Alternative advertising in prerecorded media

• US 20020144262A1
• Filed: 11/14/2001
• Published: 10/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Prime Research Alliance E, LLC
• Original Assignee: Prime Research Alliance E., Inc.
• Inventors: Eldering, Charles A., Plotnick, Michael A., Deitrich, Robert F., Ryder, Douglas J., Lustig, Herbert M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,290,351 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/32
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/005 Reproducing at a different information rate from the information rate of recording for television signals H04N5/783
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/036 Insert-editing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23424 involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for inserting or substituting an advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234381 by altering the temporal resolution, e.g. decreasing the frame rate by frame skipping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/252 Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25435 involving characteristics of content or additional data, e.g. video resolution or the amount of advertising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/262 Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists scheduling strategies for dispatcher in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/4881; arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services H04H60/06; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10; establishing a time schedule or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2747 Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440236 by media transcoding, e.g. video is transformed into a slideshow of still pictures, audio is converted into text
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440281 by altering the temporal resolution, e.g. by frame skipping television signal recording using magnetic recording on tape for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate H04N5/783
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/458 Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47217 for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/60 : Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client , e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/858 : Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 : by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 : for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 : on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/783 : Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 : on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 : involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/87 : Regeneration of colour television signals H04N9/80 takes precedence

Abstract

Presenting viewers with an alternative brief version of a recorded advertisement when they choose to fast-forward through or skip (or any other trick play event) the recorded advertisement. The alternative advertisement may be displayed instead of or in conjunction with the recorded advertisement (i.e., fast-forwarding advertisement is displayed in one portion of the screen (i.e., background or portion of a split screen) and the alternative brief version is displayed in another portion). The alternative brief version of the advertisement (trick play advertisement) may be a marketing message that is a static screen presenting a logo or a portion of the recorded advertisement, or may be a condensed version of the actual advertisement. The trick play advertisements may be targeted. An alternate or entirely unrelated advertisement can also be displayed as the trick play advertisement.

Claims

1. A method for displaying an alternative advertisement to a subscriber during a trick-play event, the method comprising:

detecting the trick-play event during playback of a recorded advertisement; and

displaying the alternative advertisement to the subscriber.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said displaying includes displaying the alternative advertisement instead of the recorded advertisement.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said displaying includes superimposing the alternative advertisement over the recorded advertisement.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the superimposed alternative advertisement covers a portion of the recorded advertisement.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein size of the superimposed alternative advertisement is adjustable.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein location of the superimposed alternative advertisement is adjustable.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein at least some subset of video features associated with the superimposed alternative advertisement are adjustable.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the video features include at least some subset of opacity, contrast, brightness, hue, tint and saturation.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein at least some subset of video features associated with the recorded advertisement are adjustable.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein at least some subset of video features associated with the superimposed alternative advertisement are different from a corresponding subset of the video features associated with the recorded advertisement.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the superimposed alternative advertisement is more distinct than the recorded advertisement.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the recorded advertisement is more distinct than the superimposed alternative advertisement.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said displaying includes displaying the superimposed alternative advertisement on one portion of viewing area and displaying the recorded advertisement on another portion of the viewing area.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising superimposing the recorded advertisement over the alternative advertisement.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein location of the superimposed recorded advertisement is adjustable.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein size of the superimposed recorded advertisement is adjustable.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein at least some subset of video features associated with either the alternative advertisement or the superimposed recorded advertisement are adjustable.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the superimposed recorded advertisement is displayed as a full image of the recorded advertisement.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the superimposed recorded advertisement is displayed as a cropped image of the recorded advertisement.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein said detecting includes detecting an initiation of the trick play event during playback of the recorded advertisement.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein said detecting includes detecting a start of a recorded advertisement during the trick play event.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising

detecting an end of the recorded advertisement;

and

stopping the display of the alternative advertisement.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising displaying recorded programming in trick play mode.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising

determining that another recorded advertisement is in trick play mode;

determining that there is an associated alternative advertisement therefore; and

displaying the associated alternative advertisement.

25. The method of claim 1, further comprising

detecting a start of a second recorded advertisement during the trick play event;

and

displaying a second alternative advertisement associated with the second recorded advertisement.

26. The method of claim 1, further comprising

detecting an end of the trick play event;

stopping the display of the alternative advertisement.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising displaying recorded programming.

28. The method of claim 1, further comprising

detecting an end of the trick play event prior to end of the recorded advertisement;

continue, until the end of the recorded advertisement, trick playing the recorded advertisement and displaying the alternative advertisement; and

return to displaying recorded programming at the end of the recorded advertisement.

29. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining point in recorded advertisement that the trick play event occurs.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said displaying includes displaying the alternative advertisement if a determination is made that the trick play event occurs within a predefined period from a start of the recorded advertisement.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the predefined period is a period of time.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the predefined period is a percentage of total time of recorded advertisement.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein said displaying includes displaying the alternative advertisement if a determination is made that the alternative advertisement can be displayed within time it will take to trick play through remaining portion of the recorded advertisement.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein said displaying includes displaying the alternative advertisement if a determination is made that the alternative advertisement can be displayed within a predetermined period after completion of the trick play event for remaining portion of the recorded advertisement.

35. The method of claim 29, further comprising modifying the alternative advertisement based on said determining.

36. The method of claim 29, further comprising pausing the trick play event until said displaying alternative advertisement is complete if additional time is required to display entire alternative advertisement based on the point in advertisement that the trick play event occurs.

37. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternative advertisement is related to the recorded advertisement.

38. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternative advertisement is approximately an amount of time equal to time associated with fast forwarding through the recorded advertisement.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the alternative advertisement is a separately produced advertisement.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the alternative advertisement is derived from the recorded advertisement.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the alternative advertisement is derived by applying processing rules to the recorded advertisement.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the processing rules are specific to the recorded advertisement.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the processing rules are specific to the subscriber.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein the processing rules are generic.

45. The method of claim 41, wherein the alternative advertisement is a still image from the recorded advertisement.

46. The method of claim 41, wherein the alternative advertisement is a series of still images from the recorded advertisement.

47. The method of claim 41, wherein the alternative advertisement is a video segment from the recorded advertisement.

48. The method of claim 41, wherein the alternative advertisement is a series of video segments from the recorded advertisement.

49. The method of claim 41, wherein the alternative advertisement is a combination of still images and video segments from the recorded advertisement.

50. The method of claim 41, wherein the alternative advertisement is a portion of the recorded advertisement with computer generated graphics added thereto.

51. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternative advertisement is related to more than one recorded advertisement.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the alternative advertisement is displayed during a trick play event for the more than one recorded advertisement.

53. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternative advertisement is not related to the recorded advertisement.

54. The method of claim 1, wherein trick play events include fast forwarding, skipping, rewinding, and pausing.

55. A system for displaying an alternative advertisement to a subscriber when the subscriber fast forwards through a recorded advertisement, the system comprising:

means for detecting a fast forward event during playback of the recorded advertisement; and

means for displaying the alternative advertisement to the subscriber.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein said means for displaying displays the alternative advertisement instead of the fast forwarding recorded advertisement.

57. The system of claim 55, wherein said means for displaying superimposes the alternative advertisement over the fast forwarding recorded advertisement.

58. The system of claim 55, wherein said means for displaying superimposes the fast forwarding recorded advertisement over the alternative advertisement.

59. The system of claim 55, wherein said means for detecting detects a start of a recorded advertisement during the fast forward event.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein

said means for detecting also detects an end of the fast forwarding recorded advertisement;

and

said means for displaying stops displaying the alternative advertisement at the end of the fast forwarding recorded advertisement.

61. The system of claim 55, wherein said means for detecting detects an initiation of the fast forward event during playback of the recorded advertisement.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein

said means for detecting also detects an end of the fast forward event;

and

said means for displaying stops displaying the alternative advertisement at the end of the fast forward event.

63. The system of claim 62, further comprising means for automatically controlling the fast forward event, wherein if said means for detecting detects the end of the fast forward event prior to end of the recorded advertisement,

said means for automatically controlling will continue to fast forward the recorded advertisement until the end of the recorded advertisement, and

said means for displaying will continue to display the alternative advertisement until the end of the recorded advertisement.

64. The system of claim 55, further comprising means for automatically pausing the fast forward event, wherein said means for detecting also detects an end of the fast forwarding recorded advertisement;

and wherein

if said means for displaying has not completely displayed the alternative advertisement prior to a detection of the end of the fast forwarding recorded advertisement by said means for detecting,

said means for automatically pausing will pause the fast forward event until the display of the alternative advertisement is complete.

65. The system of claim 55, further comprising means for ignoring the fast forward event, wherein said means for detecting also detects point in the recorded advertisement that the fast forward event is initiated, and wherein

said means for ignoring will ignore the fast forward event for the recorded advertisement based on the point of initiation;

and

said means for displaying will not display the alternative advertisement if the fast forward event is ignored.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein said means for ignoring ignores the fast forward event if the point of initiation occurs outside of a predefined period from a start of the recorded advertisement.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the predefined period is a period of time.

68. The system of claim 66, wherein the predefined period is a percentage of total time of recorded advertisement.

69. The system of claim 55, wherein said means for detecting also detects point in the recorded advertisement that the fast forward event is initiated, and

further comprising means for modifying the alternative advertisement based on the point of initiation.

70. A method for generating an alternative advertisement for display to a subscriber when the subscriber trick plays a recorded advertisement, the method comprising:

receiving an advertisement;

recording the advertisement;

receiving processing rules; and

generating the alternative advertisement by applying the processing rules to the recorded advertisement.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein said receiving an advertisement includes receiving the advertisement from a television delivery network.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein said receiving an advertisement includes receiving the advertisement within an avail in programming.

73. The method of claim 71, wherein said receiving an advertisement includes receiving the advertisement via an advertisement channel.

74. The method of claim 70, wherein said receiving an advertisement includes receiving the advertisement via an Internet connection.

75. The method of claim 70, wherein said receiving an advertisement includes receiving the advertisement from local memory .

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the advertisement was preloaded in the local memory.

77. The method of claim 75, wherein the advertisement was stored in the local memory after being received by at least some subset of:

within an avail, via an ad channel, and via an Internet connection.

78. The method of claim 70, wherein said receiving an advertisement includes receiving a targeted advertisement.

79. The method of claim 70, wherein said recording includes recording the advertisement after detecting an initiation of a record event.

80. The method of claim 70, wherein said recording includes recording the advertisement after detecting a pause in viewing of the advertisement.

81. The method of claim 70, wherein the processing rules are related to the advertisement.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein said receiving processing rules includes receiving the processing rules as part of the advertisement.

83. The method of claim 81, wherein said receiving processing rules includes receiving the processing rules as a separate file with the advertisement.

84. The method of claim 81, wherein said receiving processing rules includes receiving the processing rules separate from the advertisement.

85. The method of claim 70, wherein said receiving processing rules includes receiving the processing rules via an Internet connection.

86. The method of claim 70, wherein said receiving processing rules includes receiving the processing rules from local memory.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein the processing rules were preloaded in the local memory.

88. The method of claim 70, wherein the processing rules are related to the subscriber.

89. The method of claim 70, wherein the generated alternative advertisement is a still image selected from the recorded advertisement.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein the still image is a video frame.

91. The method of claim 90, wherein the video frame is a full image video frame.

92. The method of claim 91, wherein the full image video frame is an MPEG I frame.

93. The method of claim 70, wherein the generated alternative advertisement is a collection of full image video frames selected from the recorded advertisement.

94. The method of claim 70, wherein the generated alternative advertisement is a single segment of video selected from the recorded advertisement.

95. The method of claim 70, wherein the generated alternative advertisement is a collection of video segments selected from the recorded advertisement.

96. The method of claim 70, wherein the generated alternative advertisement is a combination of still images and video segments from the recorded advertisement.

97. The method of claim 70, wherein the generated alternative advertisement is targeted to the subscriber.

98. The method of claim 70, wherein the processing rules are also associated with audio for the recorded advertisement.

99. A personal video recorder (PVR) capable of displaying alternative ads during trick play events, the PVR comprising:

memory;

means for detecting a trick play event during playback of an advertisement within recorded programming; and

means for displaying an alternative advertisement during the trick play event for the recorded advertisement.

100. The PVR of claim 99, wherein the recorded programming is on a medium.

101. The PVR of claim 100, wherein the medium is a CD, DVD, or program server.

102. The PVR of claim 99, further comprising:

means for receiving programming; and

means for recording the programming.

103. The PVR of claim 99, further comprising means for receiving alternative advertisements.

104. The PVR of claim 103, wherein the alternative advertisements are related to with the recorded programming.

105. The PVR of claim 103, wherein the alternative advertisements have a format similar to that of the recorded advertisements.

106. The PVR of claim 103, wherein the alternative advertisements have a different format than the recorded advertisements.

107. The PVR of claim 103, wherein the alternative advertisements may be some combination of digital video, streaming media, HTML, Flash, Shockwave and audio.

108. The PVR of claim 103, wherein the alternative advertisements are not related to the recorded programming.

109. The PVR of claim 99, further comprising:

means for receiving processing rules; and

means for generating alternative advertisements by applying the processing rules to the recorded advertisements.