WO2014100176A1

WO2014100176A1 - Multpads for dissemination of mass communications

Info

Publication number: WO2014100176A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/076124
Authority: WO
Inventors: Praveen Jha
Original assignee: Praveen Jha
Priority date: 2012-12-19
Filing date: 2013-12-18
Publication date: 2014-06-26

Abstract

There is disclosed a communications system. In an embodiment, the communication system includes a content storage module, a broadcast scheduling engine, a broadcast delivery network, and a tracking and monitoring engine. Use of the communication system for broadcast of content includes uploading communication content from an electronic computing device, over a network, to a content storage module installed on one or more remote servers; creating programming lists from the uploaded content using an broadcast scheduling engine; presenting the programming lists to a plurality of fixed and mobile presentation stations using a broadcast delivery network; and tracking and monitoring presentation of the programming lists as well as consumer reactions to the presenting programming lists using a tracking and monitoring engine.

Description

MULTPADS FOR DISSEMINATION OF MASS COMMUNICATIONS

BACKGROUND

[0001 ] Mass communication refers to the trade, industry, or practice, of distribution of information and content, created and originated by one or more entities, and disseminated, e.g., shared, distributed, or broadcast, by such users, for the consumption of many other entities.

[0002] Advertising is a mass communication trade, industry, or practice in which an entity creates informational content such as brochures, flyers, videos, etc., related to products or services the entity is looking to offer to consumers. Typically, after creating informational content, the entity purchases advertising media space, according to some predetermined programming or print schedule, in newspapers, magazines, billboards, or on TV, cable, or radio networks depending on the type of content created. The content may then be broadcast, distributed, or broadcast and distributed, by the channels or mediums selected in accordance with the schedule chosen. Such content reaches consumers as they read print media, listen to radios, or watch TV programming. Traditional advertising content is discovered and digested by consumers in the form of 'breaks' in original programming, e.g., the 'commercial breaks' or page (or content) inserts in print publications.

[0003] With traditional advertising, any given advertising channel or medium has a limited supply of advertising time or space. For example, any one TV channel can run only a limited number of 30-second advertising slots each day. Similarly, a magazine that prints on a monthly schedule typically has a limited number of pages dedicated to advertising content. Furthermore, the number of billboards available in any given location is limited. [0004] These limitations have two direct consequences: (1 ) advertisers have to share time or space with other advertisers, and (2) advertising rates (per 30 second slot, for example) are very expensive during high viewer density broadcast events such as the Super Bowl.

[0005] Traditional advertising media or channels also suffer from the "I missed it" phenomenon. If a TV viewer walks away from the TV, for any reason, or if he or she change channels, he or she is unlikely to watch a specific broadcast advertisement that may run during such time. To complicate the matter further, modern technological devices and services such as TiVo™ allow consumers to record the shows consumers want to watch on their schedules but also allow for skipping of advertising breaks altogether.

[0006] Finally, consumers have to be engaged in a specific activity for them to discover and consume advertising content that is broadcast using conventional advertising channels, e.g., reading a newspaper or a magazine, listening to radio, watching TV, or, driving around highways and major roads in case of outdoor billboard advertising. All of these advertising channels miss a very significant aspect of consumers' daily lives. Consumers spend quite a bit of time outdoors, in and around their homes and place of work, when they are not engaged in any of these activities.

SUMMARY

[0007] A communication system includes a content storage module, a broadcast scheduling engine capable of interacting with content stored in the content storage module, a broadcast delivery network capable of broadcasting content stored in the content storage module, and a tracking and monitoring engine associated with the broadcast delivery network. [0008] A communication method includes uploading communication content from an electronic computing device, over a network, to a content storage module installed on one or more remote servers; creating programming lists from the uploaded content using an broadcast scheduling engine; presenting the programming lists to a plurality of fixed and mobile presentation stations using a broadcast delivery network; and tracking and monitoring presentation of the programming lists as well as consumer reactions to the presenting programming lists using a tracking and monitoring engine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an example schematic of a communication system in accordance with one embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates an example distribution of user content to a plurality of presentation stations using a communication system in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[001 1 ] As digital mass communications networks, various embodiments offer new processes and procedures for doing business across numerous industries and business verticals (domains). Advertising is one such business vertical, where these embodiments create a completely new channel or medium for advertisers.

[0012] Various embodiments enable users, such as advertisers, to broadcast their content and messages to audiences anywhere in the world according to a Global, Local, Anywhere and Delivered (GLAD) network. With some embodiments, users have a choice of deploying global or local networks that are dedicated and specific to a single user, or, to share broadcast space and time with other users on a global shared network. Any and all networks are infinitely expandable, overcoming limitations of media or channel inventory availability. Any network can be configured, and deployed, as either a collection of fixed network stations, a collection of mobile network stations, or a combination of the fixed and mobile network stations forming delivery network. As a result, networks can deliver content to any public location at any or all times. Consequently, consumers need not be engaged in any specific activity to digest content.

[0013] Some embodiments offer users programming flexibility. Each network station, within any network, can be (1 ) located anywhere and (2) can display any content at any time. Thus, users control the entire network they subscribe to, from station locations, down to minute-by-minute programming for each and every station.

[0014] Within the advertising domain, embodiments of the communication system offer users a turn-key system for: storing advertising content, managing and scheduling of advertising programming, broadcasting and distributing advertising content to consumers, tracking and monitoring consumer viewing patterns and rapidly creating and executing advertising and promotional campaigns of any size and on any scale, e.g., Global, Continental, National, Local, or Neighborhood based, etc.

[0015] According to one embodiment of a communication system 200, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , a content storage module 220, an broadcast scheduling engine 240, a broadcast/delivery network 260 as well as a tracking and monitoring engine (not shown) work together to distribute content, and provide consumer feedback, to users.

[0016] Content storage module 220 allows users to upload their existing content, including, but not limited to flyers, brochures, photographs, audio, and videos. This content may be uploaded to their own secure storage location on the communication system 200. Uploads can be initiated from user devices 1 10, 120, including, but not limited to, desktop computers and mobile internet connected devices and for storage on storage servers. While only two users are illustrated in FIG. 1 , it should be appreciated that any number of users may upload content to content storage module 220 as indicated by ellipses.

[0017] An broadcast scheduling engine 240 allows for creation of programming lists such as 242, 244 in the form of sequential combinations of previously uploaded content, in any desired time sequence, that play or broadcast as a single broadcast unit; remote assignment of one or more created playlists from programming lists 242, 244 to any fixed presentation stations 262 or mobile presentation stations 264 in designated geographic locations, in a selected, dedicated or shared, user network; scheduling of play times and duration of play for programming lists at assigned to presentation stations; and updating and changing of programming lists and scheduling runs for assigned presentation stations within networks 262, 264. While only two play lists for each illustrated user #1 and #k are explicitly illustrated in FIG. 1 , it should be appreciated that each user may create, assign, schedule and update any number of playlists within their programming lists 242, 244. As with number of users, this unlimited number is indicated by ellipses.

[0018] As best seen in FIG. 2 a broadcast delivery network 260 includes a number of fixed presentation stations 262 and/or a number of mobile presentation stations 264 at a variety of geographic locations. Presentation stations, either mobile or fixed, can be either dedicated to one particular user or may be shared by multiple users. For example, Display #1 of fixed presentation station network 262 is shared by users #1 and #k. Continuous and automatic synchronization with content storage module 220 and the broadcast scheduling engine 240 display and run content according to scheduling runs assigned to each station through the use of broadcast scheduling engine 240.

[0019] A tracking and monitoring engine captures device geo-locations, along with images of consumers viewing the content and with time-stamps. This information is fed back to the communication system where the users can further analyze such data. [0020] Various embodiments of the communication system may be implemented, in part, through the use of a computing device system having a memory in which a logic system is stored, a processor for executing instructions encoded within logic system and input/output interfaces for receiving instructions from the processor to provide output to external devices or receive input from external devices.

[0021 ] The computing device system may be any device capable of executing computer readable program code stored in a memory including by not limited to a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant or a smartphone. In some embodiments, the computing device is one that is readily transported by the user to assist the user with consumption regulation wherever the user goes.

[0022] Input/output interfaces may include but are not limited to keyboards, pointing devices, gesture interpreting devices, touchscreens and other displays, printers, and audio speakers which are capable of operative coupling to the computing device system either directly or through intervening I/O.

[0023] It should be understood that each component, and combinations thereof are capable of implementation by computer readable program code in the form of instructions. These instructions may be provided to a processor such as which may be a component of a general purpose computing device system, special purpose computing device system, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computing device system or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing functions of the components.

[0024] The computer readable program code in the form of instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computing device system or other programmable data processing apparatus such that the instructions produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement functions components. [0025] As a memory, any combination of one or more computer readable mediums may be used. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable storage medium or a computer readable signal medium.

[0026] Computer readable storage mediums usable within the computing device system may include, but are not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatuses, or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, electrical connections having one or more wires; portable computer diskettes; hard disks; random access memories (RAM); read-only memories (ROM); erasable, programmable read-only memories (EPROM or Flash memory); optical fibers; portable compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROM); optical storage devices; magnetic storage devices; and combinations thereof. In various embodiments, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible, non- transitory medium capable of containing, or storing a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0027] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical or a combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0028] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF or any combination of these.

[0029] Computer program code included within a logic system and capable of carrying out operations for aspects of the communication system may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computing device system, partly on the user's computing device system, or entirely on a remote computer or server connected to the user's computing device system through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). Alternatively, the connection may be made to an external computing device system through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider.

[0030] While embodiments of the disclosure find application in the advertising domain, it will be appreciated that the communication system disclosed will find applications in a variety of domains.

[0031 ] While the foregoing has been presented with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . A communication system, comprising:

a content storage module;

a broadcast scheduling engine configured to interact with content stored in the content storage module;

a broadcast delivery network configured to broadcast content stored in the content storage module; and

a tracking and monitoring engine associated with the broadcast delivery network.

2. The communication system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein:

the content storage module comprises at least one server operatively coupled to a plurality of remote electronic computing devices for receiving content therefrom.

3. The communication system as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:

at least one storage module user interface presentable by the content storage module to an output of any of the plurality of remote electronic computing devices for facilitating receipt of content therefrom.

4. The communication system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the broadcast

scheduling engine comprises:

a programming list creation component;

a programming list assignment component; and

a programming list scheduling component.

5. The communication system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the broadcast delivery network comprises: a plurality of fixed presentation stations operatively coupled to the content storage module and broadcast scheduling engine; and

a plurality of mobile presentation stations operatively coupled to the content storage module and broadcast scheduling engine.

6. The communication system as set forth in claim 5, wherein the presentation

stations are operatively coupled to the content storage module and the broadcast scheduling engine by wireless connection.

7. The communication system as set forth in claim 5, wherein the presentation

stations are operatively coupled to the content storage module and the broadcast scheduling engine by wired connection.

8. The communication system as set forth in claim 5, wherein at least one of the presentation stations comprises a display.

9. The communication system as set forth in claim 5, wherein at least one of the presentation stations comprises an audio output.

10. The communication system as set forth in claim 5, wherein at least one of the presentation stations comprises at least one storage medium.

1 1 .The communication system as set forth in claim 5, wherein the plurality of fixed presentation stations and the plurality of mobile presentation stations comprise: input devices capable of receiving information about consumers in the vicinity of the presentation stations.

12. The communication system as set forth in claim 1 1 , wherein the input devices are cameras.

13. The communication system as set forth in claim 6 wherein the plurality of fixed presentation stations and the plurality of mobile presentation stations comprise: geo-locators capable of sending information about the location of the presentation stations to the tracking and monitoring engine.

14. The communication system as set forth in claim 1 1 , wherein the tracking and monitoring engine is configured to of process information received by the input devices and presenting processed information to a user of the communication system.

15. The communication system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the tracking and monitoring engine is configured to present processed information to a user of the communication system in a tracking and monitoring user interface.

16. The communication system as set forth in claim 15, wherein the tracking and monitoring user interface is graphical.

17. The communication system as set forth in claim 6, wherein the tracking and

monitoring engine further comprises:

a timer for associating a time stamp with processed information received by the input devices.

18. A communication method comprising:

uploading communication content from an electronic computing device, over a network, to a content storage module installed on one or more remote servers;

creating programming lists from the uploaded content using an broadcast scheduling engine;

presenting the programming lists to a plurality of fixed and mobile presentation stations using a broadcast delivery network; and tracking and monitoring presentation of the programming lists as well as consumer reactions to the presenting programming lists using a tracking and monitoring engine.

19. The communication method as set forth in claim 18, further comprising:

remotely assigning the created programming lists to one or more of the plurality of fixed and mobile presentation stations.

20. The communication method as set forth in claim 18, further comprising:

creating a programming list schedule for one or more of the plurality of fixed and mobile presentation stations.

21 .The communication method as set forth in claim 20, further comprising:

updating the programming lists and programming list schedule for one or more of the plurality of fixed and mobile presentation stations.

22. The communication method as set forth in claim 21 , wherein updating the

programming lists and programming list schedule for one or more of the plurality of fixed and mobile presentation stations is performed according to tracked and monitored consumer reactions.

23. The communication method as set forth in claim 20, wherein creating a

programming list schedule for one or more of the plurality of fixed and mobile presentation stations further comprises:

creating different programming list schedules for different ones of the one or more plurality of fixed and mobile presentation stations.

24. The communication method as set forth in claim 18, wherein presenting the

programming lists to a plurality of fixed and mobile presentation stations using a broadcast delivery network includes transmitting portions of the uploaded content to the plurality of fixed and mobile presentation stations over a network.

25. The communication method as set forth in either claim 24, wherein presenting the programming lists to a plurality of fixed and mobile presentation stations using a broadcast delivery network includes transmitting portions of the uploaded content storage mediums operatively coupled to the presentation stations.

26. The communication method as set forth in claim 24, wherein the network is

wireless.

27. The communication method as set forth in claim 24, wherein the network is

wired.

28. The communication method as set forth in claim 24, wherein the network is

wireless and wired.

29. The communication method as set forth in claim 18, wherein presenting the

programming lists to a plurality of fixed and mobile presentation stations using a broadcast delivery network requires no input by a programming list consumer.