WO2001073525A2 - Procede et appareil permettant d'acheter un produit sur un reseau de television interactif - Google Patents

Procede et appareil permettant d'acheter un produit sur un reseau de television interactif Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001073525A2
WO2001073525A2 PCT/US2001/009625 US0109625W WO0173525A2 WO 2001073525 A2 WO2001073525 A2 WO 2001073525A2 US 0109625 W US0109625 W US 0109625W WO 0173525 A2 WO0173525 A2 WO 0173525A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
product
viewer
information
audio
television
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/009625
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2001073525A3 (fr
Inventor
Anthony F. Istvan
Lisa M. Wilkins
Paul Allen
Original Assignee
Digeo Broadband, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Digeo Broadband, Inc. filed Critical Digeo Broadband, Inc.
Priority to AU2001249452A priority Critical patent/AU2001249452A1/en
Publication of WO2001073525A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001073525A2/fr
Publication of WO2001073525A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001073525A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0481—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0481—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
    • G06F3/0482—Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L29/00—Semiconductor devices specially adapted for rectifying, amplifying, oscillating or switching and having potential barriers; Capacitors or resistors having potential barriers, e.g. a PN-junction depletion layer or carrier concentration layer; Details of semiconductor bodies or of electrodes thereof ; Multistep manufacturing processes therefor
    • H01L29/66—Types of semiconductor device ; Multistep manufacturing processes therefor
    • H01L29/66007—Multistep manufacturing processes
    • H01L29/66075—Multistep manufacturing processes of devices having semiconductor bodies comprising group 14 or group 13/15 materials
    • H01L29/66227—Multistep manufacturing processes of devices having semiconductor bodies comprising group 14 or group 13/15 materials the devices being controllable only by the electric current supplied or the electric potential applied, to an electrode which does not carry the current to be rectified, amplified or switched, e.g. three-terminal devices
    • H01L29/66409—Unipolar field-effect transistors
    • H01L29/66477—Unipolar field-effect transistors with an insulated gate, i.e. MISFET
    • H01L29/6684—Unipolar field-effect transistors with an insulated gate, i.e. MISFET with a ferroelectric gate insulator
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/254—Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server
    • H04N21/2543—Billing, e.g. for subscription services
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/426—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
    • H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
    • H04N21/4316—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/439—Processing of audio elementary streams
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/443—OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
    • H04N21/4438—Window management, e.g. event handling following interaction with the user interface
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/4508—Management of client data or end-user data
    • H04N21/4532—Management of client data or end-user data involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/454—Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/462—Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
    • H04N21/4622—Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/462—Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
    • H04N21/4627—Rights management associated to the content
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
    • H04N21/4722—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for requesting additional data associated with the content
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/475—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data
    • H04N21/4751—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/47805—Electronic banking
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/4782—Web browsing, e.g. WebTV
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/8106—Monomedia components thereof involving special audio data, e.g. different tracks for different languages
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/812—Monomedia components thereof involving advertisement data
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/85—Assembly of content; Generation of multimedia applications
    • H04N21/858—Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
    • H04N21/8586—Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot by using a URL
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/162—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
    • H04N7/163—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing by receiver means only
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
    • H04N7/17318—Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L29/00—Semiconductor devices specially adapted for rectifying, amplifying, oscillating or switching and having potential barriers; Capacitors or resistors having potential barriers, e.g. a PN-junction depletion layer or carrier concentration layer; Details of semiconductor bodies or of electrodes thereof ; Multistep manufacturing processes therefor
    • H01L29/40—Electrodes ; Multistep manufacturing processes therefor
    • H01L29/401—Multistep manufacturing processes
    • H01L29/4011—Multistep manufacturing processes for data storage electrodes
    • H01L29/40111—Multistep manufacturing processes for data storage electrodes the electrodes comprising a layer which is used for its ferroelectric properties

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to commerce over a data communication network and more particularly to the secure purchase of goods and/or services over an interactive television network having connectivity to the data communication network.
  • a method for the advertisement and sale of product in accordance with the invention includes transmitting a television signal containing audio-visual content.
  • the audio-visual content includes product (goods and or services) for sale.
  • the signal is received and shown on a television screen.
  • a viewer-initiated selection of one or more products shown in the audio-visual content is received.
  • product supplemental information is shown on the television screen.
  • still further information is shown which permits the viewer to effectuate a purchase of the product.
  • the viewer can be connected to one or more web sites.
  • the selection of web sites can be determined by the seller of the viewer- selected product.
  • an indication to the viewer is made that there is product supplemental information contained in the audio-visual content.
  • the indication comprises a graphic overlay that is displayed along with the audio-visual content.
  • the present invention further comprises a system which enables the foregoing method for advertising and selling product shown in televised audio- visual content.
  • a broadcasting component transmits the audio-visual content as a television transmission to a television set.
  • Product supplemental information relating to product in the audio-visual content is inserted into the television transmission.
  • the television set includes an associated set top unit that is configured to detect viewer input to the system.
  • the set top unit is connected to a data communication network, and in one embodiment of the invention the network is a global communication network such as the Internet. In another embodiment, the network is a locally provided data network.
  • the foregoing audio-visual content comprises conventional advertisement programming material. In another embodiment of the invention, the foregoing audio-visual content comprises non-advertisement programming material. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the foregoing audio- visual content is a combination of conventional advertisement and non-advertisement programming material.
  • Fig. 1 is a general overview of the production and ultimate reception of the television signal in accordance with the invention
  • Fig. 2 is another general overview showing an alternate approach to the production of the television signal
  • Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a typical sequence of events during the display of commercial content.
  • Figs. 4A - 4D show a typical advertisement in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows an exemplary arrangement of an interactive television system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • a production company 104 produces programming content for transmission to viewers. The transmission is sent over an uplink channel to a satellite 102. The satellite then transmits the program over a downlink channel to a local studio 106. The local studio inserts additional programming (e.g. regional programming) and/or advertisements as needed.
  • additional programming e.g. regional programming
  • a cable network 134 is provided by a cable service provider 108 to distribute the program to cable subscribers.
  • a set top box 152 located on the premises of a cable subscriber receives the signal and delivers the signal to the subscriber's television set 154.
  • the signal can be broadcast over a wireless medium and received by a traditional aerial antenna or by a satellite dish, and delivered to the set top box.
  • the invention contemplates all manner of broadcast media, including but not limited to, cable systems, satellite, VDSL, web casts, and so on.
  • the function provided by the television set 154 can also be provisioned by a personal computer properly configured with an adapter to convert television signals to a digitized format and deliver them to the video portion of the computer for display. It is noted that the invention is not limited to any one configuration of display hardware, as the invention will work equally well using alternative reception and display arrangements.
  • a connection to a communication network is provided for the cable subscriber.
  • the connection is made via cable modem 156 over a bi-directional communication link 155 to a data communication network such as the Internet by way of a public switched network 132.
  • a cable modem arrangement is preferred because of its high bandwidth capability.
  • not all cable companies are equipped to provide cable modem service to their customers.
  • various alternative arrangements can be made.
  • a conventional modem connection can be used to access the internet over a telephone line.
  • Internet access can be gained over a DSL connection or an ISDN connection using a telephone line.
  • Wireless systems are now available for providing Internet access.
  • the Internet is chosen as the preferred data communication network because it is a well established network and connectivity to it is easily made.
  • a global communication network such as the Internet is not required to practice the invention.
  • a locally provided and maintained communication network is well within the scope of the invention as claimed.
  • the television set 154 includes a set top box 152. It is not important where the functionality of the set top box is implemented.
  • the set top box can be a component that is separate from the television set as shown in the figure, or its functionality can be built into the circuitry of the television set.
  • the set top box enables a viewer to select a program to view and delivers it to the television set.
  • Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention wherein the televised program is downloaded to a head-end receiving station 202 rather than to the local studio 106.
  • a reverse channel from the head-end to the local studio is provided so that the local studio can insert additional programming content and feed the signal back to the head-end.
  • the head-end then delivers the signal over the cable network 134 to the cable subscribers.
  • the local studio 106 inserts additional programming to the received transmission, for example, to provide cable content which includes locally provided channels.
  • the programming is then distributed to its customers over the cable network 134.
  • the local studio inserts advertising content.
  • Product supplemental information relating to the advertising for participating merchants is inserted.
  • Product supplemental information is information relating to the goods or services being advertised in the commercial.
  • a participating merchant list 153 is maintained. As the name implies, this list permits only participating merchants to provide their product supplemental information to the viewer.
  • triggering information can be included vis-a-vis the ATVEF (advanced television enhancement forum) standard.
  • ATVEF advanced television enhancement forum
  • URL can be embedded in the broadcast stream.
  • Other standards include Wink and WorldGate.
  • EPG electronic programming guide
  • Another approach is to parse EPG (electronic programming guide) data and correlate it to targeting parameters.
  • Yet another approach is to embed code or a script in the stream which would run on the client to provide the information and/or purchase experience.
  • the triggers can be inserted by the originating broadcaster, a local broadcaster, or by the cable system operator.
  • Fig. 2 illustrates another point of insertion of the product supplemental information.
  • the merchant 222 is located such that commercial insertion is made prior to the uplink transmission to the satellite 102.
  • operation of the invention includes receiving the television signal, action 302.
  • the audio-visual content contained in the signal is displayed, action 304.
  • non-commercial content namely regular programming content
  • the content is simply delivered to the television screen.
  • commercial content namely advertising
  • product supplemental information relating to the product(s) that is the subject of the commercial.
  • targeting information which identifies the location of the product within the displayed area. The product supplemental information is correlated with the targeting information, for reasons that will become clear in the discussion below.
  • test 301 is made to ascertain whether the merchant is listed in the participating merchant list 153. If the merchant is not in the list, the information is removed from the transmission. If the merchant is a participating merchant, the information remains in the transmission. In an embodiment of the invention, this test and removal of the triggering information occurs prior to reception at the viewer premises.
  • a graphic (Fig. 4 A, 402) is displayed (action 306) to indicate that product supplemental information relating to the advertised product(s) is available.
  • an audible indication can be produced.
  • Yet another alternative is to provide some combination of visual and audible cues to communicate to the viewer the presence of information.
  • the product supplemental information is accessed by a user input device.
  • a user input device For example, Fig. 1 shows a remote control unit 158 having an information button 172 for calling up the product supplemental information and a "buy" button 174 for making a purchase.
  • graphic indicators which look like the buttons on the remote control unit can be presented.
  • an appropriate signal is transmitted to the set top box.
  • the set top box detects the signal and in response displays the product supplemental information.
  • the buy button the viewer is immediately led through a sequence of events culminating in a purchase.
  • the participating merchant list 153 ensures that only those merchants who qualify to participate can present product supplemental information to the viewer. Absent the list, the set top box might display the graphic each time it detected the presence of the product supplemental information, and the information itself if the viewer called it up. The participating merchant list prevents unqualified merchants from inserting their signal unbeknownst to the cable provider and subsequently presenting the information to the viewer. Alternatively, triggers embedded in the stream by non-content partners could be stripped by the MSO. Merchant qualification can be based on the content of the advertisement or whether a licensing arrangement has been made with the cable provider, and so on.
  • Fig. 3 it can be seen that various interactions 310, 312, 314 are possible.
  • the viewer makes an appropriate selection on the remote control unit to initiate a set of interactions to effectuate a purchase of the product(s) shown in the commercial.
  • the viewer might request additional information, step 314.
  • the user can be taken to a Web page for information. Additional information may be displayed (by way of script, applet, or code).
  • a signal may be sent to the merchant to deliver an email or regular mail to the user.
  • FIGs. 4A - 4D three user experience scenarios in accordance with the present invention will now discussed: (i) the viewer makes an immediate purchase; (ii) the viewer is "window shopping" and simply desires additional information; and (iii) the viewer asks for additional information and subsequently makes a purchase.
  • the figures show a sequence of selected images of a typical commercial aired during a broadcast during which time the viewer has taken a series of actions in accordance with one of the three foregoing scenarios.
  • Fig. 4A shows a frame of the video.
  • the merchant is a participating merchant. Consequently, a graphic 402 (and/or audible cue) is displayed in the lower left side of the video, indicating to the viewer the availability of product supplemental information in this commercial. Under scenario (i), the viewer decides to make an immediate purchase.
  • the buy button 174 will lead the viewer through a purchase experience, culminating in the purchase of the goods or services. Upon completing the purchase, the viewer can resume watching the televised broadcast.
  • the set top box includes a buffering function and sufficient and capacity to continue receiving the broadcast. This way, when the experience has concluded, the viewer will not have missed any of the program.
  • Fig. 4B shows the commercial a short while later.
  • the video is freeze-framed and ' a series of still-frames shown as thumbnail- like images 404 are displayed along the left-hand side of the video. These thumbnails allow the viewer to select a particular frame of the video to identify the product of interest.
  • the viewer can scroll the list of frames up or down to view other frames of the commercial.
  • a selected frame 406 is highlighted by a bright border 408.
  • Fig. 4C shows the display after having made the still-frame selection shown in Fig. 4B.
  • Product selection within the selected still-frame is made via the remote control unit.
  • a selection graphic such as an arrow icon 412 is displayed on the screen and moved about by appropriate commands from the remote control unit.
  • the set top box receives transmissions from the remote control unit and keeps track of the location of the arrow as it is moved about on the screen.
  • the targeting information identifies where each product in the still-frame is located.
  • the arrow icon is positioned proximate a product for which there is supplemental information, the corresponding information will be displayed.
  • the viewer can cycle through the items in the commercial by activating an appropriate control on the remote control unit. This has the advantage of simplifying the viewer's experience when selecting items. The viewer simply activates the remote (e.g., button press) and each item is highlighted in sequence.
  • Fig. 4C shows that the viewer has selected the denim jacket 414 worn by the male model.
  • the main viewing area is grayed out and the selected jacket is highlighted.
  • the contrast between a selected item and the rest of the image is enhanced to indicate the selected item.
  • the contrast enhancement can be achieved by decreasing the intensity of the entire image, except for the selected item; or by increasing the intensity only of the selected item; or by varying the intensity of both the selected item and the rest of the image accordingly.
  • Other visual indication techniques can be used.
  • the selected item can be shown in outline by displaying a bright border around the periphery of the object.
  • the corresponding product supplemental information relating to the jacket is displayed in an information window 410.
  • the price of the jacket is provided.
  • the available sizes are shown.
  • a description of the jacket is given, and so on. Of course, more or less information can be provided.
  • the information window can be made to scroll up and down if there is more information than available display area in the window.
  • FIG. 4D interaction in accordance with viewer experience scenario (iii) is discussed.
  • the figure shows a purchase box 416 being displayed in response to the viewer having made a purchase selection on the remote control unit.
  • the viewer is queried as to whether the selected item should be placed in the viewer's shopping cart.
  • the "shopping cart” is a useful paradigm in that it allows the viewer to make a series of purchases over multiple commercials during his viewing session.
  • the shopping cart avoids "buyer's remorse” syndrome by allowing the viewer to change his mind about a purchase, or to cancel an inadvertent purchase. Alternatively, the purchase can be concluded immediately with this merchant.
  • the viewer is queried for a PIN (personal identification number).
  • the viewer confirms the shipping and credit card (or other payment mechanism) and concludes the transaction.
  • the viewer is prompted to confirm his purchases. This may be an item by item verification. It may involve nothing more than displaying the contents of the shopping cart. Additional interaction can be provided to allow the viewer to remove items from the shopping cart. Other response mechanisms include simply picking up the phone and placing a call.
  • a first time viewer might be prompted through a series of questions to establish an account.
  • a registered viewer might need only provide a password to complete the transaction.
  • Communication over the network whether a local network or a global network such as the Internet, occurs over a secure channel such as SSL (secure sockets layer protocol).
  • SSL secure sockets layer protocol
  • the set top box establishes access to the merchant's web site.
  • the URL for the web site is included along with the targeting information and the product supplemental information.
  • the web page can contain code which recognizes the information button 172 and the buy button 174, and takes the appropriate actions for that web page.
  • Web access over the Internet can be achieved via a cable modem, a telephone line using a conventional modem, and so on. It will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art that in accordance with the invention any means by which access to the Internet can be accomplished falls within the scope of the invention as claimed.
  • Another aspect of the invention involves the insertion of product supplemental information into non-advertisement programming content, namely regular programming.
  • the producer of the audio-visual content provides targeting information relating to each item shown in any given scene.
  • the merchant provides the product supplemental information which the producer of the audio-visual content inserts.
  • a beneficial outcome of this aspect of the invention is that fewer commercial breaks would be needed.
  • Merchants can now integrate their advertising along with the programming itself. In fact, the programming becomes the very vehicle by which merchants advertise their product.
  • the signal can be stored on a VCR or like device for subsequent viewing.
  • VCRs use magnetic tape as the storage medium.
  • VCR-like devices are available which provide for storage on high capacity disk drives.
  • the recorded material would contain the product supplemental information. Playback of the recorded material is fed into the set top box. Consequently, the set top box processes the signal as if it had been received over cable.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
  • Game Theory and Decision Science (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Software Systems (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Child & Adolescent Psychology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne la publicité d'un produit dans un système de télévision interactif, qui est effectuée par l'introduction d'informations additionnelles lors de la transmission. La présence des informations additionnelles est détectée et le téléspectateur en est informé. Ce dernier choisit alors ou non d'afficher les dites informations. La connexion à un réseau de communication permet au télespectateur d'obtenir d'autres informations encore. Ce dernier peut à terme lancer une action d'acquisition pour acheter le(s) produit(s) annoncé(s).
PCT/US2001/009625 2000-03-29 2001-03-22 Procede et appareil permettant d'acheter un produit sur un reseau de television interactif WO2001073525A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001249452A AU2001249452A1 (en) 2000-03-29 2001-03-22 Method and apparatus for purchasing product over an interactive television network

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US19304600P 2000-03-29 2000-03-29
US60/193,046 2000-03-29
US63413600A 2000-08-08 2000-08-08
US09/634,136 2000-08-08

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001073525A2 true WO2001073525A2 (fr) 2001-10-04
WO2001073525A3 WO2001073525A3 (fr) 2002-05-23

Family

ID=26888630

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2001/009625 WO2001073525A2 (fr) 2000-03-29 2001-03-22 Procede et appareil permettant d'acheter un produit sur un reseau de television interactif

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2001249452A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001073525A2 (fr)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002052852A1 (fr) * 2000-12-27 2002-07-04 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Antememorisation de donnees multimedia dans un systeme de reception de television numerique
EP1304876A2 (fr) * 2001-10-22 2003-04-23 ATI Technologies Inc. Système et méthode de fourniture d'une information additionnelle associée à des zones d'image sélectionnables
WO2004047433A1 (fr) * 2002-11-19 2004-06-03 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Procede pour proposer simultanement plusieurs types de contenus dans une plate-forme de television
EP1331812A3 (fr) * 2002-01-28 2004-07-21 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Appareil de réception de données diffusées, méthode d'affichage d'un programme diffusé, et programme d'ordinateur
US7469346B2 (en) 2003-06-27 2008-12-23 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Dual virtual machine architecture for media devices
US7496277B2 (en) 2003-06-02 2009-02-24 Disney Enterprises, Inc. System and method of programmatic window control for consumer video players
EP2106661A1 (fr) * 2007-02-22 2009-10-07 Stepframe Media, Inc. Systèmes et procédés pour la production, la distribution, l'enregistrement et le visionnage de contenus vidéo et similaire visant tout d'abord à être visionnés dans un mode étage-trame/trame-avancée
US7937740B2 (en) 2002-08-16 2011-05-03 MediaIP, Inc. Method and apparatus for interactive programming using captioning
WO2011109002A1 (fr) * 2010-03-03 2011-09-09 Echostar Ukraine, L.L.C. Achats d'un consommateur via un récepteur de contenu multimédia
US8112711B2 (en) 2003-10-06 2012-02-07 Disney Enterprises, Inc. System and method of playback and feature control for video players
US8132210B2 (en) 2003-06-02 2012-03-06 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Video disc player for offering a product shown in a video for purchase
US8202167B2 (en) 2003-06-02 2012-06-19 Disney Enterprises, Inc. System and method of interactive video playback
US8255966B2 (en) 2002-04-15 2012-08-28 Shusman Chad W Method and apparatus for internet-based interactive programming
US8312497B2 (en) 2006-03-29 2012-11-13 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Closed-captioning universal resource locator (URL) capture system and method
US10657406B2 (en) 2017-02-02 2020-05-19 The Directv Group, Inc. Optical character recognition text export from video program
US10856031B2 (en) 2003-04-15 2020-12-01 MedialP, Inc. Method and apparatus for generating interactive programming in a communication network

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5903816A (en) * 1996-07-01 1999-05-11 Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. Interactive television system and method for displaying web-like stills with hyperlinks
US5929849A (en) * 1996-05-02 1999-07-27 Phoenix Technologies, Ltd. Integration of dynamic universal resource locators with television presentations
US6026377A (en) * 1993-11-30 2000-02-15 Burke; Raymond R. Computer system for allowing a consumer to purchase packaged goods at home

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6026377A (en) * 1993-11-30 2000-02-15 Burke; Raymond R. Computer system for allowing a consumer to purchase packaged goods at home
US5929849A (en) * 1996-05-02 1999-07-27 Phoenix Technologies, Ltd. Integration of dynamic universal resource locators with television presentations
US5903816A (en) * 1996-07-01 1999-05-11 Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. Interactive television system and method for displaying web-like stills with hyperlinks

Cited By (30)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002052852A1 (fr) * 2000-12-27 2002-07-04 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Antememorisation de donnees multimedia dans un systeme de reception de television numerique
EP1304876A2 (fr) * 2001-10-22 2003-04-23 ATI Technologies Inc. Système et méthode de fourniture d'une information additionnelle associée à des zones d'image sélectionnables
EP1304876A3 (fr) * 2001-10-22 2004-07-14 ATI Technologies Inc. Système et méthode de fourniture d'une information additionnelle associée à des zones d'image sélectionnables
EP1331812A3 (fr) * 2002-01-28 2004-07-21 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Appareil de réception de données diffusées, méthode d'affichage d'un programme diffusé, et programme d'ordinateur
US7196733B2 (en) 2002-01-28 2007-03-27 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Apparatus for receiving broadcast data, method for displaying broadcast program, and computer program
US8255966B2 (en) 2002-04-15 2012-08-28 Shusman Chad W Method and apparatus for internet-based interactive programming
US8661490B2 (en) 2002-04-15 2014-02-25 MediaIP, Inc. Method and apparatus for internet-based interactive programming
USRE48579E1 (en) 2002-04-15 2021-06-01 Media Ip, Inc. Method and apparatus for internet-based interactive programming
US8826361B2 (en) 2002-08-16 2014-09-02 Media Ip, Inc. Method and apparatus for interactive programming using captioning
US8402504B2 (en) 2002-08-16 2013-03-19 Media Ip, Inc. Method and apparatus for interactive programming using captioning
US7937740B2 (en) 2002-08-16 2011-05-03 MediaIP, Inc. Method and apparatus for interactive programming using captioning
WO2004047433A1 (fr) * 2002-11-19 2004-06-03 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Procede pour proposer simultanement plusieurs types de contenus dans une plate-forme de television
US11477506B2 (en) 2003-04-15 2022-10-18 MediaIP, LLC Method and apparatus for generating interactive programming in a communication network
US10856031B2 (en) 2003-04-15 2020-12-01 MedialP, Inc. Method and apparatus for generating interactive programming in a communication network
US11076190B2 (en) 2003-04-15 2021-07-27 MedialP, Inc. Method and apparatus for generating interactive programming in a communication network
US11575955B2 (en) 2003-04-15 2023-02-07 MediaIP, LLC Providing interactive video on demand
US7496277B2 (en) 2003-06-02 2009-02-24 Disney Enterprises, Inc. System and method of programmatic window control for consumer video players
US8249414B2 (en) 2003-06-02 2012-08-21 Disney Enterprises, Inc. System and method of presenting synchronous picture-in-picture for consumer video players
US8202167B2 (en) 2003-06-02 2012-06-19 Disney Enterprises, Inc. System and method of interactive video playback
US8132210B2 (en) 2003-06-02 2012-03-06 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Video disc player for offering a product shown in a video for purchase
US7469346B2 (en) 2003-06-27 2008-12-23 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Dual virtual machine architecture for media devices
US9003539B2 (en) 2003-06-27 2015-04-07 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Multi virtual machine architecture for media devices
US8112711B2 (en) 2003-10-06 2012-02-07 Disney Enterprises, Inc. System and method of playback and feature control for video players
US10284917B2 (en) 2006-03-29 2019-05-07 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Closed-captioning uniform resource locator capture system and method
US8312497B2 (en) 2006-03-29 2012-11-13 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Closed-captioning universal resource locator (URL) capture system and method
US8739237B2 (en) 2006-03-29 2014-05-27 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Closed-captioning uniform resource locator capture system and method
EP2106661A4 (fr) * 2007-02-22 2010-01-13 Stepframe Media Inc Systèmes et procédés pour la production, la distribution, l'enregistrement et le visionnage de contenus vidéo et similaire visant tout d'abord à être visionnés dans un mode étage-trame/trame-avancée
EP2106661A1 (fr) * 2007-02-22 2009-10-07 Stepframe Media, Inc. Systèmes et procédés pour la production, la distribution, l'enregistrement et le visionnage de contenus vidéo et similaire visant tout d'abord à être visionnés dans un mode étage-trame/trame-avancée
WO2011109002A1 (fr) * 2010-03-03 2011-09-09 Echostar Ukraine, L.L.C. Achats d'un consommateur via un récepteur de contenu multimédia
US10657406B2 (en) 2017-02-02 2020-05-19 The Directv Group, Inc. Optical character recognition text export from video program

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2001073525A3 (fr) 2002-05-23
AU2001249452A1 (en) 2001-10-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11533463B2 (en) Method and apparatus for displaying branded video tags
US12096080B2 (en) Method and apparatus for menu placement on a media playback device
US7103908B2 (en) Method and system to save context for deferred transaction via interactive television
US7194754B2 (en) Method and system to defer transactions conducted via interactive television
US8161412B2 (en) Systems, methods, and computer program products for providing interactive content
US20100175084A1 (en) Interactive television system with messaging and related promotions
WO2001073525A2 (fr) Procede et appareil permettant d'acheter un produit sur un reseau de television interactif
WO2002008930A1 (fr) Procede et systeme permettant de fournir un canal d'achat personnalise via un systeme de diffusion video interactif
JP4676065B2 (ja) 電子商取引テレビジョン
US20020054091A1 (en) Method and system to defer transactions conducted via interactive television
US20110093879A1 (en) Banking video frames associated with links and processing the banked frames
KR20050014945A (ko) 텔레비전 방송 프로그램과 연관된 데이터 서비스를제공하기 위한 시스템
WO2008005198A2 (fr) Procédé et dispositif de mise en place d'annonces publicitaires par décodeur dans le cadre d'un dialogue avec l'utilisateur
Katz Interactivity in 2000: An industry viewpoint
US9635435B1 (en) Enhanced content access systems and methods
JP2002358435A (ja) テレビジョン受信システム、テレビショッピングシステム及びこれらの機能を実現するためのプログラム及び記録媒体

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP