U.S. patent application number 17/060444 was filed with the patent office on 2021-01-21 for systems and methods for controlling advertising, upselling, cross-selling, and purchasing of products and services via user receiving devices and mobile devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to The DIRECTV Group, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is The DIRECTV Group, Inc.. Invention is credited to Randall M. Desmond, Flemming R. Hansen, Vanessa K. Jupe, Eswari Panchal.
Application Number | 20210019779 17/060444 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005121223 |
Filed Date | 2021-01-21 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210019779 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Desmond; Randall M. ; et
al. |
January 21, 2021 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING ADVERTISING, UPSELLING,
CROSS-SELLING, AND PURCHASING OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES VIA USER
RECEIVING DEVICES AND MOBILE DEVICES
Abstract
A user receiving device including at least one transceiver
module, an output module, a control module, and a transaction
module. The at least one transceiver module is configured to
receive an ad or an offer transmitted from at least one backend
device to the user receiving device. The offer is directed to a
product and/or service referred to in the ad. The output module is
configured to display the ad or the offer on a display. The display
is connected to the user receiving device. The at least one
transceiver module is configured to receive a response signal
transmitted from a mobile device to the user receiving device. The
response signal is in response to the offer. The transaction module
is configured to perform a transaction between the at least one
backend device and a user of the mobile device based on the
response signal.
Inventors: |
Desmond; Randall M.;
(Lawndale, CA) ; Hansen; Flemming R.; (Lawndale,
CA) ; Panchal; Eswari; (Los Angeles, CA) ;
Jupe; Vanessa K.; (Adkins, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The DIRECTV Group, Inc. |
El Segundo |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
El Segundo
CA
|
Family ID: |
1000005121223 |
Appl. No.: |
17/060444 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14592828 |
Jan 8, 2015 |
10839416 |
|
|
17060444 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0267 20130101;
G06Q 30/0241 20130101; H04N 21/40 20130101; G06Q 30/0643 20130101;
H04N 21/60 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20060101
G06Q030/02; H04N 21/40 20060101 H04N021/40; G06Q 30/06 20060101
G06Q030/06; H04N 21/60 20060101 H04N021/60 |
Claims
1. A mobile device, comprising: a processing system including a
processor; a memory that stores executable instructions that, when
executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of
operations, comprising: receiving media content from a server,
wherein the media content includes a first advertisement and first
metadata associated with the first advertisement; presenting a
first message that indicates the first advertisement is included in
the media content; presenting the media content, the first
advertisement, and an indicator associated with the first
advertisement according to the first metadata; generating a
detection signal in response to obtaining user-generated input that
indicates a user has viewed the first advertisement; and in
response to generating the detection signal, presenting a purchase
window for the user to purchase an item associated with first
advertisement.
2. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the first message is one
of a text message, email message, or an alert.
3. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the first message is
presented prior to the presenting of the media content.
4. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the first message is
presented during the presenting of the media content.
5. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the operations comprise:
obtaining a second advertisement; determining an indicator time
threshold for each of a group of advertisements that are associated
with the indicator; identifying that the indicator for each of the
group of advertisements has been presented within a time period
resulting in a group of indicators; determining that the time
period exceeds the indicator time threshold; and presenting the
second advertisement without the indicator.
6. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the operations comprise:
determining that the first advertisement was not viewed by a user;
and presenting a second message indicating that the first
advertisement was not viewed the user.
7. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the first advertisement is
selected based on a user associated with the mobile device
previously viewed the first advertisement.
8. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the first advertisement is
selected based on a user associated with the mobile device
previously made a purchase associated with the first
advertisement.
9. A machine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions
that, when executed by a processing system including a processor,
facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:
receiving media content from a server, wherein the media content
includes a first advertisement and first metadata associated with
the first advertisement; presenting a first message that indicates
the first advertisement is included in the media content;
presenting the media content, the first advertisement, and an
indicator associated with the first advertisement according to the
first metadata; generating a detection signal in response to
obtaining user-generated input that indicates a user has viewed the
first advertisement; in response to generating the detection
signal, presenting a purchase window for the user to purchase an
item associated with first advertisement; obtaining a second
advertisement; determining an indicator time threshold for each of
a group of advertisements that are associated with the indicator;
identifying that the indicator for each of the group of
advertisements that have been presented within a time period
resulting in a group of indicators; determining that the time
period exceeds the indicator time threshold; and presenting the
second advertisement without the indicator.
10. The machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the first
message is one of a text message, email message, or an alert.
11. The machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the first
message is presented prior to the presenting of the media
content.
12. The machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the first
message is presented during the presenting of the media
content.
13. The machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the operations
comprise: determining that the first advertisement was not viewed
by a user; and presenting a second message indicating that the
first advertisement was not viewed the user.
14. The machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the first
advertisement is selected based on a user associated with the
processing system previously viewed the first advertisement.
15. The machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the first
advertisement is selected based on a user associated with the
processing system previously made a purchase associated with the
first advertisement.
16. A method, comprising: receiving, by a processing system
including a processor, media content from a server, wherein the
media content includes a first advertisement and first metadata
associated with the first advertisement; presenting, by the
processing system, a first message that indicates the first
advertisement is included in the media content; presenting, by the
processing system, the media content, the first advertisement, and
an indicator associated with the first advertisement according to
the first metadata; determining, by the processing system, that the
first advertisement was not viewed by a user; presenting, by the
processing system, a second message indicating that the first
advertisement was not viewed the user; generating, by the
processing system, a detection signal in response to obtaining
user-generated input that indicates the user has viewed the first
advertisement; and in response to generating the detection signal,
presenting, by the processing system, a purchase window for the
user to purchase an item associated with first advertisement.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first message is one of a
text message, email message, or an alert.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first message is presented
prior to the presenting of the media content.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the first message is presented
during the presenting of the media content.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the first advertisement is
selected based on the user associated with the processing system
previously viewed the first advertisement.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/592,828 filed on Jan. 8, 2015. All sections
of the aforementioned application are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
TECHNOLOGY FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to television
systems and, more specifically, to systems and methods for
controlling advertising, upselling, cross-selling, and purchasing
of products and services via user receiving devices and mobile
devices.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the present disclosure and may not
constitute prior art.
[0004] Satellite television has become increasingly popular due to
a wide variety of content and the quality of content available. A
satellite television system typically includes a set top box that
is used to receive satellite signals and decode the satellite
signals for use on a television. The set top box typically has a
memory associated therewith. The memory may include a digital video
recorder or the like as well as storage for an operating code of
the set top box.
[0005] Content providers provide a variety of content to consumers.
Available content is typically received at a set top box (or user
receiving device) and displayed to the user using a guide. The
guide typically includes channels and timeslots as well as
programming information for each information timeslot. The
programming information may include the content title and other
identifiers such as actor information and the like. The user
selects a channel via the guide and the set top box (STB) then
displays the channel on a display (e.g., a television).
[0006] Customers (or users) of a service provider can subscribe to
various packages. Each of the packages provides access to a certain
set of channels. The customers call the service provider to
establish an account with the service provider. While setting up an
account, a customer selects a package and provides billing
information to the service provider. The customer is then able to
access channels in the selected package.
[0007] In addition to the channels in a selected package that a
customer is signed up to receive, the customer may also receive
additional content. This may include the customer selecting a
channel, program and/or video via the STB and/or again calling the
service provider to request for the selected channel, program
and/or video. For example, a customer may request a video, obtain
authorization to receive the video, and receive the video at a STB
of the customer. This is often referred to as pay-per-view (PPV).
The video is transmitted to the STB and may then be displayed on a
display (or television) of the STB. The customer may control when
the video is displayed.
[0008] In addition to content provided as part of a selected
package and PPV content, product and/or service content may be
provided. For example, content providers may broadcast
advertisements (referred to sometimes as commercials) for certain
products and services available from various third parties. The
advertisements may interrupt, for example, programs being viewed by
users of a STB.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present disclosure provides systems and methods for
providing content access based on quick response codes and text
messages.
[0010] In one aspect of the disclosure, a user receiving device is
provided and includes at least one transceiver module, an output
module, a control module, and a transaction module. The at least
one transceiver module is configured to receive an ad or an offer
transmitted from at least one backend device to the user receiving
device. The offer is directed to a product and/or service referred
to in the ad. The output module is configured to display the ad or
the offer on a display. The display is connected to the user
receiving device. The at least one transceiver module is configured
to receive a response signal transmitted from a mobile device to
the user receiving device. The response signal is in response to
the offer. The transaction module is configured to perform a
transaction between the at least one backend device and a user of
the mobile device based on the response signal.
[0011] In another aspect of the disclosure, a user receiving device
is provided and includes at least one transceiver module, an output
module, and a control module. The at least one transceiver module
is configured to receive a video file and metadata from a first
backend device. The metadata indicates where in the video file an
object is shown in an image of the video file. The output module is
configured to playout a video of the video file on a display,
wherein the display is connected to the user receiving device. The
control module is configured to monitor the metadata while the
video is being playout to detect the object and alter a portion of
the image of the video to indicate to a viewer of the video that
the object is purchasable.
[0012] In another aspect of the disclosure, a user receiving device
is provided and includes at least one transceiver module, an output
module, and a control module. The at least one transceiver module
is configured to receive a file from a first backend device. The
file indicates where in a video an object is shown. The output
module is configured to playout the video on a display. The display
is connected to the user receiving device. The control module is
configured to monitor data in the file while the video is being
played out to detect the object, and generate a signal to indicate
on the display that the object is purchasable.
[0013] In another aspect of the disclosure, a user receiving device
is provided and includes at least one transceiver module, an output
module, and a control module. The at least one transceiver module
is configured to receiving a shopping program from a first backend
device. The output module is configured to display the shopping
program on a display, wherein the display is connected to the user
receiving device. The control module is configured to perform image
recognition on images of the shopping program to detect an object
for sale and enable purchasing of the object via the user receiving
device. The at least one transceiver module is configured to
receive a request signal from a mobile device. The control module
is configured to, based on the request signal, facilitate a
transaction for the object between a viewer of the mobile device
and the first backend device or a second backend device.
[0014] In another aspect of the disclosure, a user receiving device
is provided and includes at least one transceiver module, an output
module, and a control module. The at least one transceiver module
is configured to receive metadata and a program or video from a
first backend device. The metadata indicates where in the program
or video a spotted ad is included. The output module is configured
to display the program or video on a display. The display is
connected to the user receiving device. The at least one
transceiver module is configured to receive a request signal from a
mobile device. The request signal indicates a viewer of the video
has detected the spotted ad. The control module is configured to,
based on the request signal, save information pertaining to the
request signal, open a dialogue window or initiate a survey.
[0015] In another aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating a
user receiving device is provided. The method includes: receiving
an ad or an offer transmitted from at least one backend device to
the user receiving device, where the offer is directed to a product
and/or service referred to in the ad; displaying the ad or the
offer on a display, where the display is connected to the user
receiving device; receiving a response signal transmitted from a
mobile device to the user receiving device, where the response
signal is in response to the offer; and performing a transaction
between the at least one backend device and a user of the mobile
device based on the response signal.
[0016] In another aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating a
user receiving device is provided and includes: receiving a video
file and metadata from a first backend device, where the metadata
indicates where in the video file an object is shown in an image of
the video file; playing out a video of the video file on a display,
where the display is connected to the user receiving device;
monitoring the metadata while the video is being playout to detect
the object; and altering a portion of the image of the video to
indicate to a viewer of the video that the object is
purchasable.
[0017] In another aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating a
user receiving device is provided and includes: receiving a file
from a first backend device, where the file indicates where in a
video an object is shown; playing out the video on a display, where
the display is connected to the user receiving device; monitoring
data in the file while the video is being played out to detect the
object; and generating a signal to indicate on the display that the
object is purchasable.
[0018] In another aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating a
user receiving device is provided and includes: receiving a
shopping program from a first backend device; displaying the
shopping program on a display, where the display is connected to
the user receiving device; performing image recognition on images
of the shopping program to detect an object for sale and enable
purchasing of the object via the user receiving device; receiving a
request signal from a mobile device; and based on the request
signal, facilitating a transaction for the object between a viewer
of the mobile device and the first backend device or a second
backend device.
[0019] In another aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating a
user receiving device is provided and includes: receiving metadata
and a program or video from a first backend device, where the
metadata indicates where in the program or video a spotted ad is
included; displaying the program or video on a display, where the
display is connected to the user receiving device; receiving a
request signal from a mobile device, and where the request signal
indicates a viewer of the video has detected the spotted ad; and
based on the request signal, saving information pertaining to the
request signal, open a dialogue window or initiate a survey.
[0020] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. It should be understood that the
description and specific examples are intended for purposes of
illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0021] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes
only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure in any way.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a communication
system in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a head end in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a user receiving
device in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a control module of
the user receiving device of FIG. 3.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a mobile device in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an advertising and
purchasing method in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a screen illustrating an advertisement, an offer
and interaction buttons in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an
upselling/cross-selling method in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating another
upselling/cross-selling method in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a product alerting method in accordance with the
present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram is a product alerting
system in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a purchasing dialogue window in accordance with
the present disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 13 is a confirmation dialogue window in accordance with
the present disclosure.
[0035] FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of a user receiving
device illustrating a program and advertising output in accordance
with the present disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram of another advertising and
purchasing method in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 16 is an advertising and purchasing diagram
illustrating corresponding display screens in accordance with the
present disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 17 illustrates a format of a moving pictures expert
group (MPEG)-2 transport stream (TS) packet in accordance with the
present disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 18 illustrates a shopping network recognition method in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0040] FIG. 19 is a screen including a sales window in accordance
with the present disclosure.
[0041] FIG. 20 is a screen including the sales window of FIG. 18
and an order information window in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0042] FIG. 21 illustrates a spotted advertising method in
accordance with the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] A set-top-box (STB) may receive an audio/video input signal
via a cable network or a satellite and direct the audio-video input
to a television (or other display). A user may interact with the
STB via a remote control device, a cellular phone or other mobile
device in order to view a guide and/or programs on the television
and manage usage of the STB. The terms "user", "viewer", and
"customer" are used herein interchangeably and may refer to the
same person. Transactions between the user and a service provider
may be performed via the STB and the mobile device. The
transactions may be associated with services being provided by the
service provider to the STB. The services may include, for example,
programs, videos, and/or pay-per-view (PPV) products.
Traditionally, commercial advertising includes broadcasting and
displaying advertisements to users. The users then needed to take
the initiative to (i) remember the advertisements, corresponding
products and/or services, and related information, and (ii) at a
later date, look up, call and/or visit a vendor of the products
and/or services in order to purchase the products and/or services.
This may include visiting a vendor store to purchase the advertised
products.
[0044] The following disclosed examples allow advertisers to
present purchasable products and/or services and corresponding
offers to users on displays of STBs, user receiving devices, mobile
devices, etc. The users may inquire about the products and/or
services and accept the offers and/or other offers via the STBs,
user receiving devices, mobile devices, etc. The products and/or
services may be shown in ads and/or in programs, videos, etc. The
offers may be accepted in real time (i.e. as the offers are
presented to the users). The STBs, user receiving devices and
mobile devices are configured to facilitate transactions between
users (or customers) and backend devices associated with
advertisers, content providers, service providers, etc. The backend
devices may include head ends, content providers, service providers
and corresponding servers. The backend devices may also include
advertiser servers.
[0045] As an example, the head ends, content providers, and service
providers may provide various types of content including programs,
videos, and PPV content. Advertisers may advertise products (e.g.,
consumer products), services (e.g., residential or business
services, legal services, medical services, etc.), programs (e.g.,
broadcast channels, concerts, sporting events, etc.), videos, PPV
content (e.g., videos, sporting events, etc.), and/or other items
that can be advertised. The products may include the programs,
videos, PPV content, and/or other content. The consumer products
may include food and/or drink products, residential products,
business products, vehicles, and/or other products. The
advertisements may advertise content provided by a content provider
and/or products and services offered for purchase by other product
and/or service providers.
[0046] FIG. 1 shows a communication system 10 that includes a head
end 12. The head end 12 operates as a content processing system and
a transmission source. The head end 12 may also be used for
distributing content and providing billing data. The details of the
head end 12 will be further described below with respect to FIG.
2.
[0047] One or more content providers 14, only one of which is
illustrated in FIG. 1, may provide content and data related to the
content such as metadata to the head end 12. The content providers
14 may individually and/or collectively be referred to as a content
service provider. The content may include channels, programs,
videos and/or other content. The metadata may include ratings data.
Ratings data may include Motion Picture Association ratings such as
G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17 and X. Ratings data may also include
television ratings such as TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-G, TV-PG, TV-14, and
TV-MA. Of course, different countries may have different rating
systems. The head end 12 receives various types of content and data
from the content provider 14 and communicates the content to
various user devices associated with the system.
[0048] The head end 12 may communicate content to users in various
manners including a satellite system and through terrestrial
networks. Carrying through with the satellite example, the head end
12 includes an antenna 18 for communicating process content through
uplink signals 20 to a satellite 22. The satellite 22 may include a
receiving antenna 24 and a transmitting antenna 26. The receiving
antenna 24 receives the uplink signals 20 from the satellite
antenna 18. The transmitting antenna 26 generates downlink signals
28 and communicates the downlink signals 28 to various user
receiving devices 30 and/or mobile devices 31. The user receiving
devices 30 may be implemented as and/or include set top boxes.
[0049] The head end 12 may be connected to the user receiving
devices 30 via the network 42 and/or the router 44. The network 42
may be a single network or a combination of different types of
networks. For example, the network 42 may be a broadband wired
network, a digital subscriber line (DSL) network, and/or a wireless
network. A broadband wired network may be an Ethernet network or a
phone line network. The network 42 may be a one-way network such
that data may be communicated from the user receiving devices 30 to
the head end 12. The network 42 may also be a two-way network that
delivers content from the head end 12 in response to selection
signals communicated from the user receiving devices 30. The
network 42 may be in communication with the local area network 36.
The network 42 may include an Internet.
[0050] The user receiving devices 30 may include and/or be
connected to displays 46 (e.g., televisions), as shown. The
displays 46 may display both video signals and output audio
signals. The user receiving devices 30 may be referred to as fixed
(or non-mobile) user devices because the user receiving devices are
intended to be used from a fixed position on the surface of the
earth. The user receiving devices 30 may include circuitry to tune,
decode and store content therein. Details of the user receiving
devices 30 are further described below.
[0051] The user receiving devices 30 may be in communication with
each other through a network 36 such as a local area network.
Content may be stored in one or more of the user receiving devices
30 and/or in a memory separate from the user receiving devices 30
and accessed by the user receiving devices 30. The content may be
shared by and/or transmitted between the user receiving devices 30.
The user receiving devices 30 may be located in respective rooms of
a building (an example of which is designated 29), such as a home,
multi-unit dwelling or business. The content may be delivered to
two or more of the user receiving devices 30 during a same period
of time in a multi-room viewing function. The user receiving
devices 30 may be associated with one or more accounts.
[0052] The user receiving devices 30 are in communication with an
antenna 48. The antenna 48 receives the downlink signals 28. Thus,
the user receiving devices 30 may be referred to as satellite
television receiving devices. However, the system has applicability
in non-satellite applications, such as in wired or wireless
terrestrial systems. The user receiving devices 30 may be included
in and/or implemented as televisions, set top boxes, and/or set
back boxes and thus may be referred to as fixed (or non-mobile
devices). The user receiving devices 30 may be referred to as
televisions, set top boxes, and/or set back boxes. The user
receiving devices 30 may be interconnected.
[0053] The user receiving devices 30 may be connected to the router
44 and/or may be in communication with the network 42 and the
mobile devices 31. The mobile devices 31 may be cellular phones,
smart phones (i.e. have Internet access), dumb phones (i.e. do not
have Internet access), tablets, laptops, wearable device, etc. A
wearable device may be one of a number of types of devices that are
worn by a user. A wearable device may be fixed wearable by a user
meaning the wearable device is meant to be fixed to the user.
Examples of wearable devices include a computerized watch such as a
Samsung.RTM. or Apple.RTM. watch. The watch devices are fixed to an
arm of the user. Another example of a wearable device is GOOGLE
GLASS.RTM., which is fixed to a head of a user. Of course, other
types of wearable devices affixed to other parts of the body may be
used. A wearable device may be in direct communication with the
user receiving devices 30 through Bluetooth.RTM. connections. As
described below, the user receiving devices 30 and the mobile
devices 31 may include Bluetooth.RTM. transceivers (referred to as
radios). The mobile devices 31 may also be in communication with
the user receiving devices 30 via Internet protocol (IP)
connections and/or the router 44. The mobile devices 31 may also be
in communication with devices (e.g., the head end 12) outside the
local area network via the router 44 and/or the network 42. As used
herein, a mobile device may refer to a mobile phone, a tablet, a
remote control device, a wearable device, etc.
[0054] The router 44 may be a wireless router or a wired router or
a combination of the two. For example, the user receiving devices
30 may be wired to the router 44 and wirelessly coupled to the
mobile devices 31. The router 44 may communicate IP signals to the
user receiving devices 30. The IP signals may be used for
controlling various functions of the user receiving devices 30. IP
signals may also originate from the user receiving devices 30 and
be transmitted to the mobile device 31.
[0055] The mobile devices 31 may also have displays, an example of
which is shown in FIG. 5. The displays of the mobile devices 31 may
display video and output audio signals. The displays may be touch
screens that act as user interfaces. Other types of user interfaces
on the mobile devices 31 may include buttons and switches.
[0056] The network 42 may, for example, be a public switched
telephone network, the Internet, a mobile telephone network or
other type of network. The network 42 may be in direct wireless
communication with the mobile device 31 via a cellular system
and/or may be in indirect communication with the mobile devices 31
via the router 44 and/or the user receiving devices 30.
[0057] The content provider 14 provides content to the head end 12.
Although only one content provider 14 is illustrated, more than one
content provider may be incorporated in the system 10. The head end
12 distributes the content through the satellite 22 and/or the
network 42 to the user receiving devices 30 and/or the mobile
device 31. The content provider 14 may include and/or be
implemented as content provider server 49.
[0058] A data provider 50 may also provide data to the head end 12.
The data provider 50 may provide various types of data such as
schedule data or metadata that is provided within the program guide
system. The metadata may include various descriptions, actor,
director, star ratings, titles, user ratings, television or motion
picture parental guidance ratings, descriptions, related
descriptions and various other types of data. The data provider 50
may provide the data directly to the head end and may also provide
data to various devices such as the mobile device 31 and the user
receiving device 30 through the network 42. This may be performed
in a direct manner through the network 42. The data provider 50 may
include and/or be implemented as a data provider server 52.
[0059] The communication system 10 may further include a product
and/or service provider 54, a payment service provider 56, an
advertiser 58. The product and/or service provider 54, the payment
service provider 56 and/or the advertiser 58 may respectively
include and/or be implemented as a product and/or service provider
server 60, a payment server 62 and/or an advertiser server 64. The
product and/or service provider server 60 may offer for sale
products (e.g., non-content products, consumer products) and/or
offer services (e.g., residential and/or business services, legal
services, medical services, etc.) to users of the user receiving
devices 30 and/or mobile devices 31. The payment server 62 may
interact with the user receiving devices 30 and/or the mobile
devices 31 to facilitate presenting offers, receiving acceptance of
the offers and confirmation of the acceptance. The advertiser
server 64 may include an advertiser database 65 and may present
offers for products and/or services to the user receiving devices
30 and the mobile devices 31. The servers 49, 52, 60, 62 and 64 may
communicate with the user receiving devices 30 and mobile devices
via the network 42 and/or router 44.
[0060] The communication system 10 may also include a cloud network
66 (referred to as "the cloud"). The cloud network may include a
cloud server 68. The cloud server 68 may store various types if
information and/or data which may be accessible by the head end 12,
the servers 49, 52, 60, 62, 64, the user receiving devices 30 and
the mobile devices 31. The various types of information and data
may include, for example, user information, billing information,
offers, ads including upsell and/or cross-sell ads, object (product
and/or service) information, etc.
[0061] FIG. 2 shows the head end 12. It should be noted that the
head end 12 is illustrated as a single device or facility, but may
refer to multiple devices and/or facilities. That is, each of the
individual components illustrated within the head end 12 may be
physically located in various locations. The head end 12, one or
more of the modules of the head end 12, and/or the memory of the
head end 12 may be included in the content provider 14.
[0062] The head end 12 may include a content distribution module
210 that is used for distributing content through different means.
The head end 12 may be in communication with an output module 212
for uplinking content to a satellite through the uplink antenna 18
as illustrated in FIG. 1 and/or transmitting signals to and/or
receiving signals from the network 42. The output module may
include and/or be implemented as an interface and/or a transceiver.
The content distribution module 210 may thus format the signal in
an appropriate format for uplinking through the output module 212.
The output module 212 may uplink various content through the
satellite to the user receiving devices 30 and/or the mobile
devices 31 (collectively referred to as receiving devices) of FIG.
1. The content distribution module 210 may also transcode the
content in formats suitable for use by the receiving devices.
[0063] The output module 212 may also communicate conditional
access data to the receiving devices for accessing the content. The
conditional access data may be communicated in a conditional access
packet that includes data for tuning the receiving devices to
receive the data. The conditional access data may be received
directly or indirectly from a conditional access module 224. The
conditional access module 224 may provide conditional access
signals to a billing module 220 to allow a particular user access
to content. The conditional access module 224 may generate a
conditional access packet (CAP) together with data from the billing
module 220 for uplinking through the output module 212. If the
content is satellite content, access data such as, but not limited
to, the particular transponder, channel and time at which the
content is broadcasted may be provided in the CAP. If the content
is to be provided over an Internet or other broadband-type network,
an IP address of the content may be provided. The CAP may also
include encryption/decryption information for the receiving devices
to receive the content and decode the content.
[0064] The content distribution module 210 may also be in
communication with a network interface module 214. The network
interface module 214 may be in communication with the network 42
(shown in FIG. 1) for communicating content therethrough. The
network interface module 214 (or the content distribution module
210) may format the content signals into internet protocol signals
for distribution through the network 42.
[0065] The content distribution module 210 may also be in
communication with content memory 216. The content memory 216 may
be referred to as a content repository. The content memory 216 may
receive content from a content providing module 217 for
distribution through the satellite system or the network 42. The
content providing module 217 may receive content from the content
provider 14. The content memory 216 may save on-demand or PPV
content therein.
[0066] The content providing module 217 may also provide live
television content for distribution through the content
distribution module 210. The content distribution module 210 may
thus communicate live content through the output module 212 or
through the network interface module 214 to the appropriate
networks. The content providing module 217 may provide content
and/or ads to a video processing module 219, which may perform
image recognition to detect products and generate corresponding
metadata. This is described in further detail below.
[0067] The content providing module 217 processes received content
for communication through the satellite 22 or network 42. The
content providing module 217 may communicate live content as well
as recorded content. The content memory 216 may store on-demand or
PPV content for distribution at various times. The PPV content may
be broadcasted in a linear fashion (at a predetermined time
according to a predetermined schedule). Linear content may be
presently broadcasted and may also be scheduled to be broadcasted
in the future. The content memory 216 may also store on-demand
content therein. On-demand content is content that is broadcasted
at the request of a user receiving device and may occur at any time
(not on a predetermined schedule). On-demand content is referred to
as non-linear content.
[0068] A billing module 220 may also be incorporated into the head
end 12. The billing module 220 may be used for associating one or
more receiving devices with a user account. For example, different
types of receiving devices such as mobile devices and one or more
fixed set top boxes may be associated with a user account. By
associating the receiving devices with a user account, content may
be shared or accessed by each of the receiving devices associated
with the account.
[0069] A registration module 222 may be used to associate each of
the receiving devices with a user account at the billing module
220. The registration module 222 may be an automated system through
which the user calls or accesses remotely by computer for
associating the receiving devices with the account. The
registration module 222 may also be partially human activated in
which a customer service representative enters data for multiple
receiving devices and associates the receiving devices with an
account.
[0070] A program guide module 230 may also be included within the
head end 12. The program guide module 230 receives metadata and
other data from the content providing module 217. The program guide
module 230 is ultimately used to communicate content and metadata
to the output module 212. The program guide module may thus contain
data related to the ratings of the particular content to be
broadcasted and controlled by the content distribution module
210.
[0071] The program guide module 230 communicates program guide data
to the user receiving devices 30 illustrated in FIG. 1. The program
guide module 230 may create various objects with various types of
data. The program guide module 230 may, for example, include
schedule data, various types of descriptions for the content and
content identifier that uniquely identifies each content item. The
program guide module 230, in a typical system, communicates up to
two weeks of advanced guide data for linear content to the user
receiving devices. The guide data includes tuning data such as time
of broadcast data, end time data, channel data, and transponder
data name a few. Guide data may also include content available
on-demand and pay-per-view content.
[0072] A scheduling module 232 may be in communication with the
program guide module 230 and the content distribution module 210 to
arrange the content to be distributed as well as provide program
guide data for the content to be distributed. The scheduling module
232 may also be in communication with the content providing module
217 for obtaining a schedule for live channel broadcast.
[0073] An authentication module 240 may be used to authenticate
various user receiving devices and mobile devices that communicate
with the head end 12. The authentication module 240 may be in
communication with a billing module 220. The billing module 220 may
provide data for subscriptions and various authorizations suitable
for the user receiving devices and the mobile devices. The
authentication module 240 ultimately permits the user receiving
devices and mobile devices to communicate with the head end 12.
Authentication may be performed by providing a user identifier, a
password, a user device identifier or combinations thereof.
Channels and/or programs may be provided to the user receiving
devices and/or mobile devices based on passcodes, as further
described below.
[0074] FIG. 3 shows a user receiving device 250 that may replace
any of the user receiving devices 30 of FIG. 1. Although, a
particular example using the user receiving device 250 as a
satellite set top box is illustrated, it is merely representative
of various electronic devices with an internal control module (or
controller) used as a content receiving device. An antenna 252 may
be one of a number of different types of antennas used for
receiving satellite signals that may include one or more low noise
blocks associated therewith. The antenna 252 may be a single
antenna used for satellite television reception. Of course,
multiple antennas for receiving signals from satellites in
different orbital slots may be used. In a terrestrial system such
as a cable television system, no antenna may be used. Rather, a
connector to a fiber optic or coaxial cable may be used.
Terrestrial systems may have an antenna suitable for receiving
terrestrial wireless signals. The user receiving device 250 is
connected to a display (e.g., one of the displays 46). The user
receiving device 250 may have an output driver 310 for formatting
video and audio signals for output to the display 46.
[0075] A user receiving device control module 330 may be used to
coordinate and control the various functions of the user receiving
device 250. The user receiving device control module 330 may
include and/or be implemented as a controller. These functions may
include functions of: tuners 320A-320N (collectively 320);
demodulators 322A-322N (collectively 322); decoders 324A-324N
(collectively 324) such as forward error correction decoders; and
any corresponding buffers and/or other related functions.
[0076] The tuners 320 receive respective signals or data from
corresponding individual channels. The tuners 320 may receive data
from a satellite or a source such as cable or over-the-air TV
broadcasts. The tuners 320 may receive television programming
content, program guide data or other types of data. The
demodulators 322 demodulate the signals or data to form a
demodulated signal or data. The decoders 324 decode the demodulated
signals to form decoded data or decoded signals. By providing a
number of tuners, demodulators and decoders, a number of different
content programs may be used by the user receiving device 250. For
example, live viewing and recording may be performed
simultaneously. A number of recordings may be made simultaneously
depending on the number of tuners available.
[0077] The user receiving device control module 330 is in
communication with a memory 340. The memory 340 is illustrated as a
single box. The memory 340 may be implemented as multiple different
types of memories including a hard drive, a flash drive and various
other types of memory devices. The memory 340 may be other types of
memory or sections of different types of memory. The memory 340 may
be non-volatile memory or volatile memory. The memory 340 may
include a customer database 341 and a DVR 342. The DVR 342 may
include recorded content stored for later playback.
[0078] The memory 340 may include storage for various operational
data collected during operation of the user receiving device 250.
For example, the memory 340 may store user configuration data for
each user associated with a device or system. The user
configuration data may include rating limits set by a user of the
user receiving device 250. A default user configuration may also be
established in case visual recognition is not achieved. This will
be described in detail below. Other types of data in the memory 340
may include the channel subscription data, the blocked channels,
adult channels, current set top box language, TV resolution data,
to do list data, the conditional access module identifier, time
zone data, time of day daylight savings, status data, aspect ratio
data, viewing hours data, quick tune list and a zip code.
[0079] The memory 340 may also store the advanced program guide
data. The memory 340 may store program guide data that is received
from the head end. The program guide data may include amounts of
data including two or more weeks of program guide data. The program
guide data may be communicated to the user receiving device 250 in
various manners including through the satellite 22 of FIG. 1. The
program guide data may include content or program identifiers,
ratings and various data objects corresponding thereto.
[0080] The user receiving device 250 may also include a user
interface (UI) 350. The UI 350 may include various types of user
interfaces such as a keyboard, push buttons, a touch screen, and a
voice activated interface or the like. The UI 350 may be used to:
select a channel; change user profiles including acceptable
ratings; select various information such as content selections;
change the volume; change the display appearance; and/or perform
other functions. The UI 350 may also be used for selecting playback
locations of the content.
[0081] A network interface 352 may be included within the user
receiving device 250 to communicate various data through the
networks 36, 42 described above. In one implementation, the user
receiving device 250 does not include the network interface 352.
The network interface 352 may be a WiFi, WiMax, WiMax mobile,
wireless, cellular, or other types of communication systems. The
network interface 352 may use various protocols for communication
therethrough including, but not limited to, hypertext transfer
protocol (HTTP).
[0082] The user receiving device 250 may also include a conditional
access module 360. The conditional access module 360 prevents
unauthorized reception of the television signals through the
antenna 252. The conditional access module 360 may use a
cryptographic hash to authorize the use and display of the received
signals. The conditional access module 360 may receive the proper
codes or signals from the head end.
[0083] The user receiving device control module 330 may also be
connected to a Bluetooth module 362 (is Bluetooth.RTM. enabled).
The Bluetooth module 362 may include and/or be implemented as a
Bluetooth transceiver. The Bluetooth transceiver may be in
communication with mobile devices (e.g., the mobile devices 31 of
FIG. 1). The user receiving device control module 330 may
communicate with the mobile devices 31 via the router 44 and/or the
Bluetooth transceiver. The transceivers disclosed herein may
include and/or be implemented as transceivers.
[0084] The user receiving device control module 330 may also
include an infrared or radio frequency transceiver 364 for
communication with a remote control device 366. The remote control
device 366 may be used to, for example, change a channel of the
user receiving device 250. The remote control device 366 may also
be used to, for example, resume viewing of a channel and/or a
video, as is further described below. The remote control device 366
may include a keypad 368 for generating key signals that are
communicated to the user receiving device 250. The remote control
device 366 may also include a microphone 370 for receiving an
audible signal and converting the audible signal to an electrical
signal. The electrical signal may be communicated to the user
receiving device 250. The remote control device 366 may also
include a display 372.
[0085] FIG. 4 shows a portion 400 of a user receiving device (e.g.,
one of the user receiving devices 30, 250 disclosed above). The
portion 400 includes the output driver 310, the user receiving
device control module 330, the network interface 352, the Bluetooth
module 362, and the transceiver 364. The portion 400 also includes
the memory 340 and the DVR 342, which are shown collectively as
memory/DVR 340/342. The user receiving device control module 330
includes a transaction system 402. The transaction system 402
includes a transaction module 404, a profile module 410, a channel
module 412, a DVR module 414, an output module 416 and a security
module 418.
[0086] The transaction module 404 includes a metadata module 420, a
purchasing module 422, an authorization module 424, and a
pay-per-view (PPV) module 426. The metadata module 420 monitors
metadata to detect purchasable objects in a video. The purchasing
module 422 may control purchasing of content by a user of a mobile
device. This may include receiving and/or exchanging identification
information, billing information, and/or contact information with a
mobile device of a user and/or a content provider. The stated
information may be received from the mobile device and transferred
to the content provider or may be provided by the content provider.
The stated information may be stored in the memory 340 and accessed
by any of the modules 420, 422, 424, 426. The purchasing module 422
may provide confirmation request messages, which may be displayed
to confirm that the user wants to purchase certain selected
content. The confirmation request messages may have originated at
and/or have been received from the content provider.
[0087] The authorization module 424 may perform one or more
handshake processes with the head end, the content provider, and/or
a mobile device to authorize (or reauthorize) reception and/or
display of content on a display of the corresponding user receiving
device and/or the mobile device. The content may be PPV content or
other content. In one embodiment, the authorization module 424
receives authorization signals from a content provider to permit
downloading and/or displaying of certain content.
[0088] The authorization module 424 may generate authorization
preview screens and/or authorization messages. The authorization
module 424 may display via the output module 416 the authorization
preview screens and the authorization messages. The authorization
preview screen may be a blank (or black) screen or may provide, for
example, an image of a scene of the content attempting to be
accessed by a user. The authorization preview screen may include an
authorization message and/or a code.
[0089] The pay-per-view (PPV) module 426 may generate PPV preview
screens and/or PPV messages. The PPV module 426 may display via the
output module 416 the PPV preview screens and the PPV messages. The
PPV preview screen may be a blank (or black) screen or may provide,
for example, an image of a scene of the content attempting to be
accessed by a user. The PPV preview screen may include a PPV
message.
[0090] The profile module 410 manages profiles 430 of each of the
mobile devices paired with the corresponding user receiving device.
The profiles 430 may be stored in the memory 340 and accessed by
the profile module 410. Each of the profiles 430 may have a unique
identifier (ID) number, an assigned security level, and
corresponding authorized channels, programs and/or videos. The
security level may indicate which channels, programs, and/or videos
are permitted to be displayed for the corresponding profile.
Different profiles may have the same security level or different
security levels. One or more mobile devices may be assigned to a
profile and thus have a corresponding profile ID number. Each of
the profiles may also include mobile device and/or profile specific
features such as volume levels, maximum volumes, amount of time
permitted ON over a predetermined period, a playlist of recorded
videos, a preferred channel list, and other features. The profile
module 410 may create each of the profiles 430 based on: parental
control inputs; operation history of the corresponding mobile
devices; time of day of watching a channel, program and/or video;
and/or profile information provided by the corresponding mobile
devices.
[0091] The channel module 412 may control selection and output of
channels to the output driver 310 via the output module 416. The
DVR module 414 may control selection, recording, and/or output of
videos. The DVR module 414 may store videos in the DVR 342 and
output the videos via the output module 416 to the output driver
310 for display. The channel module 412 and the DVR module 414 may
operate based on parental guidance controls. The channel module 412
and the DVR module 414 may provide channels and/or videos to the
output module based on the profile ID number and/or the security
level associated with a profile of one or more mobile devices. The
videos may be stored as video files 432 in the memory 340 and/or
DVR 342.
[0092] The output module 416 controls output of channels, programs,
and/or videos to the output driver 310. This may be based on
parental guidance controls. The output module 416 may output
channels and/or videos to the output driver 310 based on the
profile ID number and/or the security level associated with a
profile of one or more mobile devices. The output module 416
includes an image module 417 that may alter a portion of an image
of an object to alert a viewer of the object.
[0093] The security module 418 may control operation of the output
module 416 based on a security level of a profile. The security
module 418 may also be used to set passcodes and/or require a
passcode to view certain channels, programs and/or videos. The
security module 418 may be in communication with the mobile devices
via the Bluetooth module 362.
[0094] FIG. 5 shows a mobile device 450. Any of the mobile devices
of FIG. 1 may be configured as the mobile device 450. The mobile
device 450 includes a mobile device control module 452 that
controls various functions of the mobile device 450. The mobile
device control module 452 includes a second transaction system 453
that includes a transaction module 454, a channel module 458, a
video module 459, a profile module 460, an output module 462 and a
security module 464. The transaction module 454 includes a metadata
module 466, a second purchasing module 468, a second authorization
module 470, and a second pay-per-view (PPV) module 471. The
metadata module 466 monitors metadata to detect purchasable objects
in a video.
[0095] The purchasing module 468 may control purchasing of content
by a user of a mobile device. This may include receiving and/or
exchanging identification information, billing information, and/or
contact information with a user receiving device and/or a content
provider. The stated information may be stored in the memory 340
and accessed by any of the modules 466, 468, 470 and 471. The
purchasing module 468 may provide confirmation request messages,
which may be displayed on the mobile device to confirm that the
user wants to purchase certain selected content. The confirmation
messages may have originated at and/or have been received from the
user receiving device and/or the content provider.
[0096] The authorization module 470 may perform a handshake process
with the head end and/or the content provider disclosed above to
authorize (or reauthorize) reception and/or display of content on a
display of a user receiving device and/or the mobile device. An
authorization signal for selected content may be received from a
head end or content provider and forwarded from the mobile device
to the user receiving device. The authorization signal permits
downloading and/or displaying of certain content.
[0097] The PPV module 471 may control PPV purchase requests. The
PPV module 471 may generate request signals for PPV content. The
PPV request signals may include channel, program and/or video
identification information. This information may be provided to a
head end, content service provider and/or user receiving device.
The PPV module 471 may receive PPV content from the head end, the
content provider and/or the user receiving device and forward the
content to the channel module, the video module, and/or the memory
482. The PPV module 471 may display the content via the output
module 462 on the display 472.
[0098] The profile module 460 manages profiles of the mobile device
450 and/or other mobile devices. The profiles 480 may be stored in
memory 482 and accessed by the profile module 460. The profiles 480
may have respectively a unique ID, an assigned security level, and
corresponding authorized channels, programs and/or videos. The
profile ID may be assigned by a user receiving device. The security
level may be assigned by another mobile device (e.g., parental
device) and/or a user receiving device. The security level may
indicate which channels, programs, and/or videos are permitted to
be displayed for the corresponding profile. Each of the profiles
may also include mobile device and/or profile specific features
such as volume levels, maximum volumes, time permitted ON over a
predetermined period, a playlist of recorded videos, a preferred
channel list, and other features. The profile module 460 may create
the profiles 480 based on parental control inputs, operation
history of the corresponding mobile devices, and/or profile
information provided by the corresponding mobile devices. As an
alternative the profile module 460 may receive one or more of the
profiles 480 from a user receiving device. The profile module 460
may store user profile data within the mobile device 450. The
profile module 460 may store user settings, such as favorites and
parental controls. The profile module 460 may also receive profile
data from the head end 12.
[0099] The output module 462 controls output of signals, guides,
channels, programs, and/or videos to the display 472. Although not
shown, the mobile device control module 452 may include guide,
channel, program, and/or video modules for the accessing and/or
displaying respectively of guides, channels, programs, and/or
videos. The output module 462 may output signals, guides, channels,
programs, and/or videos to the display 472 based on the profile ID
and/or the security level associated with the profile 480. The
output module 462 includes an image module 463 that may alter a
portion of an image of an object to alert a viewer of the
object.
[0100] The security module 464 may control operation of the output
module 462 based on a security level of the profile 480. The
security module 464 may also be used to set passcodes and/or
require a passcode to view certain channels, programs and/or
videos. The security module 464 may be in communication with user
receiving device s via a Bluetooth module 484 and/or other
interface and/or transceiver.
[0101] In one implementation the mobile device 450 may be used as a
remote control device and send signals to a user receiving device
to select a channel, program and/or video. In another embodiment,
the security module 464 provides a passcode, which may be entered
by a user of the mobile device 450. Content received by the mobile
device control module 452 may be stored in the memory. This may
include programs and/or videos 486.
[0102] The mobile device control module 452 is in communication
with a microphone 488 that receives audible signals and converts
the audible signals into electrical signals. The audible signals
may include a request signal. The request signal may be to perform
a search and/or to obtain guide data, network data and/or playlist
data. The mobile device control module 452 is also in communication
with a user interface 490. The user interface 490 may include
buttons, input switches and/or a touch screen.
[0103] The mobile device control module 452 is also in
communication with a network interface 492. The network interface
492 may be used to interface with the network 42 of FIG. 1. As
mentioned above, the network 42 may be a wireless network or the
Internet. The network interface 492 may communicate with a cellular
system or with the internet or both. A network identifier may be
attached to or associated with each communication from the mobile
device 450.
[0104] Various examples are disclosed below with respect to the
embodiments of FIGS. 6-9 and other embodiments of the present
disclosure. Although one or more of the embodiments are primarily
described with respect to a content provider, all of the tasks
performed by the content provider may be performed by a head end, a
content service provider, a network, and/or an intermediary device
in communication with a corresponding mobile device, head end,
and/or the content provider.
[0105] For the embodiments of FIGS. 6-21 and other embodiments
disclosed herein, the mobile devices may include software
applications (referred to as "apps") with corresponding screens (or
windows). The apps may be controlled via one or more modules (e.g.,
control modules) of the mobile devices and may allow a user to send
various types of information disclosed herein to a user receiving
device and/or a content provider. The apps and corresponding
screens may allow the user to perform various tasks such as
confirming a purchase, send billing information, send contact
information, answer questions in a survey, selected a product, etc.
As used herein, the term "user" may refer to an individual
associated with an account provided by a content provider or other
user.
[0106] FIG. 6 shows a sequence diagram illustrating an advertising
and purchasing method. A product and/or service may be offered by a
product and/or service provider 500 (e.g., the product and/or
service provider 54 of FIG. 1). In the example shown, this is
represented by offer signals that may be initiated at, originated
by, and/or transmitted from the product and/or service provider 500
to a payment service provider 502 (e.g., the payment service
provider 56 of FIG. 1), an advertiser 504 (e.g., the advertiser 58
of FIG. 1), a content provider 506 (e.g., the content provider 14
and/or the head end 12 of FIG. 1), a user receiving device 508
(e.g., one of the user receiving devices 30 of FIG. 1) and/or a
mobile device 510 (e.g., one of the mobile devices 31 of FIG.
1).
[0107] A first offer signal 512 indicates the offer being presented
to the user receiving device 508 and/or the mobile device 510 and
is transmitted to the payment service provider 502. The payment
service provider 502 is then able to interact with the user
receiving device 508 and/or mobile device 510 to perform a
transaction. A second offer signal 514, in the form of an ad and/or
offer request, may be transmitted from the product and/or service
provider 500 to the advertiser 504. The ad and/or offer request may
include an offer for a product and/or service and may be a request
to the advertiser 504 to generate an advertisement (referred to as
an "ad") including the offer. The ad may be generated by the
advertiser 504. The ad and/or offer (designated 516) may be
transmitted from the advertiser 504 to the content provider 506,
which may then be forwarded to the user receiving device 508 and/or
mobile device 510.
[0108] The ad and/or offer may then be displayed on a display of
the user receiving device 508 and/or the mobile device 510. An
example, an ad 511, an offer 513 and interaction buttons 515 are
shown in a window 517 on a screen 519 in FIG. 7. The interaction
buttons may include an "Accept" button, a "Decline" button, a "More
Information" button, a "Disable Offers" button, etc. The offer 513
may be superimposed on and/or included in the ad 511. The
interaction buttons 515 may be superimposed on or shown separate
from the ad 511 and/or offer 513. The ad 511 and/or offer 513 may
be displayed prior to, during and/or subsequent to a program and/or
video being displayed on the user receiving device 508 and/or
mobile device 510. The ad 511 and/or offer 513 may be superimposed
on the program and/or video being displayed.
[0109] The user may respond to the offer 513 via the mobile device
510 by providing a user input to accept and/or request additional
information regarding the offer. The mobile device 510 may generate
an offer response 518, which may be transmitted to the user
receiving device 508, content provider 506, advertiser, 504,
payment service provider 502, and/or product and/or service
provider 500. The offer response 518 may be originated at the
mobile device 510 and may be forwarded to the user receiving device
508, content provider 506, advertiser, 504, payment service
provider 502, and/or product and/or service provider 500.
[0110] A confirmation request 520 may be generated by any one of
the product and/or service provider 500, the payment service
provider 502, the advertiser 504, the content provider 506, the
user receiving device 508 and may be sent to any one of the payment
service provider 502, the advertiser 504, the content provider 506,
the user receiving device 508, and the mobile device 510. A
confirmation response 522 may then be generated by any one of the
payment service provider 502, the advertiser 504, the content
provider 506, the user receiving device 508, and the mobile device
510 and may be sent to any one of the product and/or service
provider 500, the payment service provider 502, the advertiser 504,
the content provider 506, the user receiving device 508. The
confirmation request 520 and the confirmation response 522 may be
sent directly between the providers and devices 500, 502, 504, 506,
508, 510 or may be indirectly sent by intermediary ones of the
providers and/or devices forwarding the confirmation request 520
and/or confirmation response 522. Other below described
confirmation requests and/or confirmation responses may be
similarly generated, transmitted and/or forwarded between
corresponding providers and/or devices. In one embodiment, a
confirmation request includes data that is tracked and sent back to
a provider and/or device from which an offer response was generated
and/or forwarded from. A confirmation response may include the same
data and/or additional data as the confirmation request. The data
included in the confirmation response may also be tracked and sent
back to a provider and/or device from which a confirmation request
was generated and/or forwarded from.
[0111] When a user is watching a program and/or video displayed via
the user receiving device 508, the user receiving device 508 may
display an ad (commercial, infomercial, donor request, etc.). The
user may then respond to the offer via the mobile device 510. This
may including sending response signals to the advertiser 504, the
payment service provider 502 and/or the product and/or service
provider 500 and/or transferring related information between (i)
the mobile device 510 and (ii) the advertiser 504, the payment
service provider 502 and/or the product and/or service provider
500. To respond to the offer, the user may, for example: click on a
button on the mobile device (e.g., a button allocated to responding
to offers); touch a button or area on the display of the user
receiving device 508 and/or mobile device 510; and/or perform one
or more other actions via the mobile device 510.
[0112] The response to the offer initiates and/or finalizes the
transaction offered and accepted by the user. The offer may be
accepted and finalized by the offer response 518 or a confirmation
request 520 may be generated. The response, as disclosed herein may
also lead to other information about the product and/or service
being offered and/or to other offers. Responding to the offer
and/or acceptance of the offer may trigger the advertiser 504, the
payment service provider 502 and/or the product and/or service
provider 500 to send coupons, donation requests, offers, and/or
information to the user. The coupons, donation requests, offers
and/or information may be directed to the initial product and/or
service offered and/or to other products and/or services. The
coupons, donation requests, offers and/or information may be sent
to a home of the user. The donations requests may be for a
non-profit organization.
[0113] Subsequent to the offer response 518 and/or the confirmation
response 522 being received, a product shipped notification 530 may
be sent from, for example, the product/service provider 500 to the
user receiving device 508 and/or the mobile device 510. The product
shipped notification 530 may be displayed on the display of the
user receiving device and/or on the display of the mobile device
510. The product shipped notification 530 may indicate to the user
that the product has been shipped and/or when the user can expect
to receive the product. A transaction performed for a product may
be considered completed when an offer response, a confirmation
response, and/or a purchase product and/or service is received
and/or provided. For example, an on-line portion of a purchase
transaction may be considered completed when an offer response is
received, a confirmation response is received and/or a product
shipped notification is received. The entire purchase transaction
may be considered completed when a purchased product is received
and/or a purchased service is provided.
[0114] The method of FIG. 6 allows a user (or viewer) watching an
advertisement to accept an offer from an advertiser. The viewer may
take action, such as a click on a special remote control button or
navigate a menu on-screen (e.g., display of corresponding user
receiving device or mobile device) in order to initiate a
transaction with the advertiser. The user receiving device notes
for what channel and time the transaction is initiated. Once the
viewer initiates the transaction, the transaction information may
be sent over the Internet to a computer system (or server) of a
content service provider (e.g., DirecTV.RTM.) via, for example, the
Internet. The transaction information may include customer contact
information, billing information, payment information, bill of
sales information, product and/or service information, etc. The
server of the content service provider (such as any of the example
servers of the disclosed content providers and content service
providers disclosed herein) may control and/or have access to a
customer database and/or an advertiser database. The customer
database may be stored at the content provider, content service
provider, a head end, or other backend device and include customer
information. The advertiser database may be stored at the
advertiser and include advertiser information including ads and
corresponding offers and/or surveys. The advertiser and/or other
backend device may coordinate transfer and acceptance of
advertising offers and customer requests. In one embodiment, after
the transaction between the advertiser and the viewer (or customer)
is finalized, the advertiser may communicate with the content
service provider, content provider, head end, payment service
provider, product and/or service provider, etc. to make
arrangements to provide the purchased product and/or service to the
customer.
[0115] In addition to products and services, a viewer may request
coupons for a product and/or service. For example, a viewer who
sees a commercial for diapers may request coupons by clicking on a
button (e.g., a "take offer" button or an "Accept Offer!" button)
on a mobile device. Upon clicking on the button, a timestamp and
channel are sent over the Internet to a central database, which
records the customer's request with the appropriate offer. The
advertiser is then sent a message according to a previous
arrangement with the content service provider (e.g., DirecTV.RTM.)
giving the name and addresses of the customer (or, to protect
customer information, the content service provider sends coupons to
the customer on behalf of the advertiser and/or product and/or
service provider).
[0116] Other types of transactions may also be implemented. For
example, in the case of an infomercial, the content service
provider may collect a percentage of a sale and bill a customer on
a next billing cycle while sending information to a product and/or
service provider (or infomercial business) that a new purchase has
occurred. As another example, a content service provider may
partner with a business (e.g., a local pizza shop) for special
offers and broadcast advertisements and the offers to be displayed
on displays of user receiving devices and/or mobile devices.
Customers may then accept the offers via the mobile devices. As
another example, during a game, a viewer may place an order via a
mobile device and/or user receiving device to order a product
(e.g., a pizza). The content service provider may receive a
commission for facilitating this sale.
[0117] There are several benefits to having a content service
provider facilitate viewer-advertiser transactions. Returning to
one of the previous examples, a content service provider knowing
that a customer is requesting coupons for a particular product
allows the content service provider to cater advertising directed
to customers. The content service provider is able to provide
advertising that a customer may be interested in, as opposed to
other advertising, which the customer may ignore, skip, and/or
delete. Tracking what people watch is good, but tracking what
offers they accept is better. All of this offers a wider
opportunity to increase revenues. Advertisements that a customer is
interested in and/or corresponding offers that a customer accepts
may be stored as a portion of the customer information and may be
shared between backend devices. This provides feedback to allow
content service providers and/or advertisers to track what ads are
working (i.e. which ads are triggering accepted offers and how many
times each of the offers is being accepted). The ads that are
working may be improved upon and the ads that are not working may
be changed or thrown out. This also improves the customer's
experience.
[0118] The above-described method of FIG. 6 may include a user
receiving device receiving audio-visual data via a satellite, a
cable network, a fiber-optic network, the Internet and/or other
network. The user receiving device displays programs,
advertisements and offers. A viewer watching the programs,
advertisements and offers may respond to the offers via a mobile
device (e.g., a remote control or cellular phone). The viewer may
navigate a guide to: select programs for viewing or purchase;
accept an offer from an advertiser; and/or select and/or purchase a
product and/or service of an advertisement. The advertisement may
be in the form of: a full program (e.g., a program viewed over an
extended timespan on a specific viewing channel); or may be
provided for a short timespan within and/or as part of a program.
Backend devices, including a customer database and/or an advertiser
database, fulfill viewer accepted offers from advertisers for
content offers (e.g., offers for programs and/or videos) and
non-content offers (offers directed to other products and/or
services).
[0119] As a non-content based example, a viewer may watch a video
and an advertisement that presents an offer, which is not
deliverable through a user receiving device. The offer may allow a
viewer to: request more information regarding a product and/or
service and/or related products and/or services; request coupons;
make a donation; purchase a product; schedule a visit (e.g., a
doctor visit); etc. The viewer accepts the offer and/or transmits
one or more of the requests via a mobile device to a user receiving
device and/or backend device. This may be done by the user clicking
on a special button, clicking sequence of buttons, or through
specialized navigation on a screen. Once the viewer accepts the
offer and/or makes a request, a series of Internet communications
occur. These communications include data being transmitted (i)
between the user receiving device and/or mobile device, (ii)
between the user receiving device and one or more backend devices,
and/or (ii) between the mobile device and one or more backend
devices. The communications are performed to establish and confirm
which viewer is accepting which offer from which advertiser.
[0120] Once the Internet communications are completed and the
transaction of accepting the offer is completed, the content
provider (or content service provider) and/or the user receiving
device fulfills the offer. Depending on the offer accepted, the
content provider and/or the user receiving device may fulfill the
offer differently. For example, in fulfilling the offer, the
content provider and/or the user receiving device may share the
viewer's request, name and address to an advertiser associated with
the offer selected. As another example, the content provider and/or
the user receiving device may: accept payment from a viewer on
behalf of an advertiser (while taking a commission of the sale);
bill the viewer on behalf of the advertiser; inform the advertiser
of the offer acceptance; and/or send the advertiser information
pertaining to the offer and acceptance for the advertiser to
fulfill or handle the accepted offer. As another example, the
content service provider may communicate with the advertiser and/or
a service provider of a service being provided to schedule an
appointment for the service (e.g., schedule an appointment with a
doctor). This may include transferring between the content service
provider and one or more backend devices, information such as time
and date of appointment, type of appointment, name of company
and/or person offering the service, location of the appointment,
name of company and/or person offering the service, customer
information, billing information of customer, customer contact
information, an hourly service rate, etc. If the viewer is
purchasing a product from an infomercial, other information (e.g.,
name of company offering the product, customer information, billing
information of customer, customer contact information, price of the
product, number of each product purchased, IDs of the products
purchased, serial numbers or other identification numbers of the
products purchased, etc.) may be transferred between (i) the
content service provider and/or the user receiving device and (ii)
the product provider. Although the information may vary that is
transferred between (i) the service provider and/or the user
receiving device and (ii) one or more other backend devices, the
way in which a viewer accepts different types of offers may be
similar and/or not vary much from a viewer's perspective.
[0121] In another embodiment, after a user receiving device has
received a viewer's acceptance from a mobile device, the user
receiving device may start communicating with a content service
provider and/or one or more other backend devices to fulfill the
order accepted. This may be done via the Internet and using
respective communication protocols to establish and confirm the
acceptance of the offer with the one or more backend devices. The
user receiving device may record offers presented and offers
accepted, which may be shared with one or more of the backend
devices. As an alternative, the content service provider may
communicate with one or more backend devices to fulfill the order
accepted. Information may be transferred between the service
provider and the one or more backend devices to complete the
transaction associated with the accepted offer. The contact service
provider may contact the advertiser, a fulfillment house, a product
and/or service provider, etc. in fulfilling the order. Regardless
of whether the user receiving device and/or the content service
provider fulfills the order, the transaction is completed outside
of a STB environment experienced by the customer.
[0122] The customer and advertiser databases may be accessed by a
user receiving device and/or a service provider. Although the
databases 65, 341 of FIGS. 1 and 3 are shown as being included in
the advertiser 58 and in the memory 340 of the user receiving
device 250, the databases may be stored elsewhere and/or shared by
other backend devices. The databases 65, 341 may be stored, for
example, in the cloud server 68 of FIG. 1. The databases may
include advertisement information, offers, customer information,
and/or other information disclosed herein.
[0123] FIG. 8 shows a sequence diagram illustrating an
upselling/cross-selling method. The upselling and cross-selling
method is similar to the method of FIG. 6, but further includes
upselling and/or cross-selling additional products and/or services.
The additional products and/or services may be similar to and/or
related to products and/or services that a customer previously was
interested in and/or purchased. The additional products and/or
services may include upgrades to current products and/or services
being purchased and/or may be similar to the current products
and/or services being purchased.
[0124] The upselling and/or cross-selling may be based on
previously tracked customer history including tracking products
and/or services that the customer had interest in and/or products
and/or services the customer previously purchased. The customer
history may be stored in any of the above-disclosed memories and/or
servers. The customer history may be analyzed by a user receiving
device, a content service provider, a head end, a product and/or
service provider, to provide demographic and/or psychographic data.
This data may include channels watched by the customer, items
purchased, advertisements for which offers are accepted, donations
made by the customer (including amounts and to whom or to what the
donations are made), period (or time) of day the customer watches
television and/or videos, etc.
[0125] A first offer signal 550 indicates the offer being presented
to the user receiving device 508 and/or the mobile device 510 and
is transmitted to the payment service provider 502. The payment
service provider 502 may then interact with the user receiving
device 508 and/or mobile device 510 to perform a transaction. A
second offer signal 552, in the form of an ad and/or offer request,
may be transmitted from the product and/or service provider 500 to
the advertiser 504. The ad and/or offer request may include an
offer for a product and/or service and may be a request to the
advertiser 504 to generate an advertisement (referred to as an
"ad") including the offer. The ad may be generated by the
advertiser 504. The ad and/or offer (designated 556) may be
transmitted from the advertiser 504 to the content provider 506,
which may then be forwarded to the user receiving device 508 and/or
mobile device 510.
[0126] The ad and/or offer 556 may then be displayed on a display
of the user receiving device 508 and/or the mobile device 510. The
ad and/or offer 556 may be displayed prior to, during and/or
subsequent to a program and/or video being displayed on the user
receiving device 508 and/or mobile device 510. The ad and/or offer
556 may be superimposed on the program and/or video being
displayed.
[0127] The user may respond to the offer via the mobile device 510
by providing a user input to accept and/or request additional
information regarding the offer. The mobile device 510 may generate
an offer response 558, which may be transmitted to the user
receiving device 508, content provider 506, advertiser, 504,
payment service provider 502, and/or product and/or service
provider 500. The offer response 558 may be originated at the
mobile device 510 and may be forwarded to the user receiving device
508, content provider 506, advertiser, 504, payment service
provider 502, and/or product and/or service provider 500.
[0128] An upsell ad, a cross-sell ad, an upsell offer, and/or a
cross-sell offer (collectively designated 560) may be transmitted
from one or more of the back end devices 500, 502, 504, 506 to the
user receiving device 508 and/or the mobile device 510. The user
receiving device may transmit the upsell ad, a cross-sell ad, an
upsell offer, and/or a cross-sell offer 560 to the mobile device.
The upsell ad, a cross-sell ad, an upsell offer, and/or a
cross-sell offer 560 may be displayed on the display of the user
receiving device and/or the display of the mobile device. An upsell
and/or cross-sell response signal 562 may be transmitted from the
mobile device 510 to one or more of the backend devices 500, 502,
504, 506, 508. The upsell and/or cross-sell response signal 562 may
indicate that the customer accepts and/or declines the one or more
upsell and/or cross-sell products and/or services.
[0129] Although in FIGS. 6 and 8, a certain number of signals are
shown additional signals may be communicated between the mobile
device 510 and one or more of the backend devices. For example, the
viewer may request additional information about one or more
products, which may be provided by one or more of the backend
devices.
[0130] A confirmation request 564 may be generated by any one of
the product and/or service provider 500, the payment service
provider 502, the advertiser 504, the content provider 506, the
user receiving device 508 and may be sent to any one of the payment
service provider 502, the advertiser 504, the content provider 506,
the user receiving device 508, and the mobile device 510. A
confirmation response 566 may then be generated by any one of the
payment service provider 502, the advertiser 504, the content
provider 506, the user receiving device 508, and the mobile device
510 and may be sent to any one of the product and/or service
provider 500, the payment service provider 502, the advertiser 504,
the content provider 506, the user receiving device 508. The
confirmation request 564 and the confirmation response 566 may be
sent directly between the providers and devices 500, 502, 504, 506,
508, 510 or may be indirectly sent by intermediary ones of the
providers and/or devices forwarding the confirmation request 564
and/or confirmation response 566. The confirmation request and
response 564, 566 may confirm purchasing of one or more products
and/or services, which may include one or more upsell and/or
cross-sell products and/or services.
[0131] FIG. 9 shows a sequence diagram illustrating another
upselling/cross-selling method. The upselling and cross-selling
method is similar to the method of FIG. 8, but includes separate
confirmation requests and responses for different offers being
accepted.
[0132] A first offer signal 570 indicates the offer being presented
to the user receiving device 508 and/or the mobile device 510 and
is transmitted to the payment service provider 502. The payment
service provider 502 may then interact with the user receiving
device 508 and/or mobile device 510 to perform a transaction. A
second offer signal 572, in the form of an ad and/or offer request,
may be transmitted from the product and/or service provider 500 to
the advertiser 504. The ad and/or offer request may include an
offer for a product and/or service and may be a request to the
advertiser 504 to generate an advertisement (referred to as an
"ad") including the offer. The ad may be generated by the
advertiser 504. The ad and/or offer (designated 574) may be
transmitted from the advertiser 504 to the content provider 506,
which may then forwarded to the user receiving device 508 and/or
mobile device 510.
[0133] The ad and/or offer 574 may then be displayed on a display
of the user receiving device 508 and/or the mobile device 510. The
ad and/or offer 574 may be displayed prior to, during and/or
subsequent to a program and/or video being displayed on the user
receiving device 508 and/or mobile device 510. The ad and/or offer
574 may be superimposed on the program and/or video being
displayed.
[0134] The user may respond to the offer via the mobile device 510
by providing a user input to accept and/or request additional
information regarding the offer. The mobile device 510 may generate
an offer response 576, which may be transmitted to the user
receiving device 508, content provider 506, advertiser, 504,
payment service provider 502, and/or product and/or service
provider 500. The offer response 576 may be originated at the
mobile device 510 and may be forwarded to the user receiving device
508, content provider 506, advertiser, 504, payment service
provider 502, and/or product and/or service provider 500.
[0135] A confirmation request 578 may be generated by any one of
the product and/or service provider 500, the payment service
provider 502, the advertiser 504, the content provider 506, the
user receiving device 508 and may be sent to any one of the payment
service provider 502, the advertiser 504, the content provider 506,
the user receiving device 508, and the mobile device 510. A
confirmation response 580 may then be generated by any one of the
payment service provider 502, the advertiser 504, the content
provider 506, the user receiving device 508, and the mobile device
510 and may be sent to any one of the product and/or service
provider 500, the payment service provider 502, the advertiser 504,
the content provider 506, the user receiving device 508. The
confirmation request 578 and the confirmation response 580 may be
sent directly between the providers and devices 500, 502, 504, 506,
508, 510 or may be indirectly sent by intermediary ones of the
providers and/or devices forwarding the confirmation request 578
and/or confirmation response 580. The confirmation request and
response 578, 580 may confirm purchasing of one or more products
and/or services.
[0136] An upsell ad, a cross-sell ad, an upsell offer, and/or a
cross-sell offer (collectively designated 590) may be transmitted
from one or more of the back end devices 500, 502, 504, 506 to the
user receiving device 508 and/or the mobile device 510. The user
receiving device 508 may transmit the upsell ad, a cross-sell ad,
an upsell offer, and/or a cross-sell offer 590 to the mobile device
510. The upsell ad, a cross-sell ad, an upsell offer, and/or a
cross-sell offer 590 may be displayed on the display of the user
receiving device 508 and/or the display of the mobile device 510.
An upsell and/or cross-sell response signal 592 may be transmitted
from the mobile device 510 to one or more of the backend devices
500, 502, 504, 506, 508. The upsell and/or cross-sell response
signal 592 may indicate that the customer accepts and/or declines
the one or more upsell and/or cross-sell products and/or
services.
[0137] A confirmation request 594 may be generated by any one of
the product and/or service provider 500, the payment service
provider 502, the advertiser 504, the content provider 506, the
user receiving device 508 and may be sent to any one of the payment
service provider 502, the advertiser 504, the content provider 506,
the user receiving device 508, and the mobile device 510. A
confirmation response 596 may then be generated by any one of the
payment service provider 502, the advertiser 504, the content
provider 506, the user receiving device 508, and the mobile device
510 and may be sent to any one of the product and/or service
provider 500, the payment service provider 502, the advertiser 504,
the content provider 506, the user receiving device 508. The
confirmation request 594 and the confirmation response 596 may be
sent directly between the providers and devices 500, 502, 504, 506,
508, 510 or may be indirectly sent by intermediary ones of the
providers and/or devices forwarding the confirmation request 594
and/or confirmation response 596. The confirmation request 596 and
response 564, 566 may confirm purchasing of one or more products
and/or services, which may include one or more upsell and/or
cross-sell products and/or services. Although in FIG. 9, a certain
number of transaction signals are shown additional transaction
signals may be communicated between the mobile device 510 and one
or more of the backend devices.
[0138] In the above-described methods of FIGS. 6-9, the mobile
device 510 may communicate indirectly with one or more of the
backend devices 500, 502, 504, 506, via the user receiving device
508 or may communicate directly with the one or more backend
devices 500, 502, 504, 506 to obtain information regarding products
and/or services, accept offers, and/or to complete transactions.
The same or separate windows and/or display screens may be
presented to a customer via the user receiving device and/or the
mobile device to accept and/or confirm offers.
[0139] Marketing is effective when there are up-sells (or selling
to the same customer more of the same product or service, selling
additional features for the same product or service, upgrading the
same product or service, and/or selling additional products and/or
services) and cross-sells (or selling a product or service similar
to a product or service purchased by the customer). The
above-disclosed embodiments provide targeted ads (or ads which
cater to targeted audiences based on customer demographic,
psychographic, and viewing data). The above-disclosed embodiments
present up-sell or cross-sell ads and corresponding offers in a
particular (or predetermined) sequence after a viewer initiates an
initial transaction and/or inquires about a product or service.
[0140] As an example, a viewer that sees an advertisement on a
display of a user receiving device and/or mobile device for pizza
due to a targeted ad may "click" and accept an offer for the pizza
via the user receiving device and/or mobile device. An order for
the pizza may be sent via the internet or other network to a
content service provider (e.g., DirecTV.RTM.). The content service
provider may then verify and fulfill the order by contacting the
provider, vendor, and/or business offering the pizza (or other
product and/or service). In addition to offering the pizza, a
targeted ad may be provided for other related products, such as
buffalo wings. This may be based on the customer's history
indicating that the customer likes buffalo wings. The provider,
vendor, and/or business offering the pizza may be the same or
different than the provider, vendor and/or business offering the
buffalo wings. The customer may decline or accept the upsell or
cross-sell offer presented to the customer.
[0141] The disclosed embodiments allow a user receiving device to
offer upsell and/or cross-sell ads to the customer based on a
currently purchased and/or inquired about products and/or services.
The upselling and cross-selling provide: a better customer
experience; additional profit potential for a content, product
and/or service providers (either through increased ad revenues
and/or commissions) by building upon a buyer whose already in a
purchasing mood; metrics regarding customers purchasing habits
(which feeds into targeted ads and provides an indication of what
ads work or not); and better relations with advertisers as tracking
and metrics may be shared. The metrics allow advertisers to measure
customer responses to direct marketing. The commissions may be
provided from, for example, an advertiser and/or a product and/or
service provider to a content service provider sending the
corresponding ads and offers to customers. This provides increased
revenue for the content service provider.
[0142] As an example, a user with a remote control (or mobile
device) sees an ad and an offer being displayed on a display. If
the user decides to accept the offer, the user may click on the
mobile device to signal a user receiving device to begin a
transaction. The user receiving device interacts with a server,
which links the user to an advertiser. The user receiving device
and/or the server fulfills an order or schedules fulfillment of the
order by sending transaction information, receiving user
confirmations, and displaying confirmation messages to the
user.
[0143] Targeted ads refer to ads preselected to match data for a
particular user based on demographic, psychographic, and/or viewing
habits of the user and whatever `selects` (to use the direct
response marketing term) characterize the user. Transactions may be
interrupted prior to being confirmed to present a user with
additional offers. The user sees a targeted ad, is presented an
offer, and clicks to accept the offer. However, instead of
immediately handling and confirming the transactions, the user is
shown another targeted ad with an upsell offer or a cross-sell
offer. If the upsell offer or cross-sell offer is accepted, then
the initial transaction may be accepted or dropped. If dropped, the
upsell or cross-sell is processed and confirmed by the user. If the
initial offer is accepted, then the initial offer and the upsell or
cross-sell offer is processed and confirmed by the user. As an
alternative, after an initial offer and corresponding transaction
is confirmed, an additional offer may be presented to the user. The
user sees a targeted ad, is presented an offer, and clicks to
accept the offer and the transaction is handled as expected.
However, after the confirmation of the initially accepted offer is
confirmed, the user is shown another targeted ad with an upsell
offer or a cross-sell offer. If the upsell or cross-sell offer is
accepted, then another transaction corresponding to the upsell or
cross-sell offer is processed and confirmed by the user. Other
sequences of ads, offers, transactions, and confirmations of the
transactions may be performed.
[0144] The systems disclosed herein may be operated using numerous
methods, an example method is illustrated in FIG. 10. Although the
following tasks of FIG. 10 are primarily described with respect to
the implementations of FIGS. 1-9, the tasks may be easily modified
to apply to other implementations of the present disclosure. The
tasks may be iteratively performed and may be implemented via
software and/or hardware corresponding to the disclosed modules. In
FIG. 10, a product alerting method is shown. Although the tasks of
FIG. 10 are described with respect to certain modules, servers
and/or devices, the tasks of FIG. 10 may be performed by control
modules and/or other modules of a mobile device, a user receiving
device, a content provider, a head end, a content service provider,
an advertiser, a product and/or service provider, and/or other
device. The mobile device, user receiving device and content
provider described below with respect to the tasks of FIG. 10 may
refer to any mobile device, user receiving device and/or content
provider disclosed herein.
[0145] The method may begin at 600. At 602, a content service
provider (or head end) receives and/or accesses a video file from
one or more other backend devices (e.g., advertiser server and/or
product and/or service provider server). The video file may be
received from an advertiser and/or accessed from a server (e.g.,
the cloud server 68 of FIG. 1). The video file may be provided to a
video processing module (e.g., the video processing module 219 of
FIG. 2).
[0146] At 604, the video processing module analyzes a current frame
of the video file including performing image recognition and
filtering to detect objects in the frame. Algorithms may be
executed to detect and filter the objects. The algorithms may be
performed in order to distill purchasable object metadata from the
current frame and/or video stream. The video processing module may
include filters and/or may access a filter database and/or an
object database to filter each frame of the video file and detect
the objects in the frames. The video processing module may compare
portions of each frame to objects included in the object database.
The filter database and the object database may be stored in memory
(e.g., the memories 340, 482 of FIGS. 3 and 5 or in a memory of the
cloud server 68 of FIG. 1). Examples of a filter database 343 and
an object database 345 are shown in FIG. 3.
[0147] At 606, the video processing module determines whether an
object has been detected. If an object has been detected in the
current frame, task 608 is performed. Task 604 may be performed
until a determination is made that no object is in the current
frame and/or until a predetermined period of time has lapsed.
Although not shown in FIG. 10, if no object is detected in the
frame, task 612 may be performed subsequent to task 606.
[0148] At 608, the video processing module may generate metadata
for the objects detected in the current frame (or image). The
metadata may include: a timestamp of a start of the current frame;
object identifiers; object edge descriptions; a stop (or end)
timestamp of the current frame; locations dimensions, and/or other
information describing the detected objects. The object edge
descriptions may include data describing edges of detected objects
in the current frame and may include coordinate drawing vectors. At
610, the metadata provided at 604 and/or generated at 608 is stored
as a metadata file in memory (e.g., memory 216 of FIG. 2).
[0149] At 612, the video processing module may determine whether
there is another frame in the video stream to process. If there is
another frame to process, task 604 is performed, otherwise task 614
is performed. Tasks 604-612 may be repeated for each frame of a
video stream.
[0150] At 614, the video stream (or video file) and the metadata
file are transmitted from the head end (or other back end device)
to a user receiving device and/or the mobile device and/or to a
memory accessible to the user receiving device and/or the mobile
device. The video file and metadata file may be transmitted via a
satellite, the Internet and/or other network. The video file and
metadata file may be transmitted via a wireless network and/or a
wired network. The video file and the metadata file may be
transmitted as a single file and/or signal or as separate files
and/or signals.
[0151] At 616, the video file and metadata file are received at the
user receiving device and/or the mobile device. At 618, the user
receiving device and/or the mobile device may separate the metadata
from the video file depending upon how the metadata and the video
file were transmitted.
[0152] At 620, the user receiving device or the mobile device plays
out the video of the video file on a display while incrementing
through (or monitoring) metadata based on location information
(e.g., a current frame number) of the video being shown. At 622, a
metadata module (e.g., one of the metadata modules 420, 466 of
FIGS. 5-6) monitors the metadata to detect upcoming objects in key
frames of the video file. This may include identifying key frames
with purchasable objects based on object information included in
the metadata. The key frames refer to frames that include objects
(i.e. products and/or service indicators that are purchasable).
[0153] At 624, the metadata module determines whether an upcoming
object in a key frame is detected. The detected object may be in a
current key frame being displayed or may be in a subsequent key
frame that has not yet been displayed. If an upcoming object is
detected, task 626 is performed. If no purchasable objects are
detected in any of the frames of the video file, the method may end
at 638.
[0154] At 626, an image module (e.g., one of the image modules 417,
463 of FIGS. 4-5) may alter one or more portions of the frame (or
image) being displayed and/or may superimpose a graphical image
over the one or more portions of the frame being displayed to alert
a viewer of respectively one or more purchasable objects. This may
include highlighting, underlining, outlining, changing color,
shading, patterning, adjusting a corresponding gray-scale, and/or
animating the one or more portions of the frame. The altering may
also or alternatively include causing the one or more portions of
the image or a portion of the one or more portions to blink. Each
of the one or portions of the frame may be altered the same or
differently. The animation may include superimposing moving
sparkles, arrows, or other items on or near the one or more
objects. The altering of the image may include changing a contrast
ratio or optically filtering the one or more portions of the image.
While the one or more portions of the image are altered, the other
portions of the image may remain the same or may also be altered to
make the one or more portions more noticeable. For example, a grey
scale or contrast ratio of the remaining portions of the image may
be altered to dim or partially fade out the remaining portions of
the image thereby making the one or more portions of the image more
pronounced.
[0155] As an example, FIG. 11 shows a product alerting system 650
that includes a display 652, a user receiving device 654, and a
mobile device 656. The user receiving device 654 may display an
image 658 on the display 652. The image 658 may include an object
660 (e.g., a soda drink), which may be highlighted or altered such
that the soda drink appears to be glowing, as shown. The image
altering may be provided using graphics frameworks software and/or
a cross-language, multi-platform application programming interface
(API) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics (e.g., OpenGL.RTM.
software). As shown, an illumination ring 662 is provided over
edges of the object 660. The illumination ring and/or other
altercations may be provided based on previously performed image
recognition, object edge detection, and/or generated metadata
indicating: which frame the object is located; dimensions and/or
sizes of the object; the location of the object in the frame;
and/or other object related information. The image module may
superimpose the illumination ring 662 by using the edge detection
metadata as a reference to trace an outer edge of the object. The
superimposing of graphical items over an image allows a user to see
a purchasable object without affecting a program and/or video being
watched.
[0156] At 628, if the viewer is interested in one of the objects
being displayed, the viewer may via the mobile device: highlight
and/or click on the object; click a button on the mobile device;
tap on or perform a swipe action on the image being displayed on
the mobile device; tap on or perform a swipe action on the portion
of the image that includes the object; click on an item in a menu
being displayed on the user receiving device and/or mobile device;
and/or perform another action to select the object. The user
receiving device and/or the mobile device generates a request
signal based on the input generated due to the viewer's selection.
The request signal may be: transmitted from the mobile device to
the user receiving device; forwarded from the user receiving device
to a backend device (a payment provider, an advertiser, a product
and/or service provider, a network server, etc.); and/or
transmitted from the user receiving device or the mobile device to
the backend device.
[0157] The objects selected by the viewer may be stored in memory
(e.g., one of the memories 340, 482 of FIGS. 3 and 5 or in the
cloud server 68 of FIG. 1) and later accessed by the user receiving
device and/or the mobile device and viewed by the viewer. For
example, in one embodiment, at the end of a program and/or video
being watched, the user is presented by the mobile device and/or
the user receiving device with one or more menus and/or dialogue
windows (e.g., the dialogue windows of FIGS. 12-13). The menus
and/or dialogue windows provide additional information regarding
the selected objects and/or allow the viewer to purchase the one or
more selected objects. The storing of the selected objects may
include storing object identifiers, advertiser information, program
and/or video information identifying the program and/or video being
watched, and/or other information pertaining to the program and/or
video may be stored. This may also include storing the frame number
of the program and/or video. The saving of the objects, allows
customers to save items of interest without completely diverting
the customers attention away from a program and/or video being
watched to a second screen device (e.g., the display of the mobile
device). The customers no longer need to look items up on-line that
are seen in a program and/or video, but rather can review saved
items and/or proceed to purchase the saved items via the mobile
device and/or user receiving device, as described herein. The items
may be saved from any digital platform providing the disclosed
capabilities. A customer may browse the saved items and/or other
related information, features and products at the customer's
convenience.
[0158] The generation and transmitting of the request signal may:
trigger a purchase; initiate a transaction for a purchase; initiate
transmission of information about the object; trigger display of an
offer; and/or trigger a dialogue window (example dialogue windows
are shown in FIGS. 12-13) to open. The generation and transmitting
of the request signal may trigger upselling and/or cross-selling of
additional features and/or other products and/or services.
[0159] In one embodiment, a single click and/or swipe on or over
the object may trigger a sale. Backend devices may then arrange for
the object to be purchased and delivered to the customer. This
allows an item to be purchased through minimal interaction with the
viewer.
[0160] Following task 628, various tasks may be performed to
provide the viewer with additional information and/or to carry out
and confirm the purchase of one or more products and/or services,
as described above with respect to FIGS. 6-9 and as described
further below. Various dialogue windows may be opened including the
dialogue windows of FIGS. 12-13. The user, in order to start and
complete a transaction, the user may interact with the user
receiving device and/or the mobile device in a guided sequence of
steps using the mobile device and on-screen menus and/or dialogue
windows. The guided sequence of steps guide the user through:
selecting various products, features, and/or services; providing
various information if needed; and completing a purchase.
[0161] At 630, the dialogue windows of FIGS. 12-13 and/or other
dialogue windows may be opened. FIG. 12 shows a dialogue purchasing
window 631, which includes purchasing information, such as price
per unit, quantity of units being purchased, product details,
product reviews, an image of the product, etc. The dialogue
purchasing window may include "back" and/or "continue" buttons. The
back button may return the viewer to the video being watched. The
continue button may direct the viewer to the dialogue confirmation
window 633 of FIG. 13. The dialogue confirmation window 633 may
include confirmation information including a price total for the
objects being purchased, a total number of objects being purchased,
customer information, billing information, payment information,
etc. The dialogue confirmation window may include an image of the
object(s) being purchase, a "back" button and a "confirm" button.
The back button may return the viewer to the dialogue purchasing
window and/or the video being watched. The confirm button may
confirm and complete the transaction and then return the viewer to
the video being watched.
[0162] At 632, upon receiving a confirmation from the viewer via
the mobile device, a confirmation signal is generated. The
confirmation signal may be transmitted from the user receiving
device and/or the mobile device to one or more of the backend
devices.
[0163] At 634, purchase information may be transferred between the
user receiving device and one or more of the other backend devices
to fulfill the order. This may include transferring the information
displayed in the dialogue windows and/or other related information
(e.g., secure information not shown in the dialogue windows).
Secure information may include, for example, personal information
such as a customer name, account numbers, a driver license number,
a social security number, date of birth, etc. The backend devices
then schedule delivery of the purchase products.
[0164] At 636, a confirmation response signal may be generated and
transmitted to the user receiving device and/or the mobile device
to indicate to the customer that the sale is completed. An email
and/or text message may be sent to an email account of the customer
and/or to the mobile device to provide a receipt of the sale to the
customer. The method may end at 638.
[0165] In one embodiment, if the viewer selects too many objects
(more than a predetermined number within a predetermined period of
time) or the user receiving device and/or mobile device receive too
many request signals (more than a predetermined number in a
predetermined period) for objects, then one or more of the
above-described tasks may not be performed. This indicates that the
viewer is not actually selecting the objects and/or that an error
has occurred. As an example, one or more of tasks 622-636 may not
be performed and/or the object information may not be saved.
[0166] In one embodiment, a pop-up window or icon may be displayed
at an end of a program and/or video to remind the viewer of the
objects saved during playout of the program and/or video. In
another embodiment, the viewer is presented with guided questions
to determine what products, features (or accessories), and/or
services the viewer is interested in and to make sure that the
viewer is purchasing the correct items. These questions may be
asked prior to the viewer accepting and confirming a purchase. The
control modules of the user receiving device and/or mobile device
may display the questions on corresponding displays.
[0167] FIG. 14 shows a user receiving device 700 illustrating a
program and advertising output. The user receiving device 700 may
replace and/or be implemented as any of the other user receiving
devices disclosed herein. The user receiving device 700 may include
a decoder 702, a demultiplexer 704, an advertisement module 706 and
an output module 708. The decoder 702 decodes an encoded video
stream and an encoded audio stream received from a wireless and/or
wired network. The encoded video stream may include object (product
and/or service) information including ads and/or advertisement
information and/or offers for one or more objects in the video
stream. The object information may be in a moving pictures expert
group (MPEG)-2 transport stream (TS) packet. An example of a format
of a MPEG-2 TS packet is shown in FIG. 17. The object information
may include prices of products and/or services, descriptions of
products and/or services, uniform resource locators (URLs)
corresponding to websites of the products and/or services, display
times (e.g., frame ID numbers) of the products and/or services,
display durations of the products and/or services, and secondary
order information.
[0168] The decoder 702 outputs a decoded video stream and object
information to the demultiplexer 704 and decoded audio data to the
output module 708. The demultiplexer 704 separates the object
information from the decoded video stream (or decoded video file).
The video file may be of a program, an ad, a PPV video, and/or
other video. The encoded video stream may be decoded and
demultiplexed such that the video and corresponding offers are
synchronized such that the offers are displayed at appropriate
times relative to frames of the video.
[0169] The advertisement module 706, based on the object
information, may generate one or more offers. The video file and
the offers may be provided to the output module 708. The output
module 708 may display the video file and the offers over the
images of the video being played out on the display 710. The offers
may be displayed as, for example, banners over the video being
played out. The object information indicates when and for how long
the offers should be displayed. This may be based on the timing and
duration information of the corresponding products provided in the
object information. An example banner is shown in FIG. 16. As an
alternative, a portion of the image may be altered as described
above. As an example, if the user clicks on or performs a swipe
gesture on the image, a window (e.g., one of the dialogue windows
disclosed herein or a URL window) may be opened on the display 710
of the user receiving device 700 to allow the viewer to purchase
the selected items. URL window may be for a site of the company
offering the product and may be similar to a URL window that is
displayed on a computer and/or mobile device.
[0170] As an example, a movie being displayed on the display 710
may show an actor wearing a bracelet. The image of the bracelet may
be altered and/or an offer may be displayed for the bracelet. The
viewer clicks on the bracelet, performs a swipe gesture on the
mobile device, clicks a button on the mobile device and/or performs
another action to indicate to the mobile device that the viewer is
interested in the product. An MPEG-2 TS packet of the movie may
have a private section of data that includes a URL (or web address)
for the bracelet. The user receiving device may open a window for a
website associated with the URL to allow the viewer to view the
bracelet and/or other products and purchase the bracelet. This may
be accomplished via an Internet connection of the user receiving
device. In addition to the offer, a description dialogue window (or
box) may be superimposed over the movie. The private section of
data may (i) indicate to the user receiving device when and how
long to display the description dialogue window, and (ii) include a
description to include in the description dialogue window. The user
may click on the product, the offer window, the description window,
and/or a button on the screen to show interest in the product. The
movie may then be paused and the viewer may be presented with a URL
website for the product and/or company that sells the product.
[0171] Types and styles of the dialogue, offer, and description
windows disclosed herein may be adjusted via a settings window. The
settings associated with the settings window may be stored in the
memory of the user receiving device and adjusted by a user. For
example, a user may adjust the sizes of the windows and/or where on
a display the windows are to be shown. The windows may include
thumbnails for selecting and/or viewing products and/or services.
In one embodiment, the windows are shown as thumbnails over the
movie, video and/or program being watched and are selectable.
[0172] FIG. 15 shows a sequence diagram of another advertising and
purchasing method. The tasks performed in the sequence diagram may
be performed by a product and/or service provider 720, a payment
service provider 722, an advertiser 724, a content provider and/or
head end 726, a user receiving device 728 and/or a mobile device
730 (or computer). A product and/or service may be offered by the
product and/or service provider 720 (e.g., the product and/or
service provider 54 of FIG. 1). In the example shown, this is
represented by offer signals that may be initiated at, originated
by, and/or transmitted from the product and/or service provider 720
to the payment service provider 722 (e.g., the payment service
provider 56 of FIG. 1), the advertiser 724 (e.g., the advertiser 58
of FIG. 1), the content provider 726 (e.g., the content provider 14
and/or the head end 12 of FIG. 1), the user receiving device 728
(e.g., one of the user receiving devices 30 of FIG. 1) and/or a
mobile device 730 (e.g., one of the mobile devices 31 of FIG.
1).
[0173] A first offer signal 732 indicates the offer being presented
to the user receiving device 728 and/or the mobile device 730 and
is transmitted to the payment service provider 722. The payment
service provider 722 is then able to interact with the user
receiving device 728 and/or mobile device 730 to perform a
transaction. A second offer signal 734, in the form of an offer
request, may be transmitted from the product and/or service
provider 720 to the advertiser 724. The offer request may include
an offer for a product and/or service and may be a request to the
advertiser 724 and/or content provider 726 to generate and/or
output a video, a program, an ad, etc. and object information. The
video, object information and offer are designated 736 and
transmitted from the content provider 726 to the user receiving
device 728. The video and offer are displayed on a display
connected to the user receiving device.
[0174] The object information may include a unique identifier for
the object being offered. The video, object information, and/or
offer may be broadcast from the content provider to the user
receiving device 728. The identifier may be paired with a
corresponding ad, video, program, offer, offer banner, etc. and
stored in memory of the user receiving device 728.
[0175] The user may respond via the mobile device 730 to the offer
being presented using various techniques disclosed herein. The
mobile device 730 may generate an information request signal 740,
which may be transmitted to one or more of the backend devices 720,
722, 724, 726 and/or 728. This triggers purchasing actions and/or a
transaction to be initiated. The user may be presented with
dialogue windows, which contain detailed information of the
products and/or services being offered, discounts based on region
of the user receiving device, as well as additional customer and
vendor specific parameters. The customers will be able to quickly
purchase the product of interest by selecting preset and displayed
or referenced shipping address and credit card information
previously stored in a customer database of a content provider (or
broadcaster of the video).
[0176] Product and/or service information including
customer-specific offers 742 may be transmitted back to the user
receiving device 728 and/or the mobile device 730 for display to
the viewer via respective displays of the user receiving device 728
and/or the mobile device 730. Interaction buttons as described
above or other user input items may be displayed for the viewer to
accept one or more of the offers presented.
[0177] The mobile device 730 may then generate an acceptance
response 742 when the viewer provides an input to the mobile device
730 indicating acceptance of one or more of the offers presented.
The acceptance response signal may be transmitted to one or more of
the backend devices 720, 722, 724, 726, 728.
[0178] A confirmation request 750 may be generated by any one of
the product and/or service provider 720, the payment service
provider 722, the advertiser 724, the content provider 726, the
user receiving device 728 and may be sent to any one of the payment
service provider 722, the advertiser 724, the content provider 726,
the user receiving device 728, and the mobile device or computer
730. A confirmation response 752 may then be generated by any one
of the payment service provider 722, the advertiser 724, the
content provider 726, the user receiving device 728, and the mobile
device or computer 730 and may be sent to any one of the product
and/or service provider 720, the payment service provider 722, the
advertiser 724, the content provider 726, the user receiving device
728. The confirmation request 750 and the confirmation response 752
may be sent directly between the providers and devices 720, 722,
724, 726, 728, 730 or may be indirectly sent by intermediary ones
of the providers and/or devices forwarding the confirmation request
750 and/or confirmation response 752.
[0179] The above-described method allows a viewer to be able to
obtain detailed product information quickly via the user receiving
device 728 instead of having to go elsewhere to find out more about
a product and/or service. The viewer is able to then make quick
purchases via the mobile device 730. This approach can be
especially effective on impulse buyers. This method also allows a
content provider and/or other backend device to have unique
knowledge of a customer, which can then be used to offer special
product and/or service deals. This may be based on specific
parameters such as location of the user receiving device, personal
interests of the customer, and/or television viewing preferences.
The content provider operates as a sales channel for product and/or
service vendors. Extra value is provided to traditional television
based ads, such that quick inquiries and purchases of products and
services can occur via user receiving devices. Convincing sales
pitches may be provided to potential buyers since the products
and/or services may be shown in the context of a show, program,
and/or video, which can provide an emotional effect on a
viewer.
[0180] FIG. 16 shows an advertising and purchasing diagram
illustrating corresponding display screens. In a first display
screen 758 of a display 760 of a user receiving device, a video 762
is shown and an offer 764. A user may click on the offer to inquire
about a product and/or service being offered and/or to accept the
offer. For the embodiments disclosed herein, the ads, offers,
descriptions, transaction buttons, interface items, etc. may be (i)
displayed anywhere on a screen, a video, and/or a preview video
being played out and/or (ii) integrated in the video and/or the
preview video.
[0181] In a second display screen 765 of the display 760, a
downsized version of the video and a guide 766 are shown. The guide
766 includes times for programs and offer buttons 767 or other
offer indicators. The offer buttons may be provided for programs in
which offers are available. The offers may be for products and/or
services shown in the program and/or may be for the program itself.
Programs and/or videos that include purchasable objects may be
referred to as spot-enabled programs.
[0182] In a third display screen 759 of the display 760, a
description information window 770, an image of the product 772, a
price per unit 774, and a "buy" button 776 are shown for example
purposes only. After a viewer clicks on the offer 764 and/or one of
the offer buttons in the guide 766, the third screen may be
presented to the viewer. The description information window 770 may
include a description of the product and/or service being
purchased. The third screen 759 may include other product and/or
service information.
[0183] In a fourth display screen 780, shipping, billing and/or
payment information is shown. After the viewer clicks on the buy
button 776, the fourth screen 780 may be presented to the viewer.
The fourth screen 780 may include a shipping window 782 and a
billing and/or payment window 784. The shipping window 782 includes
shipping information, such as customer address information. The
billing and/or purchasing window 784 may include account
information to which one of the backend devices may bill the
customer for the purchased product and/or service.
[0184] FIG. 17 illustrates a MPEG-2 TS packet format. The MPEG-2 TS
packet format may include various fields, such as a table ID field
800, a section index indicator field 802, a private indicator field
804, a reserved bits field 806, a private section length field 808,
a table ID extension field 810, a version number field 812, a
current next indicator field 814, a section number field 816, a
last section number field 818, a N private data field 820, and
cyclical redundancy check (CRC) bits field 822. The N private data
field 820 may include N bits and other fields, such as a unique ID
field 824, a title field 826, a display start time field 828, a
display end time field 830, a price field 832, a URL field 834, a
display duration field 836, secondary order method (or information)
field 838, a description field 840, a next event indicator field
842 and a private data CRC field 844. If the corresponding user
receiving device is not connected to the Internet, cannot
communicate with a satellite, and/or is unable to communicate back
to a service provider via another network, the secondary order
information may provide, for example, a phone number to call and/or
a URL of a website to place an order. The corresponding mobile
device may then be used to make a phone call and/or open the
website to place the order and/or inquire about the corresponding
product and/or service available for purchase. The secondary order
information field 838 may indicate a type of secondary method to
use to place the order and/or inquire about the product and/or
service. The display times and/or durations 828, 830, 836 may be in
units-of-measure associated with a video (e.g., a MPEG video), such
as a frame number and/or quantity of frames. The display times
and/or durations 828, 830, 836 may be based on timestamp increments
of the video.
[0185] As an example, a movie being played out may show an actor
wearing a bracelet. The private data, provided with the frames of
video showing the actor wearing the bracelet, may contain the data
with the URL for a website to purchase the bracelet. The private
data has information of when to present a dialogue window (having a
description that defines the purchasable product) on a display and
how log to present the dialogue window. The dialogue window may
have buttons for inquiring about the product. If a user clicks on a
button to inquire about the product, the video may be paused and a
browser (e.g., Internet browser) may be opened for the URL on a
display of a user receiving device, a mobile device, and/or
computer. The user may then purchase the product by interacting
with the user receiving device, a mobile device, and/or
computer.
[0186] The N private data field 820 and/or the private data CRC
field 836 may include private section information, as described
above. The private section information may indicate to a user
receiving device when and how long to display a description
dialogue window and an offer. The private section information may
also include a product and/or service description to include in a
dialogue window. The private section information may indicate
locations in frames and/or timing (e.g., identifiers of key frames)
of products and/or services in videos.
[0187] The systems disclosed herein may be operated using numerous
methods, an example method is illustrated in FIG. 18. Although the
following tasks of FIG. 18 are primarily described with respect to
the implementations of FIGS. 1-17, the tasks may be easily modified
to apply to other implementations of the present disclosure. The
tasks may be iteratively performed and may be implemented via
software and/or hardware corresponding to the disclosed modules. In
FIG. 18, a shopping network recognition method is shown. Although
the tasks of FIG. 18 are described with respect to certain modules,
servers and/or devices, the tasks of FIG. 18 may be performed by
control modules and/or other modules of a mobile device, a user
receiving device, a content provider, a head end, a content service
provider, an advertiser, a product and/or service provider, and/or
other device. The mobile device, user receiving device and content
provider described below with respect to the tasks of FIG. 18 may
refer to any mobile device, user receiving device and/or content
provider disclosed herein.
[0188] The method may begin at 850. Although the following tasks
are primarily described with respect to a shopping network, an
infomercial, and/or channel, the following tasks may be applied to
other program networks and/or channels. At 852, a user via a mobile
device and/or a user receiving device may select a shopping and/or
sales program, an infomercial, and/or a shopping network (or
channel). An example of a shopping network is the Home Shopping
Network (HSN.RTM.). This may include the mobile device receiving an
input from the user and generating a channel selection signal. The
channel selection signal may be transmitted from the mobile device
to the user receiving device. The user receiving device may then
select and/or tune to the selected channel. The user receiving
device may then display the channel on a display connected to the
user receiving device. FIG. 19 shows a screen 853 on a display 855
illustrating an example program on a shopping network channel.
[0189] At 854, the channel being viewed on the display of the user
receiving device may display a product and/or service that is being
offered for sale and the corresponding offer (e.g., price,
quantity, hourly rate, ID number of product or service, description
of product or service, shipping and handling costs, etc.).
Displaying a service refers to displaying information and/or a
description pertaining to the service being offered. The offer may
be shown in an offer box (or window). An example offer box 857 is
shown in FIG. 19.
[0190] At 856, the user receiving device (or module thereof)
performs image recognition on the images (or frames) of the program
being displayed to detect the offer box and/or contents shown in
the offer box and/or other displayed information. As an example,
this may be performed by a control module, a transaction module
and/or an image recognition module of the user receiving device.
This allows the user receiving device to detect information
regarding a product and/or service being offered for sale. The
determination of whether a product and/or service is being offered
for sale may also be based on other information, such as: the
channel being watched; a time of day; a layout, style, font, and/or
location of a screen that the offer box is located; other
information displayed on the screen; etc. The other information may
include, for example, a number (or quantity) of a product and/or a
service contract that remain available to purchase, a phone number,
a remaining amount of time available to purchase the product and/or
service, a number (or quantity) sold of the product and/or service,
etc.
[0191] At 858, the control module or other module of the user
receiving device determines whether there is a purchasing interface
available between the user receiving device and a backend device to
allow a transaction for the item being offered for sale to be
purchased. The purchasing interface may refer to an interface
between the user receiving device and one or more backend devices
(e.g., an advertiser, a payment service provider, and/or a product
and/or service provider). The purchasing interface may be available
when a previous arrangement has been made to allow a user receiving
device to communicate with the backend device to initiate, verify,
complete and confirm a transaction for the product and/or service
being offered for sale.
[0192] At 860, if a purchasing interface is available, the control
module or other module of the user receiving device may enable
purchasing of the product and/or service by the user. This may
include displaying a control window 859 having one or more control
buttons 861, as shown in FIG. 19. The control buttons 861 may
include a "Buy Now" button and "Back" button. Results of the image
recognition performed at 856 and/or the availability of the
purchasing interface triggers the control window 859 (or purchase
scroll bar) to be opened.
[0193] The Buy Now button may open a dialogue window 863 (or pop-up
screen) for purchasing the product and/or service. The dialogue
window 863 may include and confirm purchasing details and allow the
user to select a payment method. The Back button may close the
control window 859. An example of the dialogue window 863 is shown
in FIG. 20. The dialogue window 863 in FIG. 20 is shown as an order
information window. The dialogue window 863 may include a list of
items being purchased, quantities of the items being purchased, and
prices of the items being purchased. The dialogue window 863 may
also include account information and a confirm button 865. The
order information window 863 may be generated based on information
from a payment service provider (e.g., PayPal.RTM. or iPay.TM.). An
account number displayed and/or entered in the order information
window may be a customer unique account number for the payment
service provider.
[0194] At 862, if interested in the product and/or service, the
user may click on the Buy Now button or perform another action to
triggering opening of the dialogue window. The mobile device may
generate a purchase request signal based on the user input. The
purchase request signal may be transmitted from the mobile device
to the user receiving device. The purchase request signal may
indicate to the user receiving device that the user is interested
in the product and/or service being offered. In another embodiment,
the user is able to highlight or move a cursor over the Buy Now
button and click via the mobile device on the Buy Now button. The
clicking, pressing a button on the mobile device, performing a
swipe gesture on the mobile device, and/or performing other action
on the mobile device causes the mobile device to signal to the user
receiving device that the user is interested in the product and/or
service. If the user provides an input indicating interest in the
product and/or service, task 864 is performed, otherwise task 854
may be performed.
[0195] At 864, the control module, output module and/or other
module of the user receiving device opens and displays the dialogue
window, which may be shown next to the program being watched. To
step forward to a more interactive experience, a payment service
provider portal (or merchant online payment service) may be opened
as a window on the display of the user receiving device to allow
the user to quickly purchase items from the shopping network.
[0196] At 866, the user may interact with the dialogue window to
cause a purchase request to be generated. This may include the user
providing various inputs including: selecting products and/or
services; quantities of the products; requesting additional
information with respect to the products and/or services; selecting
and/or entering billing and shipping information; selecting and/or
entering payment information; and/or selecting, entering and/or
requesting other information pertaining to the products and/or
services being offered for sale. The mobile device and/or the user
receiving device may generate a purchase request, which may be
stored and/or transmitted to one or more backend devices to
indicate the information shown and agreed to by the user in the
dialogue window. In one embodiment, the user may only need to enter
a user name, a password, and/or answer one or more security
questions to complete and confirm the transaction. The security
questions may be previously selected and/or input by the user via
the mobile device and/or the user receiving device.
[0197] At 868, the user may click on the Confirm button 865 to
complete and confirm an order via the mobile device. The mobile
device may send: a confirmation request signal to the user
receiving device; a signal indicating the Confirm button has been
clicked on; and/or other signal indicating that the order has been
confirmed by the user. In another embodiment, the user is able to
highlight or move a cursor over the Confirm button 865 and click
via the mobile device on the Confirm button 865. The clicking,
pressing a button on the mobile device, performing a swipe gesture
on the mobile device, and/or performing other action on the mobile
device causes the mobile device to signal to the user receiving
device that the user has confirmed the purchase. The method may end
at 870.
[0198] In one embodiment, when the offer box and/or other
information regarding a product and/or service is no longer being
shown on the display of the user receiving device, the user
receiving device may remove the control window and/or control
buttons. This may be based on image recognition. The control window
and/or the dialogue window may also be closed when an order has
been confirmed.
[0199] The above-described method may be performed via software
and/or hardware located on the user receiving device, the mobile
device, and/or one or more of the backend devices. The displaying
of buttons to be clicked on by the user may be part of an
application stored in the user receiving device, the mobile device,
and/or may be integrated into the program being displayed.
[0200] The above-described method allows users to quickly purchase
products and/or services via user receiving devices and televisions
based on triggered image recognition rather than via special user
interfaces per offer. Instead of calling a vendor and/or a shopping
network via a telephone and/or visiting a website of the vendor
and/or shopping network via a computer, a user may purchase
products and/or services via user receiving devices while watching
a corresponding program on a television. This serves as a solution
to bring the vendor and user one step closer to each other with a
simple and secure solution. By utilizing a payment service provided
by a payment service provider, users do not have to input their
personal data (e.g., credit card number, social security number,
address, etc.), as this information may already be stored at the
payment service provider. The user may simply provide a user unique
ID number and/or payment service provider account number, which may
be forwarded from the user receiving device and/or the mobile
device to the payment service provider for verification purposes.
The payment service provider may then send a verification response
signal back to the user receiving device and/or mobile device
indicating that the user has been verified and is able to proceed
with completing and confirming the purchase.
[0201] The above-described method may include a firmware/software
program that allows users to make their purchases from an
application embedded into the firmware/software program that is
triggered by a module executing image recognition software. The
image recognition software is used to monitor images being
displayed and if information and/or objects are detected that
indicate a purchasable item is being displayed, then a set of
criteria may be displayed on the television screen (such as an item
number, price, and period-to-purchase). The firmware/software
program may trigger purchase buttons to be displayed at the bottom
(or other part) of the screen. Once the purchasable item(s) are no
longer displayed, the application of the corresponding user
receiving device or mobile device no longer displays the purchase
buttons.
[0202] The systems disclosed herein may be operated using numerous
methods, an example method is illustrated in FIG. 21. Although the
following tasks of FIG. 21 are primarily described with respect to
the implementations of FIGS. 1-20, the tasks may be easily modified
to apply to other implementations of the present disclosure. The
tasks may be iteratively performed and may be implemented via
software and/or hardware corresponding to the disclosed modules. In
FIG. 21, a spotted advertising method is shown. Although the tasks
of FIG. 21 are described with respect to certain modules, servers
and/or devices, the tasks of FIG. 21 may be performed by control
modules and/or other modules of a mobile device, a user receiving
device, a content provider, a head end, a content service provider,
an advertiser, a product and/or service provider, and/or other
device. The mobile device, user receiving device and content
provider described below with respect to the tasks of FIG. 21 may
refer to any mobile device, user receiving device and/or content
provider disclosed herein.
[0203] The method may begin at 900. At 902, a backend device (e.g.,
an advertiser, a payment service provider, a content provider, and
a product and/or service provider) may generate metadata. The
metadata may indicate where products, service indications, and/or
ad information are displayed in a program and/or video. The
metadata may include times (e.g., frame number) and/or locations in
frames (or images) where the products, service indications, and/or
ad information are shown. The service indications refer to items in
a program and/or video, which indicate a purchasable service. As a
few examples, this may include: an actor or actress referring to a
particular service; a family watching an ad for a service and
commenting on the service; a trademark for a particular service
company being shown; etc. The program and/or video may, for
example, include: a person drinking a beverage (which may be
purchasable); a person wearing a clothing article (which may be
purchasable); a person driving a certain vehicle (which may be
purchasable); etc. Various products and/or services may be shown
throughout a program and/or video which a viewer may be interested
in purchasing. The products and/or services may be shown or audible
phrases and/or indications may be heard during playout of the
program and/or video with respect to the products and/or services.
The video and/or audio playout of images and/or indications are
referred to herein as "spotted advertising". A program and/or video
that includes video and/or audio playout of the images and/or
indications for products and/or services may be referred to
respectively as "a spotted enabled program" and "a spotted enabled
video".
[0204] The following tasks 904, 906, 908 may be performed in a
different order and/or during a same period of time. At 904, the
one or more backend devices download the program, video and/or
metadata to the user receiving device and/or mobile device. The
user receiving device and/or mobile device may then playout the
program and/or video and monitor the metadata.
[0205] At 906, the user receiving device and/or mobile device may
indicate to a viewer that the program and/or video is a spotted ad
program or a spotted ad video. This may be done by displaying an
icon, banner, and/or other indicator on a display of the user
receiving device and/or the mobile device. The indication may be
superimposed over the program and/or video. The program and/or
video may have an indicator integrated into the program and/or
video, which is displayed to the viewer during playout of the
program and/or video. The user receiving device and/or the mobile
device may automatically enable spotted advertising and/or spotted
advertising responses or the viewer may enable via the mobile
device spotted advertising and/or spotted advertising responses.
Certain spotted advertising may not be shown during playout of the
program and/or video if spotted advertising is disabled. The user
may open a dialogue window on the mobile device and/or click on a
button on the mobile device to enable spotted advertising and/or
spotted advertising responses. The enabling of spotted advertising
responses allows a user to spot a product and/or service in a
program and/or video and (i) indicate to a user receiving device
and/or a backend device that the user spotted the product and/or
service, (ii) inquire about the product and/or service via the user
receiving device and/or the mobile device, and/or (iii) purchase
the product and/or service via the user receiving device and/or
mobile device. Disabling spotted advertising responses prevents a
user from accidentally causing a spotted response to be sent from a
mobile device to a user receiving device.
[0206] At 908, the program and/or video, if not already being
displayed, may be displayed with spotted advertising. In one
embodiment, a spotted advertising window and/or corresponding
buttons may be displayed on the display of the user receiving
device and/or on the mobile device to allow the user to click on a
button and/or perform some other action to indicate detection of a
spotted ad. In another embodiment, the user is able to highlight or
move a cursor over an item in the program and/or video and click a
button or perform some other action to select the item.
[0207] At 910, the user receiving device and/or mobile device may
determine a location in a program and/or video of a spotted ad
based on the metadata. The user receiving device and/or mobile
device may alter a portion of an image, as described above, or
provide some other indication to the viewer that a spotted ad is
being shown. This alerts the viewer of the spotted ad. In one
embodiment, no indication is provided. This allows an advertiser to
determine whether a user is able to spot a spotted ad without an
indication. Indications may be provided for a period of time, as a
teaching method, to teach a user of how and when spotted ads may be
incorporated into a program and/or video.
[0208] The user receiving device and/or the mobile device may send
and/or generate text messages, emails, and/or on-screen alerts. The
text messages, emails and/or alerts may be sent and/or generated
prior to and/or during the program and/or video to indicate to the
user that: the program and/or video includes spotted ads; the user
missed a spotted ad; and/or certain spotted ads are being
displayed. The text messages, emails, and/or alerts may be
transmitted from the user receiving device to the mobile device.
The text messages, emails, and/or alerts may ask the user whether
the user is interested in the product and/or service referred to in
the spotted ad that was missed.
[0209] At 912, the mobile device may generate a detection signal
based on an input from the viewer. The detection signal indicates
that the viewer spotted a spotted ad in the program and/or video.
The mobile device may transmit the detection signal to the user
receiving device.
[0210] At 914, the user receiving device may determine whether
playout of the program and/or video is done. If the program and/or
video is done, task 918 is performed, otherwise task 916 may be
performed.
[0211] At 916, ad detection information may be stored at the user
receiving device, the mobile device, and/or in other memory
accessible to the user receiving device, the mobile device and/or a
backend device. The other memory may be, for example, the memory in
the cloud server of FIG. 1. The detection information may include:
a time within the program or video that the spotted ad is shown; a
frame number in which the spotted ad is located; a location (e.g.,
coordinates) within a frame (or image) of the program and/or video
where the spotted ad is shown; a duration of the ad; a viewer ID
number or other viewer information; a mobile device ID number; an
ID of the product and/or service shown; etc. The program and/or
video may continue to playout while the detection information is
stored.
[0212] At 918, the user receiving device and/or mobile device may
open a dialogue window to: allow the viewer to purchase the
products and/or services detected; allow the viewer to request
and/or obtain additional information with regard to the products
and/or services detected and/or other related products and/or
services; to select, enter, and/or confirm order information;
and/or present the viewer with a survey. The control modules of the
user receiving device and/or mobile device may display the survey
questions on corresponding displays. The survey may ask the viewer:
about the program, video and/or spotted ads; likes and/or dislikes
of the viewer with respect to the spotted ads; whether the viewer
detected certain spotted ads; if the viewer has a preference as to
whether spotted ads should be included in a program and/or video;
and/or other questions. The questions directed to the spotted ads
may inquire about whether the ads were a deterrence, noticeable,
enjoyable, or had no effect on the viewer's viewing experience.
[0213] At 920, the user receiving device and/or the mobile device
may determine whether the viewer is purchasing a product and/or
service. If a product and/or service is being purchased, task 922
is performed, otherwise task 926 may be performed. At 922, the user
receiving device and/or mobile device may open a dialogue window
(e.g., an order information window) to allow the user to select,
enter and/or confirm order information.
[0214] At 924, the user receiving device and/or mobile device
determines whether a purchase is completed. Task 926 may be
performed when the purchase is completed. At 926, the user
receiving device and/or mobile device determines whether the survey
has been completed. Task 928 may be performed when the survey has
been completed. In one embodiment tasks 918 and/or 928 are not
performed (or skipped).
[0215] At 928, survey information may be recorded in memory. The
memory may be in the user receiving device and/or mobile device
and/or elsewhere (e.g., the memory in the cloud server). The survey
information may include the survey questions and the answers to the
survey questions, as provided by the viewer.
[0216] At 930, the user receiving device and/or mobile device may
transmit the survey information to one or more backend devices for
evaluation purposes. As an example, an advertiser may cancel and/or
modify previously generated spotted ads based on the answers to the
survey questions. The advertiser may generate new spotted ads based
on: the answers to the survey questions; a history of programs
watched by the user; a history of products and/or services inquired
about and/or purchased by the user; demographics of the user;
and/or data mining. Data mining may include searching for similar
programs, videos, products, and/or services watched and/or
purchased by other users in a same or similar demographic as the
user. The advertiser may select spotted ads to include based on the
traffic and/or number of purchases generated for that spotted ad by
the user and/or other users. The method may end at 932.
[0217] The above-described method allows a user that while watching
a program notices an advertisement/product placement in the context
of the program to indicate to a user receiving device detection of
the advertisement/product placement by the user. The user receiving
device and/or mobile device may provide the user with: additional
information regarding the ad and/or product placement; other
products; and an "award" for detecting one or more spotted ads
and/or for completing a survey. As an example, if the user detects
a predetermined number of spotted ads within a predetermined time
period and/or within a program and/or video, the user may be
provided with a discount on services provided by the content
provider and/or a discount on the product and/or service being
offered. This may be based on communication with a backend device
(e.g., the advertiser). As another award example, the user may be
provided with an entry in a raffle with a chance to win another
prize.
[0218] The user is able to provide feedback, which may then be used
for subsequently broadcasted and/or generated programs, ads and/or
videos. The user receiving device and/or mobile device is able to
directly and/or indirectly collect data about the user's
interaction with the program and/or video being watched. This
provides advertisers with insight into an advertising demographic
of the user and allows the advertiser to measure user metrics. The
stated information also provides advertisers with the ability to
continue to target users that identify with certain spotted ads.
The advertiser may then gauge the user's interpretation of the
placement of the spotted ad.
[0219] The spotted ads also allow ads to be integrated into
programs and/or videos for more real life examples of the products
and/or services being offered. This provides an emotional advantage
over traditional advertising, which is often played out during
interruptions in a program and/or video. Due to the inclusion of
spotted ads in programs and/or videos, the program and/or video may
not be interrupted to playout a tradition ad. This improves the
viewer's experience and minimizes playout of ads that are not
directed to the specific user. A backend device and/or advertiser
may tailor spotted ads to be used in certain programs and/or videos
typically watched by a certain user demographic group. The users in
the user demographic group may typically watch certain programs
and/or videos and may be interested in certain products and/or
services.
[0220] The above-described method includes a mobile device being
synchronized to a program and/or video being playout on a display
of a user receiving device. The mobile device may monitor metadata
associated with the program and/or video and may allow the user to
interact with the program and/or video to identify, select, and/or
click on spotted ad items shown and/or audibly played out during
the video. When the spotted ad is audibly played out and there is
not corresponding video content, the user may click anywhere on the
video, perform a swipe gesture on the mobile device, or perform
some other task to provide the mobile device with an input
indicating that the user detected the spotted ad.
[0221] The above-described method allows ads to be integrated into
programs and/or videos such that the ads may be viewed each time
the program and/or video is played out. Also, since the spotted ads
are integrated into the program and/or video, the spotted ads may
not be easily skipped over by a user, mobile device, and/or user
receiving device. This is unlike traditional ads (or commercials)
that are played out during interruptions in a program, which can be
skipped and/or deleted by a user receiving device. The spotted ads
may be seamlessly blended into programs and/or videos without the
programs and/or videos being interrupted by advertisements (or
commercials).
[0222] The above-described tasks of FIGS. 10, 18 and 21 are meant
to be illustrative examples; the tasks may be performed
sequentially, synchronously, simultaneously, continuously, during
overlapping time periods or in a different order depending upon the
application. Also, any of the tasks may not be performed or skipped
depending on the implementation and/or sequence of events.
[0223] The above-disclosed content providers, head ends, service
providers, advertisers, product and/or service providers, payment
service providers and/or backend devices may include and/or be
implemented as respective servers. The servers may include
respective control modules for performing one or more of the
corresponding tasks and/or functions disclosed herein.
[0224] The wireless communications described in the present
disclosure with respect to Bluetooth transceivers of user receiving
devices and mobile devices may include transmission of data and/or
signals having short-wavelength ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio
waves in an industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio
frequency band from 2.4 to 2.485 GHz. The signals may be
transmitted based on Bluetooth protocols and/or standards. The
signals may be transmitted based on Bluetooth low energy (or smart)
protocols and/or standards. The Bluetooth transceivers may include
respective antennas.
[0225] The wireless communications described in the present
disclosure can be conducted in full or partial compliance with IEEE
standard 802.11-2012, IEEE standard 802.16-2009, IEEE standard
802.20-2008, and/or Bluetooth Core Specification v4.0. In various
implementations, Bluetooth Core Specification v4.0 may be modified
by one or more of Bluetooth Core Specification Addendums 2, 3, or
4. In various implementations, IEEE 802.11-2012 may be supplemented
by draft IEEE standard 802.11ac, draft IEEE standard 802.11ad,
and/or draft IEEE standard 802.11ah.
[0226] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature
and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application,
or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented
in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes
particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be
so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon a
study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims.
As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be
construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using a non-exclusive
logical OR, and should not be construed to mean "at least one of A,
at least one of B, and at least one of C." It should be understood
that one or more steps within a method may be executed in different
order (or concurrently) without altering the principles of the
present disclosure.
[0227] In this application, including the definitions below, the
term `module` or the term `controller` may be replaced with the
term `circuit.` The term `module` may refer to, be part of, or
include: an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC); a
digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital discrete circuit; a
digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital integrated circuit; a
combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array
(FPGA); a processor circuit (shared, dedicated, or group) that
executes code; a memory circuit (shared, dedicated, or group) that
stores code executed by the processor circuit; other suitable
hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a
combination of some or all of the above, such as in a
system-on-chip.
[0228] The module may include one or more interface circuits. In
some examples, the interface circuits may include wired or wireless
interfaces that are connected to a local area network (LAN), the
Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or combinations thereof. The
functionality of any given module of the present disclosure may be
distributed among multiple modules that are connected via interface
circuits. For example, multiple modules may allow load balancing.
In a further example, a server (also known as remote, or cloud)
module may accomplish some functionality on behalf of a client
module.
[0229] The term code, as used above, may include software,
firmware, and/or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines,
functions, classes, data structures, and/or objects. The term
shared processor circuit encompasses a single processor circuit
that executes some or all code from multiple modules. The term
group processor circuit encompasses a processor circuit that, in
combination with additional processor circuits, executes some or
all code from one or more modules. References to multiple processor
circuits encompass multiple processor circuits on discrete dies,
multiple processor circuits on a single die, multiple cores of a
single processor circuit, multiple threads of a single processor
circuit, or a combination of the above. The term shared memory
circuit encompasses a single memory circuit that stores some or all
code from multiple modules. The term group memory circuit
encompasses a memory circuit that, in combination with additional
memories, stores some or all code from one or more modules.
[0230] The term memory circuit is a subset of the term
computer-readable medium. The term computer-readable medium, as
used herein, does not encompass transitory electrical or
electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium (such as on a
carrier wave); the term computer-readable medium may therefore be
considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of a
non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium are nonvolatile
memory circuits (such as a flash memory circuit, an erasable
programmable read-only memory circuit, or a mask read-only memory
circuit), volatile memory circuits (such as a static random access
memory circuit or a dynamic random access memory circuit), magnetic
storage media (such as an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard
disk drive), and optical storage media (such as a CD, a DVD, or a
Blu-ray Disc).
[0231] The apparatuses and methods described in this application
may be partially or fully implemented by a special purpose computer
created by configuring a general purpose computer to execute one or
more particular functions embodied in computer programs. The
functional blocks and flowchart elements described above serve as
software specifications, which can be translated into the computer
programs by the routine work of a skilled technician or
programmer.
[0232] The computer programs include processor-executable
instructions that are stored on at least one non-transitory,
tangible computer-readable medium. The computer programs may also
include or rely on stored data. The computer programs may encompass
a basic input/output system (BIOS) that interacts with hardware of
the special purpose computer, device drivers that interact with
particular devices of the special purpose computer, one or more
operating systems, user applications, background services,
background applications, etc.
[0233] The computer programs may include: (i) descriptive text to
be parsed, such as HTML (hypertext markup language) or XML
(extensible markup language), (ii) assembly code, (iii) object code
generated from source code by a compiler, (iv) source code for
execution by an interpreter, (v) source code for compilation and
execution by a just-in-time compiler, etc. As examples only, source
code may be written using syntax from languages including C, C++,
C#, Objective C, Haskell, Go, SQL, R, Lisp, Java.RTM., Fortran,
Perl, Pascal, Curl, OCaml, Javascript.RTM., HTML5, Ada, ASP (active
server pages), PHP, Scala, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Erlang, Ruby,
Flash.RTM., Visual Basic.RTM., Lua, and Python.RTM..
[0234] The teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented
in a system for communicating content to an end user or user
device. Both the data source and the user device may be formed
using a general computing device having a memory or other data
storage for incoming and outgoing data. The memory may comprise but
is not limited to a hard drive, FLASH, RAM, PROM, EEPROM, ROM
phase-change memory or other discrete memory components.
[0235] A content or service provider is also described herein. A
content or service provider is a provider of data to the end user.
The service provider, for example, may provide data corresponding
to the content such as metadata as well as the actual content in a
data stream or signal. The content or service provider may include
a general purpose computing device, communication components,
network interfaces and other associated circuitry to allow
communication with various other devices in the system.
[0236] Further, while the disclosure is made with respect to the
delivery of video (e.g., television (TV), movies, music videos,
etc.), it should be understood that the systems and methods
disclosed herein could also be used for delivery of any media
content type, for example, audio, music, data files, web pages,
advertising, etc. Additionally, throughout this disclosure the
transfer of video, programs, or channel information may include and
is not limited to the transfer of data, content, information,
programs, movie trailers, movies, advertising, assets, video data,
etc.
[0237] As used herein, the term "title" will be used to refer to,
for example, a movie itself and not the name of the movie. While
the following disclosure is made with respect to example
DIRECTV.RTM. broadcast services and systems, it should be
understood that many other delivery systems are readily applicable
to disclosed systems and methods. Such systems include wireless
terrestrial distribution systems, wired or cable distribution
systems, cable television distribution systems, Ultra High
Frequency (UHF)/Very High Frequency (VHF) radio frequency systems
or other terrestrial broadcast systems (e.g., Multi-channel
Multi-point Distribution System (MMDS), Local Multi-point
Distribution System (LMDS), etc.), Internet-based distribution
systems, cellular distribution systems, power-line broadcast
systems, any point-to-point and/or multicast Internet Protocol (IP)
delivery network, and fiber optic networks. Further, the different
functions collectively allocated among a service provider and
integrated receiver/decoders (IRDs) as described below can be
reallocated as desired without departing from the intended scope of
the present patent.
[0238] None of the elements recited in the claims are intended to
be a means-plus-function element within the meaning of 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 112(f) unless an element is expressly recited using the
phrase "means for," or in the case of a method claim using the
phrases "operation for" or "step for."
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