Method and apparatus for digital shopping

• US 20040109087A1
• Filed: 03/21/2003
• Published: 06/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Digital Network Shopping, LLC
• Original Assignee: Digital Network Shopping, LLC
• Inventors: Robinson, Maryse, Thomas, John G.
• Application Number:
  US10/393,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20040109087A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/461
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47815 Electronic shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV

Abstract

Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are methods and apparatus incorporating, among other things, the concept of using, in particular but without limitation, traditionally non-commercial programming as a medium for selling products or services on-line, and again in particular over the Internet. Using this concept, for example, items used for props or settings of a scene in motion picture programming are made electronically identifiable by a viewer of the programming, and thereby enabling a viewer to determine the source or location of the goods or setting or other thing for sale, using an electronic system deployed in part as a portion of the viewer'"'"'s television viewing equipment. Using this concept, for example, a user viewing a soap opera is able to use a hand held device to electronically point to a dress or item of jewelry worn by an actress, and selects the dress or jewelry. In turn, the user is taken to a web site that offers the dress for sale. This concept can also be used to find, for example but without limitation, travel packages to a locale featured in a motion picture program, or the names of hotels or lodging near by. Using this particular concept of the invention, traditionally non-commercial programming can be efficiently used to indirectly advertise goods or services and offer them for sale on-line.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

producing a motion picture programming with at least one element in at least one scene of the motion picture programming;

recording digital information about the element;

broadcasting the motion picture programming;

receiving the broadcast and displaying the motion picture programming on a television display;

in response to viewing the motion picture programming on the television display, a viewer electronically selecting the element shown in the at least one scene; and

using the recorded digital information, linking the viewer to a web site containing information about the element.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the element is an item worn by a live actor in the motion picture programming.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the item is selected from the group of:

a item of jewelry, a garment or an accessory.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the element is a hairstyle, hairpiece or cosmetic worn by a live actor in the motion picture programming.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the element is a prop used in the motion picture programming.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the prop is selected from the group of:

a home furnishing, home decoration, fixture or appliance.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the element is a real world setting.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the real world setting is selected from the group of:

city location, rural location, beach location or water location.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the element is a device used in the motion picture programming.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the device is selected from the group of:

an automobile, household appliance, tool or consumer product.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein the information is recorded during the editing process of the motion picture programming.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein the information is recorded after the motion picture programming is shot but before the broadcast of the motion picture programming.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the information is recorded prior to the motion picture programming being shot.

14. A method according to claim 1 wherein the information broadcast with the motion picture programming.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the information is included with an analog television signal carrying the motion picture programming.

16. A method according to claim 14 wherein the information is included with a digital television signal carrying the motion picture programming.

17. A method according to claim 14 wherein the motion picture programming is stored in a digital format for broadcasting, and the information is stored as part of the digital motion picture programming data.

18. A method according to claim 1 wherein the information is stored separately from the motion picture programming.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the information is referenced after a viewer selects an item and used to identify which element the viewer has chosen.

20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the information specifies the location of the element in a scene of the motion picture programming.