ONLINE MEDIA CONTENT DISTRIBUTION WITH ASSOCIATED TRANSACTIONS

An online media content distribution framework for sharing media content over a network and for coordinating transactions associated with the shared media content, the framework executed on a computer system using instructions stored on a storage to: register a plurality of content consumers as members of the framework by creating a respective profile account for each content consumer of the plurality of content consumers, each respective profile account including respective member information including respective member identification (ID) and consumer transaction account information; register a content provider as member of the framework by creating a respective profile account for the content provider including a respective member ID and provider transaction account information; receive a broadcast session request over the network from the content provider including the media content via a provider client application coupled to the framework; broadcast the media content to the plurality of content consumers over the network for display on respective consumer computer user interfaces via respective consumer client applications coupled to the framework; receive a transaction amount from one or more of the plurality of content consumers, the transaction amount resulting from activation of a transaction control displayed by the consumer client application on the consumer computer interface, the transaction control associated with the media content and including a displayed transaction amount representing the transaction amount; and send over the network a transaction request for settlement to a transaction platform, the transaction request including the transaction amount, the provider transaction account information and the consumer transaction account information from the one or more of the plurality of content consumers.

FIELD

The present invention is related to online media content distribution and transaction systems.

BACKGROUND

Here at the beginning of the 21st century, we as innovators stand in the same position. The advent of personal computing, smart devices, e-commerce, electronic transactions and social networking have created equally rich “cyber-ground” from which, industry hopes, equally brilliant solutions will emerge.

Disadvantages with current media distribution systems are that they are not “Social Commerce Network” compatible. The integration of interactive experiences of social network members with social networking functionality and mobile commerce is lacking. Current systems are not very proficient at organically connecting members with each other, with brick and mortar retailers, online retailers, brands, streaming content and advertisers. Further, current social networks do not facilitate transactions between members of the social network for proffered products and services.

SUMMARY

Disadvantages with current media distribution systems are that they are not “Social Commerce Network” compatible. The integration of interactive experiences of social network members with social networking functionality and mobile commerce is lacking. It is an object of the present invention to provide a media distribution system and method to obviate or mitigate at least some of the current disadvantages.

A first aspect provided is an online media content distribution framework for sharing media content over a network and for coordinating transactions associated with the shared media content, the framework executed on a computer system using instructions stored on a storage to: register a plurality of content consumers as members of the framework by creating a respective profile account for each content consumer of the plurality of content consumers, each respective profile account including respective member information including respective member identification (ID) and consumer transaction account information; register a content provider as member of the framework by creating a respective profile account for the content provider including a respective member ID and provider transaction account information; receive a broadcast session request over the network from the content provider including the media content via a provider client application coupled to the framework; broadcast the media content to the plurality of content consumers over the network for display on respective consumer computer user interfaces via respective consumer client applications coupled to the framework; receive a transaction amount from one or more of the plurality of content consumers, the transaction amount resulting from activation of a transaction control displayed by the consumer client application on the consumer computer interface, the transaction control associated with the media content and including a displayed transaction amount representing the transaction amount; and send over the network a transaction request for settlement to a transaction platform, the transaction request including the transaction amount, the provider transaction account information and the consumer transaction account information from the one or more of the plurality of content consumers.

A second aspect provided is a method for sharing media content online over a network and for coordinating transactions associated with the shared media content, the method executed on a computer system using instructions stored on a storage for: registering a plurality of content consumers as members of a distribution service by creating a respective profile account for each content consumer of the plurality of content consumers, each respective profile account including respective member information including respective member identification (ID) and consumer transaction account information; registering a content provider as member of the distribution service by creating a respective profile account for the content provider including a respective member ID and provider transaction account information; receiving a broadcast session request over the network from the content provider including the media content via a provider client application coupled to the distribution service; broadcasting the media content to the plurality of content consumers over the network for display on respective consumer computer user interfaces via respective consumer client applications coupled to the distribution service; receiving a transaction amount from one or more of the plurality of content consumers, the transaction amount resulting from activation of a transaction control displayed by the consumer client application on the consumer computer interface, the transaction control associated with the media content and including a displayed transaction amount representing the transaction amount; and sending over the network a transaction request for settlement to a transaction platform, the transaction request including the transaction amount, the provider transaction account information and the consumer transaction account information from the one or more of the plurality of content consumers.

A third aspect provided is a method for receiving media content shared online over a network and for coordinating transactions associated with the shared media content, the method executed on a computer system using instructions stored on a storage for: registering as a content consumer member of a distribution service by obtaining a profile account with the distribution service, the profile account including member information including a member identification (ID) and consumer transaction account information; receiving notification on a user interface of the computer system of a broadcast session over the network from the distribution service for media content provided by a content provider; displaying a broadcast of the media content on the user interface via a consumer client application coupled to the distribution service; generating a transaction amount resulting from activation of a transaction control displayed by the consumer client application on the user interface, the transaction control associated with the media content and a displayed transaction amount representing the transaction amount; and sending over the network the transaction amount for subsequent settlement with a transaction platform as brokered by the distribution service.

A fourth aspect provided is a method for broadcasting media content shared online over a network and for coordinating transactions associated with the shared media content, the method executed on a computer system using instructions stored on a storage for: registering as a content provider member of a distribution service by obtaining a profile account with the distribution service, the profile account including member information including a member identification (ID) and provider transaction account information; submitting via a user interface of the computer system notification of a broadcast session over the network to the distribution service for media content provided by the content provider; sending the media content to the distribution service for subsequent display as a broadcast of the media content on a user interface of a consumer client application coupled to the distribution service; and receiving a transaction amount resulting from activation of a transaction control displayed by the consumer client application on the user interface of the consumer client application, the transaction control associated with the media content and including a displayed transaction amount representing the transaction amount.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 1, shown is a media content sharing environment10providing a mobile commerce enabled (e.g. live) media sharing (e.g. video streaming) service facilitating online users to register and view other users media content12from anywhere in the world. By leveraging media content sharing and transaction (e.g. payment) technologies, the media content sharing environment10providers for all users (e.g. members of a media distribution service18) to have their own interactive media broadcasts. Viewers (i.e. content consumers16) can interact with broadcast media12via: live group chat; sending “Likes” (e.g. appreciation of the broadcast media content12and/or content provider14without transaction); and transacting goods and services available (e.g. for sale) associated with the broad media content12. Broadcasters can monetize their fan base in media content sharing environment10. By combining mobile transactions/payments, social networking and media content sharing, the environment10creates a unique social commerce platform that facilitates individuals and organizations alike to monetize their social media following.

Referring again toFIG. 1, shown is the media content sharing environment10for distributing the media content12over the communications network11between the content provider14and the one or more content consumers16via the media distribution service18. Interaction of the content providers14and the content consumers16with the media distribution service18can be via a service client application40provisioned as a dedicated client application (e.g. app downloaded from the media distribution service18or online application store) on the computer devices100(such as a smart phone—seeFIG. 7) facilitating the roles of the content providers14and the content consumers16in the media content sharing environment10. In this case the service client application40can be registered as a dedicated client application (e.g. app) of the media distribution service18configured for operation in a client-server relationship therewith. Alternatively, the service client application40can be provided via a generic web browser provisioned in the computer device100when interacting with the media distribution service18exposed as a web service/portal on the network11via an appropriate URL (accessed via the browser). It is recognised the media distribution service18can be operated on a computer device100(e.g. server) coupled to the network11. The communications network11can be provided as an extranet, e.g. the Internet or World Wide Web (e.g. web), for facilitating network communications between the computer devices100(e.g. hosting the media distribution service18, the content provider14, the content consumer16). As such, the media content sharing environment10can be provided as an Internet construct for facilitating the provision and consumption of the media content12between the media distribution service18, the content providers14and the content consumers16, such that the network11communications are configured as machine to machine electronic communications using appropriate network11communication protocols (e.g. HTML). The media content12can be generated by the computer device100of the content provider14(e.g. pictures/video images recorded by a camera of the computer device100, text input via a user interface of the computer device100, etc) for subsequent upload as the media content12to the media distribution service18via the network11.

Using the service client application40can be done in the environment10, as operated by the content provider14in order to coordinate how and when the media content12is broadcast via the service18to one or more content consumers16. Using the service client application40can be done in the environment10, as operated by the content consumer16in order to coordinate the degree of interaction (e.g. level of payment/transaction amount provided to the content provider14, messaging (e.g. chat, submission of likes, selection as a follower/fan, etc.) with the content provider14or other content consumers16prior to/post/or during the broadcast of the media content12, and/or manage how the content consumer16receives or does not receive (e.g. blocked/restricted access) the media content12. As such, the content consumer16and the content provider14connect to the service18via the service client application40in order to play their respective roles in the environment10associated with the media content12, as further described below. In terms of the media content12, broadcast of such can be referred to as a broadcast session which can be initiated and/or terminated by the content consumer16/provider14using the service client application40. For example, the content provider14can use the service client application40to coordinate selected media content12(and any associated products/services) availability to one or more content consumers16, as well as to coordinate transaction requests (e.g. via displayed transaction control66c—seeFIG. 5) and associated transaction responses (e.g. received transaction amounts received as a consequence of activation of the transaction control66cby the content consumer16). The service18can coordinate deposit and withdrawal transactions, on behalf of the content providers14and consumers16based on knowledge of their respective financial/transaction accounts (as defined in the user accounts36of the members14,16—seeFIG. 2), related to the provision/consumption (i.e. viewing) of the media content12.

The media content12can be media types such as but not limited to: a news feed; a blog; a video stream; one or more images; chat content; and/or other messaging content in which the content provider14and the content consumer16are in bilateral communication over the network11via the service18(i.e. the content provider14and the content consumer16are registered members of the service18). The media content12can be, in the case of a media video stream (e.g. news feed, performance/concert feed, etc.), a live or pre-recorded event. For example, in the case of chat content, the content provider14and content consumer16roles could change during the chat communications depending upon which is sending the content12to the other and which is receiving the content12from the other via the media distribution service18. As such, the media distribution service18is responsible for receiving media content12from the content provider(s)14and broadcasting the received media content12to one or more content consumers16over the network11. It is recognised that the content providers14and the content consumers16are registered members of the media distribution service18, as further described below. As such, the content provider14can direct the media distribution service18to broadcast their media content12to a selected set of the service members (e.g. to specified members of a group) or can direct the media distribution service18to broadcast their media content12generally to members of the media distribution service18, as further described below. In cases where a selected (by the content provider14) content consumer16is not a member of the media distribution service18, the media distribution service18can first send the selected content consumer16a registration request30(seeFIG. 2) for completion before proceeding to enable the selected content consumer16to receive the media content12of the content provider14.

For example, newsfeeds12can be defined as a standard single profile newsfeed containing updates from members (of the media distribution service18) that a member is following (e.g. listed in the followed list46aof the member profile represented by profile account screen40a(seeFIG. 3). A follower/fan is similar in concept to a friend or potential customer of the content provider14, like followers on Twitter™. The broadcast sessions of the media content12can be viewed by anyone that is logged in (i.e. is a member of the media distribution system18), therefore as one example embodiment a member does not have to be a fan/follower of a particular content provider14to view their broadcast as the broadcasts can be open to the membership public. An alternative embodiment is where a member does have to be a fan/follower of a particular content provider14in order to view their broadcast, as their broadcasts can be only open (i.e. restricted to) select members selected from the contact list44a,44b,46b(seeFIGS. 3,4) by the content provider14. This embodiment is also referred to as a private or group broadcast.

It is recognised that in a group scenario, different members of the group can participate with the media distribution service18as both a provider14and/or a consider16for the group, depending upon whether the group member is participating in the group by sending or receiving media content12. For example, group member A is acting as a content provider14if the group member A provides first media content12(e.g. chat text as a question to the group) to the media distribution service18for broadcasting over the network11to other designated group members B, C, etc, i.e. acting as the content consumers16of the broadcast first media content12. Subsequently, group member B can act as content provider14to group member A, C by providing second media content12(e.g. chat text as a response to the group) to the media distribution service18for broadcasting over the network11to other designated group members B, C, etc, i.e. acting now as the content consumers16of the broadcast second media content12. It is also recognised that the group scenario can be used in a more traditional sense with the content provider14and a plurality of content consumers16, such that the content provider14provides the media content12(e.g. streaming video content) to the media distribution service18for subsequent broadcast over the network11to the others of the group designated as the content consumers16. It is also recognised that the media content12can contain a plurality of different media types for a particular broadcast session for members of a group, for example video streaming and chat content.

As such, it is recognised that the environment10can be operated as a single content provider14broadcasting media content12to one or more content consumers16during the broadcast session. Alternatively, the environment10can be operated as a single content provider14broadcasting media content12to one or more content consumers16, the number of which varies during the broadcast session. Alternatively, the environment10can be operated as a multiple content providers14broadcasting media content12to multiple content consumers16during the broadcast session, such that the roles of the members change between content provider14and content consumer16depending upon whether they are submitting media content12to the service18for network11broadcast or are receiving media content12from the service18as a network11broadcast. It is recognised that any of the operations of the environment10can be done alone or together, for example one of the members can be a content provider14for a music stream session to a plurality of content consumers16as a group while some of the content consumers16can become content providers14in terms of chat media content12broadcast in tandem with the music stream.

Referring toFIG. 2, the media distribution service18provides a registration interface32for sending registration requests30to various potential content providers14, consumers16of the media content12broadcast by a broadcast interface34in order to set up their user account profile36, as well as (for example) facilitating administration of an existing (already registered member) user account profile36. The registration interface32facilitates various entities on the network11to become members of the media distribution service18, for example as a registered service user having a username in the user account profile36. The user profile36can be populated by user information35received by the registration interface32in response to the registration request30. The registration request30can be prompted by a membership inquiry sent to the media distribution service18by the potential member and/or can be prompted by selection of the entity (who is not yet a member of the media distribution service18) for inclusion in a group (to receive broadcasts of the uploaded media content12to the service18) by the content provider14. The members can register as content consumers16(e.g. viewers) and/or as content providers14(e.g. a product/service merchant).

The user information35can include, for example: the user/member name (e.g. account name and/or handle/display name); listed user/member names of other members considered followers or fans (e.g. content consumers16for the member); listed user/member names of other members followed by the user (e.g. content providers14of which the member is selected as a content consumer16as respective media content12becomes available via the media distribution service18); a description of the user/member including for example profession (e.g. musician), products or product types for sale (e.g. consumer products such as the media content itself, consumer items associated with the media content12, etc., member provided services associated with the media content12, etc.); media content history (e.g. recent video streams); transaction account information (e.g. account number with a financial institution, a mobile wallet account, a debit or credit card account, etc.); any required password information or login information (e.g. login password of the user/member account, passwords—for example PIN—for the transaction account); other social media accounts associated with the user account36(e.g. Facebook Account™); member contact information (e.g. email account, telephone number, physical address, etc.); personal information such as but not limited to birth date; and/or a list of invitees (e.g. potential members) including their contact information (e.g. phone number, email address, etc.). As such, the registration interface32is configured to collect the user information35as part of satisfying the registration request30and setup/maintenance of the user account profile36for respective members or potential members of the media distribution service18. Further, the registration interface32can provide menu options when requested by members/potential members in order to coordinate changes/additions/deletions to the user information35of the user's account36, for example such as but not limited to any account settings, privacy settings, invitee list names/addresses, any other profile content as listed above, and/or transaction account settings (e.g. list of transaction account numbers, passwords/PINS), etc.

As noted above, the products/services of the content provider12can be the media content12itself and/or can be separate items associate with the media content12. The product/service can be defined as the item for which the content consumer16provides payment to the content provider14. An example of the media content12being the product/service is a streamed performance (e.g. music, film or film clip, comedy routine, etc.), such that payment by the content consumer16is provided as a consequence of watching/listening to of the media content12provided by the content provider14. An example of the media content12being in addition to the product/service is a broadcast of an infomercial, that the media content12is a video demonstration of the product for sale (e.g. consumer item) with associated commentary of the product. In this case, the content consumer16watches the media content12in order to ascertain whether they wish to obtain/own the offered consumer product. It is recognised that in terms of products/services, in economics, economic output is divided into goods and services. When an economic activity yields a valuable or useful thing, it can be known as production output of the totality of products (e.g. goods or services) in an economy that the company (e.g. content provider14) makes available for use by the content consumer16. Products as goods can range from a simple safety pin, food, clothing, computer components to complex aircraft. Products as services are the performance of any duties or work for another (e.g. helpful or professional activity such as a performance) and can be used to define intangible specialized economic activities such as but not limited to: providing access to specific information; web services; transport; banking; legal advice; accounting advice; management consultant advice; entertainment services (e.g. comedy, music, video entertainment, etc.), and medical services. The content provider14providing the products can be a businessperson/individual engaged in wholesale/retail trade, an organization, an administration, and/or a business that sells, administers, maintains, charges for or otherwise makes available product(s) that are desirable by the content consumer16. Accordingly, the content provider14can be one person, or an association of persons, for the purpose of carrying on some enterprise or business; a corporation; a firm; etc. Further, it is recognised that the use of the media content12can be applied to direct the content consumer16to company activities not related to specific product(s), for example customer service, community activities, and/or sponsorships. These general activities of the content provider14are also considered as part of the definition of products/services.

Referring toFIG. 3, shown is an example user interface of the service client application40configured as a profile screen40a(e.g. displayed on the user interface of their computer device100) for a member having their user account36with the media distribution service18. The profile screen40acan have the member name42a, listed user/member names44aof other members considered followers or fans (e.g. content consumers16for the member including their contact information such as phone number, email address, etc., listed user/member names46aof other members followed by the user (e.g. content providers14of which the member is selected as a content consumer16as respective media content12becomes available via the media distribution service18including their contact information such as phone number, email address, etc.), description48aof the user/member including for example profession (e.g. musician, other social media accounts associated with the user account, member contact information such as email account, telephone number, physical address, personal information such as but not limited to birth date), products or product types50afor sale (e.g. consumer products such as music content, consumer items, etc., member provided services, etc.) to associate with a particular media content12of the available media content52a, media content available52a(e.g. recent video streams); transaction account information54a(e.g. account number with a financial institution, a mobile wallet account, a debit or credit card account, etc.) with any required password information or login information (e.g. login password of the user/member account, passwords—for example PIN—for the transaction account), a service search function56a, a start/upload media content button/control58a(e.g. for selecting content consumers16as general broadcast or part of a specified group, for selecting media content12for upload to the media broadcast service18), any member news feeds60asubscribed to via the service18, a list of likes62areceived from members, and/or a menu64afor the menu options in order to coordinate changes/additions/deletions to the user information35of the user's account36, for example such as but not limited to any account settings, privacy settings, invitee list names/addresses, any other profile content as listed above, and/or transaction account settings (e.g. list of transaction account numbers, passwords/PINS), etc.

Referring toFIG. 4, shown is an example user interface of the service client application40configured as a broadcast screen40b(e.g. displayed on the user interface of their computer device100) for the member once they have selected for broadcast their media content12via the broadcast control58aof the profile screen40a(seeFIG. 3). The broadcast screen40bcan have a copy58bof the broadcasting (live via the service18) media content12in progress (e.g. a broadcast session that lasts as long as the media content12is broadcast via the service18and/or the service18accepts transactions sent from the content consumer(s)16associated with the broadcast media content12), a chat selection control52bfor viewing/hiding chats as well as for interacting with ongoing/initiated chats with other members of the service18, a block/report member control44bthat can be selected by the member to report or otherwise block selected members from the respective member's media content12, a set transaction value control50bfor setting a transaction amount for any product/service associated with the media content12being broadcast (e.g. as shown in the copy58b)—for example the transaction value control52bcan be used by the content provider14to set minimum transaction amount per activation of a transaction control66c(seeFIG. 5) or restrict the initial broadcast (or continued broadcast) of the media content12to paying members only (i.e. those listed in a paid list66b), and/or the paid list66bof fans/members that have sent funds for the product/service associated with the media content12. It is recognised that the media content12itself could be the product/service associated with the value control50b, for example a concert, presentation, performance, etc. Further, the broadcast screen40bcan have a viewer counter/name list46bfor the media content12being broadcast as represented in the copy58b. As such, the content provider14can manage via the broadcast screen40bthe media content12in current broadcast as well as the interactions with the other members (e.g. content consumers16) associated with the broadcast. For example, the content provider14can use the chat control52bto initiate or otherwise respond to a message with one or more of the content consumers16, can be kept informed by reported viewer names/counts via the control46band respective payments via the paid control66b(for example the content provider14can select from the control46bany content consumer(s)16to send network message(s) to (e.g. “how do you like the show?”, “thank you for your payment/contribution”, etc.), can block (e.g. instruct the service18to restrict broadcast of the media content12to the blocked content consumer16) selected content consumers16via the block control44b, and/or can adjust the value of the product service associated with the media content12via the value control50b.

Referring toFIG. 5, shown is an example user interface of the service client application40configured as a media display screen40c(e.g. displayed on the user interface of their computer device100) for the member (i.e. content consumer16) once they have received any broadcast of media content12from the content provider14(e.g. as invited by the broadcast provider14and/or as selected via the follower control46aof their profile screen40a(seeFIG. 3). The media display screen40ccan have display58cof the media content12(e.g. video stream) received from the content provider14via the service18, the transaction control66c(e.g. when activated by the content consumer16results in payment of the payment value being sent to the content provider14via the service18—such that the transaction amount and associated name/ID of the content consumer16is listed in the paid list66bof the broadcast screen40bof the content provider14), a like control62cfor activation by the content consumer16in order to populate a like by the content consumer16in the like control62a,bof the screens40a,40b(for example a like can be considered as a transaction of zero value from the content consumer16to the content provider14), viewer counter control46cfor listing the current/historical viewers (as content consumers16) of the media content12in the display58c(for example the content consumer16can select one or more viewers listed in the control46cin order to initiate a chat with the selected viewer member as coordinated via a chat bar control52c), a report control44cfor selection by the content consumer16in the event they consider the media content12of the display58cinappropriate, a fan control68cfor selecting by the content consumer16to become a fan of the media content12on display or to otherwise become a fan of the content provider14in general (e.g. activation of the fan control68cwould result in population of the member name/ID in the fans/followers list44aof the screen40aof the content provider14, and/or a close control70cfor ending the display if the media content12or otherwise closing the application screen40c.

As further described below, the transaction control66c(e.g. active button, link, etc) can display a fixed transaction amount that will be deposited into the transaction account of the content provider14from the transaction account of the content consumer16(as facilitated by a payment engine of the service18—further described below), once the control66cis activated by the content consumer16. Alternatively, the transaction control66ccan provide the ability for the content consumer16to specify a transaction amount and/or to display a total amount of transaction accumulated throughout the session as a consequence of multiple activations of the transaction control66c. Alternatively, the transaction control66ccan be configured to display and respond to a transaction request (for a transaction amount) sent directly to the content consumer16by the content provider14. The transaction amount can be a transaction amount suggestion that is simply accepted by the content consumer16, a generic transaction amount for any amount that can be set by the content consumer16in response to the transaction request/invitation by the content provider14, and/or a volunteer transaction amount initiated by the content consumer16prior to receipt of any transaction request by the content provider14. As such, it is recognised that the transaction (e.g. payment/financial) amount associated with the transaction control66ccan be fixed or variable, as set by the content provider14or content consumer16, as desired.

Disclosed herein is a system that marries mobile commerce with, as an example e-commerce, for media content12access (and products/services associated therewith) in ways never anticipated before while simultaneously addressing persistent issues in e-commerce: shopper confidence, access to marketplace buyers and sellers and abandoned sales.

The conventional industry approach to marrying mobile commerce and e commerce has been to make mobile devices web capable. This is to say that the general trend in the technology industry has been to develop technologies that allow a consumer (e.g. content consumer16) to browse and transact from websites via his/her mobile device. A standard e-commerce transaction allows a consumer to use a personal computer to access the Internet, browse to a website, shop online, fill out any forms that the seller (e.g. content provider14) needs to complete the transaction and finally pay for the transaction online. The embodiments disclosed herein make a mobile device complementary to a standard e-commerce transaction. This is done by providing the consumer to access a transaction platform4to facilitate the payment and form fill out components of the online transactions5, without the need for any transfer of transaction account information directly between the seller and the consumer.

In addition, some consumers are reluctant or unwilling to shop online due to real and perceived security concerns associated with directly exposing personal transaction account (e.g. financial accounts54a) information online or otherwise to the seller. The embodiments disclosed herein can provide consumers the ability to pay for purchases with the seller by interacting with the transaction5via his/her mobile device100, without the consumer exposing his/her transaction account information to the seller on a transaction per transaction basis. In addition, the payment engine38can expedite the transaction procedure by auto-populating any forms (of the seller) that are to be filled out as part of the transaction process associated with the transaction5.

The media distribution service18has the transaction engine38operating via a transaction interface39(e.g. transaction network11interface) for brokering transaction amounts between financial accounts of the content consumer(s)16and the content provider(s)14for payment transactions5settled via the transaction platform4(e.g. one or more financial institutions holding financial accounts of the content consumers16and content providers14, the financial accounts accessed via the financial account information54aof screen40a—seeFIG. 3). It is also recognised that the media distribution service18can also coordinate balances for any mobile wallets (a form of financial account administered by the transaction engine38) held by the content consumers16or content providers14with the media distribution service18, such that the transactions5can involve transfer of funds (e.g. transaction amounts based on activation of the transaction control66cofFIG. 5) between wallets, transfer of funds between transaction accounts held in the transaction platform4and/or transfer of funds between a transaction account held in the transaction platform4and a wallet held by the media distribution service18.

Further, the transaction engine38communicates via the communications network11with the transaction platform4that performs the settlement (e.g. debit of funds specified in the transaction5from the transaction account associated with the content consumer16and crediting of the funds in to a transaction account of the content provider14) of any required funds transfer in the transaction5between the transaction accounts (e.g. the seller account and the buyer account). It is recognized that the actual amount of debit and credit actions performed by the transaction platform4may not exactly match the transaction amount specified in the transaction5as populated by activation of the transaction control66c, due to applied service charges by the media distribution service18. For example, a transaction request of $5 from one transaction account to another transaction account could result in an actual debited amount of $5.02 (representing an included $0.02 service charge to the content consumer16) and/or an actual credited amount of $4.98 (representing an included $0.02 service charge to the content provider14). Therefore, it is anticipated that processing of the electronic transfer of the transaction5can involve a transaction service charge (optional) being charged to the content consumer16and/or the content provider14in order to complete the funds transfer of the transaction5.

Transaction5settlement can be defined as where the transaction amount (e.g. financial component of the transaction5) is transferred (via the transaction platform4as facilitated by the transaction engine38) from the one account to the other account, i.e. the credit and debit transactions of the transaction amount against the respective accounts are either performed (e.g. in real time) or promised to be performed (e.g. included in a batch transaction to be performed later in the day or following business day).

It is recognized that network11communication messages facilitating the processing of the transaction5are preferably between each of the client applications40(of the content consumer16and the content provider14and the transaction platform4directly (as brokered by the media distribution service18), rather than directly between the client applications40themselves (i.e. directly meaning without interaction with the transaction engine38). Therefore, in one embodiment, in the event that the client applications40need (e.g. request) information from one another, these request (and response) network11messages would go through the transaction engine38acting as an intermediary network interface39between the client applications40to effect any purchase transactions5. However, it is recognized that network11messaging directly between the client applications40can also be configured, for example for the purpose of gathering information relevant to generation and/or processing of the transaction5as desired.

Transaction Account Information54a(seeFIG. 5)—Sensitive information pertaining to the transaction Account of the content consumer16or the content provider14, including but not limited to account holder's name, a picture of the account holder, name of financial institution, account login information, account numbers, account balances, passwords and PIN numbers for accessing the account. It is recognized that the transaction account information54ais used by the transaction platform4(as provided by the transaction engine38) to access and effect the actual transfer of funds from the identified account of the content consumer16from the transaction account information54ato the identified account of the content provider14from the transaction account information54a.

The backend fulfillment process can be handled by the transaction platform4(e.g., delivery/pickup instructions, transaction processing, etc.), as authorized by the provided content consumer16transaction account information54aand associated login/authentication information (e.g. PIN) provided by the content consumer16(e.g. for transaction amounts over a specified threshold as configured in the account information54a) preferably via the mobile device100in network communications between the transaction engine38(via the transaction interface39) and the mobile device100(via client application40) in a network communication path on the network11that bypasses the client application40of the content provider14.

As can be appreciated, the environment10provides for the content provider14to broadcast media content12to a plurality of content consumers16simultaneously (e.g. as a general broadcast and/or to specified content consumers14belonging to a consumer group specified by the content provider14) and to therefore collect transaction amounts (via activation by each of the content consumers16of their transaction control66cprovided on their display screen40cby their client application40) for the content provider14from a plurality of the content consumers16(e.g. a many to one transaction amount collection, a group transaction amount collection, etc.). As can be appreciated, the transaction amount associated with the transaction control66ccan be preconfigured by the content provider14(e.g. a set price for the product/service associated with the media content12) and/or the transaction amount can be set or otherwise modified by the content consumer16(e.g. a tip amount or micro transaction for viewing the media content12provided as appreciation to the content provider14by the content consumer16). The transaction amount can be displayed on or otherwise associated with the transaction control66cdisplayed on the viewing screen40cof the content consumer16, such that the content consumer16is aware that activation of the transaction control66c(clicking the button) will result in sending of the displayed transaction amount to the content provider14(via the payment engine38).

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the environment10provides for the requestor (e.g. member14,16) of a transaction5to select a transaction amount that results in the transaction control (e.g. payment button) of the viewer's (e.g. member14,16) mobile application40to be configured to a preset transaction amount entered by the requestor. This can provide for the viewer being allowed to complete a transaction5for any goods or services offered by the broadcaster (e.g. content provider14) by activation of the displayed transaction control66c(seeFIG. 5), e.g. a single tap of the payment button. The environment10can be used for streaming video transactions, chat transactions and any other transaction wherein the requestor and viewer are in bilateral communications with one another via their computer applications40brokered by the media distribution service18.

The service18is configured so that a mobile payments infrastructure (e.g. transaction platform4with associated transaction engine38): recognizes the viewer and requestor by their username (member ID) in the system; is able to query both the requestors mobile payments profile54ato determine whether or not funds are available and if not is also able to process a payment through a payment gateway (e.g. transaction platform4) to a financial institution or telecommunications carrier.

Referring toFIGS. 1,2 and 6, the media content distribution framework10for sharing media content12over a network11and for coordinating transactions5associated with the shared media content12can at step200register by a registration engine32a plurality of content consumers16as members of the framework10by creating a respective profile account36for each content consumer16of the plurality of content consumers16, each respective profile account36including respective member information35including respective member identification (ID) and consumer transaction account information. At step202, the registration engine32can register a content provider14as member of the framework10by creating a respective profile account36for the content provider14including a respective member ID and provider transaction account information. At step204, the broadcast engine34can receive a broadcast session request over the network11from the content provider14including the media content12via a provider client application40coupled to the framework10(e.g. service18). At step206, the broadcast engine34broadcasts the media content12to the plurality of content consumers16over the network11for display on respective consumer computer user interfaces via respective consumer client applications40coupled to the service18. At step208, the transaction engine38receives a transaction amount from one or more of the plurality of content consumers16, the transaction amount resulting from activation of a transaction control66cdisplayed by the consumer client application40con the consumer computer interface, the transaction control66cassociated with the media content12and including a displayed transaction amount representing the transaction amount. At step210, sending over the network11a transaction request5for settlement to a transaction platform4, the transaction request5including the transaction amount, the provider transaction account information and the consumer transaction account information from the one or more of the plurality of content consumers16.

It is recognised that other functionality of the environment10can include: receive from the content provider14a selected member group from the plurality of content consumers16and restrict the broadcast session to the consumer client applications40cincluded in the selected member group; the provider client application40bcan have a broadcast screen for display on a provider computer user interface including a member selection control44afor restricting the broadcast session to the selected member group from the plurality of content consumers16; and the provider client application40bcan have a product selection control50bfor associating a product with the media content12. It is appreciated that the product can be the media content12. It is appreciated that the transaction amount can be for ownership of the product by the content consumer16and/or compensation for viewing of the media content12. It is also recognised that the content provider14can provide a set transaction amount for use as the displayed transaction amount.

The environment10can also include a method for receiving media content12shared over a network11and for coordinating transactions5associated with the shared media content12, the method executed on a computer system of the content consumer16using instructions stored on a storage for: registering as a content consumer member of a distribution service by obtaining a profile account with the distribution service, the profile account including member information including a member identification (ID) and consumer transaction account information; receiving notification on a user interface of the computer system of a broadcast session over the network from the distribution service for media content provided by a content provider; displaying a broadcast of the media content on the user interface via a consumer client application coupled to the distribution service; generating a transaction amount resulting from activation of a transaction control displayed by the consumer client application on the user interface, the transaction control associated with the media content and a displayed transaction amount representing the transaction amount; and sending over the network the transaction amount for subsequent settlement with a transaction platform as brokered by the distribution service.

The environment10can also include a method for broadcasting media content12shared over a network11and for coordinating transactions5associated with the shared media content12, the method executed on a computer system of the content provider14using instructions stored on a storage for: registering as a content provider member of a distribution service by obtaining a profile account with the distribution service, the profile account including member information including a member identification (ID) and provider transaction account information; submitting via a user interface of the computer system notification of a broadcast session over the network to the distribution service for media content provided by the content provider; sending the media content to the distribution service for subsequent display as a broadcast of the media content on a user interface of a consumer client application coupled to the distribution service; and receiving a transaction amount resulting from activation of a transaction control displayed by the consumer client application on the user interface of the consumer client application, the transaction control associated with the media content and including a displayed transaction amount representing the transaction amount.

Referring toFIG. 7, each computer device100for the content consumers16or the content providers14can be a wireless-enabled (e.g. WiFi, WAN, etc.) personal data assistant, or email-enabled wireless telephone, or a desktop computer terminal. In addition, the wireless communications are not limited to only facilitating transmission/broadcast/receipt of text data and can therefore be used to operate image data, audio data or multimedia data, for example, as desired.

As shown inFIG. 7, the computer device100comprises a communication network interface102, a user interface104, and a data processing system106in communication with the network interface102and the user interface104. The network interface102can include one or more antennas for wireless communication over the communications network11. Preferably, the user interface104comprises a data entry device (such as keyboard, microphone or writing tablet), and a display device (such as an LCD display). The display screen of the user interface104can be used to visually present a graphical user interface (GUI) of the client application40(e.g. dedicated app, browser, etc.) to the user for generating/viewing the media content12. The display screen can employ a touch screen display, in which case the user can manipulate (i.e. enter and/or modify/delete) transaction5related information, profile information35, as well as media content12related broadcast and viewing configuration.

The data processing system106includes a central processing unit (CPU)108, otherwise referred to as a computer processor, and a non-volatile memory storage device (e.g. DISC)110(such as a magnetic disc memory or electronic memory) and a read/write memory (RAM)112both in communication with the CPU108. The memory110includes data which, when loaded into the RAM, comprise processor instructions for the CPU108which define memory objects for allowing the computer100to communicate with one another and the media distribution service18server (e.g. engines32,34,36,38). The processor instructions for the CPU108will be discussed in greater detail below.

The CPU108is configured for execution of the application40(including for example some or all of the system functionality) for facilitating communication between the computer device100of the members14,16and the computer device100of the service18. For example, it is recognized that the application40is used to coordinate, as implemented by the CPU108, the generation, receipt, and processing of the media content12and the transaction5messaging. For example, the transaction application40can operate an imager118for capturing the media content12for submission to the media service18.

The CPU108facilitates performance of the computer device100configured for the intended task (e.g. of the respective module(s)32,34,36,38of service or the application40) through operation of the network interface102, the user interface104and other application programs/hardware (e.g. web browser made available) of the computer device100by executing task related instructions. These task related instructions can be provided by an operating system, and/or software applications located in memory, and/or by operability that is configured into the electronic/digital circuitry of the processor(s)108designed to perform the specific task(s), including operation of the modules associated with the functionality of the systems. Further, it is recognized that the device infrastructure106can include a computer readable storage medium110coupled to the processor108for providing instructions to the processor108and/or to load/update the instructions. The computer readable medium110can include hardware and/or software such as, by way of example only, memory cards such as flash memory or other solid-state memory.

Further, it is recognized that the computer device100can include the executable applications comprising code or machine readable instructions for implementing predetermined functions/operations including those of an operating system, the imager118, the modules32,34,36,38interface39and the application40, and the browser, for example. The processor108as used herein is a configured device and/or set of machine-readable instructions for performing operations as described by example above, including those operations as performed by any or all of the imager118, the modules32,34,36,38,39and the application40. As used herein, the processor108may comprise any one or combination of, hardware, firmware, and/or software. The processor108acts upon information by manipulating, analyzing, modifying, converting or transmitting information for use by an executable procedure or an information device, and/or by routing the information with respect to an output device. The processor108may use or comprise the capabilities of a controller or microprocessor, for example.

The data processing system106includes the imager118(e.g. a camera including an image sensor—e.g. CCD or CMOS sensor) suitable for capturing images of the media content12for display or otherwise presentation by the consumer16. The application40is configured to control the operation of the imager118to capture the images of the media content12, if desired, if so configured, for subsequent use in generating the transaction/payment request message5directed to the transaction service4. The storage110can also contain pre-recorded media content12for uploading to the media service18.

Further, it is recognized that the device100can include executable applications comprising code or machine readable instructions for implementing predetermined functions/operations including those of an operating system and the modules associated with any of the functionality of the systems for example. Preferably, the device100is a network server for the media service18, for example.