Abstract:
A method for facilitating the order of commercial products in connection with the display of media content, whereby a player comprises a media production component and an interactive e-commerce component embedded therein. The player with the e-commerce component can be virally copied and propagated from one web page to any number of other web pages.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/363,713, filed Jan. 30, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/024,829, filed Jan. 30, 2008, both of which applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to interactive media content distribution, and, more particularly, to the placement in a viral player of products associated with media content for interactive purchase. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Using conventional technology, e-commerce purchases are typically facilitated on the Internet by directing consumers to purchase products through specified websites. Specifically, a consumer on the Internet may be directed to a specific website via online advertising or sponsored links, where such websites describe specific products available for purchase, allow the consumer to choose a product for purchase, and direct the consumer to purchase the product through an e-commerce application from that website. Thus, one drawback with conventional technology is that it requires the consumer to navigate to a specific website to purchase a product, which can be time-consuming and discourage product purchases. 
         [0004]    Furthermore, using conventional technology, products advertised on the Internet are traditionally advertised through banner advertising, “clickable” ads, sponsored links, or the like. Such advertising can range from static graphical images to rich media content, permitting the user to “click” on the ad and be redirected to a new web page (either in a new browser window or a new tab in the user&#39;s browser) to display the product, describe the product, and provide a mechanism to facilitate the purchase through an e-commerce application through that website. If a user is watching and/or listening to media content when the purchase is desired, then it can be very distracting to have to navigate to another web page to purchase the product and, when attempting to return to the media content, the user may potentially lose the media content or lose the place in the media content requiring that the media content be re-started, frustrating a user and discouraging future purchases, and further resulting in lost revenues and business. 
         [0005]    Still further, with conventional technology, most product marketing on the Internet is achieved through banner advertising, “click-through” ads, or similar commercials run on a media player on a specific website. Although such ads can be placed on different websites through contractual arrangements with website owners and ad server networks, such ads are limited to specific areas designated for advertising on such websites, thereby limiting the scope of advertising to users who visit such specific websites, and further limiting such scope to the specific number of ad rolls associated with the traffic to such website or imposing other ad servicing provider limitations on the number of times such advertising for the product is presented on such websites, thereby restricting a user&#39;s opportunity to purchase the advertised product. 
         [0006]    Therefore, what is needed is a system and method for facilitating e-commerce transactions without requiring that a consumer navigate to another website to engage in a transaction for the purchase of a product, without excessively distracting a consumer when watching and/or listening to media content, without limiting the marketing of a product through ads in specific areas designated for advertising on specific websites, without limiting the scope of advertising to users who visit such specific websites, and without limiting the marketing of a product to a specific number of ad rolls or other ad servicing provider limitations on the number of times advertising for products is presented on such websites. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present invention, accordingly, permits a consumer to view a product in conjunction with a viral player, and to select the product for purchase within the player, rather than be redirected to a separate website. There is thus no longer a need to go to a specific website to purchase a product; the viral player acts as the vehicle to facilitate the “front-end” of the purchase. 
         [0008]    Furthermore, products can be displayed in connection with specified content at the player level—the present invention brings the e-commerce “store” directly to the user, rather than directing the user to a specified website. Specifically, the player can run media content within the player frame, with associated products listed in a separate area of the player that the user can “click” on to facilitate the purchase through the e-commerce platform back-end. Essentially, the user is able to view and purchase a product within the player while watching or listening to media content, thereby bringing the ability to facilitate the sale of a product as part of the rich media experience. 
         [0009]    Still further, products may be marketed “virally”, permitting content owners to monetize content. In accordance with the present invention, the syndicated e-commerce player is designed to be embeddable so that users can place it in emails to friends, on social networking sites (e.g. Facebook, MySpace, Google Buzz, Yelp, etc.), or other websites, thereby permitting the syndicated e-commerce player to be distributed virally on the Internet. As a result, the products that are listed in the syndicated e-commerce player can be marketed virally without such restrictions, directly to potential consumers who will be able to view or listen to the media content of the syndicated e-commerce player and immediately purchase the associated product(s) from within the syndicated e-commerce player without being redirected from the media experience. 
         [0010]    In one preferred embodiment, the present invention achieves the aforementioned features in a method for facilitating the purchase of commercial products in connection with the display of media content, whereby a player comprises a media production component and an interactive e-commerce component embedded therein. The player with the e-commerce component can be virally copied and propagated from one web page to any number of other web pages. 
         [0011]    In another preferred embodiment, a player frame is generated in a first web page. At least a first portion of the player frame is reserved for said media content, and at least a second portion of the player frame is reserved for an interactive e-commerce component. Code is embedded in the player frame for retrieving the media content and placing the media content in the first portion of said player, and code is embedded in the player frame for retrieving the interactive e-commerce component and placing the interactive e-commerce component in the second portion of the player. The player frame may then be virally copied and propagated from one web page to any number of other web pages. 
         [0012]    A system for implementing the sale of a product in connection with the display of media content includes an enterprise nucleus, and one or more syndicated e-commerce applications coupled in data communication to the enterprise nucleus. The one or more syndicated e-commerce applications include an input terminal for facilitating entry of data by a user and an output terminal for communicating data to a user. An e-commerce platform is coupled in data communication to the enterprise nucleus for facilitating the purchase of products. 
         [0013]    The system preferably includes at least one content distribution network (CDN) and at least one advertising network, both of which are coupled in data communication to the enterprise nucleus. 
         [0014]    The enterprise nucleus of the system further preferably includes a computer having at least a processor and a memory operably coupled to the processor, the memory being configured for storing a computer program executable by the processor, the computer program being configured for performing steps of receiving from one of said one or more e-commerce applications a request for at least one of media, products, and offers, and for transmitting said request to at least one of said CDN and said advertising network; receiving from said at least one of said CDN and said advertising network said at least one of media, products, and offers and for transmitting said at least one of media, products, and offers to said one of said one or more e-commerce applications; receiving from said one of said one or more e-commerce applications a registration ID and a purchase order, and for transmitting said registration ID and a purchase order to said e-commerce platform; and for receiving from said e-commerce platform transaction data relating to said registration ID and a purchase order, and for transmitting said transaction data to said one of said one or more e-commerce applications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a high level block diagram exemplifying data flow in an interactive product placement system embodying features of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 2 and 3  exemplify an interface application wireframe utilizing standard embed code for calling into remote online destinations; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  exemplifies a syndicated e-commerce interface application wireframe utilizing standard embed code into remote online destinations; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 5 and 6  exemplify an implementation embodiment of a syndicated e-commerce interface application wireframe for implementing features of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart exemplifying logic utilized in the invention; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 8-10  exemplify alternate embodiments of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known elements have been illustrated in schematic or block diagram form in order not to obscure the present invention in unnecessary detail. Additionally, for the most part, details concerning the Internet, HTML (including HTML5), HTTP, HTTPS, SWF, XML, PHP, Adobe Flash, FLV, and the like have been omitted inasmuch as such details are not considered necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present invention, and are considered to be within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art. 
         [0023]    It is noted that, unless indicated otherwise, all functions described herein may be performed by a processor such as a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic data processor, a computer, or the like, in accordance with code, such as program code, software, integrated circuits, and/or the like that are coded to perform such functions. Furthermore, it is considered that the design, development, and implementation details of all such code would be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art based upon a review of the present description of the invention. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, the reference numeral  100  generally designates an interactive content distribution system embodying features of the present invention. The system  100  includes an enterprise nucleus  102  configured as a hub for controlling all operations of the systems  100 , discussed in further detail below. Coupled to the enterprise nucleus  102  are one or more syndicated e-commerce applications  104 , a content management system (“CMS”)  106 , advertising networks  108 , and an e-commerce platform  110 . 
         [0025]    The syndicated e-commerce applications  104  coupled to the enterprise nucleus  102  include e-commerce applications  105  in which the end-users are not registered with the e-commerce platform  110  and e-commerce applications  107  in which the end-users are registered with the e-commerce platform  110 . The syndicated e-commerce applications  105  and  107  include, by way of example but not limitation, mobile device applications for mobile devices (e.g., iPhone, smartphones running the Android operating system, portable gaming platforms such as Nintendo DS), social media applications (e.g., FaceBook, MySpace, Google Buzz), syndicated media player applications, syndicated store applications, applications written for game consoles (e.g., X-box, Playstation, Nintendo, Wii), Internet protocol television (“IPTV”), and any device and/or platform that would allow insertion of syndicated e-commerce applications and conduct the syndicated e-commerce process discussed below. Each of the unregistered e-commerce applications  105  are preferably coupled, either directly (e.g., cable, satellite, fiber optic) or via a communication network (e.g., the Internet, VPN, cellular communications network)  114 , to a secure data decryption server (“SDDS”)  116 , which SDDS is in turn coupled to the e-commerce platform  110 , described in further detail below. Each of the registered e-commerce applications  107  are preferably coupled, either directly or via a communication network (e.g., the Internet, cellular communications network)  116 , to the enterprise nucleus  102 . 
         [0026]    The CMS  106  includes an encoding server  120  coupled to the enterprise nucleus  102  and to a third party content distribution network (“CDN”)  121 . The CDN  121  is preferably coupled to one or more edge servers  122 , such as provided by Akamai, which provide an interface, via a communication network (e.g., the Internet)  124 , between the CDN  124  and one or more content providers (not shown). Content provided by the CMS  106  includes, by way of example but not limitation, motion pictures, motion picture trailers, video, and audio. 
         [0027]    The advertisement (“ad”) networks  108  include a third-party advertisement server  126  (e.g., Ad-Tech) coupled to the enterprise nucleus  102 , and one or more ad networks  128  (e.g., AdMob, Tremor Media, and LC?). The ad networks  108  provide, by way of example but not limitation, products lists showing which products are associated or correlated with at least one item associated with or displayed in certain media, and other product information, such as pricing, availability, and the like. 
         [0028]    The e-commerce platform  110  includes an enterprise e-commerce system  138  coupled to the enterprise nucleus  102 . One or more payment gateways  140  (e.g., Paypal), accounting systems  142 , and fulfillment centers  144  are coupled to the enterprise e-commerce system  138 . One or more warehouse management systems  146  are connected to each fulfillment center  144 . The enterprise e-commerce system  138  is further preferably coupled to the SDDS  116  for receiving registration application data from the e-commerce application  105 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  exemplifies a player frame  200  embodying features of the invention. The frame  200  preferably includes a header  202  and footer  204 , as well as a number of sub-frames  206  sandwiched between the header and footer. The sub-frames  206  may be configured for displaying account information, categories, products, featured products, featured offer, a shopping cart, total charges, and additional links (e.g., About Us, Shipping, Returns, Privacy &amp; Security, Conditions of Use, Contact Info, Gift Voucher FAQ). 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  exemplifies an alternate embodiment of player frame with videocontent, advertisements, and an e-commerce component overlaid on the player frame, along with viral tools. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  exemplifies a player base frame  400  having an main frame  402 , subframe  404  configured for a video production (not part of the base frame), and a subframe  406  configured for an e-commerce application (not part of the base frame). The player base frame  400  also includes embed code (not shown), such as HTML code, for retrieving media content from the CMS  106 , ad content and a product list from the ad networks  108 , and an e-commerce component of the player from the enterprise nucleus  102 , as discussed in further detail below. The player base frame  400 , with the embed code for retrieving media content, ad content, and an e-commerce component, may be virally copied and propagated from one web page to any number of other web pages on the Internet. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 5 and 6  exemplify a player  500  built on the player base frame of  FIG. 4 , as it would be displayed, for example, on a computer monitor (not shown). The player  500  preferably includes media content (e.g., video, motion picture, audio)  502  presented within the subframe  404  (using, e.g., Flash encoding) and a syndicated e-commerce component in the subframe  504 . The e-commerce component is configured to be an interface between a user and the e-commerce platform  110  and the SDDS  116  (discussed below with respect to steps  714 - 738  of  FIG. 7 ), and is preferably built on custom encoding, and preferably includes a product list  504  ( FIG. 5 ) and a media play list  506  ( FIG. 6 ) integrated therein for use by a user. The product list  504  preferably displays products  508  that correspond to products being used in the media production  502 , which products which may be selected for purchase through the interactive e-commerce component in the subframe  504 . The media play list  506  preferably displays a number of media from which a user may select to view or listen to in the media production  502 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  depicts a flow chart  700  exemplifying one preferred embodiment for using the invention. In step  702 , a user engages an e-commerce application  104 , and in step  704 , a user requests (e.g., via the media play list  506 ) media content (e.g., video, audio, game) with which to be presented. The e-commerce application  104  then generates a request for same along with associated products and product offers, and transmits the request to the enterprise nucleus  102  which forwards same to the CMS server  106  and ad server  108 . In step  706 , the CMS server  106  retrieves the requested media content and the ad server  108  retrieves ad content (i.e., products and product offers) associated with the media content. In step  708 , the requested media content along with associated ad content is transmitted to the e-commerce application  104 , and in step  710 , same is received by the e-commerce application. In step  712 , the media content is presented for display to the user via the media production window  502 , and associated ad content is presented in the sub-frame  406 . 
         [0034]    While viewing the media content, if a user/viewer should see an item or product that the user/viewer would find desirable to have, then in step  714 , the user/viewer may engage the e-commerce component  504  to place an order for the product. In step  716 , a determination is made whether the user is registered with the e-commerce platform to order the product. If it is determined at step  716  that the user is registered, then execution proceeds to step  717  in which the e-commerce application  104  generates a message comprising the user&#39;s registration data and purchase order and forwards same to the e-commerce platform  110 . If it is determined at step  716  that the user is not registered, then execution proceeds to step  718  in which the user is prompted to provide information to become registered to purchase the product. In step  720 , the user&#39;s registration application data is encrypted and transmitted to a secure data decryption server (SDDS), and in step  722 , the encrypted data is decrypted and forwarded to the e-commerce platform  110 . 
         [0035]    At step  724 , the e-commerce platform receives the registration data and checks to determine whether the user has an existing account. In step  726 , if the user has an existing account, then execution proceeds to step  730 ; otherwise, execution proceeds to step  728 . At step  728 , the registration application data is processed and an account is setup in the name of the user, and execution proceeds to step  730 . At step  730 , payment for the product to be purchased is processed, and at step  732 , a determination is made whether to post or deny the transaction. If the transaction is denied, a report of same is transmitted to the e-commerce application  104 . If the transaction is posted, then in step  734  the fulfillment center  144  in conjunction with the warehouse management system  146  is instructed to fill the order and a report of same is transmitted to the e-commerce application  104 . 
         [0036]    In step  736 , the e-commerce application  104  receives the report that the transaction was either denied or posted and presents same to the user, and the transaction is terminated at step  738 . At step  740 , the user resumes viewing or listening to the media content. 
         [0037]    It is understood that the present invention may take many forms and embodiments. Accordingly, several variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. For example,  FIG. 8  shows a system  800  in which the third party ad server  130  may be coupled directly to the third party CDN;  FIG. 9  shows a system  900  in which the third party ad server  130  may be coupled directly to the CMS edge servers  122 ; and  FIG. 10  shows a system  1000  in which the third party ad server  130  may be coupled in any combination of ways depicted by  FIGS. 1 ,  8 , and  9 , and in particular, directly to the enterprise nucleus  102  and CMS edge servers  122 . 
         [0038]    Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.