Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ONLINE SELLING OF PRODUCTS
APPEARING ON A DISPLAY
BACKGROUND
(a) Field
[0001] The subject matter disclosed generally relates to e-commerce.
More particularly, the subject matter relates to a system and method for
online
selling of products appearing in a video production.
(b) Related Prior Art
[0002] It is very common for the audience of movie or a TV program to like
certain products appearing in a TV program or a movie. Some users also like to
follow the style of a favorite character by wearing similar clothing, getting
a
similar haircut, or even decorating their houses/offices in a similar fashion.
[0003] Unless the brand and model of the products appearing on the
screen are obvious to detect such as the brand/model of a car for example, it
would be impossible for the user to purchase products similar to those
appearing
in the TV show being watched.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a system and method which allow the
user to purchase products appearing in a video production, which includes an
audio track, without having to perform the additional effort of searching for
these
products on the internet and elsewhere.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to an embodiment, there is provided a method for online
selling of products appearing in a video production provided at a first
display, the
method comprising: providing at a second display device separate and
physically
distinct from the first display, a script according to which a product is
offered for
sale; running the script on the second display device, the running comprising
generating a selection icon giving a user an option to make a product
selection;
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and synchronizing the script with the video production, the synchronizing
comprising displaying the selection icon of the product on the second display
device in synchronization with an event in the video production at the first
display.
[0006] According to an aspect, the displaying further comprises displaying
the selection icon of the product on the second display device in
synchronization
with an appearance of the product in the video production at the first
display.
[0007] According to an aspect, the product comprises one or more
products, the method further comprising selecting by the user, products of
interest, and saving a list of selected products in a list associated to the
user at
the server or the second display device.
[0008] According to an aspect, the method further comprises ordering, by
the user, at least a portion of the selected products, namely ordered
products,
the ordering comprising providing payment information and address delivery
information.
[0009] According to an aspect, the ordering further comprises sending,
from the server, orders to the vendors of the ordered products to deliver the
ordered products according to the address delivery information.
[0010] According to an aspect, the method further comprises coordinating,
by the server receipt of funds paid by the user for the ordered products and
distribution to the vendors of the ordered products.
[0011] According to an aspect, the ordering further comprises purchasing
products from the server directly.
[0012] According to an aspect, the ordering further comprises re-routing
the user to an external server of a product provider and purchasing products
from
the external server
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[0013] According to an aspect, providing the script comprises pulling, by
the second display device, the script from a server.
[0014] According to an aspect, providing the script comprises pushing, by
a server, the script to the second display device.
[0015] According to an aspect, synchronizing comprises displaying the
script on the second display device at a set time in accordance with a pre-
defined
schedule of broadcast of the video production.
[0016] According to an aspect, wherein synchronizing comprises manually
synchronizing the script on the second display device in accordance with a pre-
defined event in the video production.
[0017] According to an aspect, synchronizing comprises automatically
synchronizing the script with the video production based on data associated
with
the video production.
[0018] According to an aspect, wherein the data comprises an audio signal
and the method further comprises: receiving the audio signal at the second
display device; comparing the received audio signal to at least one audio
sample
in a database; when a matching audio sample is found, synchronizing the script
with the video production based on a timestamp associated with the matching
audio sample.
[0019] According to an aspect, the data is provided at a set-top box or an
onboard processing unit associated with the first display, the method further
comprises: providing the data at a set-top box or an onboard processing unit
associated with the first display; receiving the data associated with the
video
production at the second display device over a communications network; the
second display device extracting a timestamp from the data; and synchronizing
the script with the video production based on the extracted timestamp.
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[0020] According to an embodiment, there is provided a system for online
selling of products appearing in a video production provided at a first
display, the
system comprising: a server having access to a script according to which a
product appearing in the video production is offered for sale; and a second
display device separate and physically distinct from the first display, the
second
display being in communication with the server over a communications network;
wherein the second display device receives the script from the server, and
runs
the script generating and displaying a selection icon giving a user an option
to
make a product selection.
[0021] According to an embodiment, there is provided a device for online
purchasing of products appearing in a video production displayed at a first
display. The device comprises: a second display separate and physically
distinct
from the first display; a processor having access to statements and
instructions
which when executed cause the processor to: receive, via a communication port,
a script according to which a product appearing in the video production is
offered
for sale; run the script on the second display generating a selection icon
giving a
user an option to make a product selection; synchronize the script with the
video
production, including displaying the selection icon of the product on the
second
display in synchronization with an event in the video production at the first
display.
[0022] According to an aspect, the device further comprises: a microphone
for receiving an audio signal associated with the video production a digital
audio
fingerprinting module for turning the audio signal into a digital file, namely
a
digital audio fingerprint; a communication port for sending the digital audio
fingerprint to an external digital audio fingerprint database and for
receiving a
timestamp back from the external digital audio fingerprint database; and a
synchronization module for synchronizing the script with the video production
based on the timestamp.
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[0023] According to an aspect, the device further comprises: a
communication port for receiving data associated with the video production; a
video information extraction module for analyzing the data received at the
communication port and for extracting therefrom a timestamp; and a
synchronization module which synchronizes the script with the video production
based on the timestamp.
[0024] According to an embodiment, there is provided a method for online
purchasing of products appearing in a video production displayed at a first
display, the method comprising: receiving at a computing device separate and
physically distinct from the first display, a script according to which a
product
appearing in the video production is offered for sale; generating on a second
display on the computing device, a selection icon giving a user an option to
make
a product selection; and synchronizing the script with the video production,
the
synchronizing comprising displaying the selection icon of the product on the
second display in synchronization with an event in the video production at the
first display.
[0025] In the present document, the term "product" is not limited to
physical items but may also include services. For example, a jacket may be a
physical product of a clothing store. At the same time, a lawn-mowing service
may be the product of a landscaping company. Products are characterized by,
but not limited to: image, brand, retailer, size availability, color, origin,
composition etc.
[0026] In the present document, the term "timestamp" means a specific
time within a video production along with the identification of the video
production
and/or the video production supplier (e.g., the broadcaster).
[0027] Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become
more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected
embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized,
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subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable of modifications in various
respects, all without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the
drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and
not
as restrictive and the full scope of the subject matter is set forth in the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will
become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination
with the appended drawings, in which:
[0029] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for the online
selling of products appearing on a display and a possible environment in which
the system may be practiced, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0030] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a display synchronously
displaying a list of products appearing on another display, in accordance with
an
embodiment;
[0031] Figure 3 illustrate an exemplary system in which orders are sent to
specific externals vendors to complete the purchase;
[0032] Figure 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for the online
selling of products appearing on a display, in an environment where the video
is
not provided in accordance with a predetermined schedule;
[0033] Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of a synchronization system for
the online selling of products where the script is synchronized with the
content
shown on the first display based on the audio signal contained in the video
production and compared to existing information in a database for the purpose
of
synchronization;
[0034] Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment of a system for the online selling
of products where the script is synchronized with the content shown on the
first
display based on data contained in the video production and made available to
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the second display device by a set-top box or onboard processing unit of the
first
display through a communications network;
[0035] Figure 7 is flowchart of a method for online selling of products
appearing in a video production provided at a first display;
[0036] Figure 8 is flowchart of a method for online purchasing of products
appearing in a video production provided at a first display;
[0037] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like
features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] The present document describes a system and method for online
selling of products appearing in a video production on a first display, such
as a
TV. The products appearing in the video production which are for sale are
listed
in a script. The script is provided to a second display separate and
physically
distinct from the first display. The second display could be the display of a
portable computing device such as an IPADTM, IPODTM, IPhoneTM, smart phone,
PlaybookTM, KindleTM, personal computer or the like. The second display
generates a selection icon giving the user the option to make a product
selection.
The products selected by the user may be saved in a list for a later checkout.
The script may be synchronized with the video production so that the selection
icon of a certain product appears in synchronization with an event in the
video
production. In an embodiment, the selection icon is generated as the product
appears on the first display.
[0039] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for the online
selling of products appearing on a display and a possible environment in which
the system may be practiced, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0040] As shown in Figure 1, a possible environment in which the system
20 may be practiced comprises a first display 22 such as a TV screen, a
computer screen, the screen of a portable computing device such as an IPADTM
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PlaybookTM, etc. The first display 22 may be in communication with a server 24
via a communications network 26. The first display 22 displays a video
production broadcast by the server 24, in accordance with a predetermined
schedule. The broadcast may be web-based, via a cable network, or over the air
using antennas as in the old days. The communications network 26 may include
a variety of different networks including wired and wireless ones e.g. the
internet,
cable TV network, Wi-Fi link, microwave link, etc. An example of such
environment includes a TV tuned-to a certain channel.
[0041] In an embodiment, the system 20 comprises a computing device 28
comprising a second display. The computing device 28 may preferably be a
portable S computing device for ease of use such as an IPhoneTM, IPADTM
, etc. The computing
IPODTM , smart phone, PDA, portable computer, PlaybookTM
device 28 is in communication with at least one second server 30 via a
communications network 32. In an embodiment, the second display 29 is
adapted to display a list of products appearing on the first display 22, in a
synchronous manner. For example, a brief description of a product and possibly
a price may appear during or within few seconds before and/or after the
product
appears on the first display 22.
[0042] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a second display 29 displaying a
list of products appearing on another display (first display 22), in
accordance with
an embodiment. In the example illustrated Figs. 1 and 2, the second display 29
displays a list of products worn by the skier shown on the first display 22
along
with the price of each product and a selection icon 68. Depending on the size
of
the second display 29, and/or the preference of the user, it is possible to
also
display to the user information pertaining to the product including but not
limited
to: image, brand, retailer, size availability, color, origin, composition etc.
In an
embodiment, the products to be displayed on the second display 29 are listed
in
a script stored in the server 30. In the context of this description, a
"script" is
meant to include a schedule, defined by timestamps and programmed by an
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author, which determines when and which products, from one or more databases
of products, will appear on the second display.
[0043] In a non-limiting method of implementation, the user may run a pre-
installed application on the computing device 28 and select the
channel/program
aired at the first display 22. The computing device 28 may then communicate
with the server 30 over the communications network 32 requesting the script
corresponding to the program/movie aired at the first display 22. The server
30
then sends the script to the computing device 28 along with a timestamp for
each
product listed in the script so that the second display 29 may display the
product
description and price as the actual product appears on the first display 22.
[0044] While it is possible to have the servers 24 and 30
communicate/synchronize with each other, this is not necessary for the system
20 to operate. In particular, it would suffice for the server 30 to have the
broadcasting schedule of the server 24 in order to provide the computing
device
28 with the script and the timestamps in order to synchronously display the
product description/pricing on the computing device 28 as they appear on the
first display 22. In an embodiment, one or more synchronization points may be
provided which re-synchronize the computing device 28 and/or the server 30
with
the video production aired on the first display 22.
[0045] - If the user is interested in buying one or more of the products
appearing on the first display 22 and listed on the second display 29, they
may
select the products (or add them to the cart) using the computing device 28.
The
list of products selected by the user may be stored on the computing device 28
and/or the server 30. When it is time to checkout, the user may review the
list of
selected products and proceed with the purchase of some or all of the selected
products.
[0046] Sale of the selected products may be done in a variety of different
ways. In one embodiment, the sale may be centralized whereby the user may
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purchase the selected products from a single server such as for example the
server 30 directly. In a non limiting example of implementation, the server 30
may be the vendor itself. In another example of implementation, the server may
receive the full amount and then place orders though the different providers
to
have the product shipped/provided at the designated address. In another
embodiment, the server 30 may re-route the user to other servers to purchase
the different products. For example, if at the end of a movie on the first
display,
the user selects products from different providers; e.g., a cleaning service,
a
jacket, a painting, etc., the user may place his order on a single server 30.
The
orders may be re-routed to the different servers of the different providers to
perform the purchase. An example of such scenario is shown in Figure 3 which
shows that the orders can be re-directed to servers 36-1, 36-2, and 36-3 to
complete the purchase of the different products over a communications network
34.
[0047] The user may have/open a payment account using a username and
password. The account may include profile information about the user, payment
information such as credit card number, PayPaITM information, billing address,
currency of sale etc., shipment information including shipment address, user
preferences etc. This information may be pre-stored in the user-profile for
ease of
purchase and sale when the user selects a product to purchase it.
[0048] While in Figure 1 the video production is provided in accordance
with a pre-determined schedule, it should be noted that the embodiments may
also be practiced in different environments where the video production is not
pre-
scheduled. An example of such environments is shown in Figure 4. In the
example of Figure 4, the user may play a movie from a DVD 23, or download and
watch a movie over the internet using a computer 25 without having a schedule
set for playing the video. In this case, the user may search for the
availability of a
script based on the name of the movie. For example, the user may run the
application and enter the name of the movie for which a script is needed using
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the interface of the computing device and hit search. The computing device 28
may then send the request to the server 30 (or other servers) to determine the
presence of a script for the specified movie. If a script is found for the
movie, the
server 30 may provide the script along with a timestamp for the products
appearing in the movie which are offered for sale. One or more synchronization
points may be provided to synchronize the timestamps of the script with the
movie playing on the first display 22. In an embodiment, the user may manually
press a button on the computing device 28 to synchronize the script with the
movie when the movie starts, or when a certain event occurs in the movie. For
example, the computing device 28 may display an indication inviting the user
to
press a certain button upon the first appearance of a certain actor, or when a
certain event occurs in the movie etc. It is possible to have multiple points
of
synchronization throughout the movie to re-synchronize the script with the
movie
playing on the first display 22.
[0049] It is also possible to automatically synchronize the script on the
second display 29 with the video production on the first display 22. In one
embodiment, the computing device 28 may synchronize the script with the video
production using the data associated with the video production.
[0050] A non limiting example of implementation of this embodiment is
shown in Figure 5. As illustrated in the example of Figure 5, the computing
device 28 may receive the audio signal using a microphone 27. Using an A/D
converter (not shown), computing device 28 may convert the audio signal into a
unique digital audio fingerprint of the video presentation on first display
22.
Computing device 28 may send the digital audio fingerprint through
communications network 42 to a server 72. Server 72 compares the audio
fingerprint to a set of pre-recorded digital audio fingerprint stored in a
database
(not shown). Each unique pre-recorded digital audio fingerprint corresponds to
a
specific timestamp. Once a match between the digital audio fingerprint and a
pre-
recorded digital audio fingerprint is found, the corresponding timestamp will
be
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sent back to the computing device 28. Using the corresponding timestamp the
computing device 28 will synchronize the script.
[0051] According to another embodiment, the synchronization is
performed using an image recognition technique. In this case, the computing
device 28 comprises a camera (not shown) which captures the image on the first
display 22. The captured image is analyzed and compared to a database which
identifies the video production on the first display 22 along with a
timestamp.
The timestamp is then used as discussed herein for synchronization.
[0052] It is also possible to use synchronization methods that continuously
synchronize the computing device 28 with the video production based on the
sound track, or other data or events provided in the video production which
may
be detected by the mobile device.
[0053] In a further embodiment, the computing device 28 may receive the
timestamp from the server 24 which broadcasts the video production to the
first
display 22, as shown in Figure 6. Retrieving of the information by computing
device 28 can be done the following manner. Timestamp information can be
found in the video production information data provided by server 24. A
computing device (such as set-top box 38) next to first display 22 processes
the
video production signals and extracts information therefrom. Using
communications network 37, set-top box 38 sends the information to computing
device 28. Computing device 28 can analyze the information and extract a
timestamp therefrom. Using the extracted timestamp, the computing device 28
will synchronize the script accordingly. According to an embodiment, the
communications network 37 is a domestic WI-FI network. According to an
embodiment, the set-top box 38 is a cable operator or satellite TV provider
set-
top box. It is understood that the set-top box functions can be integrated
with the
first display itself. Examples of such devices include SmartTV, connected TV
and computers with a display. The present description is therefore meant to
include such embodiments even though they are not specifically illustrated.
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[0054] A set-top box is an information appliance device that generally
contains a tuner and connects to a television (wired or wireless) set and an
external source of signal, turning the signal into content which is then
displayed
on the television screen or other display device.
[0055] In the present embodiments, the script may be provided as a list of
products with a timestamp for each product whereby the computing device may
display the product on the second display 29 in accordance with their
timestamp.
In another example, the script may be provided as a notification, message, or
sms including information about the product and the option to purchase the
product or add it to the cart for a later checkout.
[0056] In a further embodiment, it is possible to list one or more products
on the second display 29 un-synchronously with their appearance on the first
display 22. In the present embodiment, the script author may use their
judgment
as to when to introduce the listing of a certain product. For example, it is
possible
to pre-select a number of products to display and/or re-display on the second
display 29 based on the user's past purchases, preferences, behavior during
the
present/past sessions. This also allows re-introducing product listings which
appeared in intense scenes where the user is less likely to look at the second
display 29 to make a purchase.
[0057] Figure 7 is flowchart of a method 50 for online selling of products
appearing in a video production provided at a first display. At step 52 the
method
comprises providing at a second display device separate and physically
distinct
from the first display, a script according to which a product is offered for
sale.
Step 54 comprises running the script on the second display device, the running
comprising generating a selection icon giving the user an option to make a
product selection. Step 56 comprises synchronizing the script with the video
production, the synchronizing comprising displaying the selection icon of the
product on the second display in synchronization with an event in the video
production at the first display.
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[0058] According to an embodiment, the method further comprises:
receiving the audio signal from the first display at the second display
device;
transforming the audio signal into a digital audio fingerprint; comparing the
digital
audio fingerprint to a database of time stamped pre-recorded digital audio
fingerprints; finding a match in the database for the digital audio
fingerprint and
retrieving the timestamp for the matching fingerprint; and synchronizing the
script
accordingly at the second display device.
[0059] According to an embodiment, the method further comprises: using
a computing device (e.g., a set-top box or or an onboard processing unit
associated with the first display associated with the first display) for
filtering the
video presentation prior to its display on the first display; using the
computing
device for extracting information; using the computing device for sharing the
information over a communications network; and using the second display device
for accessing the shared information over the communications network and for
extracting the timestamp.
[0060] Figure 8 is flowchart of a method 60 for online purchasing of
products appearing in a video production displayed at a first display. At step
62
the method comprises receiving at a computing device separate and physically
distinct from the first display, a script according to which a product
appearing in
the video production is offered for sale. Step 64 comprises generating on a
display of the computing device, a selection icon giving the user an option to
make a product selection. Step 66 comprises synchronizing the script with the
video production, the synchronizing comprising displaying the selection icon
of
the product on the second display in synchronization with an event in the
video
production at the first display.
[0061] The embodiments can be implemented as a computer program
product for use with a computer system. Such implementation may include a
series of computer instructions fixed either on a tangible medium, such as a
computer readable medium (e.g., a diskette, CD-ROM, DVD ROM, ROM, Flash
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Memory, or fixed disk) or transmittable to a computer system, via a modem or
other interface device, such as a communications adapter connected to a
network over a medium. The medium may be either a tangible medium (e.g.,
optical or electrical communications lines) or a medium implemented with
wireless techniques (e.g., microwave, infrared or other transmission
techniques).
The series of computer instructions embodies all or part of the functionality
previously described herein. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that
such
computer instructions can be written in a number of programming languages for
use with many computer architectures or operating systems. Furthermore, such
instructions may be stored in any memory device, such as semiconductor,
magnetic, optical or other memory devices, and may be transmitted using any
communications technology, such as optical, infrared, microwave, or other
transmission technologies. It is expected that such a computer program product
may be distributed as a removable medium with accompanying printed or
electronic documentation (e.g., shrink wrapped software), preloaded with a
computer system (e.g., on system ROM or fixed disk), or distributed from a
server over the network (e.g., the Internet or World Wide Web). Of course,
some
embodiments of the invention may be implemented as a combination of both
software (e.g., a computer program product) and hardware. Still other
embodiments of the invention may be implemented as entirely hardware, or
entirely software (e.g., a computer program product).
[0062] While preferred embodiments have been described above and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled
in the
art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure.
Such
modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of
the
disclosure.
