Method, system and apparatus for media distribution and viewing verification

• US 20050038749A1
• Filed: 12/20/2002
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thinking Pictures, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Thinking Pictures, Inc.
• Inventors: Fitch, Stephan J, Segalowitz, David S
• Application Number:
  US10/499,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20050038749A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/45 for identifying users
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/46 for recognising users' preferences
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/52 of users
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25883 being end-user demographical data, e.g. age, family status or address arrangements for identifying locations of users in broadcast systems H04H60/52
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41415 involving a public display, viewable by several users in a public space outside their home, e.g. movie theatre, information kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42201 biosensors, e.g. heat sensor for presence detection, EEG sensors or any limb activity sensors worn by the user input arrangements for interaction with the human body based on nervous system activity detection G06F3/015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/441 Acquiring end-user identification , e.g. using personal code sent by the remote control or by inserting a card
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44218 Detecting physical presence or behaviour of the user, e.g. using sensors to detect if the user is leaving the room or changes his face expression during a TV program methods or arrangements for recognising human body or animal bodies or body parts G06V40/10; methods or arrangements for acquiring or recognising human faces, facial parts, facial sketches, facial expressions G06V40/16; methods or arrangements for recognising movements or behaviour G06V40/20; arrangements for identifying users in broadcast systems H04H60/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4784 receiving rewards
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8153 comprising still images, e.g. texture, background image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/162 Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method, system and apparatus for media distribution and/or viewing verification. In one embodiment of the present invention, media content is stored in a database. Media content from the database is arranged into a schedule and displayed on a display unit. In one embodiment, the display unit comprises a flat panel display with stereo speakers placed in a wall in approximately the same space as is occupied by a traditional movie poster display case. In one embodiment, the display unit is retro-fitted to a traditional movie poster display case. In one embodiment, a display unit has a sensor unit. One embodiment has motion sensors used in determining whether the display is being viewed. Another embodiment has video sensors used in determining whether the display is being viewed and/or determining the number of viewers. Another embodiment has a card reader sensor used to gather information about a viewer. Another embodiment has a touch-screen monitor used to gather information from a viewer.

Claims

1. A method for media distribution comprising:

storing a plurality of media content in a database;

generating a play schedule for a display unit; and

displaying elements of said plurality of media content at said display unit in accordance with said play schedule.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

collecting a set of environmental data at said display unit.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

altering said play schedule in response to said set of environmental data.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said environmental data comprises demographic information.

5. A method of media display comprising:

displaying a media item in a first state;

receiving a trigger event; and

displaying a media item in a second state.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said trigger event is a time elapse, motion event card event, multiple display event, or one or more synched events.

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9. A method of media distribution comprising:

obtaining a set of information associated with a display unit; and

displaying a media element wherein said media element is associated with said set of information.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said step of obtaining comprises:

identifying a viewer; and

obtaining a second set of information associated with said viewer.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said step of obtaining comprises:

obtaining a second set of environmental data.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said set comprises demographic information associated with one or more viewers of said display unit.

13. A method of media distribution comprising:

charging a content provider a first rate for displaying a content element; and

charging said content provider a second rate for displaying said content element, if it is verified that said content element was viewed.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein it is verified that said content element was viewed by a viewer associated with a desired demographic element.

15. A method of media distribution comprising:

reserving a content nm by an initial purchaser at a first rate; and

attempting to resell said content nm to a secondary purchaser at a second rate.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

charging said initial purchaser at said first rate, only if said content run is resold to a secondary purchaser.

17. A method of scheduling media display comprising:

requesting a play time for a media element;

determining whether said content element can be played during said play time; and

scheduling said content element during said play time, if said content element can be played during said play time.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said play time is a period of time or an instance in time.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein said step of determining comprises:

assigning a media element priority to said media element; and

determining whether rescheduling one or more scheduled media elements with lower priority than said media element priority will enable said media element to be scheduled during said play time.

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21. A media distribution system comprising:

a database configured to store a plurality of media content;

a scheduling unit configured to generate a play schedule; and

a display unit configured to display elements of said plurality of media content at said display unit in accordance with said play schedule.

22. The media distribution system of claim 21 further comprising:

a collection unit configured to collect a set of environmental data at said display unit.

23. The media distribution system of claim 22 further comprising:

a schedule alteration unit configured to alter said play schedule in response to said set of environmental data.

24. The media distribution system of claim 23 wherein said environmental data comprises demographic information.

25. A media display system comprising:

a first display sub-system configured to display a media item in a first state;

an event receiver configured to receive a trigger event; and

a second display sub-system configured to display a media item in a second State.

26. The media display system of claim 25 wherein said trigger event is a time elapse, motion event, card event, multiple display event, or one or more synched events.

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29. A media distribution system comprising:

an obtaining unit configured to obtain a set of information associated with a display unit; and

a display unit configured to display a media element wherein said media element is associated with said set of information.

30. The media distribution system of claim 29 wherein said obtaining unit comprises:

an identification unit configured to identify a viewer; and

a second obtaining unit configured to obtain a second set of information associated with said viewer.

31. The media distribution system of claim 29 wherein said obtaining unit comprises:

a second obtaining unit configured to obtain a second set of environmental data.

32. The media distribution system of claim 31 wherein said set comprises demographic information associated with one or more viewers of said display unit.

33. A media distribution system comprising:

a first pricing sub-system configured to charge a content provider a first rate for displaying a content element; and

a second pricing sub-system configured to charge said content provider a second rate for displaying said content element, if it is verified that said content element was viewed.

34. The media distribution system of claim 33 wherein it is verified that said content element was viewed by a viewer associated with a desired demographic element.

35. A media distribution system comprising:

a reservation unit configured to reserve a content run by an initial purchaser at a first rate; and

a resell sub-system configured to attempt to resell said content run to a secondary purchaser at a second rate.

36. The media distribution system of claim 35 further comprising:

a pricing sub-system configured to charge said initial purchaser at said first rate, only if said content run is resold to a secondary purchaser.

37. A media display scheduling system comprising:

a requesting unit configured to request a play time for a media element;

a determiner configured to determine whether said content element can be played during said play time; and

a scheduler configured to schedule said content element during said play time, if said content element can be played during said play time.

38. The media display scheduling system of claim 37 wherein said play time is a period of time, instance in time, multiple display event, or one or more synched events.

40. The media display scheduling system of claim 37 wherein said determiner comprises:

an assignment unit configured to assign a media element priority to said media element; and

a second determiner configured to determine whether rescheduling one or more scheduled media elements with lower priority than said media element priority will enable said media element to be scheduled during said play time.

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65. A media display system comprising:

two or more display systems connectively configured to display related media content; and

one or more event receivers configured to receive one or more trigger events.

66. The media display system of claim 65, wherein said one or more event receivers is configured to receive a trigger event from an external source.

67. The media display system of claim 66, wherein said external source is a display unit.

68. The media display system of claim 65, wherein said system comprises one or more scheduling units configured to generate a play schedule.

69. The media display system of claim 68, wherein said one or more event receivers is configured to receive a trigger event from said play schedule.

70. The media display system of claim 65, wherein said trigger event is a time elapse, motion event or card event.

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