U.S. patent application number 16/524594 was filed with the patent office on 2019-11-14 for system and method for engagement and distribution of media content.
The applicant listed for this patent is DOOREME INC.. Invention is credited to Samir B. Makhlouf.
Application Number | 20190349645 16/524594 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57325850 |
Filed Date | 2019-11-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190349645 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Makhlouf; Samir B. |
November 14, 2019 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENGAGEMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF MEDIA
CONTENT
Abstract
Disclosed is a system and method for distributing media content.
The system can include a processor and a memory coupled to the
processor. The memory stores executable instructions for causing
the processor to present a mall interface on a display of a user
system, detect a user selection of the integrated
storefront/internet search, and display customized search result
storefronts based on the user selection. The mall interface may
include a plurality of storefronts and an integrated
storefront/internet search, and the integrated storefront/internet
search may include a storefront search and an internet search.
Inventors: |
Makhlouf; Samir B.;
(Atlanta, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DOOREME INC. |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57325850 |
Appl. No.: |
16/524594 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15684515 |
Aug 23, 2017 |
10368141 |
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16524594 |
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15226810 |
Aug 2, 2016 |
9781490 |
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15684515 |
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15081353 |
Mar 25, 2016 |
9743155 |
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15226810 |
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14925409 |
Oct 28, 2015 |
9392342 |
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15081353 |
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14310018 |
Jun 20, 2014 |
9326043 |
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14925409 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/25891 20130101;
H04N 21/44222 20130101; G06Q 30/0241 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101;
H04N 21/4316 20130101; H04N 21/8173 20130101; G06Q 30/0246
20130101; H04N 21/2387 20130101; H04N 21/44204 20130101; G06Q
30/0643 20130101; H04N 21/8549 20130101; H04N 21/8547 20130101;
H04N 21/222 20130101; H04N 21/2542 20130101; H04N 21/47205
20130101; H04N 21/858 20130101; H04N 21/4667 20130101; H04N 21/4725
20130101; H04N 21/6582 20130101; H04N 21/4312 20130101; G06Q
30/0625 20130101; H04N 21/482 20130101; H04N 21/4784 20130101; H04N
21/4722 20130101; H04N 21/4314 20130101; H04N 21/812 20130101; H04N
21/47815 20130101; H04N 21/4755 20130101; H04N 21/25883
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/81 20060101
H04N021/81; G06Q 30/02 20060101 G06Q030/02; G06Q 30/06 20060101
G06Q030/06; H04N 21/466 20060101 H04N021/466; H04N 21/2387 20060101
H04N021/2387; H04N 21/4784 20060101 H04N021/4784; H04N 21/258
20060101 H04N021/258; H04N 21/442 20060101 H04N021/442; H04N 21/478
20060101 H04N021/478; H04N 21/431 20060101 H04N021/431; H04N
21/8549 20060101 H04N021/8549; H04N 21/658 20060101 H04N021/658;
H04N 21/858 20060101 H04N021/858; H04N 21/8547 20060101
H04N021/8547; H04N 21/482 20060101 H04N021/482; H04N 21/475
20060101 H04N021/475; H04N 21/4725 20060101 H04N021/4725; H04N
21/4722 20060101 H04N021/4722; H04N 21/472 20060101 H04N021/472;
H04N 21/254 20060101 H04N021/254; H04N 21/222 20060101
H04N021/222 |
Claims
1. A system for distributing content to a user, the system
comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor,
wherein the memory stores executable instructions for causing the
processor to provide first content to a display, detect the
presence of a smart control device, in response to the presence of
a smart control device, provide second content to the smart control
device, and receive input from the smart control device.
2. The system for distributing content of claim 1, wherein the
presence of the smart control device is detected using wireless
connectivity.
3. The system for distributing content of claim 1, wherein the
presence of the smart control device is detected using a
geo-fencing system.
4. The system for distributing content of claim 1, wherein the
second content provided to the smart control device mirrors the
first content provided to the display.
5. The system for distributing content of claim 1, wherein the
input from the smart control device is used to personalize the
experience for a user associated with the smart control device.
6. The system for distributing content of claim 5, wherein the
input from the smart control device is information associated with
a user profile.
7. The system for distributing content of claim 5, wherein
personalizing the experience comprises customizing the first
content provided to the display.
8. The system for distributing content of claim 5, wherein
personalizing the experience comprises customizing the second
content provided to the smart control device.
9. The system for distributing content of claim 8, wherein the
second content comprises media content.
10. The system for distributing content of claim 8, wherein the
second content comprises ad stamps.
11. The system for distributing content of claim 8, wherein the
second content is associated with e-commerce.
12. A method for distributing advertising content to a user,
comprising the steps of: detecting the presence of a mobile device
in an arena; displaying on the mobile device a notification
associated with content being presented in the arena; receiving an
input from the mobile device in response to the displayed
notification; and displaying a mall interface on the mobile device
in response to the input from the mobile device.
13. The method for distributing advertising content of claim 12,
wherein the presence of the mobile device is detected using
geo-fencing.
14. The method for distributing advertising content of claim 12,
wherein the arena is a home.
15. The method for distributing advertising content of claim 12,
wherein the arena is a sports arena.
16. The method for distributing advertising content of claim 12,
wherein the mobile device comprises a pre-installed mobile
application associated with a content distribution system.
17. A method for distributing content to a user in an advertisement
system, comprising the steps of: providing media content to a
display via a user system; detecting if the display is connected
directly to the Internet; and in response to the display being
directly connected to the Internet, serving advertising content
directly to the display via the Internet instead of via the user
system.
18. The method for distributing content to a user of claim 17,
wherein the advertising content comprises an ad stamp.
19. The method for distributing content to a user of claim 18,
wherein interacting with the ad stamp directs to user to a mall
interface.
20. The method for distributing content to a user of claim 17,
wherein the display is a smart TV.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 15/684,515, filed Aug. 23, 2017, which is a continuation of
U.S. application Ser. No. 15/226,810, filed Aug. 2, 2016, now U.S.
Pat. No. 9,781,490, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 15/081,353, filed Mar. 25, 2016, now U.S. Pat.
No. 9,743,155, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
14/925,409, filed Oct. 28, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,392,342, which
is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/310,018, filed
Jun. 20, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,326,043, each of which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety. Also incorporated by
reference herein, in their entireties, are each of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/207,091, filed Mar. 12, 2014 now U.S. Pat.
No. 10,182,272, which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/852,114, filed Mar. 15, 2013.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The proposed system and method is generally directed to
building brand or product awareness with minimal disruption of the
audience/viewer experience when viewing visually perceivable media
content, such as, movies, television, streaming video, still
imagery and other motion pictures/video content.
SUMMARY
[0003] Disclosed is a system for distributing media content. The
system can include a processor and a memory coupled to the
processor. The memory stores executable instructions for causing
the processor to present a mall interface on a display of a user
system, the mall interface comprising a plurality of storefronts
and an integrated storefront/internet search, the integrated
storefront/internet search comprising a storefront search and an
internet search. The memory can further cause the processor to
detect a user selection of the integrated storefront/internet
search. The memory can further cause the processor to display
customized search result storefronts based on the user
selection.
[0004] Also disclosed is a computer-implemented method for
presenting a mall interface on a display of a user system, the mall
interface comprising a plurality of storefronts and an integrated
storefront/internet search, the integrated storefront/internet
search comprising a storefront search and an internet search. The
method may further comprise detecting a user selection of the
integrated storefront/internet search. The method may further
comprise displaying customized search result storefronts based on
the user selection.
[0005] Also disclosed is a system for distributing media content.
The system can include a processor and a memory coupled to the
processor. The memory stores executable instructions for causing
the processor to receive a highest bid from an advertiser for
particular advertisements to be shown during an ad spot for a user,
provide the user an ability to forgo the particular advertisements
in order to view a selected media content at an original cost,
provide the user the ability to select at least one of the
particular advertisements to watch in order to discount the
original cost of the selected media content, and provide the user
the ability to select all of the particular advertisements to watch
in order to waive the original cost of the selected media
content.
[0006] Various implementations described in the present disclosure
may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages,
which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of
the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is
intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages
be included within the present disclosure and protected by the
accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The features and components of the following figures are
illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present
disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the
figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the
sake of consistency and clarity.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an advertisement
system, in accord with one embodiment of the current
disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram of a lead ad, card ad, ad
stamps, and strip on the display of the advertisement system of
FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram of a lead ad, minimizing lead
ad, ad stamps, and strip on the display of the advertisement system
of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of an advertisement
placement, minimizing ad placement, and ad stamp on the display of
the advertisement system of FIG. 1, in accord with one embodiment
of the current disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 5 is an exemplary user profile on the display of the
advertisement system of FIG. 1, in accord with one embodiment of
the current disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 6 is an exemplary user profile with a pop-up and
options selections on the display of the advertisement system of
FIG. 1, in accord with one embodiment of the current
disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 7 is an exemplary user profile on the display of the
advertisement system of FIG. 1, in accord with one embodiment of
the current disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 8 is an exemplary user profile on the display of the
advertisement system of FIG. 1, in accord with one embodiment of
the current disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method and process
for displaying an ad stamp on the display of the advertisement
system of FIG. 1, in accord with one embodiment of the current
disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a method and process
for accessing and utilizing the user profile, engagement ad, and
associated features in the advertisement system of FIG. 1,
according to various implementations of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a computer
architecture for computing devices described herein as part of an
advertisement system, in accord with one embodiment of the current
disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 12 is an exemplary diagram of a media content
placement, minimizing media content placement, ad stamp, and a
selectable icon on the display of the advertisement system of FIGS.
1 and 11, in accord with one embodiment of the current
disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 13 is an exemplary engagement ad interface on the
display of the advertisement system of FIG. 11, in accord with one
embodiment of the current disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 14 is an exemplary engagement ad interface on the
display of the advertisement system of FIG. 11, in accord with one
embodiment of the current disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 15 is an exemplary mall interface on the display of the
advertisement system of FIG. 11, in accord with one embodiment of
the current disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 16 is an exemplary mall interface on the display of the
advertisement system of FIG. 11, in accord with one embodiment of
the current disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 17 is an exemplary mall interface on the display of the
advertisement system of FIG. 11, in accord with one embodiment of
the current disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 18 is a flow diagram illustrating one method for
determining which ads have a corresponding stamp key and ad stamp
in an ad break, according to some embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 19 is a flow diagram illustrating one method for
creating a stamp key and an ad stamp, according to some embodiments
of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 20 is a flow diagram illustrating one method for
managing the advertisement system of FIG. 11 by the service
provider agent, according to some embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a hierarchy of
functions implemented by a mall interface application, according to
some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 22 is a flow diagram illustrating one method for
selecting a storefront from the mall interface and using the
engagement ad interface, according to some embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 23 is a flow diagram illustrating one method for using
the hover over storefront window, according to some embodiments of
the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 24 is a flow diagram illustrating one method for
utilizing the category rollers to drill down four levels of
categories, according to some embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 25 is a flow diagram illustrating one method for
utilizing the storefront search, according to some embodiments of
the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The present disclosure describes systems and methods for an
advertisement system. Although various implementations of the
present disclosure are described with respect to advertisement
systems related to lead ads, card ads, engagement ads, ad
placement, and ad stamps, it should be understood that the present
disclosure also may include other types of content, other than
advertisement, without departing from the principles described
herein. Other features and advantages will be apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the general
principles described herein, and all such features and advantages
are intended to be included in the present disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram illustrating an advertisement
system 100 according to various implementations of the present
disclosure. Advertisement system 100 may include an engagement
system 110, content system 130, and a user system 150. Engagement
system 110 may include an advertisement server 112 that includes
one or more memory 114 operatively connected by connection 115 to
one or more processor 116. The at least one memory 114 and at least
one processor 116 are not required to be at the same location as
one another or at the same locations as other portions of the
memory 114 and processor 116. Advertisement server 112 may be a web
server or any other type of server that enables communication of
commands and data content. Also, connection 115 may include a wired
connection, wireless connection, or a combination of a wired and
wireless connection. The connection 115 may use communication
channels for exchanging data and information, such as a computer
bus channel, a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN),
or the Internet, among others. Engagement advertisements
("engagement ads") 118 and advertisement stamps ("ad stamps") 119
(as described in further detail below) may be stored on the
engagement system 110. Additionally, engagement system 110 may
communicate with the user system 150 by the use of connection 120,
which may be a wired communication, wireless communication, or a
combination of wired and wireless communication. Connection 120 may
use communication channels for exchanging data and information,
such as a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the
Internet, cables, fiber optic cables, satellite, Ethernet cable, a
satellite dish, a coaxial cable, a telephone line (including DSL
connections), broadband over power lines (BPL), ordinary VHF or UHF
antennas, among others. Further, in some embodiments, connection
120 may transmit errors, problems, issues, complaints, or comments,
among others between the engagement system 110 and user system
150.
[0035] Content system 130 may also be included in the advertisement
system 100. In the current embodiment, an advertisement server 132
and a content server 140 are included. However, in other
embodiments, the advertisement server 132 and content server 140
may be combined and operate on the same one or more servers.
Content system 130 includes information and other content that is
provided by a distributor, broadcaster, and/or multi-system
operator (MSO) of content. In some embodiments, an advertisement
agency may provide the content and information to the advertisement
server 132 and/or other parts of the content system 130.
[0036] Advertisement server 132 may include one or more memory 134
operatively connected by connection 135 to one or more processor
136. The at least one memory 134 and at least one processor 136 are
not required to be at the same location as one another or at the
same locations as other portions of the memory 134 and processor
136. Advertisement server 132 may be a web server or any other type
of server that enables communication of commands and data content.
Also, connection 135 may include a wired connection, wireless
connection, or a combination of a wired and wireless connection.
The connection 135 may use communication channels for exchanging
data and information, such as a computer bus channel, a local area
network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet, among others.
Lead advertisements ("lead ads") 138 and card advertisements ("card
ads") 139 (as described in further detail below) may be stored on
the advertisement server 132 or elsewhere in the content system
130.
[0037] Also, content server 140 may include one or more memory 142
operatively connected by connection 143 to one or more processor
144. The at least one memory 142 and at least one processor 144 are
not required to be at the same location as one another or at the
same locations as other portions of the memory 142 and processor
144. Content server 140 may be a web server or any other type of
server that enables communication of commands and data content.
Also, connection 143 may include a wired connection, wireless
connection, or a combination of a wired and wireless connection.
The connection 143 may use communication channels for exchanging
data and information, such as a computer bus channel, a local area
network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet, among others.
Additionally, content system 130 may communicate with the user
system 150 by the use of connection 146, which may be a wired
communication, wireless communication, or a combination of wired
and wireless communication. Connection 146 may use communication
channels for exchanging data and information, such as a local area
network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet, cables, fiber
optic cables, satellite, Ethernet cable, a satellite dish, a
coaxial cable, a telephone line (including DSL connections),
broadband over power lines (BPL), ordinary VHF or UHF antennas,
among others. Further, in some embodiments, connection 146 may
transmit errors, problems, issues, complaints, or comments, among
others between the content system 130 and user system 150.
[0038] In some embodiments, connection 120 and 146 may be combined
to be one connection; however, in other embodiments there may be
multiple connections. The lead ads 138 and card ads 139 hosted
within the advertisement server 132 of the content system 130 are
inserted into entertainment content (output by connection 146)
within specified time slots by ad inserter 145. Such practices are
done today and are understood by one of skill in the art. The
operator of the ad inserter 145 may be the broadcaster,
distributor, or MSO providing the content and/or advertisements,
another broadcaster, distributor, or MSO, or a third party located
in the same location as the content provider or remotely. Further,
in some embodiments, connection 120 and/or 146 may transmit
information associated with user system 150 to the engagement
system 110 and/or content system 130. Information related to the
user system 150 may be transmitted to the engagement system 110
and/or content system 130, such as, for example, what channel the
user system 150 is tuned to, times of day the user system 150 is
on, recorded content the user system 150 has recorded and/or is
scheduled to record, genres or categories of programs and shows the
user system 150 is tuned to, among others.
[0039] Also, in some embodiments, the engagement system 110 and
content system 130 may be combined and operate on the same one or
more servers. Additionally, in some embodiments, the engagement
system 110 may be able to exchange information and communicate with
the content system 130, as shown by connection 122. Such
communication may include wired communication, wireless
communication, or a combination of a wired and wireless
communication. The communication may include communication channels
for exchanging data and information, such as a local area network
(LAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet, among others.
However, connection 122 is not required and some embodiments may
not include such a connection. In some embodiments, the
advertisement system 100 may include more than one engagement
system 110, more than one content system 130, and more than one
user system 150.
[0040] User system 150 communicates with and receives information,
advertisements, and content (including but not limited to
engagement ads 118, ad stamps 119, lead ads 138, card ads 139,
storefront 519, pop-up interface 620, entertainment content, and/or
ad placement 438) from the engagement system 110 and the content
system 130, and in the current embodiment, a user system 150 may be
included for each user. In some embodiments, a portion of or all of
the engagement system 110 may be combined with the user system 150
and operate from the same location as the user system 150 and/or in
a remote location. The user system 150 may include a display 152,
which may be a television, computer, mobile device, tablet, smart
device, or other electronic device, and there may be one or more
displays 152. The display 152 may communicate with and receive
information from a client server 154 by the use of connection 153.
Connection 153 may be a wired connection, a wireless connection, or
a combination of a wired and wireless connection. The connection
may include communication channels for exchanging data and
information, such as a computer bus, a local area network (LAN),
wide area network (WAN), the Internet, among others.
[0041] Client server 154 may include one or more memory 156
operatively connected by connection 157 to one or more processors
158. The at least one memory 156 and at least one processor 158 are
not required to be at the same location or at the same locations as
other portions of the memory 156 and processor 158. Client server
154 may be a set-top box, other type of cable box, a web server,
over-the-top content device, or any other type of device that
enables communication of commands and data content. Also,
connection 157 may include a wired connection, wireless connection,
or a combination of a wired and wireless connection. The connection
157 may use communication channels for exchanging data and
information, such as a computer bus channel, a local area network
(LAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet, among others. In some
embodiments, client server 154 may be an over-the-top content
device, digital media player (e.g., Apple TV), dongle (e.g.,
Chromecast), mobile device that connects with the display 152,
among others. Moreover, if a user does not have a set-top box or
any type of client server 154 connected to their display 152, the
user may download a Dooreme application on their computer, tablet,
smart phone, or other device that may be configured to work and
function as a client server 154. In such embodiments, the memory
and/or components of the processor may be located on the device the
Dooreme application is running on or remotely on the engagement
system 110. Also, other devices and systems may be used. In some
embodiments, ad stamps 119 and content advertisements (as described
later, content advertisements may include one or more lead ad 138,
card ad 139, or advertisement placements ("ad placement") 438) may
be initially viewed or recorded on one display 152, and then may be
accessed by another display 152 (e.g., via the user profile 510).
For example, a user may view or recorded a program on the set-top
box with a television connected as the display 152, and the user
may access the user profile 510, and ad stamps 119 and content
advertisements associated with that viewed or recorded program on
their mobile device. Voice control associated with the user system
150 may also be used because, in some embodiments, the components
of the user system 150 are compatible with voice control.
[0042] A control device 160 may also be included to control the
display 152 and client server 154. The control device 160 may be a
market provided remote control, a control application on a smart
device (e.g., smart phone or tablet), or other type of control that
enables a user to manage and control the display 152 and client
server 154. The control device 160 may include one or more buttons
(raised buttons or touch screen) to make selections in the
advertisement system 100.
[0043] FIG. 2 shows a lead ad 138 and card ad 139 on the display
152. Additionally, the display 152 may include one or more ad
stamps 119 that are included in a strip 210. Each of the lead ad
138, card ad 139, and ad stamp 119 may include one or more images,
which may comprise or depict a logo or name of a particular
individual, group, or company, a product, good or act of service,
or any other type of image. Strip 210 in the current embodiment is
located at the bottom portion of the display 152; however, in other
embodiments, strip 210 may be located on one or more sides of
display 152 or in one or more different locations on the display
152. In the current embodiment, the strip 210 is located on the
display 152 in a location that minimizes disruption of the viewer
experience when viewing media content, such as movies, television,
or streaming video on the display 152. Additionally, in some
embodiments, if there is not an ad stamp 119, then strip 210 may or
may not be included. As can be seen in the current embodiment, the
strip 210 may accumulate a number of ad stamps 119, and in some
embodiments once a certain number (e.g., twenty) of ad stamps 119
are accumulated, there may be an ad stamps indicator 219 that takes
the place of the certain number of ad stamps 119. In some
embodiments, an operator of the engagement system 110 and/or
content system 130 may charge prices for ad stamps 119, and a
premium price or higher price may be charged for those ad stamps
119 that are requested or selected to be shown earlier in the
sequence (before the ad stamps indicator 219 is shown).
[0044] Once the ad stamps indicator 219 is shown, a user may be
able to select the ad stamps indicator 219 to see all the ad stamps
119 indicated by the ad stamps indicator 219 and other individual
ad stamps 119 may begin to accumulate again. Moreover, each ad
stamp 119 may be of variable or fixed size, and the same size or
different sizes from one another. Also, each ad stamp 119 may be
shown for a fixed or variable period of time. For example, each ad
stamp 119 may be shown for a certain period of time (e.g., minutes,
hours, or days), or in some embodiments, each ad stamp 119 may be
shown for a variable period of time (e.g., based on the type of
content advertisement or ad stamp, time of day, day of the week, or
other information associated with the user, among others). In
certain embodiments, the use of the ad stamps 119, the strip 210,
and/or the ad stamps indicator 219 enables numerous advertisements
to be shown to the viewer, thereby building brand or product
awareness, with minimal intrusion on the viewer experience.
[0045] Card ad 139, seen in FIG. 2, may be advertisements,
information and options regarding other content, or other
information that is captured (e.g., shown or recorded) while
content is captured. For example, many content providers (e.g.,
MSOs, distributors, and/or broadcaster) will advertise their own
programming or additional advertisements and information at the
bottom or side of the display 152 when content is being broadcast
or otherwise captured, and card ads 139 may include such
advertising and information. In some embodiments, a card ad 139 may
transition to an ad stamp 119 (by minimizing or other ways), and in
some embodiments, a lead ad 138 may transition to a card ad 139,
and the card ad 139 may transition back to a lead ad 138 or to an
ad stamp 119.
[0046] FIG. 3 shows the lead ad 138 and a minimizing lead ad 138a
on the display. The minimizing lead ad 138a indicates a transition
of an advertisement from the lead ad 138 to the ad stamp 119 after
a period of time (e.g., the period of time for the lead ad 138 to
complete). Many broadcasters, distributors, and/or MSOs include
advertisements in thirty second blocks of time, and in some
embodiments, the lead ads 138, card ads 139, or advertisement
placements ("ad placement") 438 (discussed below), collectively
content advertisement, may be shown for any period of time that is
divisible by, or a multiple of, thirty seconds. However, in other
embodiments, content advertisements may be shown for other periods
of time (e.g., not divisible by or a multiple of thirty seconds).
Content advertisement may include one or more lead ad 138, one or
more card ad 139, and/or one or more advertisement placement
438.
[0047] Further, content advertisements and ad stamps 119 may, in
some embodiments, be associated with entertainment content provided
by the broadcasters, distributors, and/or MSOs (i.e., content
system 130). For example, broadcasters, distributors, MSO, and/or
individuals or groups associated with the engagement server 110
and/or content server 140 may label or otherwise correlate a
program, show, movie, or other content with an icon (e.g., shown as
a content advertisement) that may be shown on the display 152. The
icon may notify the user that the content may be viewed now, may be
or is being saved or recorded on the user system 150 or remotely
(e.g., engagement system 110), and/or notify the user the content
may be viewed on demand now or at a later time. By selecting the
icon, the user may transition the content to an ad stamp 119 and/or
as a storefront (seen as 519 in FIG. 5) in the user profile 510. In
some embodiments, when the user selects the storefront 519 or ad
stamp 119 associated with the content, the content may be viewed or
other options may be provided to the user regarding the content
(e.g., remind later, save the content to another location, among
others). In some embodiments, the examples and options provided
above regarding saving content are not required, and other
variations and combinations may be used. In some embodiments, ad
stamps 119 may include applications or other types of indicators
that enable a user to efficiently work on or view selected
material. For example, in some embodiments, a user may be enabled
to select one or more ad stamps 119 to be shown on the strip 210
(e.g., the user may select the one or more ad stamps 119 from the
user profile 510), and the ad stamps 119 may include ad stamps 119
that enable the user to check the weather, interact with their
email, view news, or connect to social media, among others. In some
embodiments, the user, by the use of the control device 160 may be
enabled to select an ad stamp 119 by a single selection on the
control device 160. However, in other embodiments, such a
configuration is not required.
[0048] In other embodiments, a period of time for content
advertisement may be defined by the content system 130, user system
150, and/or engagement system 110. The defined period of time may
be the length of each content advertisement to be shown, which may
be determined based on stored lengths of time for each content
advertisement, or time stamping processes used to determine the
length of time for each content advertisement, among others. For
example, a length of time determined based on stored lengths of
time may include storing the lengths of time in memory 134 or 156
of the advertisement server 132 or client server 154, respectively.
Additionally, in another example, by using a time stamping process,
the content system 130 or user system 150 may store a time stamp
for when a content advertisement is captured the first time or any
additional time, and the time stamps, or calculated length of time
based on the time stamps, may be stored in any portion of memory in
advertisement system 100. Further, the period of time may be a
fixed or variable period of time to show the content advertisement.
The fixed or variable period of time may be determined by the day
of the week, time of day, channel being captured (e.g., shown or
recorded), programming captured, or information relating to a
particular user's preferences and purchase history, among
others.
[0049] With respect to FIG. 3, after the lead ad 138 is shown for a
period of time, as discussed above, the minimizing lead ad 138a
will transition the advertisement from the main area of the display
152 to the strip 210 and utilize the ad stamp 119 for the
advertisement. As depicted in the current embodiment (FIG. 3), more
than one minimizing lead ad 138a may be shown on the display 152 to
transition the lead ad 138 to the ad stamp 119. In other
embodiments, one minimizing lead ad 138a is shown; in other
embodiments, no minimizing lead ad 138a is shown. The minimizing
lead ad 138a may include one or more images, which may comprise or
depict a logo or name of a particular individual, group, or
company, comprise an image or video frame depicted at any point
during the lead ad 138 or the last image or video frame depicted
during the lead ad 138, or comprise or depict a picture of a good,
product or act of service, or any other type of video frame or
image. The broadcaster, distributor, controller of the engagement
system 110, individual, company, or group that is represented by
the advertisement or that paid for the advertisement, or some other
individual or group associated with the advertisement may select
one or more images that may appear in the lead ad 138, minimizing
lead ad 138a and ad stamp 119. Additionally, the image(s) or video
frame(s) that appear in the lead ad 138, minimizing lead ad 138a,
and ad stamp 119 may be the same image(s) or video frame(s) or
different image(s) or video frame(s) from one another. Further,
card ads 139 (seen in FIG. 2) may also transition to ad stamps 119
on the strip 210 by the minimizing effect described in relation to
minimizing lead ads 138a or any other way of transitioning.
[0050] Additionally, in some embodiments, the advertisement system
100 may recognize if each lead ad 138 was owned and distributed by
the content broadcaster or distributor, and report the list to the
content system 130 or engagement system 110. In a standard
advertising environment, the content broadcasters owns the time
slot and/or advertising window when the display 152 is tuned to an
associated television channel, and often the broadcaster may not
allow the distributor/MSO to modify or add to the image on the
screen (except when permitted by the broadcaster). Often,
broadcasters own all the commercial or ad space, inventory, and ad
breaks within their content broadcasts. In some embodiments, to
accommodate the MSO's generation of revenue from advertising, when
the broadcaster and MSO agree to share ad revenue, broadcasters
often allocates a certain number of ad space inventory to be sold
and filed by the MSO. In this case the broadcaster broadcasts
"filler ads" in the MSO designated ad space/inventory during preset
ad breaks, and then allows the distributor to over lay distributor
sold ads when/if the distributor has sold the designated ad
space/inventory. If the distributor had not sold the designated ad
inventory the filler ads will appear on the user's display 152 by
the use of the user system 150. In some embodiments, the
advertisement system 100 may recognize when it is optimal to
provide filler ads or if the advertisement space has been sold.
[0051] FIG. 4 shows an ad placement 438 transitioning to an ad
stamp 119. Ad placements 438 may be any type of good or service
depicted on display 152 by the user system 150 from content system
130, and ad placements 438 are shown during the scheduled content
programming (e.g., the content provided from content server 140).
For example, ad placements 438 may be a placement of a good or
service in programming on the content system 130. As shown in FIG.
4, for example, a car may be depicted in the content of
programming, and an ad stamp 119 may be associated with the car.
FIG. 4 shows a minimizing ad placement 438a transitioning the ad
placement 438 to an ad stamp 119, similar to that shown in FIG. 3.
A minimizing ad placement 438a is not required, and in some
embodiments, the ad placement 438 may be transitioned directly to a
storefront 519 without an ad stamp 119.
[0052] Ad placements 438 may be any type of good or service
depicted on display 152 by the user system 150 from content system
130, and ad placements 438 are shown during the scheduled content
programming (e.g., the content provided from content server 140).
For example, ad placements 438 may be a placement of a good or
service in programming on the content system 130. As shown in FIG.
4, for example, a car may be depicted in the content of
programming, and an ad stamp 119 may be associated with the car.
FIG. 4 shows a minimizing ad placement 438a transitioning the ad
placement 438 to an ad stamp 119, similar to that shown in FIG. 3.
A minimizing ad placement 438a is not required, and in some
embodiments, the ad placement 438 may be transitioned directly to a
storefront 519 without an ad stamp 119.
[0053] FIG. 5 shows an interface for a user profile 510. The user
profile 510 may be accessed in a multitude of ways, including, for
example, the user selecting an ad stamp 119 or the strip 210 with
the control device 160, the user selecting a particular option or
button on the control device 160 to bring the user to the user
profile 510, or the user system 150 automatically causing the
display 152 to depict the user profile 510 after one or more
condition(s) are met. The user profile 510 may be stored at any
location or multiple locations within the advertisement system 100,
including engagement system 110 and user system 150.
[0054] In some embodiments, the engagement ad 118 (described below)
for each, may be downloaded, or otherwise received, by the user
system 150 from the engagement system 110 after a period of time of
showing the content advertisement; however, in some embodiments,
engagement ads 118 may be stored on the user system 150 at a
predetermined time (e.g., each day or at the time the user system
150 was set up) where the engagement ads 118 are downloaded or
received by the user system 150 from the engagement system 110 once
the user profile 510 is accessed. Also, ad stamps 119 may be
downloaded by the user system 150 from the engagement system 110 at
predetermined times, before or after content advertisements are
complete, or before content advertisements are shown, among others.
In some embodiments, each engagement ad 118 is streamed from the
engagement system 110 when the user selects that particular
engagement ad 118. Additionally, in some embodiments, there may be
a combination of the different ways listed above, and there may be
other ways not listed or described above, for downloading or
otherwise receiving content advertisement.
[0055] Once the user profile 510 is accessed or otherwise shown, a
user may select the ad stamps 119 associated with an engagement ad
118, if available, as shown in FIG. 5. A user profile 510 may
include categories 520 and 525 of ad stamps 119. The ad stamps 119
may be shown as storefronts 519 once the user profile 510 is
accessed. At the same time, or during, the transmission of the ad
stamps 119 in the advertisement system 100, the data and
information required for its respective storefront 519 may be
transmitted along with the ad stamp 119. However, in some
embodiments, a content advertisement may save and include a
storefront 519 in the user profile 510 without an ad stamp 119
being associated with the storefront 519. In these embodiments, the
storefront 519 may be transmitted in the advertisement system 100
in a similar way to the ad stamps 119. For example, once a user
accesses their user profile 510, the user system 150 may pull or
the engagement system 110 may push the content and information
associated with each storefront 519 that has not been downloaded.
However, in some embodiments, the storefront 519 may be streamed,
downloaded at preset times, downloaded at times when the storefront
519 is determined to be added to the user profile 510, among
others.
[0056] Storefronts 519 may include a depiction of an image similar
or different to the image shown in the ad stamps 119, and in some
embodiments, storefront 519 may include a video clip or other type
of moving image. As shown in categories 520 and 525, the engagement
system 110 and/or user system 150 may sort the ad stamps 119 into
different categories to enable the user to better access and sort
the ad stamps 119. In some embodiments, categories 520 and 525 may
include subcategories. For example, the categories could be based
on criteria such as time of broadcast, type of product or service
associated with the ad (e.g., tax services, cars, travel, sports,
etc.), duration of ads, expired ads (ads for events or items that
have already occurred or are no longer available), viewed ads,
among others. In some embodiments, the user may be able to select
the categories, alter the categories, and add and delete categories
from categories 520 and 525.
[0057] Selection strip 530 enables the user to sort and select the
storefront 519 based on geographic scope, seen in geographic scope
530a with the options of Global, National, or Local, among others.
However, other geographic options may be included, and in some
embodiments, there may be no geographic locations to choose from.
Also, selection strip 530 may include an option to sort based on a
list of pages, seen in page listing 530b, enter a search request in
a search bar 530c, or options menu 530d, which in some embodiments
may enable a user to adjust or modify settings. For example, users
may be able to adjust their profiles or interests, pair devices to
the engagement system 110, set parental controls, set the number of
pages that are pulled up in each search, select the number of
storefronts shown per page (described below), adjust colors, change
category preferences, add or merge user profiles within a single
residence, set location, zip code, or other location parameters, or
set friends networks, among others. Additionally, in some
embodiments, a geographic scope 530a, page listing 530b, search bar
530c, or options menu 530d may not be included, or in some
embodiments, other options, selections, or variations may be
included with regard to 530a, 530b, 530c, and 530d. Further, in
other embodiments, additional or selections may be included in
selection strip 530.
[0058] The number of storefronts 519 per page may be defined by a
component of the advertisement system 100 or the user, among
others. Additionally, as seen in the top corner of the storefront
519 in FIG. 5, the user may delete a storefront 519 by selecting
the delete icon 535. The categories 520 and 525 and delete icon 535
are not required, and the number and location of the categories 520
and 525 and delete icon 535 are not required in the number or
position as indicated in FIG. 5, as they may be in different number
or locations and the location and size may vary for each ad stamp
119.
[0059] The engagement system 110, content system 130, and/or user
system 150 may store in any memory of advertisement system 100
information related to the user and relate the saved information to
the user profile 510, such as ad stamps 119 or storefronts 519
associated content advertisements that were broadcast, downloaded,
recorded, streamed, or otherwise received by the user de system
vice 150, a list of the ad stamps 119 or storefronts 519 the user
selected, a list of the engagement ads 118 the user viewed and the
length of time the user viewed each engagement ad 118 (or other
type of content advertisement), and a list of the user's ecommerce
activities within the user profile 510, among others. Also, the
user may be enabled to manage the user profile 510, including
deleting old or undesirable storefronts 519, ad stamps 119, and/or
content advertisements, shifting storefronts' 519, ad stamps' 119,
and/or content advertisements' positioning, setting storefronts'
519, ad stamps' 119, and/or content advertisements' priorities,
requesting to be excluded from being shown certain types of ads,
products or activities, saving certain storefronts 519, ad stamps
119, and/or content advertisements, viewing storefronts 519, ad
stamps 119, and/or content advertisements, or organizing
storefronts 519, ad stamps 119, and/or content advertisements
according to categories, among others.
[0060] Also, in some embodiments, individuals, groups, or
corporations unassociated with advertisements may be enabled to
create storefronts 519, ad stamps 119, or content advertisements to
be shown to the users. For example, a child of an elderly person,
nurse, doctor or other service provider could be permitted, by the
advertisement system 100 to place storefronts 519, ad stamps 119,
or content advertisements on the elderly person's user system 150,
whereby the elderly person would then be enabled to quickly make a
selection to engage the storefront 519, ad stamp 119, or content
advertisement provider instantly in communication (e.g., telephone
or video conversation) to reach out for help or perform other
activities. The user could place an icon for a new application,
such as calendar, contacts lists, email, video conferencing,
cooking recipes, health related information, directories, pictures,
quick access to ecommerce (such as ordering medicine refills, pizza
or other food deliveries), emergency services, friends or family
direct contact, etc. The stamp also could be set to become part of
the user profile 510. Also, there may be multiple other
applications for individuals, groups, or corporations unassociated
with advertisements to create storefronts 519, ad stamps 119, or
content advertisements.
[0061] In some embodiments, when an ad stamp 119 or content
advertisement is shown, a user may be enabled to select to purchase
the service or good that is depicted on the display 152 of the user
system 150 by the use of ecommerce. In some embodiments, a user may
be enabled to use a pointer associated with a control device 160 to
select different items or indicated services shown on the display
152 by the user system 150, to find out more information associated
with the item or service and/or purchase the item or service (if
these options are available). In some embodiments, a user, by the
use of the control device 160, may be enabled to select to purchase
a good or service that is shown in an ad stamp 119, content
advertisement, storefront 519, or any other location on the display
152 by a selection made by the user on the control device (e.g.,
the user may only have to select one button or one touch on a touch
screen in order to purchase a good or service depicted on the
display 152). The user may only have to input their payment
information, delivery location, and other necessary information one
time in the user profile 510, and in some embodiments, the
advertisement system 100 may be enabled to export the user's
information to the user system 150 or other part of the
advertisement system 100 from another location.
[0062] FIG. 6 shows the user profile 510 of FIG. 5 with a pop-up
interface 620 that appears when a user, using control device 160,
places a pointer or otherwise navigates selections on the display
152. Pop-up interface 620 may appear when a user hovers over or
otherwise selects a particular store front 519 (associated with an
ad stamp 119). The pop-up interface 620 may show a short video,
advertisement, or content preview related to the respective
storefront 519. However, in other embodiments, the pop-up interface
620 may depict a still image or other type of image or logo. As can
be seen, in the current embodiment, when the pop-up interface 620
is shown, the user is still able to see some, or at least a
portion, of the surrounding storefronts 519 shown on the particular
page. Although the surrounding store fronts 519 may be seen in the
current embodiment, such a configuration is not required.
[0063] Also, in some embodiments, if the user hovers over or
otherwise selects the arrow or other identification indicated as
options 620a, the pop-up interface 620 will display different
options that are available for the user. Options 620a is not
required, and in some embodiments, options 620a may include a
different symbol of the options and may be in a different location
from that depicted in FIG. 6. Options 620a may include options of,
for example, mark content/storefront, customize, send to mobile,
send to friend, among others. If mark content/storefront is
selected, then the user profile 510 stores the marked content. If
customize is selected, the user may be enabled to modify the
pop-up, choose to not see a particular pop-up in the user's user
profile, see more of a particular category associated with a
particular pop-up, among others. If send to mobile is selected, the
advertisement system 100 uses information provided by the user or
otherwise saved related to the user in order to send the
information (e.g., a link, ad stamp 119, or content advertisement,
among others) via text message, short message service (SMS), email,
Dooreme application, or any other known method to the user's or
another's mobile device. If send to friend is selected, the
advertisement system 100 uses information provided by the user,
previous information supplied regarding information sent to
another, or otherwise information saved related to another on the
user's user profile or another's user system 150 in order to send
the information (e.g., a link, ad stamp 119, or content
advertisement, among others) via any other known method to another
(e.g., via mobile device, user system, tablet, or other electronic
device). Additionally, in some embodiments, if a user hovers over
or otherwise selects the indicator labeled option 620b of the
storefront 519, then the options provided in options 620a may drop
down or otherwise appear in the storefront 519 of the selected
options 620b. However, in other embodiments pop-up interface 620,
options 620a and/or 620b may not be included, and in some
embodiments, options 620a and 620b may be located in different
locations, include different indicators, and/or include different
options from one another.
[0064] Further, the engagement system 110 and/or user system 150
may collect anonymous and/or public user data regarding
interactions with the content of the advertisement system 100,
including, for example, saved storefronts 519, ad stamps 119,
and/or content advertisements, clicked on storefronts 519, ad
stamps 119, and/or content advertisements, viewed storefronts 519,
ad stamps 119, and/or content advertisements, and the duration of
the view of each engagement ad 118, what broadcast channel the ad
stamps 119, and/or content advertisements associated lead ad 138
came from, and the time it was served, among others. Additionally,
the advertising system 100 could offer additional storefronts 519,
ad stamps 119, and/or content advertisements performance
measurements, such as, for example, if users interact more with
storefronts 519, ad stamps 119, and/or content advertisements with
celebrities (or certain celebrities in them), if users interact
with automobile storefronts 519, ad stamps 119, and/or content
advertisements containing red cars more than other colors, among
others. The advertisement system 100 may track preferences and
history for each user that may be stored in any component of the
advertisement system (e.g., engagement system 110, content system
130, user system 150) regarding the types of storefronts 519, ad
stamps 119, and/or content advertisements or products and services
the particular user likes based on their engagement behavior with
the collection of storefronts 519, ad stamps 119, and/or content
advertisements in their user profile 510. Based on information
tracked, the engagement system 110 or other component of the
advertisement system 100 may select, or otherwise recommend, what
type of storefronts 519, ad stamps 119, and/or content
advertisements should be served later to that particular user.
[0065] As previously mentioned, in some embodiments, the
advertisement system 100 may be capable of monitoring user
interactions with storefronts 519, ad stamps 119, and/or content
advertisements and provide recommendations, based on information
such as the number of storefronts 519, ad stamps 119, and/or
content advertisements viewed by the user, the number of engagement
ads 118 the user selected, whether or not the user watched the full
duration of each engagement ad 118 (or if not, the length of time
the user watched the engagement ad 118 or percentage of the full
time), what type of storefronts 519, ad stamps 119, and/or content
advertisements the user watched fully and partially, whether the
user watched or selected a storefront 519, ad stamp 119, and/or
content advertisement more than once, whether or not there is a
correlating factor (e.g., determining interests based on categories
like sports, news, documentaries, reality television, etc.) between
the storefronts 519, ad stamps 119, and/or content advertisements
the user selected and watched more of and/or more than once, among
others.
[0066] The advertisement system 100 enables broadcasters,
distributors, and/or MSO's to keep track of and analyze what users
are watching. The advertisement system 100 enables the
broadcasters, broadcasters, and MSO's to keep track of what viewers
are watching because at least ad stamps 119, storefronts 519, and
engagement ads 118 are sent to user systems 150 based on what users
are watching. Therefore, the data associated with what users are
watching may be kept track of by any component of the advertisement
system 100. As such, the advertisement system 100 may be more
beneficial than any other rating system (e.g., the Nielsen Ratings)
because the advertisement system 100 may keep track of what is
viewed by each user of the advertisement system 100, and the
advertisement system 100 may have a lot of other information about
the users because of information pertaining to demographics,
location, viewing habits, among others.
[0067] Further, in some embodiments, storefronts 519 may be
arranged to be placed, leased, or rented by an individual, company,
or group that is represented by the advertisement or that paid for
the advertisement, or some other individual or group associated
with the advertisement. Such a lease or rental may be arranged or
created by a request and information provided or other type of
request by the individual, company, or group that is represented by
the advertisement or that paid for the advertisement, or some other
individual or group associated with the advertisement. In some
embodiments, the request may be made by a selection at any location
within the advertisement system 100, and the information associated
with the storefront 519 may be uploaded or input in a form (e.g., a
"do-it-yourself" electronic form) or application provided by the
advertisement system 100. Such information and/or request may be
provided to a component of the engagement system 110, content
system 130, or user system 150. As previously described with
respect to content advertisements, the information associated with
a storefront 519 may be stored in any memory within the
advertisement system 100, and transmitted, via any processor, to
the user system 150 at different times or streamed. Also, the
information related to each storefront 519 may be stored in the
engagement system 110, the content system 130, the user system 150,
or any other component of the advertisement system 100. In some
embodiments, the price to lease or rent a storefront 519 may be
fixed or variable, and if variable the price may be based on, for
example, characteristics of a particular user (e.g., interest in a
particular device, company, type of product or service, hours and
time of day the user watches display 152, demographics, or other
category, among others), demand for storefront 519 placements
overall or based on certain time periods, the hierarchy or level of
visibility for each storefront 519 (e.g., more costly to be on page
1 than page 5), the time of day or week, or viewership with respect
to the user system 150 (e.g., primetime or important, highly
watched, events are more costly), among others.
[0068] If a storefront 519 is leased or rented, a particular
storefront 519 may be placed on a certain group of user systems
150, but the particular storefront 519 may not be placed on others
user systems 150. Further, even if the same storefront 519 may be
on more than one user's user system 150, the location and even
content of the storefront 519 may be different on all user's user
systems 150. Such determinations may be made by the engagement
system 110, as previously described, and information obtained about
the user with respect to the user profile 510 (e.g., user's viewing
habits, likes, interests, purchases, demographics, etc.). For
example, the engagement system 110 may enable the individual,
company, or group that is represented by the advertisement or that
paid for the advertisement, or some other individual or group
associated with the advertisement to better use, or optimize, their
advertising dollars for renting or leasing storefronts 519 based on
the amount of money they will spend and the individualized
information that may be accessible about any particular user.
However, in some embodiments, different storefronts 519 may not be
provided to the user system 150, and each user system 150 may be
configured to have similar storefronts 519 in the same locations of
the user profile 510. In some embodiments, the storefronts 519 may
be regionalized or grouped among broader categories. When a user
selects a storefront 519, the pop-up interface 620 may appear, and
in some embodiments, a user may be able to select to see the
engagement ad 118 and engagement ad interface 710 after display of
the pop-up interface 620 or without the display of the pop-up
interface 620. In some embodiments, different parameters may be
used when storefronts 519 are leased or rented, and in some
embodiments, the storefronts 519 may not be leased or rented.
[0069] FIG. 7 shows an engagement ad interface 710, which includes
an area on the display 152 for an engagement ad 118 to be shown,
which may vary and change. The engagement ad 118 may be
automatically selected or manually selected by the user from the ad
stamps 119 of the user profile 510, as shown in FIG. 5. On the side
of the strip 210, a profile icon 719 may be provided. The shape,
icon, and location of the profile icon 719 is not essential, and
any other shape, icon, or location may be used. Also, in some
embodiments, the profile icon 719 is not provided. If the user
selects the profile icon 719, the user system 150 will be modified
to display the user profile 510 on display 152 of FIG. 5.
Engagement ad interface 710 may also include a content box 720 that
would enable a user to see the content that is provided from the
content system 130 to the user system 150 (i.e., the programming
that is on the channel the user has selected to be received and
displayed). Additionally, toggle 720a may be provided, which
enables the user to switch to a full screen display of the content
in content box 720 on the display 152. In some embodiments, after
the content of content box 720 is displayed in full screen on
display 152, a toggle 720a may also be provided at some location on
display 152 for a fixed or variable period of time to enable the
user to return to engagement ad interface 710.
[0070] Engagement ad interface 710 may also include an interest
section 722, which may include options for the user to interact and
select whether they are interested (e.g., thumbs up icon) or
uninterested (e.g., thumbs down) in the engagement ad 118, and
interest section 722 also enables users to mark the engagement ad
118 as a favorite (e.g., the star symbol) and delete the currently
displayed engagement ad 118. Engagement ad interface 710 may also
include engagement ad information 724, which may include a logo or
other product/service identification, and a video tool 726. Video
tool 726 enables the user to select a video about the
product/service in the engagement ad 118 that lasts different
lengths of time or covers different aspects of the product/service
in the engagement ad 118. Also, video tool 726 may include a video
measurement tool that indicates the length of the video and how
much of the video has been watched at a given time. All such
information can be logged in the user system 150, advertisement
system 110, the user profile 510, or a combination thereof, and
such information may be used by the person, group, or company that
logs the information or passed along and/or sold to other persons,
groups, or companies that may find the information valuable (e.g.,
target advertising).
[0071] Engagement ad interface 710 may also include an information
section 730 that enables the user to do a multitude of things,
including selecting from additional options. For example,
information section 730 may include an option for the user to
obtain price information associated with the engagement ad 118
product or service, an option for a user to purchase the product or
service by the use of ecommerce. The ecommerce option may be a link
to an application or uniform resource locator (URL) directing the
user to a website provided by a third party (e.g., direct the user
to Amazon or other online retailers); however, in some embodiments,
the engagement system 110, content system 130, and/or user system
150 may provide a program or system to the user in order to
complete an ecommerce transaction. In some embodiments, a digital
wallet may be saved to the user profile 510 where the user may be
able to save their payment information (e.g., credit card) to
enable the user to order items or services without providing their
payment information multiple times (e.g., a "quick action" button).
Such an option enables the user to act quickly and get back to
viewing content thereafter, or to act quickly to order
product/service in cases when the product/service is being
auctioned, or where there is a limited supply, or offered only to
the first (number) of consumers that apply. In some embodiments,
the individual, company, or group that is represented by the
advertisement or that paid for the advertisement, or some other
individual or group associated with the advertisement may have the
ability to change an offering of or certain features of the
supplied ecommerce at the time of designing the engagement ad 118
and ad stamp 119. Also, in some embodiments, after the engagement
ad 118 and/or ad stamp 119 are created, changes may occur by a
selection made from a list of offered features and tools provided
by the engagement system 110, or otherwise, by requesting the
addition of other features and tools.
[0072] Additionally, information section 730 may include an option
to share information associated with the engagement ad 118 product
or service with friends, an option to use coupons or play games
associated with the engagement ad 118 product or service (e.g.,
user can use the coupons to purchase or play games provided by the
person, group, corporation, or associated entity in order to win
discounts or free items), an option to send information associated
with the engagement ad 118 product or service to another user's or
another's mobile or smart device, an option to see reviews or
conduct a review of a product or service, an option to save as
favorite/reminder, an option to find related products or services,
an option to obtain additional information, and an option to
conduct a search using a search box 740. Such options in the
information section 730 are not required. Some may not be included
in the information section 730, and additionally, some options not
disclosed above may be included.
[0073] Further, in some embodiments, a website option 750 may be
included to enable the user to be directed to the website of the
individual, group, company, product, or service associated with the
engagement ad 118. Moreover, the location, description, and form of
each of the at least engagement ad 118, content box 720, toggle
720a, interest section 722, engagement ad information 724, video
tool 726, information section 730, website option 750, strip 210,
profile icon 719, or any other option or section on the engagement
ad interface 710 is not meant to be limiting and the location,
description, form, as well as more or fewer options may be provided
on the engagement ad interface 710.
[0074] FIG. 8 shows the engagement ad interface 710 of FIG. 7;
however, FIG. 8 includes an exemplary engagement ad 118 and other
associated information. Additionally, in some embodiments, when
additional ad stamps 119 are provided, as seen in strip 210, the
user may select a new engagement ad 118 to view by selecting its
associated ad stamp 119 without returning to the user profile
510.
[0075] Content system 130 and/or engagement system 110 operators
may utilize the advertisement system to charge advertisers a fee
for the engagement ad 118 and ad stamp 119 and the content
advertisement, clicks on ad stamps 119 and viewing of associated
engagement ads 118, links to full page, or partial page e-commerce
or websites, among others. The costs of ad stamps 119 and
engagement ads 118 may be based on a percentage of the costs of the
associated lead ads 138.
[0076] FIG. 9 shows a method and process for displaying an ad stamp
119 on the display 152. As shown in block 902, a person, group,
corporation, or advertisement agency may provide or enable
information to be provided to the engagement system 110 and stored
in memory 114. Such information may include an engagement ad 118,
an ad stamp 119 (including the icon to be displayed), a date the
engagement ad 118 and ad stamp 119 should no longer be used,
website information, a logo and/or name of the individual, group,
or corporation, product, and/or service, a picture of the product
or service, a minimizing lead ad 138a, categories the engagement ad
118 and ad stamp 119 would apply to, additional videos to be viewed
(such as videos in 726), a website and other ecommerce sources
where the product or service may be found, products or services
related to the engagement ad 118 or ad stamp 119, and any
additional information they may wish to provide. If the engagement
ad 118 and ad stamp 119 are associated with an ad placement 438,
then the individual, group, or company may provide information
about the broadcast or programming the ad placement 438 occurs in
and when the ad placement 438 occurs in the programming.
[0077] As shown in block 904, the engagement system 110 is synced
with the content system 130, and the ad stamps 119, engagement ad
118, and content advertisements are transmitted to the user system
150. Also, the order of syncing and transmission is not required to
be the same, and different embodiments may adjust and vary the
order of syncing and transmitting. Syncing may occur in a multitude
of ways. In some embodiments, a unique identification may be
assigned to a particular engagement ad 118 and/or ad stamp 119, and
the unique identification may be transmitted to the content system
130 and associated with a corresponding lead ad 138, ad placement
438, and/or card ad 139, or as a group the content advertisement
(not required to include at least one of each, can be one or more
of the lead ad 138, ad placement, and card ad 139). When a content
advertisement is transmitted and played on a particular user system
150, the engagement system 110 may transmit the engagement ad 118
and ad stamp 119 to the user system 150 (push) or the user system
150 may request the engagement ad 118 and ad stamp 119 from the
engagement system 110 (pull). In some embodiments, once the
engagement ad 118 and ad stamp 119 are input and stored in the
engagement system 110, the engagement system 110 may transmit the
engagement ad 118 and ad stamp 119 along to the content system 130,
and once the content advertisement is sent to and captured on the
user system 150, the engagement ad 118 and ad stamp 119 are sent
along with the content advertisement, and are thereby available for
the user system 150 to display and play.
[0078] Still in some embodiments, once the engagement ad 118 and ad
stamp 119 are input and stored in the engagement system 110, the
engagement system 110 may transmit the engagement ad 118 and ad
stamp 119 along to the user system 150 (or the user system 150 may
request the engagement ad 118 and ad stamp 119 to be transmitted)
at predefined times or based on information associated with what
the user usually watches at certain times and days, certain
programs the user records or watches, or what type of programming
or channel the user is currently watching or scheduled to record or
watch in the future, among others. Once the content advertisement
is transmitted and played on the user system 150, the engagement ad
118 and ad stamp 119 will be stored based on a corresponding unique
identification related to the content advertisement, and the
engagement ad 118 and ad stamp 119 may be configured to be ready to
play on the user system 150 or the user system 150 may then run a
check to see if the engagement ad 118 and ad stamp 119 are stored
at the user system 150.
[0079] As shown in block 906, the content advertisement may be
captured (e.g., shown or recorded) at the user system 150, and once
the content advertisement begins to play or record, the user system
150 may search the advertisement system 100 to find out whether or
not there is an engagement ad 118 or ad stamp 119 associated with
the particular content advertisement (e.g., by the methods
described above relating to the unique identification, or
transmitted along with the content advertisement). However, in some
embodiments, this step is not required. The user system 150 may
search the memory 156 of the client server 154 to clarify that the
engagement ad 118 and/or ad stamp 119 are downloaded or otherwise
stored at the user system 150. If the engagement ad 118 and/or ad
stamp 119 are not stored at the user system 150, then the user
system 150 will download, stream, or otherwise receive the
engagement ad 118 and/or ad stamp 119 from the engagement system
110. In some embodiments, if both the ad stamp 119 and engagement
ad 118 are not stored at the user system when the content
advertisement begins to play or record, the advertisement system
100 may prioritize downloading, streaming, or otherwise receiving
the engagement ad 118 or ad stamp 119 from the engagement system
110 before the other. In some embodiments, when the content
advertisement is recorded, the content advertisement shown when the
recorded content is played and/or viewed (e.g., from a digital
video recorder that may be associated with the client server 154)
may freeze or otherwise adjust (e.g., show a particular logo or
item) if the user fast forwards through the content
advertisement.
[0080] Block 908 indicates that once the content advertisement is
shown, the user system 150 may be configured to transition the
content advertisement to the associated ad stamp 119 by, for
example, the use of a minimizing lead ad 138a or minimizing ad
placement 438a. However, in other embodiments, the content
advertisement may transition to the associated ad stamp 119 without
any minimizing lead ad 138a, minimizing ad placement 438a, or other
type of minimizing effect (e.g., minimizing a card ad 139 to the
strip of ad stamps 119). The advertisement system 100 may be aware
of when the content advertisement is complete based on timing
information provided by the content server 140, or by otherwise
tracking the time and knowing the length of time each content
advertisement will play.
[0081] At block 910, the engagement system 110, user system 150, or
other component of the advertisement system 100 may determine which
ad stamps 119 to show on strip 210. As previously described, if
there are more than a certain number (e.g., about twenty) of ad
stamps 119 to show on strip 210, then a different icon (such as an
ad stamps indicator 219) may indicate that a certain number of ad
stamps 119 are saved or stored within that icon. Additionally,
engagement system 110, user system 150, or other components of the
advertisement system 100 may analyze which ad stamps 119 to show on
strip 210 based on the channels and time the user system 150 was
tuned to the one or more channels (including recordings), the
current time or time the content advertisement was viewed, the
dates and/or times of certain events and deals associated with the
ad stamp 119 and storefronts 519, among others. Therefore, in some
embodiments, if the current time is after the time and date of an
occurrence (e.g., an event, deal, or other ending date and time
provided by the person, group, corporation, or advertisement agency
related to the engagement ad 118 and ad stamp 119), then the ad
stamp 119 may not appear on the strip 210 even if the content
advertisement still plays and appears.
[0082] Further, in some embodiments, the engagement system 110 may
add or replace ad stamps 119, storefronts 519, and engagement ads
118 that are not associated with content advertisement that were
played on programming the user watched or other recorded
programming by the user. In this case, the newly added ad stamps
119 would be shown on the strip without an associated lead ad 138,
ad placement 438, and/or card ad 139. Such determinations to add
new ad stamps 119 may be made manually or automatically by the
engagement system 110 based on, among other things, information
associated with the user of the user system 150.
[0083] FIG. 10 shows a flow chart for the user profile 510,
engagement ad 118, and associated features to be accessed and
utilized in the advertisement system 110. Block 1002 indicates that
the user profile 510 is shown. In some embodiments, the user
profile 510 may be selected by the user, as previously described,
or the user profile 510 may be automatically shown. Block 1004
indicates that the engagement system 110, user system 150, or a
combination of the two may determine whether or not there are ad
stamps 119 or engagement ads 118 to show. If there are not any ad
stamps 119 or engagement ads 118 to view, the user may be able to
select to exit the user profile 510 (shown at block 1020). When the
user profile 510 is automatically shown, the user profile 510 may
be the initial interface or home page for the user system 150, or
the engagement system 110 and/or user system 150 may require the
user to view a certain number of engagement ads 118 before the user
can return to viewing the content and user recordings on the user
system 150. For example, the user may be required to view five to
ten engagement ads 118 per day, week, per hour of content watched,
or other defined time period or condition. Additionally, the user
may be prompted by the user system 150 or engagement system 110 to
be able to see content or recorded content without lead ads 138, ad
placements 438, and/or card ads 139 if the user agrees to watch a
certain number of engagement ads 118 by a certain date and time. In
some embodiments, one or more ad stamps 119 may be configured to be
removed from the strip 210 after a period of time.
[0084] At block 1006, if there are ad stamps 119 or engagement ads
118 to show, a user may select to delete or view certain engagement
ads 118 by selecting the ad stamp 119 associated with the
engagement ad 118. If the user selects to delete certain ad stamps
119 and associated engagement ads 118 by the use of delete icon
535, the user system 150, engagement system 110, or a combination
of the two may determine if the user is able to delete them, as
shown in block 1008. The user system 150, engagement system 110, or
a combination of the two may have certain requirements associated
with them to always have a certain number of ad stamps 119 to
display on the user profile 510, or not delete certain ad stamps
119, among other requirements. Therefore, in some embodiments, the
user may be unable to delete one or more of the ad stamps 119
appearing on the user profile 510 based on certain conditions
related to the user profile 510. If the user is able to delete the
selected ad stamp 119, shown at block 1010, then the ad stamp 119
will be removed from the user profile 510. If the user is unable to
delete the selected ad stamp 119, then the user profile 510 may
provide a message to indicate the ad stamp 119 may not be deleted
and return to the user profile 510 or just return directly to the
user profile 510, otherwise returning to block 1002.
[0085] As shown in block 1012, the user may select to view
engagement ads 118. A user may select to view one or more
engagement ad 118 because, for example, they are required to (as
described above), they receive rewards or credits for their
internet/cable bill for each or each set of engagement ads 118 they
view, they receive points to use as rewards for products and
services, etc. After the user selects to view an engagement ad 118
by selecting the associated ad stamp 119, the engagement ad 118 is
shown as in FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0086] Additionally, as shown in block 1014, after the engagement
ad 118 is shown, the user may select additional options as
described in FIGS. 7 and 8. If an additional option is selected, as
shown in block 1016, the additional option is complete, and the
user profile 510 will return the engagement ad 118 that was shown
in block 1012. If an additional option were not selected, then as
seen in block 1018, the user may select to exit the engagement ad
118. If the user selects to exit the engagement ad 118, then the
user may select to exit back to the user profile 510, seen at block
1020, and return to block 1004. Otherwise, if the user does not
want to exit to the user profile 510, then the user may return to
the content of user system 150 (if enabled, as previously
discussed), seen at block 1022. The exits associated with block 918
and 920 may be done by a prompt provided by the user profile 510 or
by the user without a prompt, among other ways.
[0087] As shown in block 1024, the user may select or otherwise
initiate the pop-up interface 620, shown in FIG. 6. After the
pop-up interface is shown in block 1024, the user may select an
additional option, as described and shown in FIG. 6. If the user
selects an additional option, as shown in block 1026, then the
additional option may be completed at block 1028, and the user
system 150 may return to block 1026. However, if a user does not
select an additional option, then the user system may return to
block 1006.
[0088] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a computer
architecture for computing devices described herein as part of an
advertisement system 1100, in accord with one embodiment of the
current disclosure. The advertisement system 1100 may also be
referred to herein as the "Dooreme system" or "Dooreme". As shown
in FIG. 11, similar to FIG. 1, for example, advertisement system
1100 may include a service provider system 1110, an engagement
system 110, a stamp placement system 1120, an inserter system 1140,
a content system 130, and a user system 150. However, the
engagement system 110 may be included as a part of the service
provider system 1110. The service provider system 1110 may include
a service provider server 1112 that includes one or more memory
1114 operatively connected by connection 1115 (similar to
connection 115 described in FIG. 1) to one or more processor 1116.
The at least one memory 1114 and at least one processor 1116 are
not required to be at the same location as one another or at the
same locations as other portions of the memory 1114 and processor
1116. Service provider server 1112 may be a web server or any other
type of server that enables communication of commands and data
content.
[0089] The service provider system 1110 may include the engagement
system 110 and a stamp placement system 1120. The stamp placement
system 1120 may include a stamp placement server 1122 that includes
one or more memory 1124 operatively connected by connection 1125
(similar to connection 115 described in FIG. 1) to one or more
processor 1126. The at least one memory 1124 and at least one
processor 1126 are not required to be at the same location as one
another or at the same locations as other portions of the memory
1124 and processor 1126. Stamp placement server 1122 may be a web
server or any other type of server that enables communication of
commands and data content.
[0090] In some embodiments, engagement ad(s) 118, ad stamp(s) 119,
and stamp key(s) 1130 (as described in further detail herein) may
be stored in the engagement system 110, service provider system
1110, stamp placement system 1120, or in the inserter system 1140.
Additionally, these and other systems, including the user system
150, and content system 130, are capable of interacting and
communicating via one or more communication network(s) 1150. The
communication network(s) 1150 may include telephone lines, such as
land line or public switched telephone network (PSTN) systems,
mobile phone channels and systems (e.g., cellular towers),
communication channels for exchanging data and information, such as
a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet,
or other data, communication, and/or telecommunication networks.
Communication network(s) 1150 may transmit errors, problems,
issues, complaints, or comments, among others between the
engagement system 110, service provider system 1110, stamp
placement system 1120, the inserter system 1140, and user system
150.
[0091] Content system 130 may also be included in the advertisement
system 1100. In the current embodiment, in addition to the
description in FIG. 1 included herein, the content system 130 may
include information and other content that is provided by a content
provider, multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD),
broadcaster, over-the-top (OTT) content service provider, and/or
multi-system operator (MSO) of content. In some embodiments, an
advertisement agency may provide the content and information to the
content system 130.
[0092] Also, in some embodiments, the engagement system 110, and
service provider system 1110 may be combined and operate on the
same one or more servers. Additionally, in some embodiments, the
engagement system 110 may be able to exchange information and
communicate with the content system 130 through communication
network(s) 1150. In some embodiments, the advertisement system 1100
may include more than one service provider system 1110, more than
one engagement system 110, more than one stamp placement system
1120, more than one inserter system 1140, more than one content
system 130, and more than one user system 150.
[0093] Inserter system 1140 communicates with and receives
information, content advertisement, and content (including but not
limited to engagement ads 118, ad stamps 119, stamp keys 1130,
storefronts 519, engagement ad interface 1300, mall interface 1500,
entertainment content, and/or ad placement 438) from the service
provider system 1110 and/or the content system 130 through
communication network(s) 1150. In the current embodiment, an
inserter system 1140 may be a stand-alone system; however, the
inserter system 1140 may be combined with and/or operate in
conjunction with the service provider system 1110, the content
system 130, and user system 150. In some embodiments, a portion of
or all of the engagement system 110 may be combined with the
inserter system 1140 and operate from the same location as the user
system 150, service provider system 1110, content system 130, or in
a remote location. In some embodiments, a portion of or all of the
inserter system 1140 may be combined with the service provider
system 1110 and operate from the same location as the service
provider system 1110 and/or in a remote location. In some
embodiments, a portion of or all of the inserter system 1140 may be
combined with the content system 130 and operate from the same
location as the content system 130 and/or in a remote location. In
some embodiments, a portion of or all of the inserter system 1140
may be combined with the user system 150 and operate from the same
location as the user system 150, for example, as an OTT content
device, a set-top box, other type of cable box, a web server, or
any other type of device that enables communication of commands and
data content. In an example embodiment, the inserter system can be
installed as a software platform within the content system 130, for
example, such that a distributor, a programmer, or the like, of
media content can run the inserter system 1140 on their respective
servers, or run an application of the inserter system from a cloud
environment.
[0094] The inserter system 1140 may include an inserter server
1142. Inserter server 1142 may include one or more memory 1144
operatively connected by connection 1145 to one or more processors
1146. The at least one memory 1144 and at least one processor 1146
are not required to be at the same location or at the same
locations as other portions of the memory 1144 and processor 1146.
Connection 1145 may include a wired connection, wireless
connection, or a combination of a wired and wireless connection.
The connection 1145 may use communication channels for exchanging
data and information, such as a computer bus channel, a local area
network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet, among
others.
[0095] User system 150, as described in FIG. 1 included herein, may
also be included in the advertisement system 1100. The user's
control device 160, as described herein, may include mobile devices
such as smart phones, including iPhones, BlackBerries, and
Android-based devices, application-enabled mobile phones, personal
computers, etc. Furthermore, as described in FIG. 1, the user
system may include a software application on the user device. In
some embodiments, the software application may execute directly on
a control device 160 and interface with the client server 154 over
the communication network(s) 1150. The software application may
further represent a web-based application executing on the client
server 154 or other web server and delivered to a web browser
executing on the control device 160 over the communication
network(s) 1150. The software application may be implemented in
hardware, software, or any combination of the two on the control
devices 160, the client server 154, and/or other computing systems
in the advertisement system 1100. The software application may also
be referred to herein as the "Dooreme app," "Dooreme application,"
"Adport app," or "AdPort application." The Dooreme application, as
described herein, provides better information than current systems
about the user to the content provider, or the like. For example,
the Dooreme application can provide the GPS location, wallet
information, name and number, time of use, travel routs, consumer
gender, personal preference, etc.
[0096] The Dooreme application may act as a companion application
for the television or other media content display device, and the
Dooreme application be used as remote control to manage the
television usage. In one embodiment, the Dooreme application may
utilize a mirroring feature, wherein the control device 160 will
act as a second screen looking at and managing the same user
profile 510, the engagement ad interface 710 or 1300, or the mall
interface 1500, that appears on the user's television. This
mirroring feature may provide full integration and/or convergence
between any different media platform, for example, television,
Internet and mobile applications. Wth cloud-based user profiles and
media content being managed through any type of media device, the
user experience may be significantly enhanced--allowing the user to
start the viewing experience on one device, such as the control
device 160, and then easily shift to another device. In some
embodiments, the Dooreme application on the control device 160 may
allow engagement with the service provider system 1110 by
displaying the selectable icon 1210, during other operations of the
mobile device allowing quick access to the Dooreme application, or,
as an example, to save engagement ads 118 to the user's profile 510
as a favorite. The selectable icon 1210 can comprise a watermark,
an overlay, or similar method to embed a custom selectable element
on a website, media content, or the like, on a display.
[0097] The Dooreme system provides an integrated, full-stack
platform for television with digital and mobile capabilities. The
Dooreme system integrates and manages all types of content, search,
promotion, scheduling, user access, engagement and monetization
with full-stack advertising tools including new techniques for ad
display, user engagement, ad impact magnification, e-commerce
capabilities, and new user and advertiser management of ad
activities. The Dooreme system provides seamless integration with
mobile and digital technologies and environments.
[0098] In some embodiments, the advertisement system 1100 and user
system 150 may work with regular, distributor provided remote
controls, or any other media content provider described herein. The
user system 150 may only need a few buttons (direction buttons and
select button) to navigate through ad stamps 119, storefronts 519,
and categories 520, 525, and 1502 (including the category roller(s)
1510). The remote control buttons may be repurposed during an ad
break, for example, to work with the advertisement system 1100. In
other embodiments, the advertisement system 1100 may integrate with
media platforms developed by any media content provider to enable
use of their technology infrastructure and features, for example,
voice commands and button selectors in remote controls, to enable
simple integration and convenience for the user. In some
embodiments, the ad stamp(s) 119 could be numbered so that existing
remote controls could be used to select ad stamp(s) 119 and access
corresponding engagement ads 118. For example, one button on a
remote could be designated to switch numbers functionality between
ad stamp(s) 119 and channel changing.
[0099] In some embodiments, the advertisement system 1100 may
detect if the user system 150 is using a connected TV, a smart TV,
or the like, and utilize that connection to serve ad stamp(s) 119,
bypassing MVPDs if necessary, when there is a direct connection
between the television and the Internet.
[0100] In some embodiments, the advertisement system 1100 may
assign new identification numbers to users to help content
providers provide personalization, but without revealing the true
identification of the consumer. The advertisement system 1100 may
use data from the user's control device 160, another mobile device,
or zip codes, to determine the local designation of the consumer.
The advertisement system 1100 may allow content to be sorted on a
local, national, and global levels. Advertisers may target users on
a global level (everywhere in the world), in particular nations or
in local cities or towns, using the advertisement system 1100.
[0101] In some embodiments, the advertisement system 1100 may
detect whether a user has seen a particular content advertisement,
engagement ad 118, ad stamp 119, storefront 519, or any other
content media described herein. Further, the advertisement system
1100 may detect whether a user saw the entire media content or a
portion of it. The advertisement system 1100 may then determine if
the consumer is entitled to see this particular content once or
twice for free, or may have to pay to see it a second or more
times. This determination may be based on other predetermined
criteria. Certain media content may be made available for one time
viewing for free, while additional viewing could be at additional
costs. This example embodiment is not limited to content
advertisements, as this embodiment may enable subscription-based
content distributors and providers, such as Comcast, Netflix,
Amazon Prime, or the like, to offer lower monthly subscription
rates with access to all their library of content while charging
additional fees for additional viewing. Media content providers of
any kind could offer the first (number) of episodes of a series for
free, for example, while charging to view the rest of the series
episodes.
[0102] In some embodiments, the Dooreme system can detect which
mobile device(s) are in the room based on the local network,
Bluetooth, or by any other connectivity means, to personalize the
experience for each user. The personalized experience may utilize
their user profile 510 to customize the media content to be
displayed, determine which ad stamps 119 or media content that have
already been shown, or which ad stamps 119 and advertisements an
advertiser may want engaged with a particular user based on their
demographics in their respective user profile 510.
[0103] In some embodiments, the advertisement system 1100 may allow
advertisers to save digital ads that were verifiably shown to a
user to also show in the digital section of an ad summary page. The
ads shown on mobile devices, television, OTT environments, or in
theaters and arenas will also track the user's profile 510 and list
the ads that were served to a particular user in the "my Ad Summary
Page" of the user's profile 510. In some embodiments, the user may
only see the ads that were served to him in his Ad Summary Page. In
some embodiments, the advertisement system 1100 may have a build
section as a depository where all past commercials will be placed
and can be accessed by the user system 150. The advertisement
system 1100 may be used in any sales environment, for example, for
Home Depot. The advertisement system 1100 may allow the user to
download and organize other television applications in its
storefronts 519, engagement ad interface 710 or 1300, or mall
interface 1500, including telephone apps, picture apps, and much
more.
[0104] In some embodiments, the advertisement system 1100 may allow
auction targeting for a particular media content access. For
example, the content distributor or provider may set a minimum
target price for consumption of a particular media content, e.g., a
movie or a TV show. Said price may be displayed to the consumer,
such as on display 152, control device 160, or the like. Consumer
may be provided the option of paying said price for consuming the
media content, or selecting to watch an advertisement(s) instead of
issuing a payment. The consumer can select the number of
advertisements he/she is willing to watch for a full or partial
discount on the cost of the content. The more advertisements the
consumer agrees to watch will lower the price he/she will be
required to pay for the content. The consumer may be able to select
the type of advertisements he/she is willing to watch, and what
advertisements or type of advertisements to be excluded. In some
example embodiments, the consumer may click on each of the selected
advertisements and engage with each advertisement in the engagement
ad interface 1300 to watch the advertisement. This functionality
ensures advertisement consumption verification. This feature of
selecting the time to watch, may be disabled for consumers who do
not keep their commitments to watch advertisements.
[0105] In some embodiments, the advertisement system 1100 may
enable a user to pick the length of a news reports. For example,
CNN could produce on-demand headline programs and place them in
storefronts 519, and also produce longer format reports on each of
the topics it covers. Users can select which topics to view, more
or less of, and the like. In some embodiments, the advertisement
system 1100 may enable content producers to create private channels
for television programs and reruns. For example, if someone wants
to see a certain show (e.g. Modern Family) all the episodes would
be presented in a storefront 519.
[0106] FIG. 12 is an exemplary diagram of a media content
placement, minimizing media content placement, ad stamp, and a
selectable icon on the display of the advertisement system of FIGS.
1 and 11, in accord with one embodiment of the current disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 12, similar to FIG. 4, for example, a car may be
depicted in the content of programming, and an ad stamp 119 may be
associated with the car. FIG. 12 shows a minimizing ad placement
438a transitioning the ad placement 438 to an ad stamp 119, similar
to that shown in FIGS. 3-4. A minimizing ad placement 438a is not
required, and in some embodiments, the ad placement 438 may be
transitioned directly to the selectable icon 1210 without an ad
stamp 119. In other embodiments, the system may transition to an ad
stamp 119 and display the ad stamp 119 for five seconds while the
content of the programming is still playing, and then the ad stamp
119 fades, or another type of transition or animation known in the
art, into the selectable icon 1210, notifying the user that the
content in the ad placement 438 may be accessed and interacted with
later by a mobile application the user downloads from the
advertisement system provider, or may be accessed in the engagement
ad interface 1300 of FIG. 13 or mall interface 1500 of FIG. 15.
Further, in some embodiments, the ad stamp 119 may be associated
with other media content, and may not only be associated with an
advertisement, such as the ad placement 438.
[0107] In the example embodiment, stamp placement system 1200 may
be a movie theater, and the display 1252 may be a movie theatre
screen. In arenas, such as movie theaters, concert halls, sports
arenas, or the like, the stamp placement system 1200 can create a
geo-fence to detect who is in the audience based on input from
other location based applications on their mobile devices. In some
embodiments the control device 160 may be the mobile device in the
movie theater using the stamp placement system 1200, however in
some embodiments any mobile device in the theater may be detected.
Further, in the example embodiment, the stamp placement system 1200
does not require the mobile device to have a preinstalled mobile
application, such as the Dooreme app, installed. The stamp
placement system 1200 can detect each mobile device based on other
currently active mobile applications. The stamp placement system
1200 then can send notifications to the audience's mobile device
informing them of the ad placement(s) 438 that were displayed on
the display 1252, and embedded into the selectable icon 1210 in the
movie or other ads displayed in the arena. By clicking on the
sent/received notifications consumers can be transferred to the
mall interface 1500, as discussed further in FIGS. 15-17, to see
and interact with the ads placed in storefronts 519. In the example
embodiment, the selectable icon 1210 is a translucent icon. In some
embodiments, the selectable icon 1210 may be present for the entire
duration of the movie. Further, the selectable icon 1210 may only
be present for a limited amount of time during the movie, for
example, a duration between 15 seconds to 5 minutes. In some
embodiments, the stamp placement system 1200 may be associated with
contextual and native ads embedded into media content. Further, the
associated content of the ad stamp 119 placed in the arena may be
any media content associated with the ad stamp 119, and is not
limited to advertisements.
[0108] In other embodiments, the stamp placement system 1200 may be
used with any media content shown on a television or similar
display device, OTT boxes, in an arena, or on billboards as further
examples of engagement with users. As an example embodiment in
regards to the use with billboard advertisements, the stamp
placement system 1200 may serve the purpose of capturing content
advertisements on a typical street billboard and in other places,
such as posters or bulletins that are viewed by residents, commuter
traffic, or pedestrians walking nearby. The stamp placement system
1200 may associate them with a storefront 519, which users can then
visit to learn more about the content advertisements. The stamp
placement system 1200 utilizes global positioning system (GPS) on a
user's mobile device, such as control device 160, to detect travel
routs, and then present those billboard advertisements that were on
the users rout to the user utilizing the Dooreme application. In
some embodiments, the Dooreme system may determine an identity of a
specific user of the user device, and customize the associated
content of the ad stamp displayed on the user device based on the
identity of the specific user.
[0109] In additional embodiments, the Dooreme system can detect a
consumer who spends a predetermined amount of time looking at a
particular product at a particular identified store, such as a
window shopper who engages with a particular product. In the
example embodiment, the stamp placement system 1200 can utilize
GPS, or other location means described herein, on a user's mobile
device, such as control device 160, to measure the proximity of the
consumer to the product or window displaying the product to
determine a consumer's interest in the product. In some
embodiments, a particular displayed product, or the area in which a
particular product is being displayed, utilizes an identification
marker, beacon, or the like. The identification marker can use
communication channels for sending identification information for
accurate location information, such as Bluetooth, W-Fi, radio
frequency identification (RFID), GPS, Near-field communication
(NFC), or the like. The Dooreme application on the user device can
then detect the identification marker using any of the location
information technologies described herein. The Dooreme system can
then present the products storefront 519 using the Dooreme
application on the consumers mobile device, for example, or by
using the Dooreme application on any other computer means that can
run the software application described herein.
[0110] Additionally, in some embodiments, the stamp placement
system 1200 can be used with online movies distributors, e.g.,
Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google TV and many more, as
well as with other online content providers such as YouTube and
others. In some embodiments, the media content shown on the
programmed content can be reduced into ad stamps 119 and be found
later and engaged through the Dooreme application described herein,
the mall interface 1500 of FIG. 15, through a storefront 519, a
hover-over storefront window 1610, or an engagement ad interface
710 or 1300. All these content sources can display a selectable
icon 1210 to signify that their ads can be seen and engaged later
in the service provider system 1110. In some embodiments the
selectable icon 1210 may be a selectable icon provided by the
service provider which allows access to the engagement ad interface
710, the engagement ad interface 1300, or to the mall interface
1500, which will be further understood as described below with
reference to FIGS. 13-18.
[0111] Additionally, in some embodiments, stamp placement system
1200 can be used with a video on demand (VOD) environment. The
stamp placement system 1200 with VOD allows users to skip a number
of ads in an ad pod and save other ads to view later. By removing
certain ad stamps 119 from a pod, the user can skip the
corresponding full length ads and make the ad break shorter.
Programmers can charge more cost per thousand impressions (CPM) for
the ads that are viewed or saved to be viewed later, while also not
charging for the ads consumers have skipped. This methodology
enables programmers to reduce the length/amount of ad interruptions
on users, therefore better satisfying user desires, increase
engagement and measurement with the ads that were viewed or saved
for later, reduce the cost of ad campaigns for advertisers whose
ads where skipped, while also generating more revenue through
higher CPMs.
[0112] In some embodiments the stamp placement system 1200 may
provide selection mechanism enabling the user the option to
customize the ad stamps 119 to select to not see same content
advertisement more than, for example, three times in one day on the
television or through the OTT. The ad stamp(s) 119 may be set to
display at once when the first ad in a commercial break runs, or to
display as each advertisement in an ad break runs.
[0113] Further, in some embodiments, a user records media content
for later viewing on a connected or distributor supplied digital
video recorder (DVR), or similar technology to record media content
displayed on a device, such as a television. Or some media content
providers allow the ability to fast forward without having be
recorded by the user. Often users try to fast forward through ad
breaks to reduce the content interruptions and avoid seeing content
advertisements. Users also often try to fast forward through
mundane, slow or previously seen content within a particular movie,
television show, etc. In an example embodiment, the stamp placement
system 1200 can detect when the user utilizes the fast forward
operation such that programmers, distributors, advertisers, or the
like, can display ad stamp(s) 119 during the fast forward operation
to display advertisements or other media content. This feature can
entice the user to not fast forward or to view advertisements
during the fast forward operation. In some embodiments, content
programmers may allow consumers to pay for content or watch it with
a number of ads the consumer selects from among a bunch of ads
specified by programmer using the advertisement system 100 or 1100.
Moreover, in some embodiments, the stamp placement system 1200 may
allow a content provider to allow an advertiser to place a content
advertisement or brand logo on the display during the fast forward
through ad breaks using the advertisement system 100 or 1100.
[0114] In some embodiments, the advertisement system 1100 may
include an advertising tracking system (hereinafter "AdTrack").
AdTrack is a system where ad stamp(s) 119 for native ads are
tracked within websites including display or textual content. For
example, at the expected time the reader is reaching and reading a
text ad (Volvo cars, for example) an image ad stamp 119 associated
with Volvo would appear on top of the text and then drag to the
bottom, then pull into the selectable icon 1210.
[0115] In some embodiments, the stamp placement system 1200 mobile
application may use signals from the user's WFi to automatically
connect the control device 160 designated as mobile control to the
television when in close proximity. The control device 160
supplements the set-top-box functionality is some cases when the
advertisement system 1100 is displayed on the user system 150.
Users may use their phone or designate an old phone or tablet as
the control device 160.
[0116] FIG. 13 is an exemplary engagement ad interface 1300 on the
display of the advertisement system 1100 of FIG. 11, in accord with
one embodiment of the current disclosure. The engagement ad
interface 1300 may have similar features as the engagement ad
interface 710, as described herein, and as shown in FIGS. 7-8. The
engagement ad 118 may be automatically selected or manually
selected by the user from selecting an ad stamp 119, selecting a
storefront 519 from the mall interface 1500 or user profile 510, or
utilizing the Dooreme application on the control device 160. The
advertisement system 1100 may identify and report the number of
times an engagement ad 118 or content advertisement was served and
viewed in the engagement ad interface 1300 and by which particular
user.
[0117] In some embodiments, engagement ad interface 1300 may
include a smart control 1310. The smart control 1310, when selected
by the user, initiates the Dooreme application as described herein
on the control device 160 to allow the user to control the
engagement ad interface 1300, similar to a remote control feature.
The smart control 1310 enables the user to shift to a smart device
control on the control device 160 with one button push on a remote
control, touch screen TV, or any display showing the media content.
By clicking the button on TV, for example, the Dooreme app on the
control device 160 launches automatically, without further user
actions, and displays a TV control page. Wth the smart control 1310
feature, the user will be able to use the control device 160 and
its resources to manage the Dooreme app on the TV, including
pointing, typing, entering information and comments, ordering
products and services, and the like.
[0118] In some embodiments, engagement ad interface 1300 may also
include a TV to mobile push 1350. The TV to mobile push 1350, when
selected by the user, may push the engagement ad 118 content to the
user's control device 160 for viewing. The TV to mobile push 1350
differs from the smart control 1310 feature because the smart
control 1310 initiates the Dooreme application for allowing the
user control over the engagement ad interface 1300, while the TV to
mobile push 1350 sends the engagement ad 118 to the control device
160 to interact with separately.
[0119] In some embodiments, a video tool 1312 enables the user to
select a video about the product/service in the engagement ad 118
that lasts different lengths of time or covers different aspects of
the product/service in the engagement ad 118. Further, video tool
1312 may include a video measurement tool that indicates the length
of the video and how much of the video has been watched at a given
time. Additionally, ad information section 1330 may include an
option to select social sharing button 1410, which will be further
discussed in FIG. 14 below. In some embodiments, engagement ad
interface 1300 may also include a content box 720 and toggle 720a,
as described in FIG. 7.
[0120] In some embodiments, engagement ad interface 1300 may also
include an ad information section 1330, similar to that of
information section 730 in FIG. 7, that enables the user to do a
multitude of options. However, information section 1330 has
additional features, for example, ad information section 1330 may
include an customizable option button 1322. In the current
embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the customizable option button 1322,
"Buy Now," may allow the user to obtain price information
associated with the engagement ad 118 product or service, and an
option for a user to purchase the product or service by the use of
ecommerce as described herein for FIG. 7. In some embodiments, the
digital wallet described in FIG. 7, may be accessed from the user
profile 510 by selecting the customizable option button 1322. The
customizable option button 1322 may be configured by an advertiser
when they request an ad stamp 119 and stamp key 1130 to be created
by the service provider as described below in FIG. 19, where the
service provider may embed customized options that are engaged with
the customizable option button 1322 is selected for each particular
engagement ad 118.
[0121] In some embodiments, ad information section 1330 may also
include an interest section 722, which may include options for the
user to interact and select whether they are interested (e.g.,
thumbs up icon) or uninterested (e.g., thumbs down) in the
engagement ad 118, and interest section 722 also enables users to
mark the engagement ad 118 as a favorite (e.g., the heart symbol)
and delete the currently displayed engagement ad 118. Ad
information section 1330 may also include engagement ad information
724, which may include a logo, video, graphics interchange format
(GIF), or other product/service identification.
[0122] Further, in some embodiments, a visit website option 750 may
be included to enable the user to be directed to the website of the
individual, group, company, product, or service associated with the
engagement ad 118. In some embodiments, an AdLive 1340 option, when
selected, may allow a user to directly interact with an
advertiser's live chat feature which may allow a user of the
advertisement system 1100 to directly interact with a live person
via video, voice, or text that represents the advertiser of the
engagement ad 118, where the advertiser is associated with the
content system 130.
[0123] In some embodiments, engagement ad interface 1300 may also
include a back to TV 1320 option, that when selected by the user,
will exit the engagement ad interface 1300, and return to the media
content that was previously displayed before the user interacted
with the engagement ad 118 or ad stamp 119. Moreover, the location,
description, and form of each of the at least engagement ad 118,
content box 720, smart control 1310, TV to mobile push 1350, toggle
720a, interest section 722, engagement ad information 724, video
tool 1312, ad information section 1330, website option 750, or any
other option or section on the engagement ad interface 1300 is not
meant to be limiting and the location, description, form, as well
as more or fewer options may be provided on the engagement ad
interface 1300.
[0124] In some embodiments, engagement ad interface 1300 may allow
advertisers who place multiple images in an engagement ad 118 to
enable the user to click on an image within the engagement ad 118
in the engagement ad interface 1300, and learn more about the
product represented in that image. For example, a furniture store
can show whole living room and allow a user to click on a sofa or
side lamp to learn more and buy that sofa or side lamp.
[0125] FIG. 14 is an exemplary engagement ad interface on the
display of the advertisement system 1100 of FIG. 11, in accord with
one embodiment of the current disclosure. FIG. 14 shows the
engagement ad interface 1300 of FIG. 13; however, FIG. 14 includes
the social media interface window 1420. In some embodiments, when
the user selects social sharing button 1410, the social media
interface window 1420 appears. The social media interface window
1420 includes instructions and templates for allowing engagement
ads 118 to be published to social networks, such as Facebook,
Twitter, Flikr, LinkedIn, Google+, etc. The social media interface
window 1420 may be configured to allow users to authenticate
existing user accounts on social networks to create accounts, to
connect with other friends and/or social networks, and to manage
user content on social networks, including uploading new content,
such as engagement ads 118. Other implementations may omit one or
more of the functions disclosed herein.
[0126] In some embodiment, the social media interface window 1420
may include an add section in a community feature that may enable
users to create their own folders with content advertisement and
storefronts 519 they like, and for friends to follow them on these
folders. Folders could include recipes, product, services, movies,
television shows, news, articles, websites and the like. In some
embodiments, people or entities may put their events, pictures,
videos, video commentaries, and the like in a community or news
sections. For example, a "News and Views" category, users or
entities can become private reporters by putting their video news
reports in the service provider system 1110. Users or entities may
also have their own user generated content channel on the service
provider system 1110.
[0127] FIG. 15 is an exemplary mall interface 1500 on the display
of the advertisement system 1100 of FIG. 11, in accord with one
embodiment of the current disclosure. The mall interface 1500 may
be accessed in a multitude of ways, including, for example, the
user selecting an ad stamp 119 with the control device 160, the
user selecting the selectable icon 1210 on the engagement page
interface or within stamp placement system 1200, the user selecting
a particular option or button on the control device 160 to bring
the user to the mall interface 1500, the user selecting a
particular option or button in the Dooreme application on the
control device 160, or the user system 150 automatically causing
the display 152 to depict the mall interface 1500 after one or more
condition(s) are met. The mall interface 1500 may be stored at any
location or multiple locations within the advertisement system
1100, including engagement system 110, inserter system 1140,
service provider system 1100, and user system 150. The
advertisement system 1100 may identify and report the number of
times a storefront 519 was served and viewed in the mall interface
1500 and by which particular user based on the user profile
510.
[0128] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 15, the mall interface
1500 may include categories 520 and 1502, and category roller(s)
1510, for the user to be able to quickly utilize up to four levels
of categories to search within the mall interface 1500 of
storefronts 519 or other media content, including, but not limited
to, television channels, media content guide information, etc. The
category roller(s) 1510 in the category roller(s) feature 2116 is
further described in FIG. 24.
[0129] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 15, the mall interface
1500 may include mall interface options 1504. Mall interface
options 1504 may include, but are not limited to, for example, mark
content/storefront as a favorite, customize, send to mobile, back
to TV, send to friend, help feature, storefront search 1702
(further discussed in FIG. 17), among others. In some embodiments,
as shown in FIG. 15, the mall interface 1500 may include options to
access to the user profile 510, geographic scope 530a, and page
listing 530b, as described in FIG. 5. The mall interface 1500 may
also include smart control 1310 and back to TV 1320, as described
in FIG. 13.
[0130] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 15, the mall interface
1500 may include storefront for lease 1520 and add storefront 1530.
Storefront for lease 1520 allows an advertiser or any business or
consumer to add a storefront 519 or lease a storefront 519 to the
advertisement system 1100. Add storefront 1530 allows a user to
enter or copy/paste a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) directly, and
the advertisement system 1100 may create a storefront 519 using the
media content found under the URL from the user. The new storefront
519 created by add storefront 1530 may become available to other
users using the advertisement system 1100 depending based on
certain criteria.
[0131] In some embodiments, the mall interface 1500 may include a
media content guide section (not shown) which enables content
advertisers (producers, broadcasters, distributors, or the like) to
place content advertisements far in advance of the scheduled
broadcast time of the content because it is a matter of placing
advertisements in storefronts 519. Traditional television guides do
not show content more than a few days at a time. The media content
guide section (not shown) also allows content to be sorted by
channel, producer, time, cast, genre, origin, distributors, region,
and more. In the media content guide section, users may select to
save a broadcast program to replay it later, possibly for a fee.
The media content guide section (not shown) allows content ads to
stay in the storefront(s) 519 long after the program has aired,
therefore allowing users to go back in time and find the previously
aired content and play it again by linking to the server where the
content is hosted. The link to the hosted content may be entered by
a content advertiser at the time of leasing and setting up the
storefront(s) 519. In an example embodiment, the media content
guide section (not shown) allows the user to pay to view the
content or to watch it with advertisements. Traditional electronic
television guides are unable to show past content times. The media
content guide section displays content based on television
programs, not just the channels. The television guide is based on
advertisements placed in a leased storefront (e.g. storefront for
lease 1520) and inputted by a programmer, not based on collecting
and sorting television data and placing it in a grid, as a standard
current television guide. The time slots may be another meta tag
and search/sorting category. Advertisements related to television
content may be sorted and personalized in service provider pages by
the user, for example, which the television guide does not enable,
therefore giving users more desired experiences.
[0132] FIG. 16 is an exemplary mall interface on the display of the
advertisement system 1100 of FIG. 11, in accord with one embodiment
of the current disclosure. FIG. 16 shows the mall interface 1500 of
FIG. 15; however, FIG. 16 includes a hover-over storefront window
1610 that appears when a user, using control device 160, places a
pointer or otherwise navigates selections in the mall interface
1500. Hover-over storefront window 1610 may appear when a user
hovers over or otherwise selects a particular store front 519
(associated with an ad stamp 119). Furthermore, in some
embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 16, for example, the user is able
to select several options that are also available in the engagement
ad interface 710 or 1300, such as rating the engagement ad 118
represented by the hover-over storefront window 1610, sending the
engagement ad 118 to the control device via TV to mobile push 1350.
The hover-over storefront window 1610 may show a short video,
advertisement, or content preview related to the respective
storefront 519. However, in other embodiments, the hover-over
storefront window 1610 may depict a still image or other type of
image or logo. As shown in the current embodiment, when the
hover-over storefront window 1610 pops up, the user is still able
to see some, or at least a portion, of the surrounding storefronts
519 shown on the particular page. Although the surrounding store
fronts 519 may be seen in the current embodiment, such a
configuration is not required. The hover-over storefront window is
further described in FIG. 23 herein.
[0133] FIG. 17 is an exemplary mall interface on the display of the
advertisement system 1100 of FIG. 11, in accord with one embodiment
of the current disclosure. FIG. 17 shows the mall interface 1500 of
FIG. 15; however, FIG. 17 includes the search storefront button
1710 and search web button 1720 search engines available after the
user selects the storefront search 1702 from mall interface options
1504. In some embodiments, these search features of the mall
interface 1500 may be triggered by other conditions or criteria in
the advertisement system 1100. The service provider storefront
search process flow is further described for method 2500 in FIG.
25. After the user enters the search criteria in the search bar
1704 using the control device 160 or by other devices such as a
keyboard, and selects either the search storefront button 1710 or
search web button 1720 search engine options, the top three search
results are displayed in the storefront search window 1730, with
the ability to rate and add each individual storefront directly
from the storefront search window 1730. In some embodiments, the
top three search results are also displayed as individual
storefronts, for example, search result storefronts 1742a-1742c in
the top searched storefront display 1740. This storefront type of
search provides a more visual and intuitive based search compared
to a text based search. In some embodiments, additional
storefronts, for example, customized search result storefronts
1752a-c are displayed in the customized search storefront display
1750. Customized search result storefronts 1752a-c are displayed
based on predetermined criteria as determined by the service
provider, advertiser, content provider, MVPD, or similar entity.
For example, customized search result storefronts 1752a-c, would
display the top three storefronts 519 from advertisers that had the
highest bid to have their storefronts 519 shown if the searched
storefronts were in similar categories, as determined by the
advertisement system 1100.
[0134] In another embodiment, search web button 1720, when
selected, may display internet search results in a separate window
(not shown) that may overlap or replace the storefront search
window 1730 and the top searched storefront display 1740. This
embodiment would allow the user to search the internet within the
mall interface 1500. The customized search storefront display 1750
may still display customized search result storefronts 1752a-c that
would correspond with the search web button 1720 selection. In some
embodiments, the customized search result storefronts 1752a-c may
include sponsored advertisements based on the web search.
[0135] In some embodiments, the search storefront button 1710
search engine enables users to populate a storefront 519 in
categories from their search results or by inputting a URL for a
website. As a number of users place the same search result into
multiple storefronts 519, the service provider system 1110 detects
this popularity and may place that same content result into a
storefront 519 permanently. The storefront search feature may allow
a user to save a search result into a storefront 519 with the same
category, the mall interface 1500 may ask the user what category
the saved result should go into. The storefront search feature may
enable an auctions of storefronts 519 that will appear when a user
searches for a particular term within the service providers
storefront(s) 519 or on the Internet.
[0136] FIG. 18 shows one example of a method 1800 for determining
which ads have a corresponding stamp key 1130 and ad stamp 119 in
an ad break, according to some embodiments of the present
disclosure. The method 1800 is performable and executable on a
computing device or system such as the service provider system
1110, inserter system 1140, the content system 130, the user system
150, a service provider application running on a OTT box, or any
similar system such as those described above with reference to
FIGS. 1 and 11, to determine which content advertisements in an ad
break from a media content have a corresponding stamp key 1130. As
will be understood, the present disclosure may facilitate creating
and presenting ad stamps 119 to a user utilizing the advertisement
system 1100, and removing the ad stamps 119 after certain criteria
is met or a triggered event occurs. The criteria may be determined
by the service provider, user, advertiser, content provider, MVPD,
or any entity using the advertisement system 100 or 1100 as
described herein with reference to FIGS. 1 and 11. According to
some embodiments, the method 1800 may be implemented by the service
provider system 1110, inserter system 1140, or a service provider
application running on a OTT box, for example.
[0137] At step 1802, an ad break is detected and the corresponding
system then retrieves a list of corresponding advertisements. In
another embodiment, in step 1804, a notification is received of an
upcoming ad break and a list of corresponding content
advertisements in the ad break is received. Following either step
1802 or 1804, at step 1806, a determination is made which content
advertisements in the ad break have a corresponding stamp key 1130
and ad stamps 119 correlating to each content advertisement in the
ad break. The method continues at step 1808 where a set of ad
stamps 119 are created that are correlated to each content
advertisement in the ad break based at least on each corresponding
stamp key 1130. After the set of ad stamps 119 are created, at step
1810, they are displayed to the user, for example, on display 152,
when the first content advertisement runs during the ad break.
After the set of ad stamps 119 are displayed, at step 1812, the set
of ad stamps 119 are removed from the display after a self-delete
mechanism is triggered. The self-delete mechanism may be triggered
by criteria determined by the service provider, advertiser, MVPD,
or similar entity involved with content advertisements in the
advertisement system 100 or 1100 as described herein with reference
to FIGS. 1 and 11.
[0138] FIG. 19 shows one example of a method 1900 for creating a
stamp key 1130 and an ad stamp 119, according to some embodiments
of the present disclosure. The method 1900 is performable and
executable on a computing device or system such as the service
provider system 1110, inserter system 1140, the content system 130,
the user system 150, a service provider application running on a
OTT box, or any similar system such as those described above with
reference to FIGS. 1 and 11, to create a stamp key 1130 and an ad
stamp 119.
[0139] At step 1902, a request is sent to the service provider for
an ad stamp by an advertiser, for example. At step 1904, the
advertiser uploads media content desired to represent and be
associated with a content advertisement to be displayed for an ad
stamp 119 image. At step 1906, the service provider accepts the
request for an ad stamp, receives the media content for the ad
stamp 119 image, and creates a particular ad stamp 119 and a unique
stamp key 1130 that correlates with the particular ad stamp 119
requested. In one embodiment, the advertiser side (ad agency, ad
inventory buyer or sales staff) connects to service provider's
stamp placement system 1120, fills a short form, uploads an image,
video clip, or GIF, and receives a stamp key 1130. The stamp key
1130 is a unique digital code identification, also known as a
"digikey." The ad stamp 119 may be hosted at the service provider
servers, such as the service provider server 1112, stamp placement
server 1122, or at the inserter server 1142. In the example
embodiment, at step 1920, the stamp key 1130 and ad stamp 119 are
sent to the inserter system 1140. At step 1922, the inserter system
1140 pairs the ad stamp 119 and stamp key 1130 to the content
advertisement. The stamp key 1130 may be digitally attached to both
the content advertisement and to the associated ad stamp 119 in
order to match the two components and provide confirmation after
they run.
[0140] In the example embodiment, the stamp key 1130 may be used to
track later viewing of the ad stamp 119 by the end user, thereby
changing an served advertisement to a viewed advertisement.
Information pertaining to an ad pod, ad pod slot, region, channel,
customer, device, etc. associated with when, where and how the
content advertisement, whether a video advertisement for
insertion/substitution in the primary programming content stream,
or a contextual advertisement which is embedded in the primary
programming stream, will also be stored in the service provider
system 1110, and through the association of the stamp key 1130,
will be used to pair and display the ad stamp 119 with the base
advertisement. Wth current industry practices, the base
advertisements are typically stored at a special ad server(s)
managed by the content provider, MVPD, broadcaster, or OTT service
provider, and at the designated time, arranged in groups (ad pods)
and inserted into the primary program content stream, or
individually embedded in the primary program content stream as
contextual ad(s). Using the information cited above, or a real-time
request citing the stamp keys 1130 of the base ad(s) to be inserted
or embedded in the primary programming content stream, the service
provider system 1110 may deliver the requisite ad stamp 119 with
the same stamp key 1130 to the content provider's, MVPD's,
broadcaster's or OTT service provider's ad insertion/embedding
processor or ad server.
[0141] At step 1910 the stamp key 1130 is sent to the advertiser,
who then, at step 1912, sends the stamp key 1130 to a content
distributor, MVPD, or similar entity as described herein. Following
both step 1912 and 1922, at step 1930, the stamp key 1130 is used
by one of the systems in the advertisement system 1100 to retrieve
the ad stamp 119 and content advertisement from the inserter system
1140. In another example embodiment, inserter system 1140 could be
placed after the content provider's, MVPD's, broadcaster's or OTT
service provider's ad insertion/embedding processor/server, and
before the end device at the user system 150. Furthermore, in
another example embodiment, the content provider, MVPD, broadcaster
or OTT service provider, may be able to load the inserter server
1142 directly into one of their server racks, or the service
provider may provide a software application that could run on their
servers. This special inserter software application of the Dooreme
system detects the unique stamp keys 1130 associated with each
upcoming ad and provides the service provider server 1112 an
electronic request for a list of upcoming advertisements that will
play on the upcoming media content, such as a television
channel.
[0142] In another example embodiment, due to the complexity of the
television broadcast systems and advertisement placing into media
content distributions, the service provider may provide the content
provider, MVPD, broadcaster or OTT service provider, certain
specifications in order for the content provider, MVPD, broadcaster
or OTT service provider to build their own modified proprietary
software application to run on their servers.
[0143] FIG. 20 shows one example of a method 2000 for managing the
advertisement system 1100 of FIG. 11 by the service provider agent,
according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method
2000 is performable and executable on a computing device or system
such as the service provider system 1110, inserter system 1140, the
content system 130, the user system 150, a service provider
application running on a OTT box, or any similar system such as
those described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 11, for
managing the advertisement system 1100.
[0144] At step 2002 a determination by the inserter system 1140 is
made if a stamp key 1130 is associated for each content
advertisement. As described herein, the inserter system 1140 may be
physically located at several different points in the advertisement
process, may be a software application provided by the service
provider, or may be proprietary software created by an entity
within the content system 130 following the service provider
specifications in order to mimic the inserter system 1140
functionality. After a determination is made that at least one
stamp key is present for an upcoming ad pod, ad block, or ad break,
at step 2004, a list of each of those content advertisements and
stamp keys 1130 is received by the service provider. At step 2006,
a corresponding ad stamp 119 is sent to the inserter system 1140
for each upcoming content advertisement associated with a stamp key
1130. At step 2008, the inserter system 1140 will manage special
overlays for the ad stamp 119 display and interactive hot spots on
the user display 152, based on predetermined criteria. The
predetermined criteria may be determined by the service provider,
user, advertiser, content provider, MVPD, or any entity using the
advertisement system 100 or 1100 as described herein with reference
to FIGS. 1 and 11.
[0145] Method 2000 continues at step 2010, where in the inserter
system 1140 places an ad stamp on the display 152 for each upcoming
content advertisement that was determined to have an associated
stamp key 1130. The ad stamp(s) 119 may be embedded as watermarks
(e.g. selectable icon 1210), overlays, ancillary data, or even
closed caption extended data, depending on the point of embedding,
and subsequently displayed on the user's display 152.
[0146] In some embodiments, the advertiser, content provider, or
the like, depending on authorization level, may have the ability to
modify the ad stamp(s) 119 images and/or the list of ad stamp(s)
119 in each ad pod at any time before the advertisement is
displayed. This example embodiment allows advertisers, programmers,
and the like, to target ad stamp(s) 119 based on region, device,
auction, individual user, or user preferences based on actions or
priority settings. Further, ad stamp(s) 119 are not limited to
serving only advertisements. Ad stamp(s) 119 may be used to serve
notifications and reports, surveys, coupons, caller IDs, email and
text messages, service notifications, or the like.
[0147] In some embodiments, the service provider system 1110, the
inserter system 1140, and/or the stamp placement system 1120 may
collect coupon offers the user saw on TV and store them in a
database. This may be accomplished by the user selecting the
selectable icon 1210, or similar watermark, overlay, or the like,
when the coupon offer is presented on the display, or by similar
means. In some embodiments, the coupon offers are digital coupons
embedded in media content and each coupon comprises a digikey
embedded by a provider or source associated with a business
associated with the digital coupon. The digikey comprising of a
unique digital key for the coupon. The Dooreme application can
detect each digikey that is presented or viewed on the user device.
In some embodiments, the system may be configured to automatically
store any coupon offer associated with a storefront 519 or
engagement ad 118 the user engages with that an advertiser wants to
present to a user. The user may access them later via the Dooreme
application on their computer, tablet, smart phone, or other device
that may be configured to work and function as a client server 154,
such as control device 160, or the user may access them through the
mall interface 1500. The system may keep track of the coupons'
expiration dates and remind the consumer before expiration with a
notification reminder. The notification reminder is of a
predetermined time that may be customized by the user in the user
profile 510, for example, a 24-hour notice before the coupon offer
expiration date.
[0148] In some embodiments, the Dooreme application can remind the
user and send a notification when they are in a business, such as a
retailer or restaurant, that they have coupon offers stored, e.g.,
utilizing the GPS (or other location-based services) of the control
device 160, or any other device utilizing the Dooreme application
described herein. The notification can be a push notification on a
mobile device, or the like. In this example embodiment, the Dooreme
application reminds the user, with a notification on a mobile
device, when the user is within proximity of a facility that the
user can cash the coupon, such as a restaurant, a service facility
or retail store of any kind. The proximity can be configured at a
predetermined distance, and the user can change the value of the
predetermined distance with the Dooreme application. The Dooreme
application also presents the notification in a scanable code, such
as a Quick Response Code ("QR code"), or code that can be factored
into a digi-wallet payment feature to provide automated factoring
of the value of the coupon with the payment system accepted by the
particular business.
[0149] At step 2012, the inserter system 1140 may monitor the
content displayed on the user system and verify that the ad stamp
119 associated with the correct content advertisement is displayed.
The inserter system 1140, at step 2014, may store and report which
ad stamp(s) 119 have displayed on the user's display, time,
channel, and other user information. At step 2016, the inserter
system 1140 may provide the user information obtained in method
2000 to the service provider, user, advertiser, content provider,
MVPD, or any entity using the advertisement system 100 or 1100 as
described herein with reference to FIGS. 1 and 11, for analytic
research. The analytic research that may be performed based on the
data obtained may be consumer data analytics, ad performance
analytics, and media performance analytics, that will be described
further herein.
[0150] FIG. 21 shows a hierarchy 2100 of functions implemented by a
mall interface 1500, according to some embodiments of the present
disclosure. The mall interface 1500 is performable and executable
on a computing device or system such as the service provider system
1110, inserter system 1140, the content system 130, the user system
150, a service provider application running on a OTT box, or any
similar system such as those described above with reference to
FIGS. 1 and 11, to provide the functionality and use of the mall
interface 1500 for a user as described herein with reference to
FIGS. 15-17. At 2110, a user opens the mall interface application,
such as mall interface 1500, which may be running on the user's
television, computer, mobile device, or through a web browser, as
described herein. At the mall interface application 2110, the user
may select the storefront feature (2112) to access an engagement ad
interface 710 or 1300. Alternatively, the user may select the
hover-over storefront feature (2114) to access the hover-over
storefront window 1610, the user may select the category roller
feature (2116) to access the category rollers 1510, the user may
select the smart control feature (2118) to access the smart control
1310, or the user may select the storefront search feature (2120)
to access the storefront search 1702, as described herein for the
mall interface 1500 with reference to FIGS. 15-17. Further, the
user may select the lease storefront feature (2122) to access the
storefront for lease 1520, the user may select the customize
storefront feature (2124) to access the add storefront 1530, the
user may select the options feature (2126) to access the mall
interface options 1504, or the user may select the user profile
feature (2128) to access the user profile 510, as described herein
for the mall interface 1500 with reference to FIGS. 15-17.
[0151] FIG. 22 shows one example of a method 2200 for selecting a
storefront 519 from the mall interface 1500 and using the
engagement ad interface 1300, according to some embodiments of the
present disclosure. The method 2200 is performable and executable
on a computing device or system such as the service provider system
1110, inserter system 1140, the user system 150, the content system
130, a service provider application running on a OTT box, or any
similar system such as those described above with reference to
FIGS. 1 and 11, to provide the functionality and use of the
engagement ad interface 1300 for a user to interact with a selected
storefront 519 as described herein with reference to FIGS. 13-14.
At the mall interface application 2110, the user may select the
storefront feature (2112) to access an engagement ad interface
1300.
[0152] At step 2212, the user selects a storefront 519 window shown
on the mall interface 1500. At step 2214, the engagement ad
interface 1300 is displayed. From the engagement ad interface 1300,
at step 2220, the user may select the advertiser customizable
option button 1322, as described herein with reference to FIGS.
13-14. At step 2230, the user may select the social sharing button
1410, where at step 2232, the social media interface window 1420
pops up over the engagement ad 118, and then at step 2234, the user
may select the social sharing options, as described herein with
reference to FIG. 14. At step 2240, the user may select the
selectable icon 1210, where at step 2242, the mall interface 1500
is now displayed, as described herein with reference to FIGS.
12-13. At step 2250, the user may select the TV to mobile push
1350, or at step 2260 the user may select the smart control 1310,
as described herein with reference to FIG. 13. Alternatively, at
step 2270, the user may select other options in the ad information
section 1330, or at step 2280 the user may select the engagement ad
controls using the video tool 1312, or at step 2290 the user may
select back to TV 1320, as described herein with reference to FIG.
13.
[0153] FIG. 23 shows one example of a method 2300 for using the
hover-over storefront window 1610, according to some embodiments of
the present disclosure. The method 2300 is performable and
executable on a computing device or system such as the service
provider system 1110, inserter system 1140, the content system 130,
the user system 150, a service provider application running on a
OTT box, or any similar system such as those described above with
reference to FIGS. 1 and 11, to access the hover-over storefront
window 1610 as described herein with reference to FIG. 16. At the
mall interface application 2110, the user may select the hover-over
storefront feature (2114) to access the hover-over storefront
window 1610.
[0154] At step 2312 a user hovers with the mouse on a remote
control or computer system, or touches a touchscreen on the control
device 160 (or touch and holds depending on the control device 160
settings), over a storefront 519. At step 2314, the hover-over
storefront window 1610 is shown as a separate pop-up display
window. In the example embodiment as shown in FIG. 16, the
hover-over storefront window 1610 only covers a portion of the mall
interface 1500, where the user may still see and/or utilize the
other functions of the mall interface 1500 that are visible and
able to be selected by the user. In another embodiment, the
hover-over storefront window 1610 may have most, if not all, of the
functions of the engagement ad interface 710 or 1300. The user now
has several options to choose from within the hover-over storefront
window 1610. For example, at step 2320, the user may select the
website associated with the content advertisement or engagement ad
shown by selecting the advertiser's brand and/or product logo. At
step 2322, the user may select the bookmark feature to save to the
user's profile 510, as described herein with reference to FIG. 5.
At step 2324, the user may select one of the ratings options,
similar to the ratings options in the interest section 722, as
described herein with reference to FIGS. 7 and 13. At step 2326,
the user may select a reminder notification to set an alarm the
user can select from a predetermined list of time allotments, or
after completion of the currently viewed media content, or the user
can create a customized alarm to remind the user of a particular
engagement ad 118, storefront 519, or advertiser they may want to
look at a later time. At step 2328, the user may select the TV to
mobile push 1350, as described herein with reference to FIG. 13.
Following either steps 2320-2328, the user may continue with and
select either steps 2320-2328 continuously (not shown), or the user
may want to leave the hover-over storefront window 1610 and in step
2330, hover the mouse away from the hover-over storefront window
1610, or tap the touchscreen on the control device 160 away from
the hover-over storefront window 1610. Furthermore, the user may
also choose to skip steps 2320-2328, and proceed directly to step
2330 from step 2314. Following step 2330, in step 2332, the entire
mall interface 1500 is displayed without the hover-over storefront
window 1610.
[0155] FIG. 24 shows one example of a method 2400 for utilizing the
category rollers to drill down four levels of categories, according
to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 2400 is
performable and executable on a computing device or system such as
the service provider system 1110, inserter system 1140, the content
system 130, the user system 150, a service provider application
running on a OTT box, or any similar system such as those described
above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 11, to utilize the category
rollers to drill down up to four different levels of categories, as
described herein with reference to FIG. 15 and the mall interface
1500. At the mall interface application 2110, the user may select
the category roller feature (2116) to access the category roller(s)
1510. In the example embodiment, in order to use the category
roller(s) 1510 and drill down four levels, the user must make a
selection in order to get to the intended third and fourth level of
categories that are searched using the category roller(s) 1510.
However, in another embodiment, there may be more than one category
roller(s) 1510 to drill down several levels, including the first
main category and sub category.
[0156] In the example embodiment as shown for the mall interface
1500, as described herein with reference to FIG. 15, at step 2412,
the user selects a main category from categories 520, and then at
step 2414, the user selects a sub category, or second level
category from categories 1502. At step 2416, the category roller(s)
1510 either appear or update the category and sub category levels,
which are the third and fourth level of categories under the main
category selection. In order to utilize the category roller(s)
1510, the user, at step 2418, scrolls category level three on the
left side of the category roller(s) 1510 by flicking the wheel, or
clicking, holding, and scrolling the wheel with the mouse or with
the touchscreen on the control device 160. At step 2420, after the
left side of the category roller(s) 1510 has rolled to the users
preferred selection, the user makes a category level three
selection by clicking on the highlighted category. The category
level four selections appear that correlate with the category level
selection, and at step 2422, the user scrolls category level four
on the right side of the category roller(s) 1510 by flicking the
wheel, or clicking, holding, and scrolling the wheel with the mouse
or with the touchscreen on the control device 160. At step 2424,
the user makes a category level four selection. At step 2426, the
mall interface updates the storefront(s) 519 shown with
storefront(s) 519 that correlate with the four level category
selections by the user.
[0157] FIG. 25 shows one example of a method 2500 for utilizing the
storefront search, according to some embodiments of the present
disclosure. The method 2500 is performable and executable on a
computing device or system such as the service provider system
1110, inserter system 1140, the content system 130, the user system
150, a service provider application running on a OTT box, or any
similar system such as those described above with reference to
FIGS. 1 and 11, to utilize the storefront search capability as
described herein with reference to FIG. 17 and the mall interface
1500. At the mall interface application 2110, the user may select
the storefront search feature (2120) to access the storefront
search 1702.
[0158] At step 2512, the user initiates the storefront search 1702
by selecting the storefront search 1702 icon. At step 2514, in the
current embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the search bar 1704, the
search storefront button 1710, the search web button 1720, and the
storefront search window 1730 are all shown. However, initially the
storefront search window 1730 would not show any results until
after a search is activated and results are displayed at step 2540
discussed herein. At step 2516, the user enters search terms into
the search bar 1704 to search for a storefront desired. The user
may select the search storefront button 1710 at step 2520 in order
to utilize the service providers search engine feature. At step
2522, the service provider utilizes a visual storefront search
engine to search all available storefronts. However, after step
2516, the user may instead select search web button 1720 at step
2530 in order to utilize an internet search engine. At step 2532,
the service provider utilizes a web search engine, such as Google,
Yahoo, Bing, etc. to search the internet for results of the users
storefront search. Following steps 2522 or 2532, at step 2540, the
top searched storefronts are displayed based on either search
performed. For the search storefront button 1710 selection, the top
three search result storefronts 1742a-1742c are displayed in the
top searched storefront display 1740. For the search web button
1720 selection, the top three company or product searches on the
internet are displayed as the search result storefronts 1742a-1742c
top searched storefront display 1740, where the first image found
on each website of the top three searches is displayed on each
corresponding storefront in the search result storefronts
1742a-1742c in the top searched storefront display 1740. At step
2542, and virtually simultaneously to the user, customized search
result storefronts 1752a-c are displayed in the customized search
storefront display 1750. Customized search result storefronts
1752a-c are displayed based on predetermined criteria as determined
by the service provider, advertiser, content provider, MVPD, or
similar entity, as discussed herein with reference to FIG. 17.
[0159] In some embodiments, interaction information on the
engagement ad interface 710 or 1300, user profile 510, or mall
interface 1500 can be logged in the advertisement system 100 or
1100, such as the user system 150, inserter system 1140, service
provider system 1110, or the user profile 510, or a combination
thereof, and such information may be used by the person, group, or
company that logs the information or passed along and/or sold to
other persons, groups, or companies that may find the information
valuable (e.g., target advertising) by utilizing certain analytical
tools to measure interactive information such as consumer data
analytics, ad performance analytics, and media performance
analytics.
[0160] In some embodiments consumer data analytics may include, but
are not limited to, co