| Entries |
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| 20080271083 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING INFORMATION ABOUT A BEAUTY PRODUCT ELEMENT - Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are methods and apparatus incorporating, among other things, the concept of using, in particular but without limitation, traditionally non-commercial programming as a medium for selling products or services on-line, and again in particular over the Internet. Using this concept, for example, a beauty product element identified in motion picture programming can be made electronically identifiable by a viewer of the programming, and thereby enabling a viewer to determine the source or other information about the beauty product element. Using this concept, for example, a viewer viewing a soap opera is able to use a device to electronically select a beauty product element worn or used by an actor or actress. In turn, information about the beauty product element can be displayed to the viewer, including purchase information. Using this particular concept of the invention, traditionally non-commercial programming can be efficiently used to indirectly advertise goods or services and offer them for sale on-line. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080271084 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DIGITAL SHOPPING - Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are methods and apparatus incorporating, among other things, the concept of using, in particular but without limitation, traditionally non-commercial programming as a medium for selling products or services on-line, and again in particular over the Internet. Using this concept, for example, an element identified in motion picture programming can be made identifiable by a viewer of the motion picture programming, and thereby enabling a viewer to determine the source, location, or other information referred to by the element. Using this concept, for example, a viewer viewing a soap opera is able to use a device to electronically select a element identified in the broadcast. In turn, information referred to by the content element can be displayed to the viewer, including purchase information. Using this particular concept of the invention, traditionally non-commercial programming can be efficiently used to indirectly advertise goods or services and offer them for sale on-line. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080276285 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING INFORMATION AND COLLECTING VIEWER INFORMATION - Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are methods and apparatus incorporating, among other things, the concept of using, in particular but without limitation, traditionally non-commercial programming as a medium for selling products or services on-line, and again in particular over the Internet. Using this concept, for example, an element identified in motion picture programming can be made identifiable by a viewer of the motion picture programming, and thereby enabling a viewer to determine the source, location, or other information referred to by the element. Using this concept, for example, a viewer viewing a soap opera is able to use a device to electronically select a element identified in the broadcast. In turn, information referred to by the content element can be displayed to the viewer, including purchase information. Using this particular concept of the invention, traditionally non-commercial programming can be efficiently used to indirectly advertise goods or services and offer them for sale on-line. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080276286 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING INFORMATION - Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are methods and apparatus incorporating, among other things, the concept of using, in particular but without limitation, traditionally non-commercial programming as a medium for selling products or services on-line, and again in particular over the Internet. Using this concept, for example, an element identified in motion picture programming can be made identifiable by a viewer of the motion picture programming, and thereby enabling a viewer to determine the source, location, or other information referred to by the element. Using this concept, for example, a viewer viewing a soap opera is able to use a device to electronically select a element identified in the broadcast. In turn, information referred to by the content element can be displayed to the viewer, including purchase information. Using this particular concept of the invention, traditionally non-commercial programming can be efficiently used to indirectly advertise goods or services and offer them for sale on-line. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20090025039 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VIDEO DIGEST GENERATION - The present invention is a video digest which extracts only the relevant information out of the video content according to user preferences. Video digest generator is a combination of hardware and software constituting a component of the digital video recorder, which analyzes the content and extracts only the portions which are meaningful or important for the user. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090025040 | INTERACTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, MULTIMEDIA CONTENT TRANSMITTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, MULTIMEDIA CONTENT RECEIVING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, SUB-CONTENT RECEIVING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, PROGRAM FOR CONTROLLING INTERACTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM, PROGRAM FOR CONTROLLING MULTIMEDIA CONTENT TRANSMITTING DEVICE, PROGRAM FOR CONTROLLING MULTIMEDIA CONTENT RECEIVING DEVICE, PROGRAM FOR CONTROLLING SUB-CONTENT RECEVING DEVICE, AND RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDING PROGRAM - In an interactive service system ( | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090049483 | RECEIVERS FOR TELEVISION SIGNALS - A receiver for television signals is arranged to receive video signals comprising video data and information data. The receiver is arranged to respond to viewer operation of a control device. The receiver includes a processor for processing selected information data to convert the same into signals representative thereof for output to a television in combination with the video signals. The receiver is arranged to respond to the information data to output for display data derived from said image data and said information data and representing an inter-active image. The receiver is responsive to viewer manipulation of the control device to vary the interactive image and to establish a telecommunications link to a remote site for on-line interaction via the interactive image between the viewer and the remote site. The interactive image may form part of an interactive services interface comprising a broadcast entry level and plural broadcast interactive levels. The interactive services interface may comprise one or more on-line interactive levels entered from one of the broadcast interactive levels for establishing an on-line connection with a remote site. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090100473 | PERSONALIZED VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM - One or more content sequences are created from a store of video content, which could simply be broadcast content which has been captured and stored at a server within a network. The content sequences are generated according to the viewer's specified, or demonstrated, viewing preferences. The viewer preferences are captured form entry by the user themselves, or by observation of their viewing habits. Multiple ‘users’ per household and multiple content sequences per viewer are possible. A content sequences is then streamed to the viewer, and looks to him/her just like a TV channel: when one program ends, another starts automatically. It is also possible for a viewer to select an item within the content sequence using an interactive program controller. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090144778 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SUPPLEMENTING TELEVISION PROGRAMMING WITH E-MAILED MAGAZINES - An interactive television system and method for generating advertising combined with triggers and then, in turn, for viewing that advertising as the triggers present information associated with the triggers. When triggered by the viewer, the request will retrieve information at the request processing system based on the generated request; and present the retrieved information that is based on the request at a user computer system. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090158354 | SELECTION OF PURCHASABLE ENHANCEMENTS OF A TELEVISION SERVICE - A method for providing a television service enhancement includes receiving a first user input requesting a television service, providing the user with an option to receive an enhancement to the television service for a charge, and receiving a second user input selecting the option to receive the enhancement to the television service. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090158355 | Configuration and Selection of Advertisements by Product Name Brands - Systems and methods of organizing advertisements in a digital home communication terminal are disclosed. One such method comprises displaying a plurality of advertisement categories corresponding to products, services, or combinations thereof. The method further comprises receiving a user selection of one or more advertisement categories, and presenting an advertisement corresponding to the one or more selected advertisement categories. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090158356 | System and Method for Conveyance of Preferred Advertisement Categories - Systems and methods of presenting advertisements in a digital home communication terminal are disclosed. One such method comprises displaying a plurality of advertisement descriptors. The method also comprises receiving a user selection of one of the advertisement descriptors. The method also comprises presenting an advertisement associated with the advertisement descriptor, responsive to the user selection. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090172744 | Method of enhancing media content and a media enhancement system - A media enhancement system and method, the system including a media player structured to deliver a media selection to a user and an enhancement registry associated with the media selection and including time data and/or other data associated with the media selection and a communicative link to additional materials. A user interface is further provided and operatively associated with the media player to receive a user input during delivery of the media selection by the media player, the media player further structured to identify a corresponding time marker of the media selection at a time that corresponds receipt of the user input. Finally, an activation assembly is provided to access the enhancement registry and to correspondingly activate the communicative link for delivery of the additional materials to the user. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090193471 | PROVIDING INFORMATION PERTAINING TO AUDIO-VISUAL AND PERSONAL BI-DIRECTIONAL SERVICES - The present invention provides methods and systems for accessing services in a television system. In one embodiment, a DHCT presents a subscriber an EPG presentation containing a plurality of selectable bi-directional services that are purchasable for a period of time and rendered to a buying subscriber on an individualized basis as offered by the cable television system. The subscriber navigates an EPG menu presentation with an input device such as a remote control device and selects a purchasable service by choosing the visual representation that corresponds to the desired service. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selected command into an executable program call that queries service availability and, if the service is available, initiates the selected bi-directional audiovisual service on a personalized session. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090222861 | System and Method for Displaying a High Impact Video Test - A method is provided for displaying a video. The method includes providing a display field on a webpage and displaying an article of clothing within the display field. A first link to a first video is also provided on the webpage. When a selection of the first link is received from a user, the first video is played. The video depicts a human form wearing the article of clothing and performing a test motion to demonstrate performance of the article of clothing. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090254945 | PLAYBACK APPARATUS, PLAYBACK METHOD, PROGRAM, RECORDING MEDIUM, SERVER, AND SERVER METHOD - A playback apparatus that communicates with a server and plays back data of a content item in accordance with a control file sent from the server includes a medium-information obtaining unit that obtains medium specifying information specifying a recording medium inserted into the medium-information obtaining unit; a playback-mode specifying unit that specifies a playback mode of a content item recorded on the recording medium; a sending unit that sends the medium specifying information and information specifying the playback mode to the server; and a playback control unit that receives a control file sent by the server in accordance with the sent medium specifying information and the sent information specifying the playback mode and controls playback of the content item recorded on the recording medium in accordance with the control file. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090254946 | Click-through television advertising - An indicator appears on a TV screen when additional information is available about items in the scene being viewed. If the viewer presses an “info” button the action freezes and an overlay appears on the picture highlighting one or more products for which additional advertising is available. If the viewer moves the cursor to the item of interest and presses “OK”, an advertisement offering additional information about the cursored item plays or other information is displayed, such as special offers, links to retailer's website, opportunity to purchase etc. Similarly, when the credits roll at the end of a show, the viewer can press the “info” button and the credits freeze. A cursor appears on the first item in the credits. This cursor can be navigated around the credits to items that have links attached. If the user presses “OK” they are taken to the website of the credited body, or a prerecorded ad is played off hard disk. In some cases the frozen scene can be partly or completely replaced by a graphic or an animation. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090282440 | PURCHASABLE AUDIOVISUAL AND PERSONAL BI-DIRECTIONAL COMMUNICATION SERVICES - The present invention provides methods and systems for accessing services in a television system. In one embodiment, a DHCT presents a subscriber an EPG presentation containing a plurality of selectable bi-directional services that are purchasable for a period of time and rendered to a buying subscriber on an individualized basis as offered by the cable television system. The subscriber navigates an EPG menu presentation with an input device such as a remote control device and selects a purchasable service by choosing the visual representation that corresponds to the desired service. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selected command into an executable program call that queries service availability and, if the service is available, initiates the selected bi-directional audiovisual service on a personalized session. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090320076 | System and Method for Processing an Interactive Advertisement - A set-top box device comprises a speech recognition module, a video image recognition module, and a voice over Internet protocol bridge. The speech recognition module is configured to perform speech recognition on a voice command signal to determine an action to take in the set-top box device. The video image recognition module is connected to the speech recognition module, and is configured to recognize a display device image. The voice over Internet protocol bridge is coupled to the video image recognition module, and is configured to connect a voice telephone call from the set-top box device to a call center. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20100058396 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING A NETWORK - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to present bandwidth adjustments options for customer premises equipment comprising the set top box where the bandwidth adjustments options include a bandwidth limit for the customer premises equipment, receive a selection of the bandwidth adjustments options, and transmit the selection of the bandwidth adjustments options to a network device for adjusting the bandwidth limit for the customer premises equipment. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100058397 | Aggregation of Retailers For Televised Media Programming Product Placement - For electronic commerce, selected items are tracked in a database and are made available for purchase by interactions with a customer. The construction and maintenance of the database may be summarized by three general steps. The first general step in the construction of the electronic commerce site is the establishment of a link between a particular product and a particular program or program episode that features the product. The second general step is creating a database of the records or links that are established from the first general step. The third general step is establishing an interface with the customer, which may be accomplished through the internet. A preferable technique for generating product tracking information uses radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to dynamically track products located in the video frame. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100107199 | AUDIO-VISUAL POINT-OF-SALE PRESENTATION SYSTEM AND METHOD DIRECTED TOWARDS VEHICLE OCCUPANT - An audio-visual presentation system delivering a presentation to a vehicle passenger compartment is provided that includes a video display mounted external to a vehicle passenger compartment and viewable from within the compartment. A controller provides a video signal to the display and an audio signal. The audio signal is broadcast by an antenna coupled to the controller as a radio frequency is received by a vehicle radio and discernable to a vehicle sound system. The audio-visual presentation system is particularly well suited as a method of education and sale regarding vehicle service products. Rather than providing a discernable audio signal through a vehicle sound system, it is appreciated that a portable radio set is readily placed within a vehicle passenger compartment or the audio signal delivered via a wireless network. A still further advantage is realized by providing a technician servicing the vehicle with a microphone operative to interrupt the audio signal of the presentation so as to convey vehicle service information regardless of whether the presentation is viewed within the vehicle compartment or in a remote waiting room. The audio-visual presentation is readily tailored to the past viewing and/or purchase history of a potential customer. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100138874 | Apparatus and system for interactive seat selection - Applicant has developed a novel apparatus and system allowing users to view seating configurations at performance and other venues (e.g., arenas, theaters, stadiums, etc) by presenting a video segment that shows the view of the stage from the selected seat or section, a view of the seat or section from the stage, and by providing a dynamic sense of the distance of the seat or section from the stage and in relation to others seats or sections. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100138875 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROCESSING - A method and system for providing an electronic shopping environment including a server and one or more set-top boxes in communication with the server. In an exemplary embodiment, the server stores product information relating to a plurality of products classified in a first category and to a plurality of products classified in a second category. As soon the server receives transaction data relating to an electronic transaction, the server updates the product information to reflect the transaction data changes. If the updated data relates to one of the plurality of products classified in the first category, the server transmits product display information towards one or more set-top boxes in real-time. Alternatively, if the updated data relates to one of the plurality of products classified in the second category, the server transmits product display information towards one or more set-top boxes on a scheduled periodic basis. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100146558 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING STATUS UPDATES ASSOCIATED WITH ONE OR MORE PENDING ORDERS - A system and method in accordance with exemplary embodiments may receive, at a set top box, one or more user request messages to display order status information from an input device. The system and method may then output, to a display device, the order status information in response to receiving the one or more user request messages. Further, the system and method may receive, at the set top box, one or more user selection messages from the input device. Even further, the system and method may transmit, to a server, one or more order status update request messages based on the one or more user selection messages received via a network. The system and method may output, to the display device, order status update information in response to the one or more order status update request messages. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100154007 | EMBEDDED VIDEO ADVERTISING METHOD AND SYSTEM - A method of associating primary content in a broadcast video program with secondary content information not shown in the program is provided. A broadcastable video program of primary content is provided on a machine-readable medium, the program having successive image frames and each frame having a plurality of coordinates. Codes are embedded in at least some of the frames, each code corresponding to an area of coordinates of the image frames. Each code is linked via links to information of secondary content not appearing in the image frames of the program, at least one of the links or the linked-to information being stored on a computer-readable medium. An interactable interface is provided to program viewers of the primary content adapted to allow the viewers to activate the embedded links and retrieve the secondary content of the linked-to information. Different viewers may receive different secondary content based on demographic variables. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100175091 | System and Method of Providing a Source for Ordering a Plurality of Products from a Plurality of Media - Described herein is a method of providing a single source ordering products from a plurality of media to a user. The method includes the steps of providing a computerized electronic server that may be viewed on a device for ordering a plurality of products seen by the user viewing the media; providing a list of media based upon the geographic location of the user; and providing a means for selecting one or more media from the list of medial providing a list of products based upon the selected media. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100211980 | Point of Decision Display System - The technology described herein provides a point of decision display system and method that delivers an interactive advertisement to a consumer when the consumer is in the process of making a decision. The system includes: a display system controller, a video display device to display an interactive advertisement to a consumer when the consumer is in a process of making a decision, an audio output device to provide audio for the interactive advertisement to the consumer, a sensor processing unit to trigger the display system controller to display the interactive advertisement to the consumer, a presence sensor to sense the consumer in the process of making the decision, and a content delivery server to provide content through the display system controller and video display device to the consumer. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100235865 | Tagging Video Content - Areas of a video are marked with information about the areas at the marking. For example, an actor's shoes, and other clothing can be marked. That clothing is selected to get more information about the clothing. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100242069 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING PERSONALIZED ADVERTISEMENT AND PERSONALIZING PRODUCTS WITH INTERACTIVE GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE EMBEDDED IN ADVERTISEMENT - Systems, methods, and computer storage media for creating a personalized advertisement. A web development platform prepares an interactive user interface including a personalization area; prepares an advertisement; embeds the user interface in the advertisement; and sends the advertisement with the embedded interactive user interface to a device via a network to thereby enable a user of the device to use the embedded interface for personalization of the personalization area. When the user uploads an image file to be displayed on the personalization area, the platform causes a process to produce a personalized video including the personalization area to thereby create a personalized advertisement and displays the personalized video on the device. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100306805 | METHODS FOR DISPLAYING CONTEXTUALLY TARGETED CONTENT ON A CONNECTED TELEVISION - Systems and methods for deriving data from television signals received by a connected television system, the derived data being indicative of a subject related to a video segment being displayed on said screen. The systems and methods may further provide contextually targeted content to the television system, the contextually targeted content being a function of the derived data. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100313223 | User Selection of Software Components in a Television Set-Top Box - A method for allowing user selection of interactive video software components in a television STB operatively coupled to a video content network includes the steps of: affording the user a selection of interactive video software components to run on the set-top box; and loading selected interactive video software components onto the set-top box. The selected interactive video software components are delivered from a remote node over the video content network to which the STB is coupled. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100333144 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AND OBTAINING PRODUCT INFORMATION THROUGH A BROADCAST SIGNAL - The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing and obtaining product information through a broadcast signal. In this present invention, information identifying a product item, which is in a scene to be presented from a broadcast signal, is provided together with a broadcast signal, then a signal receiving terminal stores the product information for a new product item and displays the stored information to a viewer to select one product item while or after watching an interesting broadcast program, and transmits data identifying a selected product item to a predetermined web site and receives web site address for the selected item from that site. As a result, detailed information for the selected item is acquired from a server addressed by the received web site address. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110023067 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING PURCHASES ASSOCIATED WITH VIDEO PROGRAMMING - A method for facilitating a purchase associated with video programming is provided. The method includes detecting a product signal related to video programming, and activating an indicator within a user interface in a remote control in response to the product signal. The method also includes placing a product corresponding to the product signal within a selected item list in response to an activation of an input selector within the user interface of the remote control. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110067071 | SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR RESPONDING TO USER-SELECTION OF AN OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM BASED ON USER LOCATION - A system and method in a television system for responding to user-selection of an object in a television program based on geographical location, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110078745 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CAPTURING VIDEO RELATED TO PRODUCTS - In one embodiment, the present invention is a t-commerce platform, which is linked to the content from a video signal that the user is currently watching. At some point during the broadcast of the content, a close-up of the product is shown. Simultaneous with this, a VBI-based trigger is added to the video signal of the broadcast. This trigger causes the television, a set-top box, or a similar device to capture in a memory, a “freeze-frame” of the image being shown. This action is transparent to the user while the video being displayed on the television is continuing normally. If the user chooses to perform an interactive “buy” transaction the saved image data is used as part of the interactive screen display. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110093901 | INTERACTIVE TV SYSTEM & CO-LOCATED TRANSACTION-ORDERING WEB SERVER FOR ONLINE ORDERING OF ITEMS OF REAL-TIME AVAILABILITY FROM A SET-TOP-BOX CONNECTED TV - An online ordering system for ordering of items of real time availability in inventory online employs An interactive TV system connected to a plurality of TV equipment units via a TV services platform, whereby a TV viewer can view an advertisement for a transactable item on the TV display and send a request for ordering the item by signals sent by the TV remote control unit to the TV services platform. A transaction-ordering web server is co-located with and operatively connected to the TV services platform for processing requests from TV viewers into web orders sent online via Internet connection to online ordering websites for processing against real time vendor inventories and confirming transactions of ordered items. The TV system may be a hotel in-room TV system coupled to a hotel purchase management system to manage guest billings for purchases. The hotel in-room TV system can provide guests with updates of activities and advertisements for guest activities on the in-room TV. It can also send messages to guest cellphones or mobile devices and process billings for guest requests. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110113451 | METHOD OF REPRODUCING FROM STORAGE MEDIUM INTERACTIVE GRAPHICS STREAM ACTIVATED IN RESPONSE TO USER'S COMMAND - A reproducing method of reproducing from a storage medium video data and graphics data for displaying a menu screen is provided. The reproducing method includes decoding graphics data, outputting the decoded graphics data when an activation command is generated by a user and the decoded graphics data is first graphics data, and outputting the decoded graphics data at a designated time when the decoded graphics data is second graphics data. The outputting of the first graphics data ends when an output finish time is reached and the first graphics data is deleted from a buffer of a decoder that performed the decoding of the graphics data. When the outputting of the first graphics data ends, an activation command generated by the user is ignored. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110126240 | APPLICATIONS REGISTRY FOR A TELEVISION ENVIRONMENT - An applications registry provides a repository of television-based applications. The registry stores information about television-based applications registered, and allows users to view information regarding the registered television-based applications through one or more portals. The information includes a general description of the television-based applications, a description of an entitlement model for the television-based applications, and downloading information to permit a user to download the application to the home media system. The user accesses the registry, to view information about the television-based application, through a home media system. The home media system, which includes a television, accesses the portal over a network, such as the Internet. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110131612 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING A USER WITH A REMOTE CONTROLLER LEARNING SERVICE IN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND ASSOCIATED ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A method for providing a user with a remote controller learning service in an electronic device includes: providing the user with guiding information through a user interface to ask for pressing at least one key of a remote controller of a device, other than the electronic device, wherein the at least one key is utilized for representing a specific operation of the electronic device; and associating the at least one key of the remote controller with the specific operation of the electronic device by storing learning information of the at least one key. An associated electronic device includes a controller arranged to provide the user with the remote controller learning service. In particular, the controller provides the user with the guiding information through the user interface to ask for pressing the at least one key of the remote controller of the device, other than the electronic device. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110167456 | Offering Items Identified in a Media Stream - Disclosed herein are techniques to enable users to purchase or receive information regarding items identified in a stream output by a content output device, regardless of whether the users are previously associated with the content output device or a device that monitors the stream. With these techniques, for instance, a user watching a video stream displayed on a television may see an advertisement for an item offered for purchase. In response, the user may choose to initiate a purchase of the item from an item offering service, to add the item to a shopping cart of the user at the item offering service, or to receive information regarding the item from the item offering service. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110191809 | Viral Syndicated Interactive Product System and Method Therefor - A method for facilitating the order of commercial products in connection with the display of media content, whereby a player comprises a media production component and an interactive e-commerce component embedded therein. The player with the e-commerce component can be virally copied and propagated from one web page to any number of other web pages. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110239255 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE ONLINE PRESENTATION AND COMMERCE OF GOODS - The invention is generally directed to systems and methods for online product presentation, and more particularly to systems and methods for the interactive live/real-time online presentation and commerce of small products. One preferred embodiment is an online computing system that enables the interactive live/real-time presentation of small products of value with intricate detail such as jewelry or precious stones on client computing devices communicatively coupled to a wide area network, such as the Internet. The system includes a conferencing system having a video conferencing session communicatively coupled to the wide area network; a computer connected to a web cam, wherein the computer communicatively couples the web cam to the video conferencing session through the wide area network, and further wherein the web cam has a lens directed at the product; and a light box substantially surrounding said product. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110265125 | Automatically Preparing Streaming Video Programming Guides - A programming guide for streaming video files may be automatically compiled in response to a user request. The user may provide keywords for categories of streaming video files that are of interest. A graphical user interface is automatically developed which splits responsive streaming video files into categories requested by the user. Each streaming video file may be represented in a user selected fashion. For example, the streaming videos may be represented by a representative frame, title or other information. The user can then click on any of the streaming video files, broken down into the appropriate categories, to begin viewing a streaming video file of interest. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110302613 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CROP, SEARCH AND SHOP OBJECT SEEN ON A MOTION PICTURE - (EN) An interactive system and method to crop, search and shop object seen over an electronic media is provided. The system comprising, an electronic display media ( | 12-08-2011 |
| 20120011547 | ENHANCED METHOD AND SYSTEM OF SHOPPING USING VIDEO HYPERLINK IN TELEVISION BROADCAST - In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method for shopping via television is provided. The method includes receiving a broadcast signal, extracting a video hyperlink in case the video hyperlink is present in the broadcast signal and parsing contents of the video hyperlink. The method also includes filtering the video hyperlink by predetermined factors, storing the video hyperlink filtered information, displaying a video content with the video hyperlink information and conducting the television shopping. The method of television shopping further includes receiving the broadcast signal with the video content, displaying the video content and detecting whether a shopping request is raised. The method also includes determining a user permitted for shopping and a mode of permission for shopping, processing shopping task. The method further includes storing the information in a memory device. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120036539 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SEARCHING PRODUCT INFORMATION IN TV PROGRAMS WITH PRODUCT PLACEMENTS - A method searches product information in TV programs with product placements using an electronic device. The electronic device encloses presented products of the TV program in a graphic box, and defines keywords related to the presented products. During the TV program broadcasts, the electronic device receives a selection operation on a product displayed on a display device, and uses a search engine to search for related information of the selected product according to keywords. The searched information is displayed on the display device for users to browse. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120036540 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SEARCHING PRODUCT INFORMATION IN TV PROGRAMS WITH PRODUCT PLACEMENTS - A method searches product information in TV programs with product placements using an electronic device. The electronic device defines keywords and appearance times of products presented on a TV program. During the TV program broadcasts, the electronic device displays the keywords of the presented products on a display device according to the predetermined appearance times. A product is selected from the presented products after any of the keyword presented on the TV program is tapped. The electronic device uses a search engine to search for related information of the selected product according to the tapped keyword, and displays the searched information on the display device for users to browse. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120042344 | Advertisement Delivering System Based on Digital Television System and Mobile Communication Device - A system for delivering advertisements based on a digital television system and a mobile communication device is disclosed. The television system and the mobile device are connected in ad hoc manner when a program is broadcasted by the television system. When a user is attracted by an item in the program, an instruction is sent from a remote control device of the television system or from the mobile device to send a data file including a product identifier to the mobile device. The user may use a cursor controlled by the remote control device or by the mobile device to locate the item. An icon is displayed on a display screen of the mobile device to represent the received data file. When the icon is selected, the mobile device is connected to a data manager in the Internet to deliver more product information to the user. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120151533 | MULTI-SERVICE STORE - A method may include obtaining customer information regarding the user and marketing rules regarding a plurality of store offerings. A number of store offerings from the plurality of store offerings may be identified based on the customer information and the marketing rules. One or more of the identified store offerings may be provided to the user. A user request to purchase a selected one of the provided store offerings may be received. The content or services associated with the selected store offering may be provisioned based on the user request. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120167145 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING OR UTILIZING INTERACTIVE VIDEO WITH TAGGED OBJECTS - A method for utilizing interactive video with tagged objects may include receiving video data including both video media and an interactive video layer and receiving a user input selecting a selectable video object from the interactive video layer during rendering of the video data. The selectable video object may correspond to an object mapped to a corresponding identifier associated with additional information about the object. The selectable object may be selectable from the interactive video layer during rendering of the video data. The method may further include executing an object function call corresponding to the user selectable video object. The object function call may define an action to be performed responsive to user selection of the selectable video object. A corresponding apparatus and a method and apparatus for providing the interactive video with tagged objects are also provided. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120167146 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING OR UTILIZING INTERACTIVE VIDEO WITH TAGGED OBJECTS - A method for utilizing interactive video with tagged objects may include generating video data that includes both video media and an interactive video layer, providing the video data to a remote user via a network, and enabling the remote user to present the video data with or without the interactive video layer based on user selection of an option to turn the interactive video layer on and off, respectively. The interactive video layer may include objects mapped to corresponding identifiers associated with additional information about respective ones of the objects. At least one defined selectable video object may correspond to a mapped object. The selectable video object may be selectable from the interactive video layer during rendering of the video data responsive to the interactive video layer being turned on, where the selectable video object has a corresponding object function call defining an action to be performed responsive to user selection of the selectable video object. A corresponding apparatus is also provided. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120192235 | AUGMENTED REALITY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VISUALIZING AN ITEM - In a system and method for searching, browsing, and visualizing items, a first image containing an item is received to be stored in an account associated with a user. The first image is processed using a processor to extract an image of the item from the first image. The image of the item is layered over a stream of video frames received from the client device to form a superimposed image. The superimposed image is caused to be displayed on the client device. | 07-26-2012 |
| 20120198499 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADAPTIVELY CONTROLLING THE RECORDING OF PROGRAM MATERIAL USING A PROGRAM GUIDE - A system and method for displaying an electronic program guide (“EPG”), the EPG allowing for the controlling of recording functionality of an appliance and/or playing of media. The displayable EPG includes a listing of playable media from which the user may select a program of interest for recording or playing. The EPG may also include a display of prior recorded media for playing. Options may be presented to allow for a selection of a rendering device on which selected media is to be played. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120210369 | Systems And Methods For Generating Interactive Video Content - The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for generating interactive content from video content. The method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises identifying at least one product within the video content and converting the product into an interactive element within the video content. The method then assigns a plurality of controlling parameters to said at least one interactive element at least one of said controlling parameters includes outline identification indicia of said interactive element consistent with movement of the product within the video content and assigns a product information identifier with the product and retrievable via the controlling parameters. Finally the at least one interactive element is integrated onto the video, such that when the video is displayed, the displayed video includes the outlined interactive element therein. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120227073 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF PROVIDING A SUPPLEMENTAL EXPERIENCE BASED ON CONCURRENTLY VIEWED CONTENT - A method and a system to provide a supplemental experience based on concurrently viewed content is provided. The system comprises an identification module to identify, at a user device, concurrently viewed content assigned a content identifier via communication with one or more components of a home theatre. The system further comprises a curation module to identify one or more listings describing items for sale based on keywords mapped to the content identifier and provide a user interface including the listings to the user device. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120233641 | COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING GOODS AND SERVICES SHOWN IN TELEVISION AND MOVIES - A system and method for obtaining goods and services shown in television and movie programs including at least one server computer and at least one client computer coupled to the at least one server computer through a network to perform the steps of receiving a first search parameter from a user stationed at the at least one client computer, receiving a second search parameter from the user, calculating a search result based on the first and second search parameters, determining if a single television or movie program is specified by the search result, permitting the selection of at least one scene with the television or movie program, if a single television or movie program is specified by the search result, permitting the selection of at least one product or service within the at least one scene, and directing the user to a webpage or website including specific purchasing information for the at least one product or service. The system and method thus permits a user to determine the products and services shown on television and movie programs, and purchase such products and services directly. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120233642 | Musical Content Associated with Video Content - A particular method includes presenting video content at a display and receiving a request to purchase playback rights to musical content associated with the video content. The method includes, in response to the request, determining whether a video content provider associated with the video content permits presentation of a menu at the display while the video content is being presented. The method includes, in response to determining that the video content provider permits the presentation of the menu at the display while the video content is being presented, presenting the menu concurrently with the video content. The method further includes, in response to determining that the video content provider prohibits the presentation of the menu at the display while the video content is being presented, inhibiting presentation of the menu at the display while the video content is being presented. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120246684 | SYSTEMS, APPARATUS AND METHODS USING PROBABILISTIC TECHNIQUES IN TRENDING AND PROFILING AND TEMPLATE-BASED PREDICTIONS OF USER BEHAVIOR IN ORDER TO OFFER RECOMMENDATIONS - An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of using probabilistic techniques in trending and profiling of user behavior in order to offer recommendations, comprising detecting patterns in user behavior over time thereby enabling a personal device associated with said user to predict what the user is likely to do on a given day or what the user intends to accomplish in an action that has begun. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120246685 | Video Object Tag Creation and Processing - Methods, and systems, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable storage mediums, including a method for presenting a video content item in a first display area; concurrently presenting, with the video content item in the first display area, objects that are displayed during the presentation of the video content item in a second display area, wherein the objects persist in the second display area after the object is no longer displayed during the presentation of the video content item in the first display area; receiving an indication identifying one of the objects presented in the first display area or the second display area; and processing a tag associated with the object, the tag comprising a reference to a media item, wherein the processing comprises: accessing the media item referenced by the tag; and presenting the media item at least partially in the first display area or the second display area. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120260294 | USER SPEECH INTERFACES FOR INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATIONS - A user speech interface for interactive media guidance applications, such as television program guides, guides for audio services, guides for video-on-demand (VOD) Services, guides for personal video recorders (PVRs), or other suitable guidance applications is provided. Voice commands may be received from a user and guidance activities may be performed in response to the voice commands. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120266197 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATION AND PLAYBACK OF SUPPLEMENTED VIDEOS - The present invention is a method and system for generation and playback of supplemented videos which include interactive features. The supplemented video includes hotspots that allow a video viewer to interact with the video when the video viewer sees an object. The hotspots can be manually defined. Information regarding the object and the hotspot can be stored in a separate XML file. Furthermore, the present invention can be a marketplace where a desired object can be found by searching the XML file. The search results can list the supplemented videos which contain hotspots corresponding to the object and also the time in the supplemented video in which the object is found. The present invention can also aggregate data about the objects based on the playback of the supplemented videos and the video viewer's interaction with the supplemented videos. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120311641 | Techniques to Consume Content and Metadata - A client device may receive a request from a remote control device to capture a still image from content in a broadcast received at the client device. The client device may capture the still image from the content in the broadcast responsive to the request. The still image is transmitted for receipt and display at the remote control device. Image data is received from the remote control device that includes a portion of the still image displayed at the remote control device. The portion of the still image is selected by a user via a user interface output at the remote control device and includes an object to be identified using image recognition. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20130014182 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GRABBING VIDEO SURFERS' ATTENTION - Methods and systems are disclosed in which an estimated time a user will have to wait before a user selected video begins playing is calculated. The estimated time may be calculated based on, for example, speed of the connection, quality of the video (e.g., HD versus standard definition), length of the video, load on the server at the current time, etc. A game may be selected based at least in part on the calculated estimated wait time and the approximate time to finish the game. In some embodiments, one or more advertisements may be selected based on, for example, the type of video selected by the user (e.g., Sci-Fi, Action, Comedy, etc.), the search term(s) used by the user to search for the video, history of games played (e.g., what games, if any, has the user played previously), etc. The selected game and the one or more advertisements may be served to the user substantially simultaneously. | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130019268 | CONTEXTUAL COMMERCE FOR VIEWERS OF VIDEO PROGRAMMINGAANM Fitzsimmons; Michael R.AACI San FranciscoAAST CAAACO USAAGP Fitzsimmons; Michael R. San Francisco CA USAANM Rudnick; David M.AACI DenverAAST COAACO USAAGP Rudnick; David M. Denver CO USAANM Joe; BrianAACI San FranciscoAAST CAAACO USAAGP Joe; Brian San Francisco CA USAANM Lee; Christopher A.AACI DenverAAST COAACO USAAGP Lee; Christopher A. Denver CO USAANM Hu; WeiAACI EnglewoodAAST COAACO USAAGP Hu; Wei Englewood CO US - An apparatus and method for enabling a viewer to watch television in the usual manner, while providing the viewer with an opportunity to indicate interest in products contextually associated with, but not necessarily displayed, in the television programs viewed, are described. Viewer interest might be indicated, for example, by launching a widget from an icon located on the TV video receiver using a handheld remote controller in communication with a set-top box during the program. The program being viewed may then be identified, for example, by the selected channel, the name of the program, the episode, and the time of the selection, or a combination of these indicators. The selections are transmitted by the set-top box to a remote search server, which returns information to the viewer on a portion of the TV video receiver concerning available products contextually related to the program being viewed at the time the widget was launched by the viewer, as well as purchase information. A selected product may as well be purchased through the set-top box in communication with an e-commerce server. Use of a mobile telephone in combination with a TV set-top box for product purchasing is also described. | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130036442 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VISUAL SELECTION OF ELEMENTS IN VIDEO CONTENT - A method and system for generating an image that displays a portion of a scene from a video that is being displayed on a first device, the image having at least one selectable item. When an item is selected, a menu may be displayed to allow a user to receive more information about the item. The method may include displaying the selectable image on a second device. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130061269 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROCESSING - A system and method for an electronic transactional environment including a database, a server and a processor and a number of set-top boxes in communication with the server. The database stores user registration data and product information data relating to a plurality of products and the server broadcasts the product information data to the set top boxes. The server is further provided to transmit to the set top boxes updated product information data that replaces at least part of the previously transmitted product information data. Furthermore, the processor compares data relating to a transaction request from a user of one of the set top boxes with user registration data in order to identify the specific user. Based on the identified user, the processor generates customized transaction data for the specific user and the server transmits the customized transaction data and additional updated product information data to the set top box corresponding to the identified user. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20130104172 | SEARCHING METHOD AND MOBILE DEVICE USING THE METHOD - A method of controlling a mobile device and which includes wirelessly communicating, via a wireless communication unit of the mobile terminal, with an external reproduction device reproducing content on a display of the reproduction device; inputting, via an input unit of the mobile terminal, a search request requesting information about at least one item identifiable in the reproducing content; searching, via a controller of the mobile terminal, the information about said at least one item; and displaying, on a display unit of the mobile terminal, the information found during the search. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130117788 | User Commentary Systems and Methods - Systems and methods that facilitate user commentary are described. In some embodiments, a method receives program content from a content source and identifies data describing the program content. The program content is communicated to a first device for presentation to a user. The data describing the program content is communicated to a second device for presentation to the user substantially simultaneously with the presentation of the program content on the first display device. A user commentary is received from the second device. The user commentary is generated by the user and associated with the program content. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130219434 | 3D BODY SCAN INPUT TO TV FOR VIRTUAL FITTING OF APPAREL PRESENTED ON RETAIL STORE TV CHANNEL - A retail store TV shopping channel may be an IPTV channel dedicated to a single retail store. 3D images of apparel items selected by a viewer of the retail store TV shopping channel are presented on the TV, overlaid on a 3D image of the viewer. Revenue is shared between the TV manufacturer and retail store. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130263188 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING PRODUCT INFORMATION IN TV PROGRAMS - A method of displaying product information in TV programs with product placements is applied in an electronic device. The electronic device encloses products presented in the TV program in graphic boxes, associates the graphic boxes with information related to the products, and defines keywords related to the products. The graphic boxes and the associated information is first hidden in the TV program. When a selection operation of selecting a product in the TV program is detected, the electronic device displays the graphic box that encloses the selected product, and displays information associated with the selected product in the TV program. Furthermore, the electronic device loads one or more keywords of the selected product to a search engine, to search for more information related the selected product according to keywords, and displays the searched information on a display device for users to view. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130291024 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING VIDEO SCREEN SCRAPE - A method and apparatus for capturing a video frame and scraping the captured frame for data contained therein is provided. The scraping of the frame extracts data from the frame. A user, while watching television, requests a screen capture function. The video frame is stored in a (e.g., advertisement for local store, or frame buffer and further processing is performed to scrape the screen of data contained therein. In one example, text information such as phone numbers, web addresses, etc. can be identified using OCR technology. Once extracted, the information can be provided to the user in many different formats for further use or further processing. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130298168 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DIGITAL SHOPPING - Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are methods and apparatus incorporating, among other things, the concept of using, in particular but without limitation, traditionally non-commercial programming as a medium for selling products or services on-line, and again in particular over the Internet. Using this concept, for example, an element identified in motion picture programming can be made identifiable by a viewer of the motion picture programming, and thereby enabling a viewer to determine the source, location, or other information referred to by the element. Using this concept, for example, a viewer viewing a soap opera is able to use a device to electronically select a element identified in the broadcast. In turn, information referred to by the content element can be displayed to the viewer, including purchase information. Using this particular concept of the invention, traditionally non-commercial programming can be efficiently used to indirectly advertise goods or services and offer them for sale on-line. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20130312040 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR INFORMATION ABOUT SERVICE PROVIDER - The method of providing information about service providers according to the present invention for achieving the technical goals includes setting regional information of the electronic device based on regional information received through a user interface unit or location information obtained by a location information module, transmitting the set regional information to a server, receiving information about a service provider related to the transmitted regional information from the server, and displaying the received information about the service provider. | 11-21-2013 |
| 20140013359 | Delivering Personalized Media Items to a User of Interactive Television by Using Scrolling Tickers in a Hierarchical Manner - A system and method of delivering a personalized media item to a user of an interactive television is disclosed. The system comprises a television terminal, a computing device and a remote control device. The computing device further comprises a set top box. The computing device may be connected to a server through a communication network. The system stores a personal profile for each of its users. The user's identity is determined after a user switches on the television. Media items organized by media categories are stored in the computing device. A user may select a media item through a hierarchical user interface based upon scrolling tickers on the television terminal | 01-09-2014 |
| 20140040957 | HANDHELD TERMINAL, INFORMATION PROVIDING METHOD, INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROVIDING SERVER, BROADCASTING RECEPTION APPARATUS, AND INFORMATION PROVIDING SYSTEM - A handheld terminal includes a device communication unit which communicates with at least one or more broadcasting reception apparatus receiving contents and content information about the contents from a content provider and receives the content information from the broadcasting reception apparatus, a content display unit which displays the content information received from the broadcasting reception apparatus, a server communication unit which communicates with an information providing server which manages related information relating to the contents and receives the related information relating to the content information received from the broadcasting reception apparatus from the information providing server, and a related information display unit which displays the related information received from the information providing server. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140047483 | System and Method for Providing Additional Information Associated with an Object Visually Present in Media - A computer-implemented system and method for providing additional information associated with an object visually present in media content in response to selection of the object in the media content by a user is provided. Object parameters are established in association with the object. The object parameters are stored in a database. The additional information is linked to the object parameters. Selection event parameters are received in response to a selection event by the user selecting the object in the media content during playback of the media content. The selection event parameters are compared to the object parameters in the database. The method determines whether the selection event parameters are within the object parameters. The additional information is retrieved if the selection event parameters are within the object parameters such that the additional information is displayable to the user without interfering with playback of the media content. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140053213 | VIDEO REPRODUCING APPARATUS, VIDEO TRANSMITTING APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - The monitor ( | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140089988 | ASSET SCORING AND RANKING FOR CONTENT ON DEMAND INSERTION - Systems and methods presented herein provide for ranking of assets for insertion into selected COD content. In one embodiment, a system includes an interface operable to receive information of a COD content selection by a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE). The system also includes an asset ranking module operable to identify assets that are available for insertion to the selected COD content from the plurality of assets, to determine values of the available assets to a provider of the selected COD content, to rank the available assets based on the determined values, and to direct the insertion of the one or more assets into the selected COD content based on the rank of the available assets. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140089989 | ASSET QUALIFICATION FOR CONTENT ON DEMAND INSERTION - Systems and methods presented herein provide for qualifying assets for insertion into selected COD content. In one embodiment, a system is operable to select from a plurality of assets for insertion into a Content On Demand (COD) content selection. The system includes an interface operable to process a request for asset insertion into the COD content selection to extract information of the COD content selection including a provider of the COD content selection (e.g., a head end). The system also includes an asset qualification module operable to communicate with the provider of the COD content selection to validate the request, to analyze the information of the COD content selection to validate the assets for insertion into the COD content selection, and to remove one or more of the assets from insertion selection based on the validation of the assets. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140130103 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPLAYING AND INTERACTING WITH INTERACTION OPPORTUNITIES ASSOCIATED WITH MEDIA CONTENT - Methods to present video and purchasing function content embedded in the video in a single user interface. The user interface may be configured to allow the user watching the video to take an action with respect to the video content, which may include items for purchase, and to allow the user to both watch the video content, and select the item for purchase in one transaction step. In other embodiments, the video content is segmented such that a user is provided the ability to select one or more objects in the video. In other embodiments, the user interface provides a dynamic message such as a “call to action” to a user. The call to action may be timed with the video and/or with the user viewing selections in order to urge a user to take a pre-determined action such as purchase a product, make a donation, and the like. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140150029 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING USER GENERATED VIDEO REVIEWS - Methods and systems for content aggregation and distribution are described. Video content may be received from a plurality of sources. The video content may be associated with metadata identifying items included within the video content. A video player may be provided which enables video content to be displayed on a user terminal, and a control may be provided enabling the user to quickly navigate to specific portions of the video content. The video player may be embeddable. Tags associated with a given item of video content may be stored and accessed remotely from the system hosting the item of video content. | 05-29-2014 |
| 20140208366 | MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM BASED E-COMMERCE - E-commerce techniques, in accordance with embodiments of the present technology, provide an improved buying experience integrated with the television viewing experience. A multimedia system for implementing the e-commerce techniques includes a two way communication system such as a set top box, display device and remote controller. The set top box and display device are used to present enhanced content including one or more offerings to users. The users can use the remote control to complete a purchase transaction for one or more of the offerings. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140215529 | Method and System for Interactive Selection of Items for Purchase from a Video - A computer-implemented method comprises displaying a video episode via a display screen, identifying, via a processor, the video episode with a unique play identifier, tracking, via the processor, an image of a shopable item in the displaying video, and linking a display screen coordinate location of an interactive tap zone with the image of the shopable item during the video episode. The interactive tap zone is selected to indicate selection of the tracked shopable item and the processor associates the selection with the unique play identifier. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140250465 | Systems and Methods for Providing Multiple Versions of Subscription Content and an Option Within One Version to Upgrade to Another - Certain embodiments involve providing multiple versions of content to which a user can subscribe and an option within one version that allows a user of that version to upgrade or otherwise switch the subscription to another version of the content. For example, a “GO PREMIUM” command can allow a user to quickly and easily upgrade from within a basic version to a premium version. The premium version may have fewer or no advertisements and/or have additional or improved content. The option itself may identify the benefits. For example, in the case of a premium version that provides additional statistics not provided by a basic version, a button option within the basic version may have text identifying this benefit, e.g., “INTERESTED IN STATISTICS—GO PREMIUM.” As another example, the option may read “TIRED OF ADS—GO PREMIUM!” | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140250466 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF IDENTIFYING AND PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT PRODUCTS CONTAINED IN AN AUDIOVISUAL PRESENTATION - The present invention regards a method and a system that allow the viewer of an audiovisual presentation such as a TV program or a movie to receive information about specific products or events of a scene of such audiovisual presentation. According to an embodiment, products or events contained in a scene of the audiovisual presentation and information about such products or events are stored in a database and provided to a device associated with the viewer. Other aspects of the invention regard a software implemented method of product positioning in an audiovisual presentation and a software implemented method for collecting information about products to be used in an audiovisual presentation, | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140282743 | SHOPPABLE VIDEO - Techniques for facilitating shopping for items shown or used in a video are described. For example, a user interface that includes a video and one or more images is presented. Each of the one or more images may be related to a content of the video. Each of the one or more images may include a plurality of selectable sub-areas. A selection of a sub-area of the plurality of sub-areas of an image of the one or more images is received. The selection of the sub-area may indicate a request to perform an action that pertains to the content of the video. The action is identified based on the selection of the sub-area. The action is performed in response to the selection of the sub-area. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140298389 | Content Item Receiver Module and Method - The present invention relates to a content item receiver module and method. The content item receiver module is operative for a content item distribution system, configured to operate in a first and second mode: said first mode operative to drive a display apparatus to display a received content item; said second mode operative for a specified time window to drive said display apparatus to display a sequence of linked content items and to respond to user input to initiate transition from display of a currently displayed linked content item to display of another linked content item in said sequence of linked content items prior to an end of said currently displayed linked content item. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140310752 | SHOPPING IN A MEDIA BROADCAST CONTEXT - A method of allowing a user to shop for items in a media broadcast context is disclosed. It is detected that a user is consuming a media broadcast. Items related to the media broadcast are identified. Correspondences between the identified items and listings of the items on a network-based publication system (e.g., eBay, Amazon.com, or Craigslist) are determined. The user is presented with options to perform actions with respect to the items or listings of the items. | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140344869 | Enhanced Television Services - A method and system to permit TV viewers to interact with program content broadcast over a subscriber network, such as cable, satellite, internet, or cellular telephone. The details of the ability for the viewer to interact is embedded as data in the program signal. The subscription provider broadcasts a visual indicator as a small icon during programming that informs the viewer that interaction is permitted. The viewer then uses a remote control to purchase products, vote on events, respond to polls, download files, request information, and request callback actions. The TV viewer uses the remote control to send information to a set-top box front-end application, and to iteratively create transactions that are batched and then sent to a back-end core application and database which then handles fulfillment. | 11-20-2014 |
| 20140359671 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATION AND PLAYBACK OF SUPPLEMENTED VIDEOS - The present invention is a method and system for generation and playback of supplemented videos which include interactive features. The supplemented video includes hotspots that allow a video viewer to interact with the video when the video viewer sees an object. The hotspots can be manually defined. Information regarding the object and the hotspot can be stored in a separate XML file. Furthermore, the present invention can be a marketplace where a desired object can be found by searching the XML file. The search results can list the supplemented videos which contain hotspots corresponding to the object and also the time in the supplemented video in which the object is found. The present invention can also aggregate data about the objects based on the playback of the supplemented videos and the video viewer's interaction with the supplemented videos. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140380381 | System And Method In A Television System For Responding To User-Selection Of An Object In A Television Program Based On User Location - A system and method in a system for responding to user-selection of an object in video based on geographical location, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150058898 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPLAYING AND INTERACTING WITH INTERACTION OPPORTUNITIES ASSOCIATED WITH MEDIA CONTENT - Methods to present video and purchasing function content embedded in the video in a single user interface. The user interface may be configured to allow the user watching the video to take an action with respect to the video content, which may include items for purchase, and to allow the user to both watch the video content, and select the item for purchase in one transaction step. In other embodiments, the video content is segmented such that a user is provided the ability to select one or more objects in the video. In other embodiments, the user interface provides a dynamic message such as a “call to action” to a user. The call to action may be timed with the video and/or with the user viewing selections in order to urge a user to take a pre-determined action such as purchase a product, make a donation, and the like. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150067739 | VIDEO MEDIA ITEM SELECTIONS - In embodiments of video media item selection, items that have been designated for association with video media are displayed while the video media is also displayed for viewing. An item grab application is implemented to receive a user input as an item selection of an item that is associated with the video media while being displayed for viewing. An item page for the selected item can be displayed, where the item page includes an identifier and image of the selected item, as well as a selectable link to the video media. The item grab application can also post the item selection to a social media site when the user shares the selected item. The item selection is posted without the video media that the selected item is associated with, and the video media is selectable for viewing from the item selection that is posted to the social media site. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150100989 | INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Interactive multimedia package methods and systems are provided. An interactive multimedia package system may generate, manage, deliver, and/or play interactive multimedia packages with various digital media. An interactive multimedia package may be incorporated into any platform such as physical media (e.g., CDs, DVDs, etc.), web services (e.g., download, or streaming), and other applications. A user may shop directly off of the digital media that he or she is experiencing (e.g., watching a movie, viewing a digital news, reading an e-book, playing a video game, etc.) The user may be directed to an e-commerce website, a digital storefront, or a list of items associated with an object, by clicking on the object of interest in the digital media. | 04-09-2015 |
| 20150106856 | MEDIA PLAYER SYSTEM FOR PRODUCT PLACEMENTS - A media player system for product placements, including: a controller; a computer-readable non-transitory memory in communication with the controller including instructions that when executed by the controller cause it to: display a user interface including a video frame and a product information area, wherein the product information area is adjacent or overlaps the video frame; display contents of a video in the video frame, wherein the video includes corresponding video metadata; receive a current location of a cursor; and when the current location of the cursor is within a product hotspot, display product information associated with the product hotspot in the product information area, wherein the product hotspot is defined by the video metadata as a location within the video frame, at one or more points in time, that is associated with the product information. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150135235 | Interactive television advertising method - A method of providing advertising from a central database server connected to a global computer network to distributed sites via interactive television. A representative icon is presented to a subscriber on a television screen indicating an advertisement. When a the icon is selected, an advertisement information detail is retrieved from storage in a local memory, or from the central database server and presented to the subscriber on the television screen. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150304594 | Identifying Ancillary Information Associated With An Audio/Video Program - A system communicates video information including television content associated with a plurality of channels and ancillary information. Information may be transmitted with the ancillary information that is indicative of the type of content included in the ancillary information. This provides the user, in one embodiment of the present invention, with a visual indication of the type of information that accompanies television content. This helps the user to decide whether the user wishes to view the ancillary information and provides the opportunity to select that enhancement for viewing. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150326935 | Methods and Systems for Purchasing Products From Media Content Shown on Media Display Devices - Methods and systems are described for use in purchasing products from media content displayed on a media display device. As an example, a consumer can select a portion of the media content, showing a desired product for purchase, while the media content is displayed at the media display device. The product is then identified, at the media display device, based on metadata of the selected portion of the media content in which the product was shown. Descriptive content for the identified product is then displayed at the media display device, and an option to purchase the product is provided to the consumer. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150358685 | System to Enhance Television Viewing by Merging Television and the Internet - Disclosed is a system comprising: a control unit including a software application for detecting programming being displayed on a television, the software application further providing a graphical user interface to enable a viewer to obtain information about a selected object of interest appearing in the programming being displayed by the television; an inquiry server in communication with the control unit, the inquiry server configured to receive a viewer inquiry about the selected object of interest, and retrieve information about the selected object of interest in response to the viewer inquiry; an information server in communication with the inquiry server. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20160066051 | Method and Apparatus for Interfacing Buyers With Products Depicted in a Video - A method for capturing viewer attention concerning a product depicted in a color motion video display is provided wherein one or a chosen sequential plurality of image frames rendering the motion video on a display during a defined time period, includes highlighted portions of the video frame depicting products or services to attract the gaze and attention of the user wherein a provided user interface may be employed to request information about or order the product depicted in the highlighted portion of the display of the video. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160094887 | TV PROGRAM-BASED SHOPPING GUIDE SYSTEM AND TV PROGRAM-BASED SHOPPING GUIDE METHOD - Provided herein are a TV program-based shopping guide system and a TV program-based shopping guide method. The TV program-based shopping guide system includes a detecting module, an expansion module and a recommendation module. The detecting module provides a plurality of key nouns according to program information corresponding to a TV program that a user is watching. The expansion module searches in at least one social network provided with a plurality of web articles according to the key nouns to obtain a plurality of expansion nouns. Each of the expansion nouns corresponds to one of the key nouns. The recommendation module searches in a commodity database according to the key nouns and the expansion nouns to obtain a matched commodity list, and then outputs information related to a plurality of recommended commodities included in the matched commodity list to at least one electronic device. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160165312 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND METHOD AND STORAGE MEDIUM - According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a receiver, a transmitter, a management module, and an informing module. The receiver receives a purchase instruction from a user. The transmitter transmits the received purchase instruction to a server via a network. The management module manages a purchase history of the user. The informing module determines, upon receiving the purchase instruction from the user, whether the received purchase instruction satisfies a predetermined condition based on a purchase history of a predetermined period, and sends a message to the user if the purchase instruction satisfies the predetermined condition. | 06-09-2016 |
| 20160165314 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPLAYING AND INTERACTING WITH INTERACTION OPPORTUNITIES ASSOCIATED WITH MEDIA CONTENT - Methods to present video and purchasing function content embedded in the video in a single user interface. The user interface may be configured to allow the user watching the video to take an action with respect to the video content, which may include items for purchase, and to allow the user to both watch the video content, and select the item for purchase in one transaction step. In other embodiments, the video content is segmented such that a user is provided the ability to select one or more objects in the video. In other embodiments, the user interface provides a dynamic message such as a “call to action” to a user. The call to action may be timed with the video and/or with the user viewing selections in order to urge a user to take a pre-determined action such as purchase a product, make a donation, and the like. | 06-09-2016 |
| 20160173940 | IMAGE INFORMATION PROVISION DEVICE, IMAGE INFORMATION PROVISION SYSTEM, AND IMAGE INFORMATION PROVISION METHOD | 06-16-2016 |
| 20160192008 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM - An information processing apparatus obtains the moving image identification information of a moving image, the time at which a specifying operation was performed, and a position specified on a display unit. When an object was specified, the information processing apparatus further obtains object information. The information processing apparatus obtains, from storage means, object information corresponding to all of the following: the obtained moving image identification information; a time being within a predetermined period of time ending at the obtained time; and a position being within a predetermined distance from the obtained position. The information processing apparatus causes information about an object indicated by the obtained object information to be presented to a user. | 06-30-2016 |
| 20220141537 | DISPLAY DEVICE AND OPERATION METHOD THEREFOR - The present disclosure provides a display device for providing a function of searching for a product, a person, a place, or music appearing in a video, and an operation method therefor. The display device includes a display configured to display video, a user input interface configured to receive a search command, a controller configured to obtain video scene information at a time point when the search command is received, and a network interface configured to receive information about a product included in the video scene at a time point when the search command is received, based on the video scene information, wherein the display is configured to display a search result screen including a product icon representing the product. | 05-05-2022 |
| 20220141538 | LIVE STREAMING PRODUCT CREATION AND ORDER COMPILATION - Methods, systems and computer products disclosed herein are directed to an O.C. Engine that detects a first request sent from a requesting account during a target account session, the target account associated with multiple sessions. The O.C. Engine generates a first request parent node active for a range of time. The O.C. Engine detects a subsequent second request sent from the requesting account and generates a second request node. The O.C. Engine verifies that the subsequent second request is not an initial request by the requesting account during a range of time that has not yet expired. Upon verification, the O.C. Engine identifies the second request node as a child node by generating a link between the parent node and the child node. | 05-05-2022 |
