WO2001048661A2 - Electronic commerce system and method - Google Patents
Electronic commerce system and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2001048661A2 WO2001048661A2 PCT/US2000/035050 US0035050W WO0148661A2 WO 2001048661 A2 WO2001048661 A2 WO 2001048661A2 US 0035050 W US0035050 W US 0035050W WO 0148661 A2 WO0148661 A2 WO 0148661A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- command data
- signal
- appliance
- internet
- television
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/436—Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
- H04N21/4126—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
- H04N21/41265—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
- H04N21/233—Processing of audio elementary streams
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
- H04N21/235—Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
- H04N21/254—Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server
- H04N21/2542—Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server for selling goods, e.g. TV shopping
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/435—Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/439—Processing of audio elementary streams
- H04N21/4394—Processing of audio elementary streams involving operations for analysing the audio stream, e.g. detecting features or characteristics in audio streams
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/443—OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
- H04N21/462—Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
- H04N21/4622—Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
- H04N21/47815—Electronic shopping
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
- H04N21/4784—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application receiving rewards
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
- H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
- H04N21/8166—Monomedia components thereof involving executable data, e.g. software
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
- H04N21/85—Assembly of content; Generation of multimedia applications
- H04N21/858—Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
- H04N21/8586—Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot by using a URL
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
- H04N5/60—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards for the sound signals
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/08—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division
- H04N7/087—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division with signal insertion during the vertical blanking interval only
- H04N7/088—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division with signal insertion during the vertical blanking interval only the inserted signal being digital
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to an electronic commerce system and method, and more particularly, it relates to the convergence of traditional media advertising with electronic purchasing via the Internet.
- the present invention recognizes that the ultimate dream of the TV advertiser is to capture the effect of the millions of dollars spent in the creative process to create an impulse buy. At the same time, TV consumers want flexibility. They want to buy when they feel the impulse, but not have to miss the end of the program, football game or mini-series they are viewing. As noted above, the online shopping industry is driven by convenience.
- ATVEF Advanced Television Enhancement Forum
- Wink Communications designs, builds, and sells interactive TV solutions.
- the Wink service is offered free to TV consumers but to access the service, consumers must have a Wink-enabled set-top box or TV.
- the Wink solution includes four components: authoring tools to design interactive programming; a broadcast server, that manages the delivery of those applications; client software running on set-top boxes or Wink-enabled TVs; and response server and network to enable the connectivity between viewer and the merchant/interactive partner.
- the present invention is a system and method for linking a broadcast signal to a website.
- the system embeds command data into a broadcast signal; transmits the broadcast signal to a home entertainment appliance; plays the broadcast signal on the home entertainment appliance; extracts the command data from the broadcast signal emanating from the home entertainment appliance with a remote sensing device; transfers the command data from the remote sensing device to an internet appliance; and accesses the website based upon the command data.
- the command data which includes URLs and special codes, is embedded into the audio portion of the broadcast signal.
- the Internet appliance may be pre-loaded with website pages based upon pre-specified user preference information and accessed if present with the Internet appliance based upon the command data.
- FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the best mode of the electronic commerce system of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the process employed by the best mode of the electronic commerce system of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the structure of the remote sensing device depicted in figure 1.
- FIGS. 4A and 4B are exemplary web pages provided by the shopping list portal employed by the best mode of the electronic commerce system of the present invention.
- the system of the present invention converges traditional media transmission sources, such as a television broadcast station, cable television head-end or radio station with the Internet.
- Data is embedded in the broadcast signal to facilitate consumer access to targeted e-commerce web sites.
- the present invention extracts the data from the broadcast signals received by the consumer.
- the data is then used to direct the consumer to targeted web sites. This is accomplished by a managed shopping list page.
- This web page acts as a portal to the e-commerce web sites that the consumer has expressed an interest in by pressing a "capture" key in a remote and later transferring the captured data to a PC.
- Users of the present invention are divided into two categories: the online consumer e-commerce companies and the home TV viewer/online shopper (i.e., consumer).
- the present invention provides a novel mechanism for enabling e-commerce companies to better reach consumers.
- Online e-commerce Companies fall into two distinct categories: retail and non-retail companies.
- the online retailers, or as someone has coined— “eTailers”, are made up of "pure” online stores as well as traditional brick and mortar establishments and catalog/home shopping companies. These companies target their advertising to push consumers into their stores and to drive end users to make purchases over the web at their online stores. These companies sell a multitude of products and services over the web.
- Non-retail companies are those that have web sites for brand awareness and product information. Unlike the retailers, they do not sell product directly online. Most of these represent manufacturers of products such as the automobile manufacturers, household goods & product makers, fast food establishments and clothing companies.
- Online companies utilize standard commercials, infomercials, online shopping channels, and media related content on traditional broadcast media to reach their consumer base.
- the present invention enables these companies to simply embed promotions on specific products or discounts for any and all products sold on their sites.
- the ultimate end user is the TV viewer/online shopper at home. Convenience has been identified as the number one appeal of online shopping. Any time, day or night, shoppers can gather information and place orders online.
- the present invention enables the convergence of TV advertising and programming and online shopping, bringing the ultimate in convenience to the home. With just a push of a button, the TV viewer can store away links to product promotions and advertiser e-commerce web sites.
- System 10 includes a broadcast transmission station 12, consumer equipment 14 (including an entertainment appliance 16, remote sensing device 18, and an internet appliance 20), Internet service provider (ISP) 21, Internet 22, system distributor 24, and a plurality of e-commerce web sites 26.
- Entertainment appliance is preferably a standard television and does not need any special or unique equipment, although some may be included as described in relation to some of the alternate embodiments.
- data is embedded into a television commercial or program during the post-production phase of the commercial or program.
- Data is preferably embedded into the audio portion of broadcast signal 28, however the data may also be embedded into the video portion of broadcast signal 28.
- the data includes the URL of e-commerce web sates corresponding to the content of the commercial or program as well as special codes specifying coupons or special promotions, identifying the consumer as originating from the system, and corresponding to other marketing information.
- the commercial or program is transmitted in a broadcast signal 28 from broadcast transmission station 12 over the air, cable or satellite broadcast media. Although the best mode is directed to television signals transmitted over the air, cable or satellite media, the present invention is applicable to radio or other broadcast media.
- broadcast signal 28 as used herein includes signals such as television, radio, satellite, cable, streaming media and the like.
- Broadcast signal 28 is received by a consumer's television 16 where the video portion of broadcast signal 28 is displayed and the audio portion is audibly reproduced.
- Each e-commerce-enabled TV commercial or program will have a simple watermark in a fairly unobtrusive area on the screen as an indicator. This watermark will inform the viewer that there is an e-commerce promotion that accompanies the commercial or program. Consumers will simply respond to the watermark, based on their shopping interests, by pushing a button on remote sensing device 18 which stores the embedded data for the later shopping time with Internet appliance 20 Remote sensing device 18 receives the audible signal from television 16 (or attached stereo system) and extracts the embedded data.
- remote sensing device 18 extracts and stores the embedded data from the selected commercial/program. Certain data, such as remote sensing device software updates, may be automatically extracted without any knowledge or action on part of the consumer.
- the consumer places remote sensing device 18 near Internet appliance 20 and presses a button for linking remote sensing device 18 and Internet appliance 20.
- a commercially available communications mechanism and protocol such as wireless infrared, IrDA or Bluetooth, or wired USB or Firewire connection
- the extracted and stored data is downloaded to Internet appliance 20.
- the data may be directly extracted by Internet appliance 20 with remote sensing device 18 controlling when Internet appliance 20 actually extracts the embedded data.
- URLs and special codes contained in the extracted data are used by a web browser (e.g., Netscape or MS Internet Explorer) that is immediately connected to shopping list portal 31 which is managed by system distributor 24; the system distributor 24 is a type of web server.
- the URLs and special codes for each URL identify to system distributor 24 the e-commerce web sites 26 where the consumer is to be directed, information identifying specific promotions, regional identity (depending on where the data is embedded) and identifying the particular commercial or program selected by the consumer.
- System distributor 24 redirects the consumer's browser to the particular web page on the e-commerce web site 26 dictated by the extracted data. For example, a consumer selecting a Ford pickup truck commercial broadcasted during a football game will be redirected to a web page on Ford's web site with survey that enters the consumer in a drawing for tickets to the Super Bowl in exchange for the consumer answering the survey. However, a consumer selecting the same Ford pickup truck commercial broadcasted during a automobile race will be redirected to a web page on Ford's web site with a survey that enters the consumer in a drawing for tickets to the Daytona 500 in exchange for the consumer answering the survey.
- System 10 includes shopping list portal application 30 resident on Internet appliance 20 that enables the online shopper to manage promotions and transactions.
- Shopping list application 30 runs as a plug-in to access shopping list portal 31 which is a web page or series of web pages displayed by the consumer's browser.
- Shopping list portal 31 is a portal to partner (advertiser) e-commerce sites 26 as well as a manager of the transactions.
- the consumer remains on system distributor 24 to browse information regarding the product, services or promotion relating to the selected commercial or program. All browsing, shopping, checkout and purchase is performed at system distributor 24.
- System distributor 24 obtains the necessary promotional web pages and content from e-commerce web sites 26.
- This embodiment is a direct form of online shopping complete with checkout in contrast to the previously described method where the consumer is re-directed to e-commerce web sites 26 to complete the purchase transaction.
- methodology 100 first a program or commercial is produced 102 and then undergoes traditional post production audio and video editing
- URL and special promotion codes are input 106 to data embedding equipment 50 which embeds
- the e-commerce enabled (i.e., embedded data) program or commercial is transported 110 to broadcast transmission station 12 and then transmitted 112 on a broadcast medium.
- the e-commerce enabled program or commercial is received 114 by the consumer on television 16 which then plays 116 the broadcast signal to the consumer.
- the consumer is alerted 118 to the presence of the e-commerce enabled program or commercial and the consumer indicates 120 their decision to obtain more information by pressing the capture button on remote sensing device 18.
- Remote sensing device extracts 122 and then stores 124 the embedded data.
- the extracted and stored data is then transferred 126 to Internet appliance 20 which thai accesses 128 shopping list portal 31.
- the consumer completes the e-commerce transaction by linking 130 to e-commerce web ate 26.
- the e-commerce enabled commercials and programs are created by steganographically embedding data signals in the audio portion of the TV signal lOdB to 20dB dynamically below the spectral envelope of the audio signal.
- the embedding process is steganographic, meaning that the data is hidden but readily retrievable. This is in contrast to cryptographic embedding where the embedded information is rendered unintelligible to any unauthorized persons or devices that might intercept the signal.
- the data embedding process may occur in real time. Since the data is steganographically embedded, the data can be transmitted along with the audio, but is not discemable to the broadcast viewer. The signal conforms to all audio quality controls under NTSC guidelines.
- System 10 then transmits the complete signal with the embedded data to the consumer's entertainment appliance 16.
- remote sensing device 18 The centerpiece of the system convergence is remote sensing device 18.
- the structure of remote sensing device 18 is depicted in figure 3.
- remote sensing device 18 consists of a universal multi-function TV/VCR/STEREO/DVD infrared remote control device combined with a microphone 32 and an audio decoding chipset implementation of a spread spectrum receiver 34.
- microphone 32 and spread spectrum receiver 34 provide the added capability to receive the audio from the commercial or promotional program and decode the data-embedded in that audio signal.
- remote sensing device 18 has three additional buttons conspicuously marked and placed on keypad 36. The first of these buttons enables the capture of the promotion found on the current audio signal.
- the second transfers the captured data to Shopping List application 30 on the consumer's Internet appliance 20.
- the transfer is made by a standard infrared transmitter 38 on the remote to infrared receiver attached to Internet appliance.
- the third button allows the viewer to clear memory 40. This function requires a deliberate action (confirmation) so that accidental clearing is difficult to do.
- Control logic 42 scans the keypad 36 looking for a key press command. If the key command is for a universal remote control function remote sensing device 18 amply transmits the selected code using infrared transmitter 38. If the key command is the capture command, remote sensing device 18 stores the data received from spread spectrum receiver 34 in the stored data memory 40. If the command is transfer to Internet appliance 20, control logic 42 causes all the stored data to be transmitted to Internet appliance 20 via infrared transmitter 38. If the key command is the clear command, then all the stored data is cleared from memory. Additionally, voice recognition circuitry may be added to remote sensing device 18. The voice recognition circuitry in conjunction with microphone 12 provides voice activated control of the consumers entertainment appliance 16 and other home automation functions. Also, remote sensing device 18 that has the audio alert capability may also include a locator feature. In this feature a user who has forgotten where she/he has placed the device could use her his voice command to instruct the device to activate the audio alert and then be able to locate it.
- remote sensing device 18 is limited solely to providing e- commerce convergence. In this smaller device, about the size of a key chain ornament, only the 3 buttons described above would be present.
- remote sensing device 18 has indicator LEDs or audio alerts (not shown in the drawing) that are activated when spread spectrum receiver 34 detects a data signal that the consumer may want to store. The consumers would then press the capture key to cause the data to be stored. With respect to radio broadcasts, the use of an indicator light and/or audio alert on remote sensing device 18 is required in lieu of watermarks.
- the indicator light may also be used in combination with watermarks or as a consumer selectable preference.
- System 10 includes a simple infrared receiver 44 attached to the serial or parallel printer port on the consumer's Internet appliance 20. Once the consumer has stopped watching TV, the consumer places remote sensing device 18 near and aims at infrared receiver 44 and presses the data transfer button to invoke the data transfer to Internet appliance 20. In response, Internet appliance 20 launches the consumer's default browser (if it is not already running), loads shopping list portal application 30, and displays the promotions in which the consumer had expressed interest.
- Internet appliance means any device that provides access to the Internet such as a personal computer, laptop computer, PDA, a web enabled television, cellular telephone and the like.
- Internet appliance 20 includes some type of interface device for communicating with remote sensing device 18 that is standard on most internet appliances in production today.
- the interface mechanisms include IR ports, Bluetooth, serial ports and parallel ports.
- Internet appliance 20 is linked to system distributor 24 and the plurality of e-commerce web sites 26 via ISP 21 and Internet 22.
- shopping list portal 31 which is accessed by shopping list portal application 30.
- Shopping list portal application 30 is implemented as a plug-in application to either Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator or other browser resident on Internet appliance 20.
- Shopping list portal 31 is both locally stored on Internet appliance as pre-loaded shopping list portal 31a and remotely on system distributor 24 as remote shopping list portal 3 lb. With the pre-loading capability, promotion pages and shopping catalogs are accessed off of the consumer's hard drive at speeds much faster than waiting for the page to be delivered from the advertiser's e-commerce web site 26.
- Pre-loading allows the consumer instant access to the shopping list portal 31 without this wait by having pre-loaded the hard drive of Internet appliance 20 with information on all or some of the e- commerce promotions for a period of time. This pre-loading occurs before the broadcast of programs and advertisements that have the embedded data.
- Internet appliance 20 can immediately display the requested information. While the consumer is browsing through that information, Internet appliance 20 simultaneously makes the dial up connection in anticipation of the consumer following up to the checkout.
- the pre-loading can occur during off-peak times (late night or early morning) and/or as a background process.
- Dial-up access consumers pre-load by automated pre-scheduled off-peak time dial-up via
- High speed access consumers such as DSL, cable modem or other always-on connections pre-load as a background process at anytime while the connection is not in use by other processes..
- System 10 works without pre-loading, with partial pre-loading, or with full pre-loading at the consumer's election. The faster the consumer's Internet connection, the less the need for pre-loading.
- the information that is pre-loaded is selected based upon pre-determined consumer e-commerce preferences. For example, when the consumer first joins system 10, the consumer is queried to determine demographics, economic background, shopping habits, sports preferences, etc which are then used to create a pre-load profile for the consumer. If the consumer indicates they are a sports fan, all sports related information will be included in the pre-load for preloaded shopping list portal 31a.
- the pre-load and the connection device are controlled by a program or application running simultaneously and in the background on Internet appliance 20.
- the pre-loading uses a local proxy server, running on Internet appliance 20. This proxy server controls the connection device and is able to request web pages to be pre-loaded if connected or initiate the connection via dial- up.
- the proxy server initiates either an off-peak pre-scheduled connection or a background process to perform the pre-load.
- the data is transferred from remote sensing device 18 to infrared receiver 44 and then on to plug-in application 30.
- Plug-in application 30 decodes the transferred data, and hands it off to pre-loaded shopping list portal 31a for display to the consumer.
- pre-loaded shopping list portal 31a for display to the consumer.
- the browse capability allows the user to get more information on the product or service, while the buy option immediately starts the checkout procedure. If all the web pages have been pre-loaded, then the user remains offline.
- Internet appliance 20 goes online simultaneously, transparent to the consumer, to be ready for any further consumer interaction with web pages from either pre-loaded shopping list portal 31a, remote shopping list portal 31b for web pages that are not pre-loaded, or e-commerce web site 26 to obtain additional information or complete the checkout process.
- the promotions are listed, with the advertiser's name, the item promoted, the price, the promotional discount, and the date. New items are displayed in bold, indicating that no action has been taken as depicted in figure 4A. Once a promotional e-commerce web site 26 has been visited, application 30 will remove from the list the bold lettering of the promotion indicating that the site/promotion has been seen. If the consumer finalizes a purchase there, a check mark indicator will be displayed along with the date of the purchase as depicted in figure 4B. These action indicators are designed to help the consumer manage their online shopping experience.
- the system convergence for purchasing and browsing brings another direct benefit to the advertiser.
- As a promotion or advertisement link is stored on remote sensing device 18.
- the time and channel/ network the ad was placed on is logged as well.
- This information is stored on system distributor 24 and advertisers are provided periodic reports showing the effectiveness of certain ad campaigns, on various channels/networks at various time slots nationwide. This enables the advertiser to measure the effectiveness of ads in generating interest in products and discern the effectiveness of the ads in influencing direct online purchasing decisions.
- the data embedded in the audio is extracted directly by Internet appliance 20 without the use of remote sensing device 18 as a data intermediary. If Internet appliance 20 is located within the audible range of television 16, microphone 32, spread spectrum receiver 34 and memory 40 is located in Internet appliance 20. A controller in Internet appliance 20 directs the extraction and storing of the embedded data in response to the consumer pressing the capture button on remote sensing device. Infrared transmitter 38 transmits the capture command to Internet appliance 18. Thus, remote sensing device 18 does not store the embedded data.
- remote sensing device 18 does not store the embedded data, but only controls that storage in a combined entertainment Intemet appliance.
- a PC is not involved and the combined entertainment/Internet appliance could be a TV set-top box, or an integrated TV with Internet circuits included within the TV chassis.
- the Internet appliance or combined entertainment/Intemet appliance is pre-loaded with shopping list portal 31 and the consumer is linked to system distributor 24.
- System 10 has alternatives to the preferred method of embedding the data in the audio portion of the broadcast signal.
- the data may be embedded in the vertical or horizontal blanking interval of the television broadcast signal.
- code words may be provided either displayed on television 16 or by some other mechanism.
- the consumer then enters the code word via shopping list portal 31 to receive the corresponding e-commerce information.
- bar codes representing the command data i.e., URLs and special codes
- the consumer passes a bar code reader in the form of either a remote sensing like device or directly connected to Internet appliance 20 over the bar code.
- the command data is extracted from the bar code by shopping list portal application 30 and used in the same manner as described in the best mode to link the consumer to shopping list portal 31 and e-commerce web sites 26.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU25933/01A AU2593301A (en) | 1999-12-29 | 2000-12-22 | Electronic commerce system and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US47361299A | 1999-12-29 | 1999-12-29 | |
US09/473,612 | 1999-12-29 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2001048661A2 true WO2001048661A2 (en) | 2001-07-05 |
WO2001048661A3 WO2001048661A3 (en) | 2002-02-07 |
Family
ID=23880278
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2000/035050 WO2001048661A2 (en) | 1999-12-29 | 2000-12-22 | Electronic commerce system and method |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU2593301A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001048661A2 (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2003034679A2 (en) * | 2001-10-18 | 2003-04-24 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Service data delivery system |
EP1414242A1 (en) * | 2001-08-02 | 2004-04-28 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Point-used electronic trading system, point-used electronic trading method, broadcast reception apparatus, and broadcast reception method |
EP1675289A1 (en) * | 2004-12-23 | 2006-06-28 | Alcatel | System comprising a receiving device for receiving broadcast information |
EP1619813A3 (en) * | 2004-07-19 | 2007-07-18 | Lee S. Weinblatt | Technique for making rewards available for an audience tuned to a broadcast |
EP1808016A2 (en) * | 2004-10-26 | 2007-07-18 | Aerospacecomputing, Inc. | Multi-media user terminal for a presentation medium |
US20140101563A1 (en) * | 2001-11-20 | 2014-04-10 | Universal Electronics Inc. | System and method for retrieving information while commanding operation of an appliance |
US9571982B2 (en) | 2014-08-20 | 2017-02-14 | Software Ag | System and method for dynamically providing real-time service for a mobile wireless device |
US10235698B2 (en) | 2017-02-28 | 2019-03-19 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | Sound code recognition for broadcast media |
EP3475910A4 (en) * | 2016-06-24 | 2020-03-11 | Allt Technologies Pty Ltd | Systems and methods for improved brand interaction |
Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5410326A (en) * | 1992-12-04 | 1995-04-25 | Goldstein; Steven W. | Programmable remote control device for interacting with a plurality of remotely controlled devices |
WO1997041690A1 (en) * | 1996-05-02 | 1997-11-06 | Award Software International, Inc. | Tv with url reception for internet access |
US5687191A (en) * | 1995-12-06 | 1997-11-11 | Solana Technology Development Corporation | Post-compression hidden data transport |
WO1997043736A1 (en) * | 1996-05-16 | 1997-11-20 | Digimarc Corporation | Computer system linked by using information in data objects |
WO1998016062A1 (en) * | 1996-10-08 | 1998-04-16 | Allen Chang | Talking remote control with display |
EP0851681A1 (en) * | 1996-12-25 | 1998-07-01 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Image and data display method and apparatus |
WO1998043437A1 (en) * | 1997-03-21 | 1998-10-01 | Canal+ Societe Anonyme | Method of and apparatus for transmitting data for interactive tv applications |
US5818935A (en) * | 1997-03-10 | 1998-10-06 | Maa; Chia-Yiu | Internet enhanced video system |
WO1999060782A1 (en) * | 1998-05-15 | 1999-11-25 | Evolve Products, Inc. | Epg and advertisement on a remote control display |
-
2000
- 2000-12-22 AU AU25933/01A patent/AU2593301A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-12-22 WO PCT/US2000/035050 patent/WO2001048661A2/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5410326A (en) * | 1992-12-04 | 1995-04-25 | Goldstein; Steven W. | Programmable remote control device for interacting with a plurality of remotely controlled devices |
US5687191A (en) * | 1995-12-06 | 1997-11-11 | Solana Technology Development Corporation | Post-compression hidden data transport |
WO1997041690A1 (en) * | 1996-05-02 | 1997-11-06 | Award Software International, Inc. | Tv with url reception for internet access |
WO1997043736A1 (en) * | 1996-05-16 | 1997-11-20 | Digimarc Corporation | Computer system linked by using information in data objects |
WO1998016062A1 (en) * | 1996-10-08 | 1998-04-16 | Allen Chang | Talking remote control with display |
EP0851681A1 (en) * | 1996-12-25 | 1998-07-01 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Image and data display method and apparatus |
US5818935A (en) * | 1997-03-10 | 1998-10-06 | Maa; Chia-Yiu | Internet enhanced video system |
WO1998043437A1 (en) * | 1997-03-21 | 1998-10-01 | Canal+ Societe Anonyme | Method of and apparatus for transmitting data for interactive tv applications |
WO1999060782A1 (en) * | 1998-05-15 | 1999-11-25 | Evolve Products, Inc. | Epg and advertisement on a remote control display |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1414242A4 (en) * | 2001-08-02 | 2009-09-30 | Panasonic Corp | Point-used electronic trading system, point-used electronic trading method, broadcast reception apparatus, and broadcast reception method |
EP1414242A1 (en) * | 2001-08-02 | 2004-04-28 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Point-used electronic trading system, point-used electronic trading method, broadcast reception apparatus, and broadcast reception method |
WO2003034679A3 (en) * | 2001-10-18 | 2003-09-25 | Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv | Service data delivery system |
WO2003034679A2 (en) * | 2001-10-18 | 2003-04-24 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Service data delivery system |
US10311714B2 (en) | 2001-11-20 | 2019-06-04 | Universal Electronics Inc. | User interface for a remote control application |
US10168869B2 (en) * | 2001-11-20 | 2019-01-01 | Universal Electronics Inc. | System and method for retrieving information while commanding operation of an appliance |
US20140101563A1 (en) * | 2001-11-20 | 2014-04-10 | Universal Electronics Inc. | System and method for retrieving information while commanding operation of an appliance |
EP1619813A3 (en) * | 2004-07-19 | 2007-07-18 | Lee S. Weinblatt | Technique for making rewards available for an audience tuned to a broadcast |
EP1808016A2 (en) * | 2004-10-26 | 2007-07-18 | Aerospacecomputing, Inc. | Multi-media user terminal for a presentation medium |
EP1808016A4 (en) * | 2004-10-26 | 2009-04-08 | Aerospacecomputing Inc | Multi-media user terminal for a presentation medium |
WO2006066945A1 (en) * | 2004-12-23 | 2006-06-29 | Alcatel Lucent | System comprising a receiving device for receiving broadcast information |
EP1675289A1 (en) * | 2004-12-23 | 2006-06-28 | Alcatel | System comprising a receiving device for receiving broadcast information |
US9571982B2 (en) | 2014-08-20 | 2017-02-14 | Software Ag | System and method for dynamically providing real-time service for a mobile wireless device |
EP3475910A4 (en) * | 2016-06-24 | 2020-03-11 | Allt Technologies Pty Ltd | Systems and methods for improved brand interaction |
US10235698B2 (en) | 2017-02-28 | 2019-03-19 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | Sound code recognition for broadcast media |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2001048661A3 (en) | 2002-02-07 |
AU2593301A (en) | 2001-07-09 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7904344B2 (en) | Accessing a vendor web site using personal account information retrieved from a credit card company web site | |
CN101512501B (en) | For arranging the method and apparatus of advertisement in the user session of Set Top Box | |
US8930990B2 (en) | System and method for selecting advertisements | |
US8005985B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for utilizing an audibly coded signal to conduct commerce over the internet | |
US6898571B1 (en) | Advertising enhancement using the internet | |
US7606883B1 (en) | Method and system for controlling and auditing content/service systems | |
US7392312B1 (en) | Method for utilizing visual cue in conjunction with web access | |
US20020178060A1 (en) | System and method for providing and redeeming electronic paperless coupons | |
US20020083123A1 (en) | System and method for accessing network resources from encoded source data | |
US7636788B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for matching a user's use profile in commerce with a broadcast | |
EP1635285A1 (en) | Method for rating an advertisement | |
MXPA01012809A (en) | Interactive television application system with hand-held application device. | |
US20010021916A1 (en) | Method of advertising and selling articles and services using digital TV receiver and internet | |
AU2626200A (en) | Printed medium activated interactive communication of multimedia information, including advertising | |
CN102667841A (en) | Remote control arrangement | |
US7818423B1 (en) | Retrieving personal account information from a web site by reading a credit card | |
KR100774935B1 (en) | Method and system for homeshopping by using a TV | |
WO2001048661A2 (en) | Electronic commerce system and method | |
US7493283B1 (en) | Performing an e-commerce transaction from credit card account information retrieved from a credit card company web site | |
CA2443554A1 (en) | Universal methods and device for hand-held promotional opportunities | |
KR20040098630A (en) | Content delivery apparatus and content creation method | |
US9710824B1 (en) | Method to introduce purchase opportunities into digital media and/or streams | |
US7424521B1 (en) | Method using database for facilitating computer based access to a location on a network after scanning a barcode disposed on a product | |
KR20000050108A (en) | The contents provide method and property marketing method on the e-commerce of multy-screen | |
US7900224B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for utilizing an audible signal to induce a user to select an E-commerce function |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG |
|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application | ||
DFPE | Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101) | ||
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG |
|
REG | Reference to national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: 8642 |
|
32PN | Ep: public notification in the ep bulletin as address of the adressee cannot be established |
Free format text: NOTING OF LOSS OF RIGHTS PURSUANT TO RULE 69(1) EPC |
|
122 | Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase | ||
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: JP |