Media distribution server that presents interactive media to a mobile device

• US 7,941,092 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2007
• Issued: 05/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualtrics LLC (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: Bindu Rama Rao
• Inventors: Rao, Bindu Rama
• Primary Examiner(s): TRINH, TAN H
• Application Number:
  US11/977,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20080119132A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,293 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3.04, 455/3.05, 455/424, 455/425, 455/414.1, 455/456.5, 455/456.6, 455/456.3, 455/456.1, 455/414.2, 705/14, 705/51, 709/229, 709/224, 725/25, 725/88, 725/89, 725/102, 725/134, 725/142
• US Class Current: 455/3.04
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/33 Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2393 involving handling client requests scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• 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 21/8541 involving branching, e.g. to different story endings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8545 for generating interactive applications

Abstract

A media distribution server presenting interactive media on mobile devices and receives mobile user response interactively. During the presentation of interactive media the user is prompted with multiple choices for their selection, which can be provided using softkeys on the mobile device. The media distribution server prepares the subsequent portions of the interactive media and delivers them to the mobile device. In one embodiment, the necessary text, graphics, audio and video are assembled and integrated dynamically and is presented on the mobile device to the user. Further the mobile user is prompted to approve online purchases, make online appointment requests, show interest in products, etc. while browsing the interactive media on their mobile device. The media distribution server supports such activities as necessary.

Claims

1. A media distribution server communicatively coupled to a plurality of mobile devices, the media distribution server comprising:

a server interface for interactions with a service provider system or a content provider system and for receiving an interactive media;

the media distribution server delivering a first portion of the interactive media to the plurality of mobile devices;

the media distribution server receiving responses to the first portion of the interactive media from the plurality of mobile devices and collating the responses; and

the media distribution server conducting one or more follow up interactions with the service provider system or the content provider system based on the responses received to the first portion of the interactive media.

2. The media distribution server of claim 1 wherein the responses to the first portion of the interactive media comprise multiple choice selections made by users.

3. The media distribution server of claim 2 wherein the multiple choice selections comprise selections to make an appointment, selections to make a purchase or selections soliciting additional information.

4. The media distribution server of claim 1 further comprising:

the media distribution server dynamically assembling a next portion of the interactive media in reaction to the responses to the first portion of the interactive media received from at least one of the plurality of mobile devices, for delivery to the at least one of the plurality of mobile devices.

5. The media distribution server of claim 4 wherein the next portion of the interactive media comprises one or more of text, an audio clip, graphics, and a video clip.

6. The media distribution server of claim 1 further comprising:

a workflow manager;

the workflow manager coordinating the assembly of a next portion of the interactive media and associated metadata for delivery to at least one of the plurality of mobile devices based on a response received from the at least one of the plurality of mobile devices.

7. The media distribution server of claim 1 wherein the media distribution server dynamically assembles the first portion of the interactive media as a combination of a text, a graphics an audio and a video clip that are collectively delivered as a tagged message along with an optional program code for processing and display by at least one of the plurality of mobile devices.

8. The media distribution server of claim 1 further comprising:

a dynamic media development module for assembling interactive media;

the dynamic media development module receiving inputs from at least one of the plurality of mobile devices, the service provider system and the content provider system and assembling the interactive media; and

the dynamic media development module inserting an advertisement comprising at least one of text, graphics, an audio clip and a video clip into the interactive media for delivery to the at least one of the plurality of mobile devices.

9. The media distribution server of claim 8 further comprising:

a product trial manager; and

the product trial manager facilitating a trial of a product or a service presented in at least one portion of the interactive media.

10. The media distribution server of claim 8 further comprising:

a webserver calendar module that facilitates creation or registration of an appointment made by the service provider system or the content provider system, in response to a request to make an appointment from a user of one of the plurality of mobile devices.

11. The media distribution server of claim 8 wherein the dynamic media development module receives inputs provided by a mobile user of one of the plurality of mobile devices and assembles, based on content and information provided by one or both of the service provider and the content provider, new interactive media for delivery to the mobile user.

12. The media distribution server of claim 11 wherein the inputs provided by the mobile user as a response to a query message sent by the media distribution server in the new interactive media comprises a multiple choice selection.

13. The media distribution server of claim 12 wherein the inputs provided by the mobile user to the query message is communicated to one of a service provider system and a content provider system.

14. The media distribution server of claim 1 wherein the media distribution server selectively delivers with the first portion of the interactive media one or both of metadata and configuration information to indicate to a receiving mobile device when an advertisement is to be played in relation to presentation of the first portion of the interactive media.

15. The media distribution server of claim 14 wherein when the advertisement is to be played is selected from the group comprising before, during, and after presentation of the first portion of the interactive media.

16. The media distribution server of claim 1 wherein the media distribution server presents supplementary information to the user, when requested, wherein the supplementary information provides additional details regarding interactive media or a subset thereof currently displayed.

17. The media distribution server of claim 1 wherein the media distribution server comprises a product trial manager that facilitates selection of a product or service trial by soliciting a trial period comprising one or both of a start of trial date and an end of trial date, and wherein the product trial manager manages delivery of a product or a service for such a trial.

18. The media distribution server of claim 17 wherein the product trial manager tracks trial duration and user feedback regarding the product or service on trial by a user during the trial period, for further follow up actions.

19. The media distribution server of claim 1 wherein a user response received from a mobile device in response to presented interactive media is in the form of an audio response.

20. The media distribution server of claim 1 wherein the media distribution server dynamically generates interactive media by converting one or both of a generic mobile transaction and a generic online transaction initiated by a service provider into a specific set of tasks.

21. The media distribution server of claim 20 wherein the specific set of tasks comprises one or more of the following mobile facilitated activities:

purchase of a product, request for an appointment, set up of a trial of a sample product or service, terminate a trial of a sample product or service, and process feedback from user.

22. The media distribution server of claim 1 wherein the media distribution server facilitates requesting an appointment in response to interactive media presented on a mobile device of a user, and wherein the appointment request is communicated by the media distribution server to an external server which provides an appointment schedule that is communicated back to the mobile device of the user by the media distribution server.