer/advertiser's HomePage, constructed according to the
principles of the present invention;
[0139] FIG. 4a is a screenshot of the producer/advertiser's search
results and FIG. 4b is a screenshot of the customer's search
results, constructed according to the principles of the present
invention;
[0140] FIG. 4c is a screenshot illustrating a preferred embodiment
of the advertiser/user's HomePage, constructed according to the
principles of the present invention;
[0141] FIG. 4d is a screenshot illustrating a preferred embodiment
of the top segment of the search results returned for "water" 462,
constructed according to the principles of the present
invention;
[0142] FIG. 4e is a screenshot illustrating a preferred embodiment
of the next scrolled segment of the search results returned for
"water," constructed according to the principles of the present
invention;
[0143] FIG. 4f is a screenshot illustrating a preferred embodiment
of the bottom scrolled segment of the search results returned for
"water," constructed according to the principles of the present
invention;
[0144] FIG. 4g is a screenshot illustrating a preferred embodiment
of the "media information" provided for the selected music return,
constructed according to the principles of the present
invention;
[0145] FIG. 5a is a schematic screenshot illustration of the ADit
stage 1 TEMPLATE creation function and FIG. 5b is a screenshot of
the ADit stage 2 MIXER function, constructed according to the
principles of the present invention;
[0146] FIG. 5c is a schematic flow diagram of the media item
lifecycle, constructed according to the principles of the present
invention;
[0147] FIG. 5d is a schematic data flow diagram for media item
uploading and editing, constructed according to the principles of
the present invention;
[0148] FIG. 5e is a schematic data flow diagram for ad creation,
constructed according to the principles of the present
invention;
[0149] FIG. 6 is a screenshot of the ADit PLAYER function,
constructed according to the principles of the present
invention;
[0150] FIG. 7 is a screenshot of MUSIC GALLERY function,
constructed according to the principles of the present
invention;
[0151] FIG. 8a is an illustration of the PLAYER/MIXER client side
control, as it appears on the advertiser interface, constructed
according to the principles of the present invention;
[0152] FIG. 8b is an illustration of the PLAYER/MIXER client side
control, constructed according to the principles of the present
invention;
[0153] FIG. 9a is a screenshot of the list of slides for the
storyboard slide interface and FIG. 9b is a screenshot of the slide
designer for the storyboard slide interface, constructed according
to the principles of the present invention;
[0154] FIG. 10 is a screenshot of the Interface Title Overlay
Definitions, constructed according to the principles of the present
invention;
[0155] FIG. 11 is a screenshot of the Interface Narration
Definitions, constructed according to the principles of the present
invention;
[0156] FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic block diagram of automatic
video clip generation system, according to embodiments of the
present invention; and
[0157] FIG. 13 illustrates a flow chart of a method for automatic
video clip generation, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
LIST OF TABLES
[0158] Table Ia shows the organization of the Website pages
according to the 3 domains;
[0159] Table Ib provides details of the producer/advertiser's
HomePage;
[0160] Table II provides details of the page for
Producer/advertiser Search Results as described below for FIG.
4a;
[0161] Table III provides details of the ADit stage 1 TEMPLATE
creation function with respect to FIG. 5a described below;
[0162] Table IV provides details of the ADit stage 2 MIXER function
with respect to FIG. 5b described below;
[0163] Table V provides details of the ADit PLAYER function with
respect to FIG. 6 described below;
[0164] Table VI provides details of the list of slides as described
with reference to FIG. 9a below, for the storyboard slide interface
as described with reference to FIG. 10;
[0165] Table VII provides details of list of Interface Title
Overlay Definitions as described with reference to FIG. 10
below;
[0166] Table VIE below provides details of Interface Narration
Definitions 1100, as described below with reference to FIG. 11;
and
[0167] Table IX below provides details of the PLAYER functions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0168] The principles and operation of a method and an apparatus
according to the present invention may be better understood with
reference to the drawings and the accompanying description, it
being understood that these drawings are given for illustrative
purposes only and are not meant to be limiting.
[0169] As further described herein, the present invention provides
a comprehensive system and method for user-friendly, self-produced
10-60 second Internet spot commercials from a vast library of short
video segments.
[0170] The present invention discloses a Website having three
domains for different types of advertisers and a variety of roles.
The administrators domain handles a Master Role and a Multimedia
Editor Role. The producer's domain has regular and VIP roles each
for footage, sound and creation. Finally, there is the advertiser
domain for the advertiser, who uses the inventive system and method
to create video advertisements.
[0171] The art is defined Website preparation for users who
interact with Websites in production of media content, etc. The
"skilled person" is one who has familiarity with Website tools for
media production.
[0172] FIG. 2a is a schematic block diagram of the distributed
system architecture of the proprietary Website, constructed
according to the principles of the present invention. The
components of the system include a Server Farm 130, that uses a
database 134 and uses the Internet 150 to receive streaming media
WebServices 155 for encoding and formatting the video clips in
particular formats, such as flash or MPEG by means of Encoding and
Services Servers 132 and a Media Content Management System 133.
These outside services may also host the clips or stream the clips
for use by this Website. Web clients also access the Web
application via Internet 150 and their advertiser/browsers 160.
[0173] FIG. 2b is a schematic layout of the System Application
Server 140 of the Website of the present invention, constructed
according to the principles of the present invention. System
Application Server 140 is one of the Web servers 131 of Server Farm
130 as described in FIG. 2a above. System Application Server 140
includes a Web Advertiser Interface 141, Other Advertiser
Interfaces 142, a Web Services API 143, a Business Logic Layer 144,
Services API 145 and a Data Access Layer 146.
[0174] FIG. 2c is a flow chart of the method of the present
invention, constructed according to the principles of the present
invention. A producer/advertiser/user accesses the Web application
of the present invention via his browser to upload video, music
and/or other material in block 170. An advertiser accesses the Web
application via his browser to search for a suitable template based
on content supplied by the producer/advertiser/users in block 172.
An advertiser accesses the Web application via his browser to
customize the template into an advertisement by use of the MIXER of
the present invention in block 174. If further templates are needed
in block 176 the advertiser again accesses the Web application via
his browser to search for a suitable template based on content
supplied by the producer/advertiser/user in block 172. If not, in
block 178 the advertiser accesses the Web application via his
browser to buy the finished advertisement. The
producer/advertiser/user and the inventive Web site share the
revenue.
[0175] The following description relates to the Website
application, which is illustrated via various screenshots having
features and parameters for the user to work with and to
adjust/customize in production of the video ad. In some portions of
the description the features of the screenshots are presented in
outline form only, as their use will be apparent to a person
skilled in the art.
[0176] FIG. 2d is a screenshot of the Home Page of the Website of
the present invention, constructed according to the principles of
the present invention. The LOGIN 210 is displayed first and then
the Home Page 220 is displayed. The following is fixed for all site
pages:
[0177] Before login 210 the following are shown: Advertiser name
211, password (PW) 212, forgotten PW 213, remembered PW and
registration. If after login 210: The customer can access the major
activities in the Advertiser's HomePage (see FIG. 4c) as described
below, then he returns to the producer/advertisers' homepage,
otherwise he return to the customers' homepage.
[0178] The main activities of customer's domain 230 and the
producer/advertiser's domain 240 are depicted and described on Home
Page 220. The activities of Advertiser's Place are separated into 3
stages: FIND-it 231, AD-it 232 and RUN-it 233. FIND-it 231, for
example, refers to locating an almost complete ad with video and
music already mixed or a "start-from-scratch" raw video clip.
[0179] Thus, there are 2 basic types of ads, a pre-packaged that is
almost complete, including video, music and slogan. All an
advertiser needs to do is personalize the ad with his or her
business details, and the ad is ready for use. This is the simplest
way to buy an ad.
[0180] Start-from-scratch means that instead of customizing
Pre-Packaged ads, one can create an ad from start to finish. One
logs into the Advertiser Place using an e-mail address and
password. Ads can be created personalized by choosing each
component of the ad to fit personal taste
[0181] Details are now provided for the advanced search feature
270. The search is done according to the following formats:
[0182] text search comprising description and key words search 270
(in text window)
[0183] media type--within the list of media types (in selection
window)
[0184] range of dates--item creation date (command date: From,
To)
[0185] name of the creator/producer/user--(in text window)
[0186] type of user--VIP or regular (in selection window).
[0187] Industry--from the list of industries (from a wide
selection).
[0188] Mood--from a list of MOOD's (from a wide selection)
[0189] price range--free text, numbers only (text window: From,
To)
[0190] FIGS. 3a and 3b are a pair of screenshots illustrating the
Producer/ad creator's Domain 300, which includes the Producer/ad
creator's MasterPage 310 and the Producer/ad creator's HomePage
320, constructed according to the principles of the present
invention. The Home tab 321 returns to the creators home page when
not there, as it is in FIG. 3a. The Upload tab 322 invokes a
"dropdown" menu for footage and music. The My Account tab 323
returns to the account page.
[0191] FIG. 3b is a screenshot illustrating a preferred embodiment
of the Producer/ad creator's HomePage, constructed according to the
principles of the present invention. The Home tab 321 returns to
the creator's home page when not there, as it is in FIG. 3a. The
Upload tab 322 invokes a "dropdown" menu for footage and music. The
My Account tab 323 returns to an account page, which summarizes the
charges incurred to date. The My Media tab 324 invokes a "dropdown"
menu for My Featured Media, My Drafts, My Pending Media, My
Rejected Media and My Favorite Media. The Advertiser tab 325
returns to the advertiser/user home page.
[0192] FIG. 4a is a screenshot of the producer/creator's search
results 400 and FIG. 4b is a screenshot of the advertiser's search
results, constructed according to the principles of the present
invention. Search results are shown as items for templates 410,
footage 420 and music 430. For every item, the following details
are presented:
[0193] caption
[0194] description
[0195] Thumbnail (mouse over the video display)
[0196] name of producer/advertiser (link to the search by user)
[0197] number of downloads
[0198] price
The following descriptive information is provided for the
customer's search results 450: Item name 451; Producer/advertiser's
name 452; Sequence number of the download 453; and
Price 454.
[0199] FIG. 4c is a screenshot illustrating a preferred embodiment
of the advertiser/user's HomePage 460, constructed according to the
principles of the present invention. A search for water 461 returns
the screen of FIG. 4d. FIG. 4d is a screenshot illustrating a
preferred embodiment of the top segment of the search results
returned for "water" 462. Ten pre-packaged ads are shown by block
463, with a representative image, title, producer and price. FIG.
4e is a screenshot illustrating a preferred embodiment of the next
scrolled segment of the search results returned for "water." The
first ten "Start From Scratch" ads are shown 464 out of 94, with a
representative image, title, producer and price. FIG. 4f is a
screenshot illustrating a preferred embodiment of the bottom
scrolled segment of the search results returned for "water." The 4
relevant music returns are shown 465, with a representative image,
title, producer and price.
[0200] By clicking on the first music return representative image,
the "religious" selection, the screen of FIG. 4g appears. FIG. 4g
is a screenshot illustrating a preferred embodiment of the "media
information" 466 provided for the selected music return. By
clicking on the enlarged "religious" selection representative image
467 on this screen the music will be played for the
advertiser/user.
[0201] FIG. 5a is a schematic screenshot illustration 510 of the
ADit stage 1 TEMPLATE creation function and FIG. 5b is a schematic
screenshot illustration of the ADit stage 2 MIXER function 550,
constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
The Storyboard button causes the display of sequence of images 515
"summarizing" a video ad being created, for example. The Next
button 517 brings up the next image in sequence 515 when in
Storyboard mode, or the corresponding Title Overlay or Narration in
those modes. Fields are shown for title 551, summary 552,
description 553, keywords 554, industry 555, mood 556 and price
557. Also shown are the Save button 558 and the Save and Run button
559.
[0202] FIG. 5c is a schematic flow diagram of the media item
lifecycle, constructed according to the principles of the present
invention. The various roles are summarized in TABLE Ia below at
the end of the text. The video footage is combined with the audio
soundtrack 560. A producer/user creates a private draft 561. If he
decides to save and run the ad, as represented by path 562, then
private draft 561 is pending 563 until an administrator 575 decides
whether it is non-mixable 576 or mixable 577.
[0203] If it is non-mixable 576, administrator 575 issues Admin
NAK, as represented by path 564 and its status/access is reject
private 565. If it is mixable 577, administrator 575 issues Admin
ACK, as represented by path 566 and its status/access according to
notation table 575 is active public 567. If advertiser/user decides
to save it privately, as represented by path 568, then private
draft 561 is considered mixable 577, and its status/access is
active private 569.
[0204] At the stage of an advertisement 570, the advertiser/user
decides whether to edit and save the advertising private draft 571,
as represented by path 574, or to buy, as represented by path 572,
in which case its status/access is purchased private 573.
[0205] FIG. 5d is a schematic data flow diagram for media item
uploading and editing, constructed according to the principles of
the present invention. Production roles 580 include a producer/user
581 creating a media item, which involves uploading and tagging,
resulting in the creation of media content 582 and listing in a
database 583. Administrative roles 590 include back office
screening 591, which results in the administrator either issuing a
NAK (not acknowledged) for rejection of the media item 592 or an
ACK (acknowledged) for active media item creation 596. Active media
items are used for AD creation 597, as described below with
reference to FIG. 5e. Media content 582 may be video and/or
audio.
[0206] FIG. 5e is a schematic data flow diagram for AD creation,
constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
Again, production roles 580 include 581 uploading and searching
active media items, which are then selected for editing in the
mixer 584 in template creation mode. Again, administrative roles
590 include back office screening 591, which results in the
administrator either issuing a NAK for rejection 592 of the media
item or an ACK for uploading and searching media content 582 listed
in database 583. Active media items are again selected for
customization in mixer 584 and mixer 584 provides video file
parching output and/or materials for launching an advertising
campaign 598. Personalization is where the customized ad is
personalized by changing one or more of the variable parameters for
a multiplicity of ad purposes.
[0207] FIG. 6 is a screenshot of the ADit PLAYER function,
constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
When the user visits the site he selects any of the following for
screen entry: the overall Player screen 611, Creation date 612,
advertiser/producer/user 613, Title 614, Summary 615, Detailed
Description 616, onscreen Narration text 617, search Keywords 618,
Industry 619, Mood 620, Selling Price 621, direct URL link to page
622, "email to a friend" button 623 and Close button 624.
[0208] The Community Page Creative Role, as illustrated in Table Ia
below has text explaining the community function. Complaints
relating to violations of the producer/advertiser's rights and
obligations are presented graphically. If the user concurs, he
marks the box "AGREE." The UPLOAD function has two formats: 1)
Footage upload; and 2) Music upload, achieved by properly clicking
on the display screen. The user needs authorization (the access
role) to pass over to the community page.
[0209] The FOOTAGE creation wizard has:
Stage 1:
[0210] Explains the rights of the producer/advertisers. Signature
on the user terms and condition. Explanation of Model Release
agreement upload form for a thorough search.
Browse . . . .
[0211] Check the automation of file weights and the minimal
resolution. All videos should be 10-60 seconds only. File
upload--the clock running message is parallel to it. Stage 2: enter
the length of the FOOTAGE which is already uploaded:
Caption
Description
[0212] Search keywords, at least 10 keywords (Spell check all
fields) Branches--choose among multiple branches that were created
to be made suitable (from a list). Selling price to the customer
should be at a suitable level between an established maximum and
minimum. For the professional producer/advertiser there is no
maximum limit Name of the music producer/advertiser (optionally,
chosen from a list of all music producer/advertisers on the site).
There is a check box indicating the user accepts the legal terms of
this Website.
MUSIC UPLOAD PAGE
Title
Description
[0213] Search keywords, at least 10 keywordsMood (from a list)
Branches--choose among multiple branches that were created to be
made suitable (from a list).
(Spell Check all Fields)
[0214] The selling price to the customer should be at a suitable
level between an established maximum and minimum. For the
professional producer/advertiser there is no maximum limit An
explanation of the rights of the producer/advertisers will be
signed per agreement of terms and conditions by the user.
Minimally, check that the length is between 10-60 seconds; check
the bit rate automatically for the file size and duration. During
file upload the clock is running. MUSIC GALLERY (displayed on the
MIXER)
[0215] FIG. 7 is a screenshot of the MUSIC GALLERY function,
constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
MUSIC GALLERY 700 is standalone without a framework in the Website.
MUSIC GALLERY 700 is displayed as a modal popup on the MIXER. The
favorites 710 and the search results 720 are displayed as shown in
FIG. 7
[0216] FIG. 8a is an illustration of the PLAYER/MIXER client side
control, as it appears on the advertiser interface, constructed
according to the principles of the present invention. The MIXER is
intended to help Web advertisers to edit film (video) clips and
play edited film (video) clips. The module is executed as a FLASH
APPLET, which is embedded in an ASP2 page. There are three options
for place holders: images, audio or text.
[0217] The interface definition layer 810 has the concurrent
settings options. The slider 820 and seconds' markings represent
changes in time. An item is chosen for editing in the interface
definitions by means of the mouse. The Title Overlay button 840 is
used to arrange the layers. The player controls for the player 850
are used on the server side. Text, narration and additional data
can be edited by the producer/advertiser 860. Text can be modified
in content, color, font, size, filler, effects, etc. Fine tune
control of a chosen item is done in the frame and caption layer
870.
[0218] The module has two controls: Control 1: The Mixer (Client
Side): This control is on the client's side of the interface. The
control allows advertisers (clients) to edit video clips through
different functions, as described below. At the end of the editing
process the details of the edited clip are coded into XML and saved
on the server. (XML standard Format is used throughout the
development process) Control 2: Player (Client and Server Side)
850: This control presents the film (video) clip by loading the XML
in the standard format (the same XML that was edited in the mixer).
The Mixer/Player module supports two Modes of Action: Mode 1:
Composed-embedded in the system of the present invention; and Mode
2: Stand Alone (Independent) in this situation the module is not
connected to the system of the present invention and is used as an
independent Mixer and Player. In any place the advertiser is asked
to upload a file:
[0219] The flash will direct him to the HTML page where it sits
through command. Interface file upload and saving on the server is
implemented in ASP by the system where the module is embedded. At
the end of the upload process, the HTML will direct to the Flash
through a setVariable. WebServices API 143 (FIG. 2b) will
optionally be used for communication between the module and the
enveloping system.
Client Side Form and Interface
Description of the Form and Function of the Mixer and Player.
Client Side MIXER
[0220] Mixer Receptor and Transmitter:
[0221] Mixer receptor: The XML configuration files are in Time Line
presentation format which includes: a link to a film (video),
presentation of object definitions and more.
[0222] Mixer transmitter: The same XML configuration file which
saves the final product of the advertiser's work.
[0223] Types of Advertisers and Display Authorizations for
Mixer
[0224] The mixer is used for producer/advertisers and advertisers,
and supports Authorizations respectively:
[0225] A producer/advertiser--advertiser creates a template
(Template Mode Authentication) that will later be used for
advertisers.
[0226] Interface Layer Definitions 810
[0227] Shows the definitions of the layer or the object with the
click of the mouse on the editing layer.
[0228] Wider and Time Markers 820
[0229] The slider allows for jumping between different points in
the film (video) clip with the help of the mouse. When the slider
touches the object, the slider "snaps" to the left or right side of
the object according to which side of the object is closest to the
slider.
[0230] Text, Narration and Other Details 860
[0231] Text, Narration and other details can be edited by the
producer/advertiser of the template.
[0232] Editing Layers
[0233] There are Three Editing Layers
[0234] Layer 1. Storyboard 830: Graphic Display of the flow of
objects of the film (video) (E.g., where the film (video) splits
and where a slide begins and ends.)
[0235] Layer 2. Title Overlay 840: Font Definitions (Text size,
Placement and Timing, etc.)
[0236] Layer 3. Sound and Narration 845: this layer incorporates
three sound layers:
[0237] 1) Narration, 2) Music, 3) Original sound from film (video)
footage clip, if any.
[0238] Layers are chosen by pressing the button that correlates to
the layer. When a layer is chosen within editing, the chosen
interface is displayed. When an object is pressed, the details of
that object are displayed in the interface of the definitions, and
it is possible to move it or to change its size by dragging the
mouse or by gentle movement of the buttons.
[0239] When an object is highlighted (chosen) from the Slide and
Title layer, there are moving buttons which change the length and
placement with every click of the mouse from a short period of time
to longer periods (in order to avoid particularly hard and soft
mouse movements).
[0240] Storyboard Slide Interface 830
[0241] The interface is made up of 2 screens as shown in FIGS. 9a
and 9b below.
[0242] FIG. 8b is an illustration of the PLAYER/MIXER client side
control, constructed according to the principles of the present
invention. Media content 582 and corresponding listing in database
583 exchange configuration xml and both dynamic and static resource
components with mixer 584. Mixer 584 provides video file parching
output and/or materials for launching an advertising campaign 598.
Mixer 584 provides editing for both template creation mode and
customization mode, as described with reference to FIG. 5e above,
using the UI or using an automated process on the servers.
[0243] FIG. 9a is a screenshot of the list of slides for the
storyboard slide interface 900, constructed according to the
principles of the present invention. This screen allows creation
910 of new slides 903, to time their appearance 920, deletion of
slides 930 (only by a producer/advertiser) and editing 940 of an
existing slide. The list is accessed according to start time. One
may check overlapping time codes. The screen has two (2) displays
by default.
[0244] FIG. 9b is a screenshot of the Slide Designer for the
storyboard slide interface, constructed according to the principles
of the present invention. The screen allows for two types of
advertisers to edit an existing Slide.
[0245] Slide Display Effect 951, from a list of effects;
[0246] Editing the description of the Slide 952 (the same
description appears on the List of Slides screen 953, with
reference to FIG. 9a);
[0247] Uploading a picture 954;
[0248] Addition of text 955;
[0249] Display Text Effect 956;
[0250] Change of background color of the slide 957 (with an option
for a "transparent" slide which allows one to see the film (video),
"freeze frame" behind)
[0251] Depending on time constraints: Option to choose a film
(video) that will continue to play in the background of a
transparent slide. (Default mode: the image in the film (video)
will freeze.)
[0252] FIG. 10 is a screenshot of the Interface Title Overlay
Definitions 1000, constructed according to the principles of the
present invention. The titles appear as the film (video) is played
according to the chosen placement. The "Display Position Choice
Box" 1010 defines the placement of the titles within the film or
video. The "New Title Button" 1020, which appears when the video is
not running, creates a New title. If the video is not being
projected the start and end time will be indicated as 00:00 and the
stop button will not appear. The "Stop Button" 1025 appears when
the video is running and indicates the end time of the present
title. The "Save Button" 1030 updates the XML that was formed on
the page (or by direct reference to the server).
[0253] FIG. 11 is a screenshot of the Interface Narration
Definitions 1100, constructed according to the principles of the
present invention.
Definitions of Three Levels of Sound:
[0254] 1) Narration: Possibility to upload a new narration file or
to record narration On-line. 2) Original Recording: (that may have
come with the video) During the recording process, this is saved
(actually the chosen narration of the producer/advertiser.) and 2
later additional recordings (In the case of a final advertiser and
the producer/advertiser, 3 recordings are saved.) 3) Music: Option
of picking background music from an assortment of music files that
exist on the server. Controls include a Browse Music Button 1110, a
Balance Button 1120, an Upload Section 1130, a Record Button 1140,
a Last recordings button 1150 and a Save Button 1160.
[0255] PLAYER: The PLAYER presents the film (video) clip by loading
the XML in the correct format and is used on the server side and
customer side simultaneously. The player has control activations
that are automatically hidden unless the mouse rolls over or points
to the lower part of the player. (There is an option for an
external KINPOG.) Table IX below provides details of list of the
PLAYER.
[0256] The following description of the invention includes tables
for summarizing the programming specifications, which are of use to
a programmer skilled in the art.
[0257] The Website pages are organized according to the 3 domains
according to the details shown in Table Ia below.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE Ia Roles and subroles Description Admin System
Admin Master Unlimited access and control Role System configuration
enabled Multimedia Editor Role Media Screening enabled (back
office) Producer Roles enabled Producer Footage Role Footage
Creation enabled VIP Footage Role Footage Creation enabled and
allowed to set any price Sound Role Audio Creation enabled VIP
Sound Role Audio Creation enabled and allowed to set any price
Community Page Template Creation enabled Creative Role VIP Creative
Role Template Creation enabled and allowed to set any price
Advertiser--Template Customization
[0258] Table Ib below provides details of Producer/advertiser's
HomePage 320.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE Ib Header of Main menu: Type of Access Result
of selecting the Tab Option Tab Options Public (without Return to
producer/advertiser's Home 321 login) homepage (appropriate section
below) Restricted to Menu appears; return to producer/Upload 322
authorized users advertiser's homepage, footage/music according to
role. Restricted to Return to Account page within the Account 323
authorized user option profile (edited personally) Restricted to
Total earnings at present Balance in authorized users Dollars
Footer Access Result of selecting option Option public Return to
page of user conditions Terms public Return to support page Service
public Return to contact page Contact Us public Return to "About
us" page About Us Description/Depiction Section A partial display
and user not yet identified LOGIN Free text Search terms Selection
box MOOD window Fixed parameters at the beginning of the search
Formats Bestselling Templates Most Popular Top and settings
(filtered by transaction) Media FOOTAGES & Editor's Pick
TEMPLATES according to interface chosen, FLAG ADMIN FOOTAGES by
date Recently added filtered by user connection My featured media
Menu & stats, Public or Private My filtered by user links &
My Drafts media stats, Draft filtered by user links & My
pending media stats, pending or rejected Preferences My favorites
News listings sorted by date; News composed in HTML; What's new
option to highlight links, etc. in color (may include pictures
(e.g., Capture from movie linked to video) Selected questions
linked to the page FAQ FAQ Displayed Template credited (selected)
chosen producer Video clips & video w/important
producer/advertiser Producer given bit-by-bit Archive link segment
Listings to links to pages/stories explained with a School to
summary. advertise producer/advertisers advertise brands
ADITALL.TM. in action
[0259] Table II below provides details of the page for
Producer/advertiser Search Results 400 as described above for FIG.
4a.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE II Functions allowed for the item: Function
Favor-ADIT/Dis-De-ites Mix play Copy lete Edit User V 0 V V V V
(logged in) Templates V 0 V X X X Other user (410) V V V 0 V V
(logged in) Footage V V V 0 X X Other user (420) V 0 V 0 V V
(logged in) Music V 0 V 0 X X Other user (430)
Stage 1:
[0260] Table III below provides details of the ADit stage 1
TEMPLATE creation function 510 with respect to FIG. 5a described
above. TABLE-US-00004 TABLE III Activity Field Appears when the
user is offline (before LOGIN) warning message return to stage 2
NEXT button 517 Appears only when user logs in
Stage 2:
[0261] Table IV below provides details of the ADit stage 2 MIXER
function 550 with respect to FIG. 5b described above.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE IV AD detailed screen. Format Field Caption
(free text) Title 551 Date (free text) Summary 552 Detailed
description (free text) Description 553 Search keywords (free text)
Keywords 554 Within a list of industries (large selection) Industry
555 Within a list of MOOD's (large selection) Mood 556 Sale price
to customer, if the price level is suitable Price 557 between
maximum and minimum that we fix. For the professional
producer/advertiser there is no maximum. End and save as draft.
Save in "My Media." SAVE button 558 End without sending to editor.
It is necessary to view and edit the work of the user only. Finish
and send to the editor. Send to the editor SAVE & RUN for
approval button 559
[0262] Table V below provides details of the ADit PLAYER function
610 with respect to FIG. 6 described above. The screen shows object
as requested (footage, music, template or AD).
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE V Format Field Flash field; shows
characterization of the Player 611 mixer/player; shows video and
activity buttons. A music object is agreed upon and music player
opens. Object creation date Creation date 612 Name of
producer/advertiser (link to search advertiser/producer/results by
user) user 613 Caption (text) Title 614 Short Description (text)
Summary 615 Detailed description (text) Description 616 Narration
text (text). Text stored & parsed in Narration text 617 the
mixer, displayed in the TEMPLATE wizard Search keywords (links at
start of search to Key words 618 keyword parameters) Within
industry list (linked at the beginning Industry 619 of the search
to the keyword parameters) Within list of MOOD's, linked at start
of Mood 620 search to keyword parameters Selling price to customer
Price 621 Displays URL directly to the producer/Direct link 622
advertiser (text) Link to send to a friend Email this 623 Close the
window Close 624
[0263] Table VI below provides details of the list of slides as
described with reference to FIG. 9a above, for the storyboard slide
interface 1000 as described with reference to FIG. 10 above.
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE VI Advertiser Controls Actions type Create
Button Display Template Maker Makes New Slides 903 910 Edit Button
Display Everybody Transitions for the 940 Editor (to the other
interface) Delete Button Display Template Maker Deletes slides 930
Start Page 920 Editing Template Maker Begins Time Code Display End
Page 920 Editing Template Maker Ends Time Code Display
[0264] Table VII below provides details of list of Interface Title
Overlay Definitions as described with reference to FIG. 10
above.
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE VII Control Display Position Choice Box 1010
Defines the placement of the titles within the film (video). New
Title Button 1020 (appears Creates a New title. If the film when
film (video) not running) (video) is not projected the start and
end time will be indicated as 00:00 and the stop button will not
appear. Stop Button 1025 (appears when Indicates the end time of
the film running) present title, This button only appears when the
film is running Save Button 1030 Updates the XML that was formed on
the page or by direct reference to the server.
[0265] Table VIII below provides details of Interface Narration
Definitions 1100, as described above with reference to FIG. 11.
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE VIII Control Browse Music Button Opens ASP
Window which allows the advertiser 1110 to search and find
music--includes a No Music Option. Balance 1120 Defines the
relative volume between layers Upload Section 1130 Uploads
Narration Record 1140 Records Narration. Allows for adding a record
control from an external machine if one is found. Last recordings
1150 Choice of last recorded narrations or the Producer/advertisers
narration Save Button 1160 Updates the XML that has amassed on the
page or directly references the server
[0266] Table IX below provides details of the PLAYER functions.
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE IX Controls Play/Pause One button that
alternately plays and freezes the film (video) strip Rewind Moves
to the beginning of the film (video) Forward Moves to the end of
the film (video) Mute Silences the film (video's audio)
[0267] According to some embodiments of the invention, a system and
method for the automatic generation of dynamic video content is
provided, some of which are described below.
[0268] Commercial (e-commerce) websites, content websites, news
websites, blogs, micro blogs, social networking websites and other
types of websites, contain dynamic data. For example, Internet
shopping websites offer for sale various consumer products, e.g.,
cameras, electronic appliances, watches, accessories, etc., as well
as services, e.g., airline tickets, vacation deals, car rentals,
etc. The appeal of the offered products or services may depend on
the graphical presentation of the offer to the potential consumer
in an active manner, including, for example, presentation of
particular details relating to the offer.
[0269] It may be desirable to enhance the graphical presentation of
offers by a website by presenting video clips that introduce the
offered product or service in an eye-catching manner, thereby
enhancing the appearance of the offer, and bringing it to the
attention of potential buyers. Information that may be desired to
be presented to the potential consumer in a graphic manner in
connection with a video clip may include, for example, an image of
the item on sale, text that may include, for example, a description
of the item offered, its price, availability, payment terms,
special sale terms, time left to purchase, number of items
remaining in (actual or virtual) stock, and other visual or audio
information.
[0270] According to embodiments of the invention a system and
method may be provided for automatic generation of video clips.
According to embodiments of the present invention, information for
use in selection or generation or presentation of the video
content. For example, the information may be extracted, for
example, automatically, and presented in or with or overlaid onto a
media asset, e.g., a video and/or audio clip, thereby producing a
library of product videos, which may be presented to potential
consumers randomly, or based on certain criteria. For example, a
website, e.g., a bank website, a dating website, a news website,
etc., may generate personalized video clips or messages based on
information available about the potential consumer (e.g., name,
age, income), purchasing or browsing history, other preferences,
and/or based on the page now or previously viewed, and/or other
network-generated information, e.g., geo-location, browser software
or operating system, available hardware, e.g., laptop or mobile PDA
device, and/or administrator-generated information, e.g., product
sales preferences, special promotions, etc. Such information may be
used to select or generate a video content clip, and present it to
the potential consumer.
[0271] A website vendor (for example, an owner, administrator,
optimizer, advertiser, etc.), also referred to herein as a user,
who wishes to enhance the appearance of the website or items being
offered in connection therewith, may access a remote service
website, for example, over the Internet or another network, on
which an automated engine is provided in accordance with
embodiments of the invention.
[0272] The engine may receive from the user certain criteria for
extracting information for user in or with a video or audio clip,
and use such criteria to select, generate, and/or present video
clip to potential consumers browsing the website. In one
embodiments of the invention, the engine may receive the criteria
in the form of one or more available templates.
[0273] According to embodiments of the invention, each template may
be designed differently, for example, to offer a particular style
in the generation of a video clip. A template may include a
plurality of items, including for example, one or more
placeholders, multimedia assets, e.g., visual and/or audio assets
such as, for example, images, video clips, texts, animations,
soundtracks, sound effects, narration, and may further include
placeholders that may be linked and populated with dynamic data
objects, e.g., universal resource locator (URL), path, database
connection link, or any other reference provided by the user or
selected from data content of the user. The selected from online or
offline data sources, such as, for example, one or more web pages,
files, RSS feeds, web services or databases, etc.
[0274] It will be recognized that the above templates may be
implemented and described, for example, using any suitable textual
or binary format, for example an XML string containing XML tags
presentation of the different objects, layers and placeholders of
multimedia assets. The template may be represented by an XML string
with placeholder tags.
[0275] In some embodiments of the invention, a populated template
may be represented by an XML string whose placeholder tags are
completely or partially replaced with data selected from a data
source and embedded. The replacement method may parse a data
source, such as a webpage, and replace the placeholders in the
template with data from the webpage. Thus, for example, an image
placeholder may be replaced with an image file extracted from the
webpage, a title placeholder may be replaced with an associated
text title extracted from the webpage, etc.
[0276] Dynamic data objects may be previously provided or may be
manually selected by the user or selected automatically based on
predetermined criteria.
[0277] In some embodiments of the invention using a manual mode of
selection, the user may select dynamic data objects, which may
comprise references to dynamic data sources like repeaters or parts
of a live webpage, databases tables or fields, etc. These may, for
example, include, images of items offered for sale (such as, for
example, photographs of products on sale, photographs of tourist
locations subject to offered travel deals), related information,
including, for example, the quoted price, a description of the
item.
[0278] In some embodiments of the invention using an automatic mode
of selection, the selection of dynamic data objects may be based,
for example, on a-priori knowledge of typical webpage construction,
including for example, actual existence of items (e.g. photographs
of products offered for sale, text, prices, etc.), as well as the
absolute or relative position on the webpage of these items (e.g.
in the form of a listing or thumbnails), and the related
information. Selection of dynamic data objects may be based on
parsing an html repeater or html table or any other object on the
website that may be parsed automatically, or after a short
configuration.
[0279] The template may offer the user a choice of styles which may
include for example, a theme, subject, association or the like.
[0280] A user may be offered, for example, via the template, one or
more multimedia assets, e.g. video clips, images, audio messages,
text messages, animated objects. Different templates may be used to
present different content and a different style, thereby conveying
different look and feel.
[0281] A video processor may use the template to perform selection
of dynamic data objects to produce a video clip. Rules and
heuristic methods may be applied to determine how to associate the
dynamic input data with the placeholders in the template in the
generation of one or more output video clips. The rules and
categories for selection and generation of video clips rules may
include, for example: (a) selection of a background video clip from
a set of available previously prepared video clips of a desired
style, such as for example, sea-shore scenery, hot-air balloons,
children playing, or other video clips; (b) determination of
position of the selected dynamic data objects in the generated
video clip; (c) animation effects to be used on dynamic objects,
e.g., panning, zooming, etc. on a selected image; (d) selection of
a soundtrack to accompany the video clip; (e) presentation of text
data, e.g. details pertaining to the item, its price, time
remaining for the offer, number of items left in stock, etc.
[0282] The output video clip may be generated in any suitable
desired video format, e.g. Adobe Flash (SWF, FLV), WMV, AVI, DIVX,
MPEG, XML file for the use of a video player or a widget, etc. The
video output may be wrapped and delivered in any suitable delivery,
for example, hosted or streamed, via video player, via interactive
widgets or any other suitable means of delivery.
[0283] A naive video processor may be implemented by capturing a
custom media player that plays a template (populated or
unpopulated) while capturing the player output using a server side
tools similar to screen recording software (e.g. the free General
Public License software camstudio.org).
[0284] FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic block diagram of automatic
video clip generation system, according to embodiments of the
present invention.
[0285] A web client, such as, for example, a computer, a
workstation or a communication device may access over a network
(e.g. the Internet) a computer executable program located on a
remote server to select a specific template 1210 (see also FIG. 2a
for an illustration of such system arrangement). Dynamic data
objects 1212 may be selected manually or automatically. A video
processor 1214 may process the template 1210 with the dynamic
object data 1212 according to predefined rules and/or heuristic
methods 1216 to produce a video output. It will be recognized that
the output video clip may contain placeholders for the use of video
players or widgets to be replaced with content at run-time, for
example, while serving the ad or loading and playing the video. The
video player may populate these placeholders using predefine rules
and heuristic methods 1218.
[0286] FIG. 13 illustrates a flow chart of a method for automatic
video clip generation, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0287] According to embodiments of the present invention, a web
client may access a website at a remote computing device of a
provider of a service of generation of video clips from dynamic
data objects. A computer executable program may then be executed on
the remote computing device or downloaded onto and run by the
(local) user computing device, e.g. java or Adobe Flash applets
that are downloaded to a client browser and executed on the client
side within an Active-X plug-in installed on the clients
browser.
[0288] The web client may be prompted to select a template from a
set of available (one or more) templates 1310, with a plurality of
multimedia assets.
[0289] The web client may also be prompted to indicate a
website/webpage (typically an address of the website, a URL) from
which dynamic data objects are to be selected 1320 and used in
conjunction with the chosen template (the order may be
reversed--the web client first chooses one or more websites from
which dynamic data objects are to be used and then selects a
desired template). Optionally, one or more predefined rules may be
used to populate predefine placeholders while playing the video
clip on a video player 1340.
[0290] In some embodiments of the present invention the dynamic
data objects are automatically retrieved from the webpage. This may
be achieved, for example, after a short configuration which the
user may be required to perform, every page on a specific website
that contains html repeater or html table can be automatically
parsed, recognizing the preconfigured html structure and extracting
data from it) whereas in other embodiments of the present invention
the dynamic data objects are manually selected by the web client
(for example, by indicating the selected object with a curser).
[0291] Then the video processor generates a video clip using the
template according to a set of one or more predetermined rules
1330. The rules may include, for example, playing a background
video clip associated with style of the selected template;
superimposing one or more images of the item at a determined
arrangement over the background video clip; panning, zooming,
rotating or otherwise animating the images of the item, displaying
text message on a determined display position (e.g. bottom, top or
across the visible screen).
[0292] Embodiments of the invention may include an article such as
a computer or processor readable medium, or a computer or processor
storage medium, such as for example a memory, a disk drive, or a
USB flash memory, encoding, including or storing instructions,
e.g., computer-executable instructions, which when executed by a
processor or controller, carry out methods disclosed herein.
[0293] Having described the present invention with regard to
certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that
the description is not meant as a limitation, since further
modifications will now suggest themselves to those skilled in the
art, and it is intended to cover such modifications as fall within
the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *
References