Method and apparatus for displaying information in response to motion picture programming
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- identifying an element in motion picture programming prior to broadcast;
obtaining a still image from the motion picture programming, wherein the still image contains the identified element;
storing the still image having the identified element in a gallery of scenes stored separately from the motion picture programming, wherein the separate storage is on a web server and a portion of the gallery of scenes is accessible from a website served by the web server, and where the motion picture programming is not accessible from the website;
storing digital information referred to by the identified element;
displaying the still image to a viewer in response to a viewer selection, from the portion of the gallery of scenes using the website, of a scene of interest containing the still image, wherein there is no synchronization or direct correlation between the motion picture program broadcast and the elements on the website to generate the still images from the gallery of scenes, wherein the viewer selection comprises pressing one or more buttons on a remote control unit that automatically brings a user to the website where the still images can be viewed and elements from scenes in the image can be selected for purchase; and
displaying the stored digital information referred to by the identified element to the viewer in response to the viewer viewing the still image containing the identified element and selecting the identified element in the still image, wherein the still image and the digital information referred to by the identified element are colocated prior to the viewer selecting the identified element in the still image.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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, an element identified in motion picture programming can be made identifiable by a viewer of the motion picture programming, and thereby enabling a viewer to determine the source, location, or other information referred to by the element. Using this concept, for example, a viewer viewing a soap opera is able to use a device to electronically select a element identified in the broadcast. In turn, information referred to by the content element can be displayed to the viewer, including purchase information. 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.
55 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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identifying an element in motion picture programming prior to broadcast; obtaining a still image from the motion picture programming, wherein the still image contains the identified element; storing the still image having the identified element in a gallery of scenes stored separately from the motion picture programming, wherein the separate storage is on a web server and a portion of the gallery of scenes is accessible from a website served by the web server, and where the motion picture programming is not accessible from the website; storing digital information referred to by the identified element; displaying the still image to a viewer in response to a viewer selection, from the portion of the gallery of scenes using the website, of a scene of interest containing the still image, wherein there is no synchronization or direct correlation between the motion picture program broadcast and the elements on the website to generate the still images from the gallery of scenes, wherein the viewer selection comprises pressing one or more buttons on a remote control unit that automatically brings a user to the website where the still images can be viewed and elements from scenes in the image can be selected for purchase; and displaying the stored digital information referred to by the identified element to the viewer in response to the viewer viewing the still image containing the identified element and selecting the identified element in the still image, wherein the still image and the digital information referred to by the identified element are colocated prior to the viewer selecting the identified element in the still image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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8. A system comprising:
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a processor coupled to a viewing device, the viewing device including an input device, the processor configured to; (a) store a still image obtained from motion picture programming in a gallery of scenes stored separately from the motion picture programming, wherein the separate storage is on a web server and a portion of the gallery of scenes is accessible from a website served by the web server, wherein the motion picture programming is not accessible from the website, and wherein the still image contains an element identified in the motion picture programming prior to broadcast; (b) store digital information referred to by the identified element; (c) deliver to the viewing device the still image containing the identified element in response to a viewer selection, from the portion of the gallery of scenes using the website, of a scene of interest containing the still image, wherein there is no synchronization or direct correlation between the motion picture program broadcast and the elements on the website to generate the still images from the gallery of scenes, wherein the viewer selection comprises pressing one or more buttons on a remote control unit that automatically brings a user to the website where the still images can be viewed and elements from scenes in the image can be selected for purchase; and (d) deliver to the viewing device at least some of the stored digital information referred to by the identified element; and a computer program operating on the viewing device, the computer program configured to deliver at least a portion of the stored digital information referred to by the identified element to a viewer in response to the viewer selecting the identified element in the still image using the input device, wherein the still image and the digital information referred to by the identified element are colocated prior to the viewer selecting the identified element in the still image using the input device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification