Abstract:
Dynamically replaceable assets are inserted in program content and may be used for the insertion of cinematic stage props therein. Such assets can be used for advertising purposes in that images of different products and services can be inserted therein and are changeable via a network. Such assets may be created by identifying locations in the content where the assets can be inserted, establishing the assets in the identified locations, determining location and visual effects information for each asset, and creating a reference file that includes the location and the visual effects information associated with each asset. A value may be determined for each asset or advertisers may bid on the assets to yield additional advertising revenue channel for the content. The content may be played back by broadcasting the content and reference information designating parameters for inserting the assets into the content. Replacement images, such as images of products, may be obtained via a network. The visual appearance of each replacement image may be modified using visual effects information so the inserted objects appear natural as if they were part of the original scene.
Abstract:
A system and method for delivering content over a network is provided. Content may be primary content (e.g., music or a movie) or ancillary content (e.g., an advertisement). The ancillary content may further be classified as universal ancillary content that all users of the present system will receive; targeted ancillary content that particular users of the present system will receive; and context-specific ancillary content that users of the present system and viewing particular primary content will receive. The type of primary and/or ancillary content delivered to the user will depend, in part, on indicia of the user of a device receiving the content. The present invention seeks to ensure that a user has relevant and up-to-date ancillary content notwithstanding the nature or date of the primary content. Feedback data concerning the viewing of the ancillary content may also be generated such that a provider of the advertisement and/or product may provide targeted advertisements and improved products and services.
Abstract:
A system and method for delivering content over a network is provided. Content may be primary content (e.g., music or a movie) or ancillary content (e.g., an advertisement). The ancillary content may further be classified as universal ancillary content that all users of the present system will receive; targeted ancillary content that particular users of the present system will receive; and context-specific ancillary content that users of the present system and viewing particular primary content will receive. The type of primary and/or ancillary content delivered to the user will depend, in part, on indicia of the user of a device receiving the content. The present invention seeks to ensure that a user has relevant and up-to-date ancillary content notwithstanding the nature or date of the primary content. Feedback data concerning the viewing of the ancillary content may also be generated such that a provider of the advertisement and/or product may provide targeted advertisements and improved products and services.
Abstract:
Methods, systems, and computer programs for delivering supplemental content within streamed media are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request at a client for a media segment, which includes a plurality of video frames. Further, a stream of the media segment to the client from a media server is obtained and supplemental content (SC) is accessed from storage in the client or from an SC server. The access of the SC from the SC server can be performed before receiving the request, or while obtaining the stream, or after the stream has been obtained. Further, the method includes combining the media segment with the SC at the client, which inserts the SC to add or augment video frames from the media segment. The combination is then displayed to the user.
Abstract:
A system and method for delivering content over a network is provided. Content may be primary content (e.g., music or a movie) or ancillary content (e.g., an advertisement). The ancillary content may further be classified as universal ancillary content that all users of the present system will receive; targeted ancillary content that particular users of the present system will receive; and context-specific ancillary content that users of the present system and viewing particular primary content will receive. The type of primary and/or ancillary content delivered to the user will depend, in part, on indicia of the user of a device receiving the content. The present invention seeks to ensure that a user has relevant and up-to-date ancillary content notwithstanding the nature or date of the primary content. Feedback data concerning the viewing of the ancillary content may also be generated such that a provider of the advertisement and/or product may provide targeted advertisements and improved products and services.
Abstract:
A system and method for delivering content over a network is provided. Content may be primary content (e.g., music or a movie) or ancillary content (e.g., an advertisement). The ancillary content may further be classified as universal ancillary content that all users of the present system will receive; targeted ancillary content that particular users of the present system will receive; and context-specific ancillary content that users of the present system and viewing particular primary content will receive. The type of primary and/or ancillary content delivered to the user will depend, in part, on indicia of the user of a device receiving the content. The present invention seeks to ensure that a user has relevant and up-to-date ancillary content notwithstanding the nature or date of the primary content. Feedback data concerning the viewing of the ancillary content may also be generated such that a provider of the advertisement and/or product may provide targeted advertisements and improved products and services.
Abstract:
Stage props, such as consumer products, in legacy program content are replaced with dynamically replaceable assets. Such assets can be used for advertising purposes in that images of different products and services can be inserted therein and are changeable via a network. Such assets may be created by identifying props in the content for replacement, determining location and visual effects information for each identified prop, and creating a reference file that includes the content and the location and the visual effects information associated with each identified prop. A value may be determined for each asset or advertisers may bid on the assets to yield additional advertising revenue channel for the content. The content may be played back by broadcasting the content and reference information designating parameters for inserting the assets into the content. Replacement images, such as images of products, may be obtained via a network. The visual appearance of each replacement image may be modified using visual effects information so the inserted objects appear natural as if they were part of the original scene.
Abstract:
Methods, systems, and computer programs for delivering supplemental content within streamed media are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request at a client for a media segment, which includes a plurality of video frames. Further, a stream of the media segment to the client from a media server is obtained and supplemental content (SC) is accessed from storage in the client or from an SC server. The access of the SC from the SC server can be performed before receiving the request, or while obtaining the stream, or after the stream has been obtained. Further, the method includes combining the media segment with the SC at the client, which inserts the SC to add or augment video frames from the media segment. The combination is then displayed to the user.
Abstract:
A gift card, debit card, or similar instrument and an associated system are capable of restricting purchase transactions to predesignated authorized merchandise or excluding from purchase transactions predesignated unauthorized merchandise. To facilitate this an account that does not permit one or more items or services to be purchased using the account may be established in an account system. The account system receives identification information for an item or service requested for purchase, and the system also receives identification information for the account requested to be used to pay for at least a portion of the item or service requested for purchase. The system determines whether or not the item or service requested for purchase is authorized for purchase using the account. If not, the system denies the use of the account to pay for any portion of the item or service requested for purchase. The scope of the items and/or services authorized for purchase with the card may be set and modified online.
Abstract:
During output of a primary media stream from a cable, satellite, television, radio or internet source, a condition, signal or indication of a commercial break is detected causing a context switch to occur and enabling other services, programming or devices to intervene during the commercial break and causing an alternative output to be produced by a process or device. When the commercial break is over, the system may optionally rejoin with the primary media stream.