Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
-1-
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING UNIQUE
INTERACTIVE MEDIA CONTENT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to displaying mobile media content
and in particular to a system and method for displaying interactive media
content to a user that is unique and specific to that user.
2. Description of Related Art
Marketing and reaching target audiences to provide them with relevant
content is increasingly difficult. Users are being increasingly provided with
ads in every location available and in particular during online experiences.
Such frequency of advertisement presentation to users, makes their attention
increasingly difficult to catch. This becomes particularly difficult in
markets
having a wider variety of messages that each target group may want, such as
greeting cards and the like.
In addition, users or message senders may want to customize the individual
message provided to a particular end user or recipient. Currently, such
ability
has been largely limited by technical ability of the sender or the quality of
the
available message or media that can be sent. In particular, senders may
record their individual message on the device, such as a greeting card or gift
which then plays the message back to the recipient on demand such as
pushing a button. It will be appreciated that such systems are limited to the
complexity of the message that may be played back to the recipient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first embodiment of the present invention there is disclose a
system for displaying content to a user comprising a database containing a
plurality of media, each of the plurality of media having an associated user
image and a processor operably coupled to the database. The processor is
configured to receive an image captured by a user device, receive an inputted
CA 3064110 2019-12-06
-2-
code entered into the user device, lookup specific media content
corresponding to the image and the code and transmit the specific media
content to the user device for display to the user in real time.
The specific media content may comprise a video file. The video file may be
recorded by a sender. The scanned image may correspond to at least two of
the plurality of media.
The user device may comprise a camera operable to capture an image and a
display operable to display media content to a user. The system may further
comprise user software installed on the user device configured to interface
with the camera so as to capture the image, interface with the processor so as
to transmit the image and the code to the processor and interface with the
display so as to display the specific media content received from the
processor. ,
The user software may further be configured to receive and transmit the code
to the processor. The user software may further be configured to display the
specific media content on the display while displaying an image captured by
the camera. The user software may further be configured to index the specific
media content to the image. The user software may further be configured to
maintain the specific media over the image.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed
a
computer implemented method of displaying user specific content to a user
comprising receiving at a processor as scanned by a user device, a scanned
image, receiving at the processor, an inputted code, utilizing the processor,
looking up in a database containing a plurality of media, a specific media
corresponding to the scanned image and the code and transmitting in real
time, the specific media to the user device for display to the user.
CA 3064110 2019-12-06
-3-
The image may correspond to at least two of the plurality of media. The
specific media may comprise a video file. The video file may be played on a
screen of the user device.
The video file may be overlayed on an image on the screen. The video file
may be overlayed over the image. The video file may be fixed to the scanned
image on the screen independent of movement of the user device.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to
those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description
of
specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention wherein similar
characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view,
Figure 1 is an illustration of a system for providing
individualized media
content to a user according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
Figure 2 is a block diagram of the system of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a block diagram of a method for providing
individualized media
content to a user using the system of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is an illustration of a user device while scanning an
image for use
in the system of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is an illustration of the user interface while inputting a code
for use
in the system of Figure 1.
Figure 6 is an illustration of a user device displaying an
individualized
media in the system of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Figure 1, a system for selecting and displaying content to a user
according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 10.
CA 3064110 2019-12-06
-4-
The system comprises a database 12 in communication with a processor 14
which is operable to receive a scanned or otherwise identified image from a
user device 16 across a network 18. The processor then looks up a specific
and unique media file corresponding to both the image and an inputted code
which is provided to the mobile device for display to the user. As illustrated
in
Figure 1, the image may be located on an object, such as a business card 8
or of a picture 6 located on that object. It will be appreciated that any
picture
or object may be utilized with the present method including, but not limited
to
greeting cards, images on consumer objects, drink bottles etc. The present
method will therefore permit a customized message, advertisement or any
other content to the user which is customized by their inputted code. In
particular, as will be more fully described below each code that is inputted
into
the system will result in a different specific media being displayed to that
user
for the same picture or object.
Turning now to Figures 2, the system 10 comprises the processor 14, and
memory 20 that stores machine instructions that, when executed by the
processor 14, cause the processor 14 to perform one or more of the operations
and methods described herein. The processor 14 may optionally contain a
cache memory unit for temporary local storage of instructions, data, or
computer
addresses. The system 10 further includes a database 12 or data storage of
any conventional type operable to store information as set out above and may
optionally include an input device 22, display 24 for receng and displaying
inputs from an administrator or user and a network access 26 as are commonly
known. As outlined above, the processor 14 is adapted to receive scanned
images and codes and select the appropriate media from the database 12 and
transmit such media to the user device 16 for display to a user.
More generally, in this specification, the term "processor" is intended to
broadly encompass any type of device or combination of devices capable of
performing the functions described herein, including (without limitation)
other
types of microprocessors, microcontrollers, other integrated circuits, other
types of circuits or combinations of circuits, logic gates or gate arrays, or
DateMdeNtiaDgaNa022-12-23
-5-
programmable devices of any sort, for example, either alone or in combination
with other such devices located at the same location or remotely from each
other. Additional types of processor(s) will be apparent to those ordinarily
skilled in the art upon review of this specification, and substitution of any
such
other types of processor(s) is considered not to depart from the scope of the
present invention as defined herein. In various embodiments, the processor 14
can be implemented as a single-chip, multiple chips and/or other electrical
components including one or more integrated circuits and printed circuit
boards.
Computer code comprising instructions for the processor(s) to carry out the
various embodiments, aspects, features, etc. of the present disclosure may
reside in the memory 20. The code may be broken into separate routines,
products, etc. to carry forth specific steps disclosed herein. In various
embodiments, the processor 14 can be implemented as a single-chip, multiple
chips and/or other electrical components including one or more integrated
circuits and printed circuit boards. The processor 14 together with a suitable
operating system may operate to execute instructions in the form of computer
code and produce and use data. By way of example and not by way of
limitation, the operating system may be Windows-based, Mac-based, or Unix or
Linux-based, among other suitable operating systems. Operating systems are
generally well known and will not be described in further detail here.
Memory 20 may include various tangible, non-transitory computer-readable
media including Read-Only Memory (ROM) and/or Random-Access Memory
(RAM). As is well known in the art, ROM acts to transfer data and instructions
uni-directionally to the processor 14, and RAM is used typically to transfer
data
and instructions in a bi-directional manner. In the various embodiments
disclosed herein, RAM includes computer program instructions that when
executed by the processor 14 cause the processor 14 to execute the program
instructions described in greater detail below. More generally, the term
"memory" as used herein encompasses one or more storage mediums and
generally provides a place to store computer code (e.g., software and/or
firmware) and data. It may comprise, for example, electronic, optical,
magnetic,
CA 3064110 2019-12-06
-6-
or any other storage or transmission device capable of providing the processor
14 with program instructions. Memory 20 may further include a floppy disk, CD-
ROM, DVD, magnetic disk, memory chip, ASIC, FPGA, EEPROM, EPROM,
flash memory, optical media, or any other suitable memory from which
processor 14 can read instructions in computer programming languages.
It will be appreciated that the user device 16 may be any commonly known
user device, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a tablet, laptop
computer, smartphone, PDA, ultra mobile PC (UMPC), desktop computer,
server or any other viewable monitors or screens including smart glasses etc.
It
will be understood that the architecture herein is provided for example
purposes
only and does not limit the scope of the various implementations of the
communication systems and methods. As will be further described below, the
user device 16 is adapted communicate with the processor 14 through the
network either through a program installed thereon or operated through a web
application as are commonly known. The user device 16 may communicate
with the processor 14 via a network as are commonly known including local area
networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), internet and cellular networks and
radio transmissions.
The instructions to the processor 14 may comprise one or more algorithm that
matches an image scanned by the user device 16 along with a code inputted
into the user device to select a specific image from the database 12. In
particular, the algorithm or instructions may comprise image recognition or
identification algorithms to identify the image scanned and transmitted by the
user device. Such image recognition algorithms are known and may comprise
any known type such as, by way of non-limiting example, ARCoreTM from
GoogleTM and ARKitTM from AppleTM as well as other suitable solutions.
Furthermore, as will be more fully described below, each scanned image as
provided and transmitted by the user device 16, may be associated with more
than one type of media in the database 12 such that the particular media
selected and transmitted by the processor to the user device is customized or
individualized depending upon the inputted code. It will be appreciated that
any
CA 3064110 2019-12-06
-7-
data structure may be utilized to associate each media file with the desired
scanned image and code including by categories for each image and
subcategories for individual codes or in one or more combined databases with
each media file having an associated image and code required to select that
media file.
Turning now to Figure 3, the method of selecting the appropriate media for the
user is illustrated at 40. The method is started by the processor receiving an
image scanned or otherwise transmitted from the camera in the user device 16
for recognition by the processor 14 at step 42. This scanning is illustrated
in
Figure 4 in which the user device 16 scans or records an image 6 on an object.
As illustrated in Figure 4, the object is a card 8 although it will be
appreciated the
object may be any object including, consumer goods such as, by way of non-
limiting example, bottles, greeting cards or advertising objects such as
billboards
and posters. It will be appreciated that a portion of the ware may be
implemented on the user device so as to interface with the processor and may
be activated on the user device 16 when desired by a user or may be adapted to
scan or run automatically. The user device 16 then receives an inputted code
into the user device 16 at step 44 and as illustrated in Figure 5. Optionally,
if no
code is entered, the processor 14 may select a default media file to present
to
the user. In particular, the user device 16 may prompt the user for their user
code with a pop-up window 30 or the like. Optionally, the code may be stored
in
the user device and either automatically entered each time a user scans an
image or presented in a popup window as is commonly known. After the image
and the user code have been received, this information is transmitted to the
processor which looks up the appropriate media in step 46. As set out above,
each image that is included in the database may have several media files
associated with it such that the specific inputted code is used to
differentiate
and personalize the media provided to that user. In step 48 this personalized
media file is transmitted back to the user device in step 48 and displayed on
the user device in step 50. In this way, each user may receive a personalized
media file.
DateMdeNtiaDgiNa022-12-23
-8-
As illustrated in Figure 6, the media file, which may comprise any type of
media desired, including video, images, music files or the like, is displayed
on
the screen of the user device. As illustrated in Figure 6, the media file 60,
which may comprise a video is superimposed over the image of the object 8
as viewed through the camera of the user device. In particular, the media file
60 is superimposed over the image 6 which was utilized to select the media
file previously so as to replace this image 6 when viewed through the screen
of the user device 16 utilizing known techniques. In particular, the media
file
60 may be indexed to the object 8 such that movement 100 of the object in a
direction generally indicated at 100 results in movement of the media file 60
on the object 8 as viewed through the screen in a corresponding 102 so as to
keep the media file 60 at the same relative position on the object as viewed
through the screen.
The present system and method permits a unique or individualized media to be
presented to a user based on their inputted code. This system may permit each
user to receive a unique or personalized advertisement. In
particular,
advertisers may provide a code to each user which groups them according to
their interests or language preferences. Each user group may then receive that
advertisement which is deemed to me most appropriate for them. Additionally,
gifting users may purchase or select an object, such as a gift card which has
an
image thereon included in the database. The gifting user may then record their
own personalized message and associate it with a code. They may then give
the article and the code to a receiving user who may then receive the
customized message when they input the provided code. It will be appreciated
that any object may be utilized for such purposes including gift cards,
business
cards, gift items such as stuffed animals or the like. Although the present
system and method are described herein as providing custom content to a user,
it may also be utilized to provide access to or unlock premium or additional
content wherein only persons having the correct code and access to the correct
scanned may be provided to the additional content.
CA 3064110 2019-12-06
-9-
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and
illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the
invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance
with the accompanying claims.
CA 3064110 2019-12-06
