| CLAIMS 1. An indirect advertising system comprising: a) an object processing module that is adapted to perform processing of objects included in a base image, wherein the base image comprises a medium that is adapted to be distributed to a plurality of users; b) an electronic display module that displays the base image; and c) an interactive control module that is adapted to receive input from a user; wherein the object processing module obtains object data for identification of the object; wherein the object processing module provides object data to the interactive control module. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the medium is created for commercial distribution to the users, wherein the object comprises an image for a commercial product, wherein the interactive control module displays object data. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the object processing module obtains the object data by analyzing the base image and identifying an object from the base image. 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a commercial product database that stores identification information for commercial products, wherein the object processing module identifies the object by comparing the image of the object with the identification information of the commercial product database, wherein the base image comprises a video or a photograph. 5. The system of claim 2, wherein the object processing module associates the object data with the base image, wherein the base image comprises a video or a photograph. 6. The system of claim 5, further comprising an object database that stores object data for plurality of objects, wherein the object processing module retrieves the object data from the object database. 7. The system of claim 5, further comprising an advertising module that provides the object data, a producing module that produces the base image, and an online shopping module, wherein the interactive control module sends purchase data to the online shopping module. 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising an advertising proxy module, wherein the object data is transmitted between the advertising proxy module and the advertising module. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the advertising proxy module exchanges the object data with the advertising module and the producing module, wherein the proxy module comprises a sponsor database that contains data for advertisers of the objects and producers of the base images, wherein the advertising proxy module provides the object data to the object processing module. 10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a central server that provides data synchronization to the interactive control module. 11. The system of claim 7, wherein the object processing module is connected to the Internet and searches the object, wherein the interactive control module sends search request of the object to the object processing module. 12. A method for indirect advertising comprising steps of: a) obtaining object data for identification of objects included in a base image, wherein the base image comprises a medium that is adapted to be distributed to a plurality of users; b) displaying the base image; c) providing the object data to the users; and c) interactively receiving input from the users; wherein the medium is created for commercial distribution to the users, wherein the object comprises an image for a commercial product. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein in the step of obtaining object data, the base image is analyzed, and an object is identified from the base image. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein a commercial product database stores identification information for commercial products, wherein the object is identified by comparing the image of the object with the identification information of the commercial product database, wherein the base image comprises a video or a photograph. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein a central server provides data synchronization to the users, wherein a plurality of the users share the object data via the central server. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein a plurality of the users captures the base image, wherein the captured base image is sent to the central server, wherein the object data is obtained from the captured base image. 17. The method of claim 12, wherein in the step of obtaining object data, the object data is associated with the base image. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein an object database stores object data for plurality of objects, wherein in the step of obtaining object data, the the object data is retrieved from the object database. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein an advertiser provides the object data, wherein a producer produces the base image, wherein the user sends purchase data for the object to an online shopping service provider. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein an advertising proxy transmits the object data between the advertiser and the producer, wherein a sponsor database that contains data for advertisers of the objects and producers of the base images, wherein the advertising proxy provides the object data. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein a central server provides data synchronization to the users. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the user sends search request of the object to the central server for web search. 23. The method of claim 20, wherein the base image comprises a video that is broadcast to a plurality of the users, wherein the base image is sent to a video processing device for each user, wherein the video processing device associates the object data with the base image, wherein the base image, to which the object data associated, is displayed to the user with an electronic display device. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the user sends purchase data for the object to the online shopping service provider via the video processing device. |
by
Huckjin Lee
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is based on provisional application number 61/364,737 that was filed on July 15, 2010 by the inventor. The contents of the provisional application is incorporated by reference as if they were fully disclosed herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the invention
The invention is related to indirect advertising. More particularly, the present invention is related to system and method for product placement or embedded marketing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Advance of internet technology is shifting the preference of customers to advertisement medium having a more convenient, faster, and less intrusive features. PPL (product placement) is becoming more popular due to such trend and support by spreading of personal digital devices.
Changing environment of advertising demands new business models between commercial product suppliers, entertainment companies, and mass media, etc. Recent development of digital processing technology for video contents has not yet been utilized to satisfy the new demands.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An objective of the invention is to provide a lucrative business model for entrepreneurs in indirect advertising industry.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a system and method for indirect advertising that is integrated with digital TV broadcast and video-on-demand technology.
Still another objective of the invention is to provide a system and method for indirect advertising that can be implemented applications on portable digital communication devices.
In order to achieve the objectives, the present invention provides an indirect advertising system comprising an object processing module that is adapted to perform processing of objects included in a base image, which comprises a medium that is adapted to be distributed to a plurality of users; an electronic display module that displays the base image; and an interactive control module that is adapted to receive input from a user. The object processing module obtains object data for
identification of the object. The object processing module provides object data to the interactive control module. The medium is created for commercial distribution to the users. The object comprises an image for a commercial product. The interactive control module displays object data.
In a first embodiment, the object processing module obtains the object data by analyzing the base image and identifying an object from the base image.
The system may further comprise a commercial product database that stores identification information for commercial products. The object processing module identifies the object by comparing the image of the object with the identification information of the commercial product database. The base image comprises a video or a photograph.
In a second embodiment, the object processing module associates the object data with the base image. The system further comprises an object database that stores object data for plurality of objects. The object processing module retrieves the object data from the object database.
The system further comprises an advertising module that provides the object data, a producing module that produces the base image, and an online shopping module. The interactive control module sends purchase data to the online shopping module.
The system further comprises an advertising proxy module. The object data is transmitted between the advertising proxy module and the advertising module.
The advertising proxy module exchanges the object data with the advertising module and the producing module. The advertising proxy module comprises a sponsor database that contains data for advertisers of the objects and producers of the base images. The advertising proxy module provides the object data to the object processing module.
Preferably, the system further comprises a central server that provides data synchronization to the interactive control module.
Preferably, the object processing module is connected to the Internet and searches the object. The interactive control module sends search request of the object to the object processing module.
The present invention also provides a method for indirect advertising, which comprising steps of obtaining object data for identification of objects included in a base image, in which the base image comprises a medium that is adapted to be distributed to a plurality of users; displaying the base image; providing the object data to the users; and interactively receiving input from the users. The medium is created for commercial distribution to the users. The object comprises an image for a commercial product.
In the first embodiment, in the step of obtaining object data, the base image is analyzed, and an object is identified from the base image.
Preferably, a commercial product database stores identification information for commercial products. The object is identified by comparing the image of the object with the identification information of the commercial product database. The base image comprises a video or a photograph.
A central server provides data synchronization to the users, and a plurality of the users share the object data via the central server.
A plurality of the users captures the base image. The captured base image is sent to the central server. The object data is obtained from the captured base image.
In the second embodiment, in the step of obtaining object data, the object data is associated with the base image. An object database is provided to store object data for plurality of objects and in the step of obtaining object data, the the object data is retrieved from the object database. An advertiser provides the object data. A producer produces the base image. The user sends purchase data for the object to an online shopping service provider.
Preferably, an advertising proxy transmits the object data between the advertiser and the producer. A sponsor database is provided to contain data for advertisers of the objects and producers of the base images. The advertising proxy provides the object data.
Preferably, a central server provides data synchronization to the users. The user sends search request of the object to the central server for web search.
The base image comprises a video that is broadcast to a plurality of the users. The base image is sent to a video processing device for each user. The video processing device associates the object data with the base image. The base image, to which the object data associated, is displayed to the user with an electronic display device.
The user sends purchase data for the object to the online shopping service provider via the video processing device.
The advantageous effects of the present invention are: (1) immediate search of product of interest is possible with minimal obstruction of watching video contents; (2) product list and shopping details are updated in real time; (3) customers can add their own product data found in street environment and share with one another; and (4) win- win profit raising is possible for all of the advertising market participants.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings illustrate the best embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an indirect advertising system according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the indirect advertising system with a product database;
Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the indirect advertising system showing market participants;
Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing data exchange between modules of the system;
Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing application of the system for social networking services;
Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing transactions with an online shopping mall;
Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing application of the system for an internet TV service; and
Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing application of the system for a TV set-top box.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Fig. 1 shows an indirect advertising system 10 comprising an object processing module 12 that is adapted to perform processing of objects included in a base image, which comprises a medium that is adapted to be distributed to a plurality of users; an electronic display module 14 that displays the base image; and an interactive control module 16 that is adapted to receive input from a user. The object processing module 12 obtains object data for identification of the object. The object processing module 12 provides object data to the interactive control module 16. The medium is created for commercial distribution to the users. The object comprises an image for a commercial product. The interactive control module 16 displays object data. The electronic display module 14 can be implemented as a TV or a computer monitor. The interactive control module 16 can be embedded in a cell phone, computer or a TV set-top box, etc. The object processing module 12 can be implemented as a central server on the Internet, or a client module in a user's digital communication device.
Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of an indirect advertising system 20, in which the object processing module 12 obtains the object data by analyzing the base image and identifying an object from the base image. The object processing module 12 analyzes graphic data contained in the base image, searches if there is an object corresponding to a commercial product, and identifies the product by recognizing a graphic pattern that is specific to a particular commercial product. The base image includes any digital image data such as, TV data stream, internet video stream, or even a photograph or movie taken by a user, as explained later.
The system 20 comprises a commercial product database 18 that stores identification
information for commercial products. The object processing module 12 identifies the object by comparing the image of the object with the identification information of the commercial product database 18.
Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of an indirect advertising system 30, in which the object processing module 12 associates the object data with the base image. The object data for commercial products shown as part of the base image is supplied in advance by an entity related to the commercial product such as a sponsoring company for a movie, and the object data is associated with a digital medium containing the base image. The system 30 comprises an object database 22 that stores object data for plurality of objects. The object processing module 12 retrieves the object data from the object database 22.
The system 30 comprises an advertising module 24 that provides the object data, a producing module 26 that produces the base image, and an online shopping module 28. The interactive control module 16 sends purchase data to the online shopping module 28. For example, the advertising module, the producing module, and the interactive control module correspond to an agent for product manufacturer, a movie producer, and a cell phone of consumer, respectively.
The system 30 further comprises an advertising proxy module 32. The advertising proxy module 32 functions as a PPL proxy for an indirect advertising task performed by the system 30. The advertising proxy module 32 forms and manages the object database 22, and coordinates transactions among other modules. The object data is transmitted between the advertising proxy module 32 and the advertising module 24.
The advertising proxy module 32 exchanges the object data with the advertising module 24 and the producing module 26. The advertising proxy module 32 comprises a sponsor database 34 that contains data for advertisers of the objects and producers of the base images. The advertising proxy module 32 provides the object data to the object processing module 12.
Fig. 4 shows transactions between entities involved in indirect advertising. The advertising proxy module 32 requests sponsor proxy to the producing module 26. Sponsor search is performed between the advertising proxy module 32 and the advertising module 24. Then a contract is entered into between the advertising proxy module 32 (a PPL proxy department, for example) and the advertising module 24 (an advertiser). The producing module 26 (a producer) provides sponsored product list to the advertiser. The PPL proxy department provides the sponsored product list and broadcasting information to the object processing module 12 (an application department, for example) and the online shopping module 28. The user puts a purchase order to the online shopping module 28 via the application department.
Fig. 5 shows that the system 10 further comprises a central server 36 that provides data synchronization to the interactive control module 16. The central server 36 provides a uniform channel for indirect advertising task, keeps consistency of object data integrity, and enhanced stability of the indirect advertising system. The user can propagate her shopping experience using the indirect advertising system via the social networking service 38 including the facebook, twitter, etc.
Fig. 6 shows an example set of transactions for sample sale online shopping. The application departments sends data to the server 36. The user searches product with the interactive control module 16 and via the server 36. The user buys a product and approves payment to the online shopping mall 28, which is also linked with the server 36. The online shopping mall 28 sends information for the order and payment to the sponsor, which is affiliated with the advertiser. The sponsor ships the product to the online shopping mall 28, and the mall checks the product and sends it to the user. The online shopping mall transfer the payment except commission to the sponsor, and transfers producer commission to the producer.
Fig. 7 shows that the object processing module 12 is connected to the Internet 40 and searches the object. The interactive control module 16 sends search request of the object to the object processing module 12. The object processing module 12 comprises an internet TV platform 42, which searched desired object in the Internet 40.
Fig. 8 schematically shows that the indirect advertising system is implemented in an internet TV system. Association of the object data with the base image occurs in a set-top box 44, which provides video data stream to a TV 46. The user can check and buy a product using a PIP screen 48 and a remote control 50 for the set-top box 44.
The present invention also provides a method for indirect advertising, which comprising steps of obtaining object data for identification of objects included in a base image, in which the base image comprises a medium that is adapted to be distributed to a plurality of users; displaying the base image; providing the object data to the users; and interactively receiving input from the users. The medium is created for commercial distribution to the users. The object comprises an image for a commercial product.
In the first embodiment, in the step of obtaining object data, the base image is analyzed, and an object is identified from the base image.
Preferably, a commercial product database stores identification information for commercial products. The object is identified by comparing the image of the object with the identification information of the commercial product database. The base image comprises a video or a photograph.
A central server provides data synchronization to the users, and a plurality of the users share the object data via the central server.
A plurality of the users captures the base image. The captured base image is sent to the central server. The object data is obtained from the captured base image.
In the second embodiment, in the step of obtaining object data, the object data is associated with the base image. An object database is provided to store object data for plurality of objects and in the step of obtaining object data, the the object data is retrieved from the object database. An advertiser provides the object data. A producer produces the base image. The user sends purchase data for the object to an online shopping service provider.
Preferably, an advertising proxy transmits the object data between the advertiser and the producer. A sponsor database is provided to contain data for advertisers of the objects and producers of the base images. The advertising proxy provides the object data.
Preferably, a central server provides data synchronization to the users. The user sends search request of the object to the central server for web search.
The base image comprises a video that is broadcast to a plurality of the users. The base image is sent to a video processing device for each user. The video processing device associates the object data with the base image. The base image, to which the object data associated, is displayed to the user with an electronic display device.
The user sends purchase data for the object to the online shopping service provider via the video processing device.
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