AUTOMATED REWARD MECHANISM FOR GRAPHIC CONTENT SELECTION

Aspects automatic provide compensation in response to graphic item selection. in response to a selection by a viewing user of a graphic item visible within an image published on an interactive web-based service, aspects analyze text content posted on the interactive web-based service in association with the published image to identify a reference by the viewing user to the graphic item within the analyzed text content. In response to determining that the selection of the item is associated with a reference by the viewing user to the graphic item within the analyzed text content, an item selection action defined for the graphic item is executed and a reward value is provided to another, different user that published the image on the interactive web-based service.

BACKGROUND

Web-based interactive networking services allow users to read content as well as generate content via posting or sharing (and thereby publishing or otherwise spreading) a wide variety of text, visual and audio content with other users and readers. Interactive networking services comprehend a variety of public or private networked resources, including social networking services, an electronic commerce (“ecommerce”) web page storefront that offers items for sale and posts comments or reviews from viewers in association with offered items, web-based posting forums, bulletin boards, diaries and logs (“blogs”), news feeds, wiki sites, media web sites, shared storage devices and systems, interactive web pages, spreadsheets, web-based documents, etc.

Online social network services comprehend a variety of media, network and site infrastructures that connect users to other individuals and groups. Social networking services may encourage users to engage in extended dialogues through commentary applications associated with user item postings, such as a photograph or still image, video and audio media content, web link citations, etc. Such forums transform users from passive consumers of digital content to publishers of the content spread thereon, and a given posted item may be effectively published to a large number of other users, in proportion to amounts of sharing and commentary activity that the posting generates.

On-line publication activity may result in remuneration of rewards and other valuable consideration to content providers, in consideration for generating measured viewing activity by other users or viewers of an interactive web-based service. For example, advertisements may be added to or otherwise associated with a published posting, wherein the posting user is paid a fixed fee for each new view of the posting by another, unique person, sometimes referred to as a “page view.” Affiliate marketing is a type of performance-based marketing in which a business rewards one or more affiliates for each visitor or customer brought in, as determined by unique page views of said visitors or customers.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present invention, a computerized method for automatic content generator compensation in response to graphic item selection includes executing steps on a computer processor. Thus, a computer processor, in response to a selection by a viewing user of a graphic item that is visible within an image published on an interactive web-based service, analyzes text content posted on the interactive web-based service in association with the published image to identify a reference by the viewing user to the graphic item within the analyzed text content. In response to determining that the selection of the graphic item is associated with a reference by the viewing user to the graphic item within the analyzed text content, an item selection action defined for the graphic item is executed. In response to the execution of the item selection action defined for the graphic item, a reward value is provided to another user that published the image on the interactive web-based service, wherein the another user is different from the viewing user that selected the graphic item and posted the analyzed text content.

In another aspect, a system has a hardware processor in circuit communication with a computer readable memory and a computer-readable storage medium having program instructions stored thereon. The processor executes the program instructions stored on the computer-readable storage medium via the computer readable memory and thereby, in response to a selection by a viewing user of a graphic item that is visible within an image published on an interactive web-based service, analyzes text content posted on the interactive web-based service in association with the published image to identify a reference by the viewing user to the graphic item within the analyzed text content. In response to determining that the selection of the graphic item is associated with a reference by the viewing user to the graphic item within the analyzed text content, an item selection action defined for the graphic item is executed. In response to the execution of the item selection action defined for the graphic item, a reward value is provided to another user that published the image on the interactive web-based service, wherein the another user is different from the viewing user that selected the graphic item and posted the analyzed text content.

In another aspect, a computer program product for automatic content generator compensation in response to graphic item selection has a computer-readable storage medium with computer readable program code embodied therewith. The computer readable hardware medium is not a transitory signal per se. The computer readable program code includes instructions for execution which cause the processor to, in response to a selection by a viewing user of a graphic item that is visible within an image published on an interactive web-based service, analyzes text content posted on the interactive web-based service in association with the published image to identify a reference by the viewing user to the graphic item within the analyzed text content. In response to determining that the selection of the graphic item is associated with a reference by the viewing user to the graphic item within the analyzed text content, an item selection action defined for the graphic item is executed. In response to the execution of the item selection action defined for the graphic item, a reward value is provided to another user that published the image on the interactive web-based service, wherein the another user is different from the viewing user that selected the graphic item and posted the analyzed text content.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Characteristics are as follows:

Service Models are as follows:

Deployment Models are as follows:

Workloads layer90provides examples of functionality for which the cloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads and functions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping and navigation91; software development and lifecycle management92; virtual classroom education delivery93; data analytics processing94; transaction processing95; and processing96according to embodiments for automatic content generator compensation in response to graphic item selection as depicted inFIGS. 4-6as described below.

FIG. 3is a schematic of an example of a programmable device implementation10according to an aspect of the present invention, which may function as a cloud computing node within the cloud computing environment ofFIG. 2. Programmable device implementation10is only one example of a suitable implementation and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the invention described herein. Regardless, programmable device implementation10is capable of being implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forth hereinabove.

FIG. 4illustrates a process or system according to the present invention for automatic content generator compensation in response to graphic item selection. At102an image (photograph, graphic illustration, video segment, etc.) is posted, uploaded or otherwise published to viewers of the interactive web-based service by a first (“posting”) user, wherein the image comprises a visible representation of a specific graphic item as defined by the unique set of visual data values. A visible representation of the specific graphic item is one wherein the scale of the specified item relative to the size or zoom of published image is sufficient in size, and the image data is sufficiently focused, that the item is distinctly legible by a viewer of the published image from other graphic elements within the image.

Examples of the visual data defining the specific graphic item include pixel data values, and optionally specific and distinctive color tone data values, that distinguish the item from other elements or image data visible within photographs, video segment image data and other graphic composition publications displayed (published) to users on a graphic display device of a smart phone, computer device, etc. Distinguishing elements includes distinguishing between different visual elements, such as between different people visible in a picture wherein visible people may be identified and distinguished from each other from differences in visual data used to depict each person, as well as distinguishing attributes of object elements (clothing items, sporting equipment, transportation items, etc.) from people and other objects, and from general contextual visual image data, such as surrounding pixel data defining image background or foreground elements that include sky, water, walls, forest, grass, floors, and other visual elements.

Sets of visual data defining the specified graphic item and other elements within an image publication may also be recognized or identified via metadata. For example, people or objects may be tagged as discrete visual elements with identification data by users viewing published graphic items, and visual data sets used to render the tagged item thereby defined for recognition of the item in other publications.

In the case of a social networking service, the image is generally published at102in response to upload or posting to an account application of the first user, wherein other users have access to the published image, and it is automatically shared with the other users, as a function of linking relationships of the other users to the first user as defined by the social networking service. Illustrative but not limiting or exhaustive examples of linking relationships defined within social networking services include friends, relatives, business colleagues, referral network members, school classmates, etc.

At104, in response to a selection of the specified graphic item within the published image by a second (“viewing”) user of the interactive networking service via a graphical user interface (GUI) routine selection action, aspects analyze text content posted by a second, viewing user in association with the published image (a comment, a review, a blog entry, etc.) to identify any reference by the second user to the specified graphic item within the posted text content. Comments by the second user on the published image are generally posted and published in association with the image to other users of the interactive web-based service within a separate comment window, widget or application that is associated with a display of the published item.

Examples of selection of the specified graphic item at104include a manual selection by a viewing user through a “clicking” on the item as displayed via a mouse, cursor, touch screen or other GUI selection procedure, or via a voice selection command identified by natural language processing (“select the yellow shirt”), and still other selection routines will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

Identifying references by the second user to the specified graphic item within the posted text content generally involves text analysis that searches for a name of the specified graphic item (“Fred, “polo shirt”, etc.) or type or category or other identifying indicia (“Fred's clothing,” “her top”, “yellow garment”, etc.). Thus, a text analysis application executing on a processing unit cognitively and contextually analyzes metadata of the image and the text content of the comment to identify associations or relationships of terms and phrases within the comments to the specified graphic item.

At106, in response to determining (recognizing, etc.) that the selection of the specified graphic item at106is associated with (occurs in the context of) a reference by the second user to the specified graphic item within the posted text content, an item selection action defined for the specified graphic item is executed. Illustrative but not limiting or exhaustive examples of actions defined for execution include incrementing a click counter that is used to determine rewards for price-per-click reward systems; redirecting a browser or other executing application of the second user from a current (“first”) website that is publishing the graphic data including the selectable graphic item to another (“second”) website, such as one with more information on the specified graphic item provided by a vendor, a wiki resource, etc.; to a social media account website for an entity associated with the specified graphic item (an advertiser, producer, retailer, wholesaler, etc.) in order to enable the second user of the item to “follow” the entity on the relevant social media service (to receive activity notifications or messages from the entity in a news feed application, etc.); to an e-commerce portal website that enables the second user to directly execute a purchase of a product represented by the specified graphic item; and still other redirections and defined actions will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

At108a reward value or other valuable consideration is provided to the first (posting) user in response to the execution of the item selection action at106. For example, the reward may be defined as a price-per-click fee paid by an advertiser commercially promoting or marketing the specified graphic item, in some examples to both the social network provider publishing the graphic image (as is conventional in the prior art), and also to the first posting user, regardless and independent of any relationship to or agreement with the social network provider publishing the graphic image or to a content provider generating the image.

Thus, aspects of the present invention extend traditional price-per-click marketing agreements and revenue opportunities to the public at-large, wherein rewards for clicking on defined published content are not limited to only those entities under formal agreement with marketers providing the rewards. Aspects create a wiki-like advertising structure that greatly and rapidly scales-up conventional marketing efforts associated with the specified graphic item, through the help and participation of users of the social media network or other interactive web-based service.

Rewards may be conveyed automatically to the posting, first user at108, without requiring prior or formal agreement by the first user to terms defining actions and responsibilities of the first user in order to receive the reward values. Thus, aspects provide additional advantages over prior art marketing agreements. As more interactive web-based service users of their own initiative and volition post, share or re-post image publications that include discernible representations of the specified graphic item, along with text content discussing or otherwise calling attention to the specified graphic item, marketing efforts proportionately expand, grow and mushroom in an organic, natural process that requires little or no effort by an advertising entity, merely the remuneration of price-per-click reward values to each of the posting users.

In some aspects, reward values at108may be differentiated, or limited or conditional upon meeting a threshold for determining a successful or complete execution of the action triggered at106. For example, rewards granted to the posting first user may be conditional on verifying that the second user's browser completes a redirection to and engages the second website, via a click log or other history that indicates a field or radio button is subsequently selected on the second website confirming that the user actually viewed and read the second site to determine content therein; or that the second user added the specified graphic item to a shopping cart on the e-commerce portal, or completed a purchase of the specified graphic item once added to the shopping cart; or that the second user “likes” or “follows” the specified graphic item or other associated entity.

FIG. 5illustrates another embodiment of the present invention that incorporates elements of the process ofFIG. 4. Thus, subsequent to the step of analyzing text content posted by a second (“posting”) user in association with a published image to identify references to a specified graphic item within the posted text content (at104,FIG. 4), at202, in response to determining that the selection of the specified graphic item is associated with a reference by the second user to the specified graphic item within the posted text content, a person depicted in the image that is associated with the specified graphic item within the published image is identified (for example, via facial recognition processes, parsing metadata tags, etc.). Accordingly, at204reward values are provided to the first (posting) user and to the person depicted in association with the item, in response to execution of the item selection action by the viewing (second) user.

Association determination at202may distinguish between different people depicted in the published image, wherein only persons determined to be associated with the item receive rewards at204, and no other, remaining people identifiable within the published image that are not associated with the item.

Determining association of a person with the specified graphic item at202may be dependent on an attribute (type, category, nature, etc.) of the item. Thus, if the specified graphic item is apparel, the association may be a determination that the depicted person is wearing the item, as distinguished from other persons visible within the image that are not wearing the item. If the specified graphic item is a sporting good item, the association may be a determination that the depicted person is physically engaging the item, for example, holding, kicking, hitting, throwing, operating, using, riding or otherwise interacting with the item. Thus, if the specified graphic item is a transportation item (bicycle, skateboard, automobile, jet ski, etc.), the association may a determination that the depicted person is riding on or operating the transportation item.

Aspects provide marketing advantages over prior art techniques, providing reward mechanisms that are not limited by prior agreement or relationship with content creators or publishers, encouraging the public at large to generate, post and comment on items within image publications that include the specified graphic item along with their own image and likeness, in consideration for realizing rewards from the comments and posting activities of friends, associates and other viewing users of the networking service publishing the image. Advertising campaigns may arise and spread organically, via the actions of the depicted persons and the posting users alone, without direction (or associated management efforts and costs) required or borne by an advertising entity. The only costs incurred may be for reward fees paid in response to successful marketing by the first users and the depicted persons, wherein the success of the efforts is evidenced by the selection and comment activities of the viewing users.

FIG. 6illustrates an example wherein a photographic image301is published on a social network service by a first, posting user. The photograph301includes discernible images of three different people depicted therein (302,304, and306), and apparel items (shirts or tops) worn by each of them respectively (312,314and316). Included within the discernible objects is a graphic item specifically defined as a function of visual data values (at102ofFIG. 4orFIG. 5): namely, the shirt312worn by a first of the depicted persons302, which is defined by including a visual pixel data defining the logo320that is visible on the front of the shirt312in the photo301.

Thus, in response to a GUI selection of the specified graphic item312within the published image301by the viewing user (via a click or other selection input while the cursor303is located upon the shirt312, aspects of the present invention analyze text content305posted by the viewing user in association with the published image301(at104ofFIG. 4orFIG. 5). The text comment content305is published to social network service users having permission to view the photo301within a comment window307.

Said analysis identifies (at106ofFIG. 4, or202ofFIG. 5) the phrase “CORPNAME shirt”309as a reference to the specified graphic item312that is visible within the photo301, for example in response to metadata listing the entity name (“CORPNAME”) and a type or category of the specified graphic item312as “shirt” or “apparel” (where shirt and apparel are recognized as equivalent or related terms.)

Thus, in response to determining that the selection of the specified graphic item via the cursor303is associated with the reference309by the viewing user to the specified graphic item312within the posted text content305, aspects of the present invention execute item selection action defined for the specified graphic item312and provide reward values to the first posting user who published (posted, liked, shared, etc.) the photo301on the social network service.

Aspects may also identify (at202,FIG. 5) the depicted person302as associated with the specified graphic item312, in response to determining: that the graphic item312is an item of apparel; that only depicted persons wearing items of apparel are considered associated with apparel items for purposes of providing rewards to persons depicted in association with the item in response to execution of item selection action by other viewing users (at204,FIG. 5); and that person302is depicted within photo301as wearing the specified graphic item312. In contrast, the other depicted persons304and306are determined to be not wearing the graphic item312, but instead other shirts314and316(that are distinguished from the specified item312as a function of their omission of the logo320), and therefore they are not provided with rewards in response to execution of item selection action by other viewing users (at204,FIG. 5).

Identifying graphic image elements may be accomplished by a variety of techniques. Examples may apply facial recognition processes to the image data to identify the names of users or other persons depicted within the image data photos, or recognizing or decoding tagging or other metadata associated with the image data that identifies the person in photo data, wherein the associated comments are selected in response to including references to the identified names, or determining that said users uploaded published image data.

Attributes of a specified graphic item may also be considered in combination to distinguish and identify text comment data associated therewith, and general or generic comments regarding the specified graphic item thereby associated to the selected, specified graphic. For example, referring again toFIG. 6, text content that includes a generic descriptor term “shirt” that is applicable to the specified graphic item312, considered with an identification indicia of the person302depicted as wearing the shirt312(for example, “Fred”), may identify (at106ofFIG. 4, or202ofFIG. 5) a text content reference to the selected, specified graphic item312.

The terminology used herein is for describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “include” and “including” when used in this specification specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Certain examples and elements described in the present specification, including in the claims and as illustrated in the figures, may be distinguished or otherwise identified from others by unique adjectives (e.g. a “first” element distinguished from another “second” or “third” of a plurality of elements, a “primary” distinguished from a “secondary” one or “another” item, etc.) Such identifying adjectives are generally used to reduce confusion or uncertainty, and are not to be construed to limit the claims to any specific illustrated element or embodiment, or to imply any precedence, ordering or ranking of any claim elements, limitations or process steps.