System for inserting/overlaying markers, data packets and objects relative to viewable content and enabling live social networking, n-dimensional virtual environments and/or other value derivable from the content

• US 20090165140A1
• Filed: 12/20/2007
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ADDnCLICK, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ADDnCLICK, Inc.
• Inventors: Lim, Teng Lew, Robinson, Jack D., Glausi, Wallace, Noke, Timothy, Fullerton, Larry, Muller, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 8,316,450 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A system by which a User can associate selectable Markers, Data Packets and/or Objects with Content. The Content may generally be distributed electronically, and the Markers allow for insertion and/or overlay of Objects when the Content is selected for viewing by a Viewer. Objects and Data Packets are generally provided by a User, Promoter, Host, Service, or other entity to convey information to a Viewer. A Service provides tools and capabilities to both the User and the Promoter to facilitate their respective actions according to embodiments of the invention, including enabling the creation of live social networks (such as those linked to a specific Service provider, a specific User group, activities by a specific Promoter, and/or to specific Data Packets) and the creation of n-dimensional Virtual Environments.

Claims

1. A system for supplementing device-accessible, viewer-perceivable content, comprising:

a server device operatively coupled with a data storage means;

one or more discrete units of a first device-executable code stored at the data storage means and configured with a pattern association portion enabling persistent device-enabled association with a user-defined data pattern in content, wherein the data pattern comprises a portion of viewer-perceivable content, wherein a portion of the first code is configured with a unique identifier, and wherein another portion of the first code is configured with instructions which, when associated content is rendered perceivable on a user device, cause a data-transmitting means of the user device to transmit data to the server;

one or more discrete units of a second device-executable code stored at a server-accessible data storage means and configured with a placement portion enabling persistent placement at one or more discrete units of the first code, wherein the server is configured to receive an indication that content including associated first code is selected for viewing via a user device and is further configured to responsively place the one or more discrete units of second code relative to the content at the one or more discrete units of first code; and

a data-transmitting means operatively coupled with the server and configured to separately convey each of the first code and the second code from the server to an internet-linkable device configured to render content perceivable to a device user.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is operatively coupled with one or more additional servers selected from the group consisting of a user server including viewable content stored at a data storage means, a host server including viewable content stored at a data storage means, and a promoter server including promoter objects stored at a data storage means.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein a unit of the first code is a marker and includes one or more of metadata selected from the group consisting of user identification data, a unique content identifier, user recommendations of objects to be placed at the marker, data defining viewable attributes of the marker, a unique marker identifier, an authorization code, and data corresponding to one or both of a temporal and spatial positioning of the marker within a viewer perceivable portion of the content.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein a unit of the second code, when associated with viewable content, is configured to present to a viewer either or both of a visible depiction of code (icon) and an otherwise viewer-perceivable indication of code which, when selected by a viewer and executed on an internet-linkable device, depicts at a display device a viewable n-dimensional virtual environment wherein n is equal to or greater than 2, and wherein the display device is either operatively coupled with or comprises a portion of the internet-linkable device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the second code is further configured to render viewable an n-dimensional virtual environment comprising one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of,

an ability to display active content, static content, or both, within the virtual environment,

an ability for a viewer to interact with other viewers in the same virtual environment via one or more methods selected from the group consisting of vocal, textual, symbolic, and visual communication,

being configured at least in part based upon results of an analysis of the content executed by a content analysis means in response to a viewer action taken relative to one or more of the content, a data packet, an object, and an icon,

an ability for a viewer to be connected concurrently and within the n-dimensional virtual environment into a live social network with other Viewers,

an ability for a promoter to be present in the virtual environment to promote items for sale,

an ability to depict within the virtual environment an avatar representing the viewer,

an ability for a viewer to navigate throughout the virtual environment,

an ability for a viewer to select one or more of an object, an icon, and a data packet within the virtual environment,

an ability for a viewer to invite a third-party viewer into the virtual environment and if such invitation is accepted, for the virtual environment to be simultaneously perceivable to the third-party viewer, and

an ability for a viewer to invite and/or accompany other viewers in a virtual environment to another virtual environment.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

device executable code configured when executed on a user device to enable a user to specify a data pattern of viewer-perceivable content, to associate a unit of the first code with the data pattern of the device-viewable content, and to define metadata for the unit of first code.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a pattern recognition means configured as device-executable code, and configured to recognize a user-defined data pattern in viewer-perceivable content, and further configured to maintain placement of a unit of the first code with the data pattern despite changes in the data pattern during execution of the viewer-perceivable content, wherein the changes comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of changes in size, color, position relative to the content, apparent lighting angle, departure and reappearance relative to a viewable portion of content, and conflict with another unit of first code.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

device-executable code configured to apply Digital Rights Management to content including the associated one or more units of first code, wherein subsequent unauthorized alteration of the content will either diminish the functionality of the one or more units of first code, or will remove the one or more units of first code from the altered content, or both.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

server-executable code configured when executed on a server to cause the server to place one or more later-designated units of the second code rather than one or more earlier-designated units of second code at one or more units of the first code associated with viewer-perceivable content.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

metadata comprising one or more units of second code which, when the server detects a viewer selection of content including one or more units of associated first code, causes the server to selectively place the one or more units of second code at the one or more units of first code of the content based substantially upon one or more factors of the metadata selected from the group consisting of viewer-relevant factors, viewer location-relevant factors, viewer time-relevant factors, promoter time relevant factors, and content-relevant factors.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more units of first code comprise an encoding portion enabling a user to specify a unique identifier, and wherein the encoding portion is configured with one or more controls selected from the group consisting of execution controls preventing execution of portions of the first code except upon correct entry of the user-specified unique identifier by a viewer, content association controls affecting association of content including the first code with other content including a corresponding unique identifier, provider association controls affecting association of a content provider with one or more other content providers substantially based upon the presence of a corresponding unique identifiers in content.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more units of a third code configured with an association portion enabling association of the third code with viewable-content, and a directory portion configured, when executed on a device configured for content viewing, to display at a display portion of the device a directory of all or a subset of all units of first code associated with the content and/or units of second code placed at the first code.

13. A system for overlaying promoter-originated objects relative to viewer-perceivable content, comprising:

a centralized server configured with internet-based access to viewer-selected, viewer-perceivable content including one or more content markers (marked content);

a promoter server configured with internet-based access to the centralized server;

one or more promoter-originated objects stored at one of the centralized server or the promoter server and accessible by the other of the centralized server or the promoter server, wherein the one or more objects comprise device-executable code including a viewer-perceivable portion;

data stored at the centralized server, the data including instructions configured when executed to cause the centralized server to recognize a unique marker identifier of a marker associated with the marked content, to access the one or more promoter-originated objects, to designate an object for placement at a marker possessing the unique marker identifier, to persistently place the object at the marker, and to convey one or both of the object and the content to a viewer of the marked content.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the markers comprise one or more layers of content separate from yet identified to, correlated to, overlying, and dynamically responsive to viewer-perceivable changes in the marked Content.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the marker includes metadata selected from the group consisting of user identification data, a unique content identifier, user recommendations of objects to be placed at the marker, data defining viewable attributes of the marker, an authorization code, and data corresponding to one or both of a temporal and spatial positioning of the marker relative to a viewer-perceivable portion of the content.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a pattern recognition means embodied as device-executable code and configured when executed by the centralized server to identify objectionable material in content, and to cause the centralized server to prevent placement of objects relative to content containing objectionable material by one or more action selected from a group comprising denying access to markers for use relative to the content including the objectionable material, removing the objectionable material from the content, and interfering with a viewer'"'"'s ability to clearly perceive the objectionable material in the content.

17. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a revenue allocation mechanism configured to identify payment-obligation-creating actions taken relative to content, and to create a record indicating one or more of a payment obligation, an entity obligated to provide payment, and one or more entities entitled to receive all or a portion of the payment, wherein the payment-obligation-creating actions include one or more selected from the group consisting of placing one or more of an object, an icon, or a data packet at a marker, placing a marker relative to viewable content, providing access to a marker for object placement, selection by a viewer of one or more of an object, icon, or data packet, completion of a commercial transaction subsequent to selection by a viewer of one or more of an object, icon, or data package, recommending one or more of content, an object, a data packet, or an icon to one or more viewers, and providing access to tools enabling placement of one or more of a marker, an icon, an object or a data packet relative to content.

18. A system of plural content-enhancing nodes, comprising:

a first node configured with one or more software-based tools, the tools having a capability to enable the persistent placement of markers relative to selected portions of viewer-perceivable content, the first node further comprising a data storage means;

a second node configured to utilize the tools and to persistently place markers, and further configured after placing one or markers to identify to the first node specific marker placement-relevant data, the second node further being operatively coupled with the first node via a network;

a third node configured to designate and identify to the first node software-based objects for placement at one or more of the markers, and to provide access to the objects by the first node to enable substantially immediate placement of objects upon the occurrence of a predetermined action, the third node being operatively coupled with the first node via a network; and

a fourth node configured to access the content, to render the content viewable to a viewer, and to enable the viewer to select one or more of the objects, and wherein the fourth node is further operatively coupled via a network with one or more selected from the group consisting of the first node, the second node, and the third node.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first node is further configured to detect one or both of such access and selection by the fourth node, and to convey to the fourth node one or more objects for placement at one or more markers in the accessed content.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the fourth node further comprises display means, and selection of an object renders viewable at the display means an n-dimensional virtual environment wherein n is equal to or greater than 2.

21. A system for supplementing device-accessible, viewer-perceivable content utilizing plural service providers, comprising:

a first service configured to associate objects with markers identified to the first service, wherein the markers comprise device-executable code configured for persistent association with a portion of viewer perceivable content, and the objects comprise device-executable code corresponding to viewer-perceivable information made accessible to the first service by a promoter, and wherein an action of a viewer with respect to content including a marker causes notification of the first service of such action and in response to such notification, the first service affects the association of an object with the marker enabling the viewer to act relative to the object when perceiving the content;

another service configured to associate objects with markers identified to the other service, wherein the markers comprise device-executable code configured for persistent association with a portion of viewer perceivable content, and the objects comprise device-executable code corresponding to viewer-perceivable information made accessible to the other service by a promoter, and wherein an action of a viewer with respect to the content including the marker causes notification of the other service of such action and in response to such notification, the other service affects the association of an object with the marker enabling the viewer to act relative to the object when perceiving the content; and

one or more markers obtainable from any one of or any combination of the first service, the other service, or a third party, wherein content including only markers identified to the first service, when acted upon by a viewer, receives association with one or more objects from only the first service, and wherein content including only markers identified to the other service, when acted upon by a viewer, receives association with one or more objects from only the other service, and wherein content including one or more markers identified to the first service and also including one or more markers identified to the other service, when acted upon by a viewer, receives association with objects identified to the first service by the first service, and association with objects identified to the other service by the other service, and wherein content including one or more markers obtained from a third party and identified to either or both of the first service and other service, when acted upon by a viewer, receives association with one or more objects by, and corresponding to the marker identification to, either or both of the first service and the other service.

22. A system for associating self-executing data packets with user-perceivable content, comprising:

one or more self-executing data packets including device-readable code configured to execute upon the occurrence of a pre-determined event;

a network-connected device including data processing means configured to process data corresponding to viewable-content and to render the data perceivable to a user of the device as content perceivable at an output portion of the device, and including device-executable code configured to persistently associate the one or more data packets with the viewable content, wherein the data packets can be associated with content either before or after publishing of the content by a user, and can be configured to allow editing of data within a data packet either before or after associating the data packet with the content, and wherein the associated data packets are configured to be either perceivable by or imperceptible to a viewer of the associated content;

a data storage means operatively coupled with the device and configured to receive and store the content including the one or more associated data packets; and

a network access means operatively coupled with the device and configured for transmitting the content including the one or more associated data packets.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the pre-determined event comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of,

an expiration of a pre-determined period of time,

an arrival of a pre-determined date and time,

a correct entry of a pre-determined access code by a perceiver of the content,

selection of the content for viewing,

execution of a portion of content including an associated data packet,

selection of the data packet by a perceiver of the content, and

establishment of a connection with a data network by the device.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein execution of a data packet causes a response comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of,

allowing access to content secured by a pre-determined code,

executing viewer-perceivable content corresponding to device-executable code within the data packet,

suspending execution of viewer-perceivable content other than that defined by device-executable code within the data packet,

establishing a connection with a data network by the device including a data packet associated with content, accessing a remote data storage means, and accessing data stored at the remote data storage means,

one or more of transmitting data via a connection with a data network and queuing data for subsequent transfer via either a later established connection with a data network or at a later time via an already established connection with a data network,

opening of a separate window or other viewing region at a portion of a device configured to render content perceivable to a viewer,

providing access to tools enabling control of data packet execution-relevant parameters,

rendering perceivable to a viewer one or more of an n-dimensional virtual environment and a virtual world,

linking users together in a live social network with each other based at least in part upon the users interacting relative to one or both of the same/similar content and content having the same/similar metadata, and

offering to a viewer an invitation to engage in a commercial transaction.

25. The system of claim 22, further comprising:

a server configured with directory means comprising data storage means and data processing means, the directory means configured to construct and retain a directory comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of,

content including one or more of a content-associated data packet, object, marker, and icon,

content including related codes included at one or more of a content-associated data packet, object, marker, and icon,

one or more of content viewers, hosts, promoters, and users associated by codes included at one or more of a content-associated data packet, object, marker, or icon,

one or more members of a social network associated by participation relative to content including one or more of a content-associated data packet, object, marker, or icon,

one or more viewers associated by one or more of participation in or viewing either or both of a virtual environment or virtual world accessed via one or more of a content-associated data packet, an object, a marker, or an icon, and

one or more viewers acting relative to identical and/or similar content including one or more of a content-associated data packet, object, marker, and icon.