REAL-TIME ADVERTISING AND T-COMMERCE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present principles generally relates to advertising and T-commerce, and more particularly, to a method, apparatus and system for real-time advertising and T- commerce.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically when a viewer is watching programming, to find out more information about a product and/or to purchase a product seen in for example video content or advertising content, the viewer would be required to implement an unconnected device to, for example, perform a search of the Internet to find out more information regarding that product. In addition, to prevent missing any of the current programming that the viewer is consuming, the search for the product in which the viewer is interested would have to take place at a later time. It would be desirable for a viewer to be able to find out more information about and/or to be able to purchase a product seen in programming currently being consumed without having to use an alternate device and without having to miss any of the programming which is currently being consumed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present principles address these and other deficiencies of the prior art by providing a method, apparatus and system by which a viewer can find out more information about a product and/or purchase a product using a device currently being used to consume the programming and without missing any of the programming being consumed. In one embodiment of the present principles, a method includes receiving an indication of interest in at least one of a product and service in programming content being viewed, retrieving information regarding at least the at least one product and service of interest, pausing the programming content and displaying the retrieved information on a display proximate the viewer indicating the interest in the at least one product and service in the programming content.

In an alternate embodiment of the present principles, an access device includes a memory for storing at least one of program routines, product and service information, content and data and a processor for executing the program routines. In one embodiment the apparatus is configured to receive an indication of interest in at least one of a product and service in programming content being viewed, retrieve information regarding at least the at least one product and service of interest, pause the programming content and display the retrieved information on a display proximate the viewer indicating the interest in the at least one product and service in the programming content.

In an alternate embodiment of the present principles, a system includes a display device in proximity to a viewer, an access device in communication with a network, a storage device and the display device, the network providing at least communication between the access device and at least one of content providers and internet stores, the access device comprising a memory for storing at least one of program routines, product and service information, content and data and a processor for executing the program routines. In one embodiment, the access device is configured to receive an indication of interest in at least one of a product and service in programming content being viewed, retrieve information regarding at least the at least one product and service of interest, pause the programming content and display the retrieved information on the display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The teachings of the present principles can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a high level block diagram of a system for real-time advertising and T-commerce in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles;

FIG. 2 depicts a high level block diagram of an access device suitable for implementation in the system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles; and

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of a method for real-time advertising and T- commerce in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles.

It should be understood that the drawing(s) are for purposes of illustrating the concepts of the various described principles and are not necessarily the only possible configuration for illustrating the principles.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present principles advantageously provide a method, apparatus and a system for real-time advertising and T-commerce. Although the present principles will be described primarily within the context of set-top boxes and television displays, the specific embodiments of the present principles should not be treated as limiting the scope of the invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art and informed by the teachings of the present principles that the concepts of the present principles can be advantageously applied to any content consumption devices such as tablets, mobile phones and the like.

The functions of the various elements shown in the figures can be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate software. When provided by a processor, the functions can be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which can be shared. Moreover, explicit use of the term "processor" or "controller" should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and can implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor ("DSP") hardware, read-only memory ("ROM") for storing software, random access memory ("RAM"), and non-volatile storage. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).

Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the block diagrams presented herein represent conceptual views of illustrative system components and/or circuitry embodying the principles of the invention. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudocode, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable media and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown. Furthermore, because some of the constituent system components and methods depicted in the accompanying drawings can be implemented in software, the actual connections between the system components or the process function blocks may differ depending upon the manner in which the present principles are

programmed. Given the teachings herein, one of ordinary skill in the pertinent art will be able to contemplate these and similar implementations or configurations of the present principles.

FIG. 1 depicts a high level block diagram of a system 100 for real-time advertising and T-commerce in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles. The system 100 of FIG. 1 includes an access device 105 (illustratively a set-top box (STB)), a display 1 10, a communications network 1 15 (illustratively the Internet), a user interface device 120 (illustratively a remote control) and a storage device 125. Although the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustratively includes a set-top box 105 for communicating with the network 1 15 for providing content to a viewer on the display 1 10, in alternate embodiments of the present principles, an access device for providing content to a viewer can include a gateway, a television set, a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone or tablet, an automobile, a satellite receiver and other content consumption devices. In addition, although in the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the network 1 10 comprises the Internet, in alternate

embodiments of the present principles, the network can comprise a local area network, a wide area network, an in-home/in-store network or any other network for distributing data and/or content. For purposes of the description of the various embodiments of the present principles, content can include data, audio, video and any combination thereof. In addition, although in the embodiment of FIG. 1 the user interface is illustratively a remote control, in alternate embodiments of the present principles the user interface can comprise any user interface including a keyboard, a mouse, a mobile communication (such as a mobile phone or tablet) being

implemented as a user interface and any other device that is able to be used to send control commands to at least the display 1 10 or set-top box 105. It should be noted that although in FIG. 1 , the storage device 125 is depicted as a separate component , in alternate embodiments, the storage can comprise storage in at least the STB 105, the display 1 10 and/or the user interface device 120.

In one embodiment, such as the system 100 of FIG. 1 , a content provider 130 communicates programming content to the STB 105 for consumption by a viewer. In various embodiments of the present principles, the programming content can be communicated to the STB 105 either directly or via the communications network 1 15. In one embodiment of the present principles, the programming content communicated to the STB 105 can include information regarding at least some of the products and/or services depicted/presented in the programming content. In alternate embodiments of the present principles, information regarding the included products and/or services is stored in a memory, such as the storage device 125.

When a viewer is consuming programming content and is interested in a product and/or service presented in the programming content, the viewer uses the user interface to select for which product(s) and/or service(s) the viewer wants to find out at least purchase information. For example, in one embodiment of the present principles, when a viewer sees on the display 1 10 a product and/or service of interest, the viewer pushes a designated button on the remote control 120 to communicate a signal to the STB 105, which is intended to alert the STB 105 that the viewer is interested in some product and /or service in the programming content which the viewer is currently consuming. In one embodiment of the present principles, in response to the signal from the user interface device 120, the STB 105 pauses the programming content and presents to the viewer information regarding for what products and/or services the viewer can select to receive more information on the product and/or purchase information. Such information can be retrieved by the STB 105 from memory such as the storage device 125 of the system 100 of FIG. 1 . In alternate embodiments of the present principles, such information can be retrieved from the programming content. In various embodiments of the present principles, the information presented to the viewer can include purchase information (described in more detail below) and information configured to entice a viewer to make a purchase. More specifically, the information retrieved by the STB 105 to be presented to the viewer can include advertising content describing the product(s) and/or service(s) of interest, the advertising content created to entice a viewer to purchase the advertised product(s) and/or service(s).

In one embodiment of the present principles such as the embodiment of FIG. 1 , such information is presented to the viewer on the display 1 10. In alternate

embodiments of the present principles, such information can be presented to the viewer on a screen of the user interface device (e.g., the remote control) or a screen associated with a mobile communications device or the like, on which a viewer is consuming content.

In one embodiment of the present principles, the information regarding for what products and/or services the viewer can select to receive at least purchase information can be presented to a viewer on a scene by scene basis beginning with the scene that was being displayed during the time when the viewer indicated interest. In alternate embodiments of the present principles, all of the information regarding for what products and/or services the viewer can select to receive at least purchase information can be presented and available to the viewer at once. In one

embodiment, such information can be presented to the viewer in the form of a selectable list.

A viewer is then able to make a selection for which of at least one product and/or service viewed in the programming content the viewer would like to receive more information, including at least purchase information. In one embodiment of the present principles, the viewer uses the remote control 120 to select for which product and/or service the viewer would like to receive at least purchase information.

Upon receiving the selection information, the STB 105 searches a memory, such as the storage device 125 in the system 100 of FIG. 1 , to retrieve information, including at least purchase information, for the product(s) and/or service(s) selected by the viewer. As described above, in alternate embodiments of the present principles, such information can be retrieved from the programming content.

The playing of the programming content is then paused and the retrieved information is then presented to the viewer, in one embodiment by presentation on a display, such as the display 1 10 in the system 100 of FIG. 1 . The user interface device 120 can then be used by the viewer to select what to do with the information presented. For example, in one embodiment of the present principles, a viewer is given the option to select a link included in the presented information which directs the viewer to a location at which the viewer can purchase the product and/or service. In one embodiment, the link/information can present to the user a physical address to a store at which the user can purchase the selected product(s) and/or service(s). That is, in one embodiment the selected link/information can identify where a viewer can purchase product(s) and/or service(s) of interest locally by using geotags and as such extending business opportunity into localization and generate local advertising revenue. In an alternate embodiment of the present principles, the link/information can include a web address to an Internet store at which the viewer can purchase the selected product(s) and/or service(s) of interest.

In an alternate embodiment of the present principles, a viewer can have the option of saving the presented information (e.g., advertising content, purchase information or link) in a memory or storage for later retrieval. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the viewer can store the presented purchase information and/or link in the storage device 125 in a file named, for example, shopping list, the information to be used later to purchase the product(s) and/or service(s) of interest for which the viewer received information. In alternate embodiments, such information can be stored in a memory of the user interface, the display or a mobile

communication device on which the programming content is being consumed.

In alternate embodiments of the present principles, once a viewer indicates a desire to purchase a product(s) and/or service(s) seen in consumed programming content, a system of the present principles can automatically make a purchase of such product(s) and/or service(s) using previously stored viewer information. More specifically, in one embodiment, a viewer can sign in to a system of the present principles using a password or other identifying information to identify the viewer to the system and at least the access device (e.g., the STB 105 of FIG. 1 ). Using previously stored viewer information such as name, address, credit card information, PayPal® information or other purchasing means information, once a device of the present principles, such as the STB 105 of FIG. 1 , receives an indication from a viewer that the viewer would like to purchases an identified product(s) and/or service(s) presented in programming content being consumed, the device of the present principles can automate a purchase of such product(s) and/or service(s) by contacting a vendor of such product(s) and/or service(s) and, using the stored viewer information, purchase the identified product(s) and/or service(s).

FIG. 2 depicts a high level block diagram of an access device 105 suitable for implementation in the system 100 of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles. The access device 105 of FIG. 2 illustratively comprises a processor 210 in communication with various internal components such as a memory 220, a wireless interface/station 230 and other internal support circuits 240. The memory 220 can include any suitable memory, such as, for example, RAM, DRAM, a hard disk drive storage device, a solid state storage device, etc. The wireless interface 230 can include any suitable interface capable of operating with one or more wireless communication protocols. In the access device 105 of FIG. 2, one or more I/O circuits 240 (e.g., USB, Ethernet, etc.), also connected to the processor 210 provide some external communication capability to the access device 105.

Although the access device 105 of FIG. 2 is depicted as a general purpose computer that is programmed to perform various control functions in accordance with the present principles, the invention can be implemented in hardware, for example, as an application specified integrated circuit (ASIC). As such, the process steps described herein are intended to be broadly interpreted as being equivalently performed by software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of a method for real-time advertising and T- commerce in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles. The method 300 begins at step 302 during which an indication of viewer interest in at least one of a product and service in programming content being viewed by the viewer is received. For example, in the embodiment of the system 100 of FIG. 1 a viewer activates a predetermined button on a user interface, such as the remote control 120 to send an indication to the STB 105 that the viewer is interested in receiving information about at least one product(s) and/or service(s) depicted in the programming content to which the viewer was watching or listening. The method 300 then proceeds to step 304.

At step 304, information including at least purchasing information for at least the one product and/or service in the programming content identified by the viewer is retrieved. For example, in the embodiment of the system 100 of FIG. 1 , upon receiving an indication of interest in at least one product(s) and/or service(s) in the programming content being consumed by a viewer, the STB 105 searches a memory, such as the storage device 125 of FIG. 1 for stored information regarding at least the product(s) and/or service(s) identified by the viewer. As described above, such information can also be retrieved from information communicated with or in the programming content. The retrieved information can include purchase links or advertising content (commercials) to be presented to the viewer on a display proximate the viewer's location. The method 300 then proceeds to step 306.

At step 306, the programming content is paused. The method 300 then proceeds to step 308.

At step 308, the retrieved information is presented to the viewer on a display in proximity to the viewer such that a viewer is capable of using the information to purchase the at least one product and service of interest. For example, in the system 100 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the STB 105 searches a memory, such as the storage device 125, or in alternate embodiments searches metadata communicated with the programming content, for information about the product(s) and/or service(s) identified by the viewer. Matching information is communicated to a display, such as the display 1 10, for presentation to the viewer. The method 300 can then be exited. In one embodiment of the present principles, at step 308, in response to a selection by the viewer indicating the viewer's interest in purchasing a selected product(s) and/or service(s), a local purchase location is presented to the viewer on the display. The viewer can then purchase the product(s) and/or service(s) by visiting the identified location and making the purchase in person.

In an alternate embodiment of the present principles, at step 308 in response to a selection by the viewer indicating the viewer's interest in purchasing a selected product(s) and/or service(s), the viewer can be directed to an Internet store web page in which the viewer can enter purchase information such as a credit card and all other personal information necessary to purchase the product(s) and/or service(s).

In yet an alternate embodiment, at step 308 in response to a selection by the viewer indicating the viewer's interest in purchasing a selected product(s) and/or service(s), the STB 105 of the system 100 of FIG. 1 can use stored personal and purchase information, such as credit card information, to automatically purchase product(s) and/or service(s) identified by the viewer.

Having described various embodiments of a method, apparatus and system for real-time commerce and T-commerce (which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting), it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes can be made in the particular embodiments of the principles disclosed which are within the scope and spirit of the invention. While the forgoing is directed to various embodiments of the present principles, other and further embodiments of the invention can be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof.