U.S. patent application number 15/063407 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-30 for interactive product placement system and method therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cinsay, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Cinsay, Inc.. Invention is credited to Christian Briggs, Delfino Galindo, JR., Freddy Knuth, Heath McBurnett.
Application Number | 20160192031 15/063407 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47114663 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160192031 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Briggs; Christian ; et
al. |
June 30, 2016 |
INTERACTIVE PRODUCT PLACEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREFOR
Abstract
A method for presenting advertisements for commercial products
in video productions, whereby the commercial product is placed in
the video production as an element of the video production. A
viewer is enabled to interact with the video production to select
the product. Information is then displayed about the selected
product; and the viewer is enabled to purchase the selected
product.
Inventors: |
Briggs; Christian; (Austin,
TX) ; McBurnett; Heath; (Aliso Viejo, CA) ;
Galindo, JR.; Delfino; (Laguna Niguel, CA) ; Knuth;
Freddy; (Euless, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cinsay, Inc. |
Dallas |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Cinsay, Inc.
Dallas
TX
|
Family ID: |
47114663 |
Appl. No.: |
15/063407 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14292423 |
May 30, 2014 |
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15063407 |
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14042477 |
Sep 30, 2013 |
8782690 |
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14292423 |
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13762184 |
Feb 7, 2013 |
8549555 |
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14042477 |
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13605892 |
Sep 6, 2012 |
8533753 |
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13762184 |
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12363713 |
Jan 30, 2009 |
8312486 |
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13605892 |
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61024829 |
Jan 30, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/32 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4316 20130101;
H04N 21/858 20130101; H04N 21/237 20130101; H04N 21/47205 20130101;
H04N 21/26603 20130101; H04N 21/4722 20130101; H04N 21/8545
20130101; H04N 21/8547 20130101; H04N 21/2542 20130101; H04N 21/812
20130101; H04N 21/435 20130101; H04N 21/44222 20130101; H04N
21/47815 20130101; H04N 21/4725 20130101; H04N 21/2393 20130101;
H04N 21/8455 20130101; H04N 21/8133 20130101; H04N 21/47217
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/81 20060101
H04N021/81; H04N 21/237 20060101 H04N021/237; H04N 21/254 20060101
H04N021/254; H04N 21/266 20060101 H04N021/266; H04N 21/239 20060101
H04N021/239; H04N 21/4725 20060101 H04N021/4725; H04N 21/478
20060101 H04N021/478; H04N 21/845 20060101 H04N021/845; H04N 21/858
20060101 H04N021/858; H04N 21/8545 20060101 H04N021/8545; H04N
21/431 20060101 H04N021/431; H04N 21/435 20060101 H04N021/435 |
Claims
1. A processor-implemented method, comprising: receiving a playback
request for a video production from a video player, the video
production including at least one product or service that is
displayed during display of the video production by the video
player; identifying a cue point data structure associated with the
video production and stored separately from the video production,
the cue point data structure including at least one set of cue
point metadata, each set of cue point metadata having (i) an
indicator of an elapsed time at which interactive advertising
material associated with the at least one product or service is to
be displayed relative to a time of the video production being
played, (ii) a duration for which the interactive advertising
material is to be displayed, and (iii) a pointer to the interactive
advertising material; and transmitting a signal representing the
identified cue point data structure to the video player, the video
player configured such that, for each set of cue point metadata:
(a) a visual cue point is displayed in a video timeline associated
with the video production, (b) the interactive advertising material
indicated by the pointer in the corresponding set of cue point
metadata is retrieved, and (c) the retrieved interactive
advertising material is displayed for the duration indicated in
that set of cue point metadata at the elapsed time indicated in
that set of cue point metadata.
2. The processor-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the video
player is configured to enable submission of user information to a
remote server to conduct a transaction for the at least one product
or service.
3. The processor-implemented method of claim 1, wherein interactive
advertising material is displayed as an overlay.
4. The processor-implemented method of claim 1, wherein interactive
advertising material is displayed as a transparent overlay.
5. The processor-implemented method of claim 1, wherein interactive
advertising material is selectively displayable.
6. The processor-implemented method of claim 1, wherein interactive
advertising material is displayed as a semi-transparent
overlay.
7. A processor-implemented method, comprising: sending a playback
request for a video production; receiving, in response to the
playback request: (a) a signal representing the video production,
the video production including at least one product or service that
is displayed during display of the video production, and (b) a
signal representing a cue point data structure associated with the
video production and distinct from the signal representing the
video production, the cue point data structure including at least
one set of cue point metadata, each set of cue point metadata
having (i) an indicator of an elapsed time at which interactive
advertising material is to be displayed relative to a time of the
video production being played, (ii) a duration for which the
interactive advertising material is to be displayed, and (iii) a
pointer to the interactive advertising material; requesting the
interactive advertising material for each set of cue point
metadata; displaying the video production based on the signal
representing the video production; and displaying, based on the
signal representing the cue point data structure, the interactive
advertising material for each set of cue point metadata for the
duration indicated in that set of cue point metadata at the elapsed
time indicated in that set of cue point metadata.
8. The processor-implemented method of claim 7, further comprising:
displaying a visual cue point for each set of cue point metadata in
a video timeline associated with the video production.
9. The processor-implemented method of claim 7, further comprising:
displaying a visual cue point for each set of cue point metadata in
a video timeline that is associated with the video production and
that is selectively displayable.
10. The processor-implemented method of claim 7, further
comprising: facilitating submission of user information to a remote
server to allow the user to conduct a transaction.
11. The processor-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the
interactive advertising material for each set of cue point metadata
is requested prior to displaying the video production.
12. The processor-implemented method of claim 7, wherein at least
some of the interactive advertising material is displayed as an
overlay that is transparent in portions.
13. The processor-implemented method of claim 7, wherein requesting
the interactive advertising material for each set of cue point
metadata includes requesting at least some interactive advertising
material from one or more advertisement servers.
14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising
instructions, the instructions when executed by at least one
computer processor causing the at least one computer processor to:
receive, from a video player, a playback request associated with a
video production, the video production including at least one
product or service that is displayed during playback of the video
production by the video player; identify a cue point data structure
associated with the video production and stored separately from the
video production, the cue point data structure including at least
one set of cue point metadata, each set of cue point metadata
having (i) an indicator of an elapsed time at which interactive
advertising material is to be displayed relative to a time of the
video production being played, (ii) a duration for which the
interactive advertising material is to be displayed, and (iii) a
pointer to the interactive advertising material; and send a signal
representing the identified cue point data structure to the video
player, the video player configured such that, for each set of cue
point metadata: (a) the interactive advertising material indicated
by the pointer in the corresponding set of cue point metadata is
retrieved, and (b) the retrieved interactive advertising material
is displayed for the duration indicated in that set of cue point
metadata at the elapsed time indicated in that set of cue point
metadata.
15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14,
wherein the video player is configured to display, for each set of
cue point metadata, a visual cue point in a video timeline
associated with the video production.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14,
wherein the retrieved interactive advertising material is
configured to enable a user to provide transaction information to a
remote server.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14,
wherein at least some of the retrieved interactive advertising
material relates to the at least one product or service that is
displayed during playback of the video production.
18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14,
wherein: at least some of the retrieved interactive advertising
material relates to the at least one product or service that is
displayed during playback of the video production; and the video
player is configured to facilitate a purchase of the at least one
product or service based on the retrieved interactive advertising
material related thereto.
19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14,
wherein the video player is further configured such that at least
some of the interactive advertising material is retrieved by the
video player before playback of the video production associated
with the cue point data structure.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14,
wherein the cue point data structure is sent to the video player
separately from the video production.
21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising
instructions, the instructions when executed by at least one
computer processor causing the at least one computer processor to:
send a playback request for a video production; receive, in
response to the playback request: (a) a signal representing the
video production, the video production including at least one
product or service that is displayed during display of the video
production, and (b) a signal representing a cue point data
structure associated with the video production and distinct from
the signal representing the video production, the cue point data
structure including at least one set of cue point metadata, each
set of cue point metadata having (i) an indicator of an elapsed
time at which interactive advertising material is to be displayed
relative to a time of the video production being played, (ii) a
duration for which the interactive advertising material is to be
displayed, and (iii) a pointer to the interactive advertising
material; request the interactive advertising material for each set
of cue point metadata; display the video production based on the
signal representing the video production; and display the
interactive advertising material for each set of cue point metadata
at the elapsed time indicated in that set of cue point metadata for
the duration indicated in that set of cue point metadata.
22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21,
further comprising instructions to: display a visual cue point for
each set of cue point metadata in a video timeline associated with
the video production.
23. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21,
further comprising instructions to: display a visual cue point for
each set of cue point metadata in a selectively displayable video
timeline that is associated with the video production.
24. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21,
further comprising instructions to: enable submission of user
information to a remote server to allow the user to conduct a
transaction.
25. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21,
wherein the instructions to request interactive advertising
material for each set of cue point metadata include instructions to
request the interactive advertising material prior to display of
the video production.
26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21,
wherein the instructions to display the interactive advertising
material include instructions to display at least some of the
interactive advertising material as an overlay that is transparent
in portions.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/292,423 filed on May 30, 2014 and entitled
INTERACTIVE PRODUCT PLACEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREFOR which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/042,477 filed
on Sep. 30, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,782,690), which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/762,184 filed
Feb. 7, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,549,555), which is a continuation
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/605,892 filed on Sep. 6,
2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,533,753), which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/363,713 filed on Jan. 30, 2009 (now
U.S. Pat. No. 8,312,486), which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/024,829 filed on Jan. 30,
2008; the entirety of each of the aforementioned applications is
hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates generally to interactive video
broadcasting, and, more particularly, to placement of products in
video broadcast for interactive purchase.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is well-known that video may be broadcast or provided
through a number of media, such as television, the Internet, DVD,
and the like. To finance such video broadcast, commercial
advertisements are often placed in the video. Commercials, however,
require that the video be momentarily interrupted while the
commercial is displayed. Not only is that annoying to viewers, but
modern technology has developed digital video recorders (DVR's)
that allow video programs to be pre-recorded, and when viewed, to
fast-forward through commercials, thereby defeating the
effectiveness and, hence, value of commercials. When commercials
are de-valued, costs are not adequately covered, and as a result,
broadcast service quality suffers. In many cases, costs are made up
by charging viewers for the video service.
[0004] Therefore, what is needed is a system and method for
advertising commercial products in such a way that they are not
annoying and do not interrupt a video production, prompting a user
fast-forward through them.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention, accordingly, provides a method for
presenting advertisements for commercial products in video
productions, whereby the commercial product is placed in the video
production as an element of the video production. A viewer is
enabled to interact with the video production to select the
product. Information is displayed about the selected product; and
the viewer is enabled to purchase the selected product.
[0006] More specifically, the invention comprises a web-based rich
media software application allowing non-technical end-users the
ability to easily create full frame interactive media overlays into
the video production which has been encoded with pre-defined cue
points that request immersive full motion video interactive overlay
elements from an ad-server.
[0007] The cue points are utilized to trigger pre-defined
advertising events stored and indexed with metadata in an ad server
or other database. By way of example, an advertising event may
include the extraction of a single video frame or a series of
frames of the encoded video production, which in turn becomes the
interactive advertisement that is triggered by the pre-set cue
point and presented to the user as a seamless
advertising/entertainment experience.
[0008] Once the cue point triggers an event, the system calls the
specific advertisement into the video player and seamlessly
overlays the initial video production with the enhanced interactive
product ads. The ad is displayed for a predetermined life cycle,
such as 5-10 seconds. Once the life cycle of the ad expires, or the
ad is clicked or presented to the end user, the advertisement will
destroy itself, leaving the viewer with the impression that there
was never a break in the viewing experience.
[0009] In conjunction with the integrated overlay advertisements,
the process of the invention is supplemented with an information
and product integrated timeline residing under the video
production. At the triggered cue point, watermarked icons/logos
appear under the video production. Users can interact with the
icons to garner more information about a particular character,
location, or advertisers at a specific point in the feature
presentation, employing the same aforementioned calls.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following
descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a high level block diagram of an interactive
product placement system embodying features of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 exemplifies a flow chart illustrating control logic
for implementing features of the system of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 exemplifies an application of an interactive video
editor embodying features of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 exemplifies an application of an interactive video
player embodying features of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 exemplifies a product placement timeline embodying
features of the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 6 exemplifies an interactive product placement
embodying features of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] In the following discussion, numerous specific details are
set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present
invention. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art
that the present invention may be practiced without such specific
details. In other instances, well-known elements have been
illustrated in schematic or block diagram form in order not to
obscure the present invention in unnecessary detail. Additionally,
for the most part, details concerning the Internet, HTTP, XML, PHP,
FLV, and the like have been omitted inasmuch as such details are
not considered necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the
present invention, and are considered to be within the skills of
persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.
[0018] It is noted that, unless indicated otherwise, all functions
described herein may be performed by a processor such as a
microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, an
application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic data
processor, a computer, or the like, in accordance with code, such
as program code, software, integrated circuits, and/or the like
that are coded to perform such functions. Furthermore, it is
considered that the design, development, and implementation details
of all such code would be apparent to a person having ordinary
skill in the art based upon a review of the present description of
the invention.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral
100 generally designates an interactive product placement system
embodying features of the present invention. The system 100
includes a video server 104 and an ad (i.e., "advertisement")
server 106 coupled together via a communication information network
effective for video streaming, such as the Internet, 110. An
interactive video editor 102 is coupled via the Internet 110 to the
video server 104 and ad server 106 for creating immersive
interactive advertisements in conjunction with video productions
displayed by the video server. An interactive video player 108 is
coupled via the Internet 110 to the video server 104 and ad server
106 for displaying video productions from the video server 104 and
ads from the ad server 106 in accordance with principles of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 exemplifies an application of the interactive video
editor 102 for enabling non-technical ad representatives to create
an immersive interactive advertising experience for users. The
editor 102 defines the properties, interactive elements, visuals,
and motion of the ad element stored in metadata and XML format and
packaged with the ad file. The editor 102 is a rich media
application comprising tools, a user interface, and backend
connections to the ad server 106. The following lists, by way of
example and not limitation, some preferred features of the editor
102: [0021] File: Open [0022] Save: Save an iteration of video
project file. [0023] Export: Export in all applicable compiled
final production ready formats. [0024] Properties: Set campaign
name, lifespan and essential metadata ad formats. [0025] Assign
Path: Create guideline to animate overlay object end to end over.
[0026] Set Key: Assign animation key frame. [0027] Four Corner Pin:
Pin vector points to set start and end frames over underlying video
production. Corner Pin effect distorts an image by repositioning
each of its four corners. Use it to stretch, shrink, skew, or twist
an image or to simulate perspective or movement that pivots from
the edge of a layer
[0028] The interactive video editor 102 also enables layers to be
added to the video production. More specifically, an overlay
element allows users to see an underlying video preview. The first
layer on the bottom forms a base layer, and anything layered on top
of that at least partially obscures the layers underneath it.
[0029] Still further, the interactive video editor 102 includes a
tool kit, comprising the following: [0030] Pen: freeform drawing
tool used to define shape [0031] Shape: Set of predefined shapes to
use as interactive element [0032] Paint: Brush tool allowing more
freeform element creation [0033] Erase: Remove excess erase tool
allows you to remove portions of shapes or lines with precision.
You can change the size and shape of the eraser as well as the
portions of any shape you want to erase by adjusting the
options
[0034] FIG. 4 exemplifies an application of the interactive video
player 108 configured with the capabilities to read, display, and
interact with code supplied by the corresponding application of the
interactive video editor 102. The player 108 is a rich media
application comprising tools, a user interface, and backend
connections to the ad server 106.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, the video player 108 advertises a card
in an overlay as it moves along a motion path. Also shown are an ad
icon/logo for the card in a Timeline under the video display, and
under the ad icon/logo, a calling cue point corresponding to a
respective icon/logo above it. Optionally, under the calling cue
points are episodes of the video production being watched. While
the timeline is shown positioned beneath the video production, it
may be positioned along the top, left, or right margins of the
video production.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a flow chart exemplifying steps in the operation
of the invention. In step 202 operation begins, and in step 204 a
request is generated by the video player 108 (per input from a
user) for a video production and transmitted to the video server
104. In step 206, the video server 104 receives the request for a
video production and, in step 208, the video server 104 locates the
video production and transmits it to the video player 108. In step
212, the video player 108 begins playing the video production until
a cue point is triggered in step 214. Upon triggering the cue
point, execution proceeds to step 216 wherein the video player
generates and transmits to the ad server 106 a request via HTTP
POST requests for an ad, and includes with the request a cue point
name and video ID into which the ad will be placed. The following
exemplifies a request generated at step 216:
TABLE-US-00001 FLVPlayback.addEventListener(Video.CuePoint,
function( ) { Var request = new
URLRequest("filename.php?func=advertisment&movie_id="+movie_id+"&cue_point-
=" + this.cuePointName); }
[0037] In step 218, the ad server 106 receives the ad request and,
in step 220, the ad server 106 locates the requested ad and
transmits the ad to the video player 108. The ad requests are made
form the player application via HTTP POST requests. The response
from the ad server or other database will be a small XML that gives
the path of the ad, length, and any other information that's
related to the ad. The player reacts to events signaled by the cue
points request and will execute actions defined inside the event
trigger instructing the player with the ad parameters, e.g., kind
of ad file requested, the action to take, e.g., pause, lifespan,
effect, specifics coordinates of the over-laid ad, and the like, as
well as any other custom defined configurations.
[0038] The following exemplifies simple cue point metadata, which
is generated by the video editor 102 and stored with the
advertisement:
TABLE-US-00002 CUE POINT TIME NAME ACTION DURATION URL PATH 1:54.02
soda_can Fade In 10 sec. http://yoururl.com/ad 2:02.06 pizza_box
Motion 10 sec. http://yoururl.com/ad Path 9:02.04 sneakers Glow 5
sec. http://yoururl.com/ad
[0039] In step 222, the video player receives the ad with an
interactive link which a user/viewer may select and click on to
obtain further information about the product being advertised, and
optionally purchase same. The ad is then displayed as either or
both an ad with the link as an overlay on the video production in
step 224, or in step 226 as a calling cue point for the ad and link
in an icon or logo in a timeline below the video production. In
step 224, the ad is displayed for the duration indicated in the cue
point data, as exemplified above. The icon or logo in the timeline
of step 226 may remain in the timeline as long as space permits,
that is, until space is needed for a icon or logo of a subsequent
icon or logo.
[0040] In step 228, a determination is made whether the video
production is complete. If the video production is not complete,
execution returns to step 212; otherwise, execution is terminated
as step 230.
[0041] FIGS. 5 and 6 provide additional visual examples of
interactive overlay and timeline ads, in which the video player 108
seeks cue points set in the video content triggering an ad event
requesting either a timeline advertisement or an embedded live
overlay advertisement. More specifically, FIG. 5 exemplifies how
timeline information and advertisement offers directly correspond
to cue points inside specific video content assets. FIG. 6
exemplifies how cue points trigger pre-defined advertising events
stored and indexed with metadata in the ad server or other
database. An example of the event may include the extraction of a
single video frame or a series of frames of a video production,
which in turn becomes the interactive advertisement that is laid
over the video production to create a seamless interactive
clickable video ad. As shown in FIG. 6, the product being
advertised is highlight via rotoscoping, and additional information
may be obtained about by clicking on the product.
[0042] By the use of the present invention, an improved method is
provided for advertising products by interactively placing them
either in a timeline or embedding them in a live overlay on a video
production.
[0043] It is understood that the present invention may take many
forms and embodiments. Accordingly, several variations may be made
in the foregoing without departing from the spirit or the scope of
the invention. For example, the compositing of elements otherwise
non-existing into the finished advertising product or filming green
screen products and services into the production to later composite
via the video editing application. Means for interconnecting
components of the system may be achieved other than via the
Internet, such as via fiber optic or cable network or satellite.
The video stream may be supplied by alternative means
incorporating, for example, DVD technology.
[0044] Having thus described the present invention by reference to
certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the
embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in
nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes,
and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and,
in some instances, some features of the present invention may be
employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many
such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and
desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the
foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is
appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a
manner consistent with the scope of the invention.
* * * * *
References