The present invention generally relates to communication methods within content distribution environments and systems and, more particularly, to a method, apparatus and system for using message services for control and interaction within a content distribution environment.
Information and content distribution systems are used to provide information and content to a plurality of end systems. For example, in the advertising realm, providing in-store retail media content is becoming the most popular advertising medium in use today, with broadcast distribution being its primary means of content presentation. That is, in recent years retailers and the managers of public spaces have brought in video display systems for advertising use. In such systems, content is distributed by a server and received at receivers such as a respective set-top-box for each display or group of displays and associated speakers. Retailers use the displays and speakers to present their current offerings or sale information, while the public spaces sell time on the video displays and speakers to advertisers either national or local, knowing that large numbers of consumers will see the presentation.
In such systems, at the site of a media playback system there is not a simple way to access the control and configuration settings while in a position to be able to hear/see the video and audio. That is, the video screens and speakers are distributed across a large area, and the server running them typically is locked in a back room, or located at a remote location. Typically, in current systems such control is provided by phone calls to a help desk or by using a hidden push button on a display. A large percentage of the calls to the help desk are for simple volume adjustments that users viewing the video or hearing the audio are unable to make without remote assistance.
Another common problem of such current advertising systems is attempting to match the video playing on an end-cap with the product that is actually displayed. In current systems, a user or installer typically pushes a button to loop through a list of available media one at a time to match advertising with available product. In addition, installers must verify that all parts of the system are connected and functioning properly and in current systems there is no way to do this without calling the help desk.
Embodiments of the present invention address the deficiencies of the prior art by providing a method, apparatus and system for using message services, such as short-message service or multimedia-message-service (SMS/MMS) messages, for control and interaction within a content distribution environment.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a method for using a message service for communication in a content distribution environment includes soliciting a response from a user, the user instructed to respond using a message service and an advertised point of contact and in response to a received message, initiating an action associated with the received message. The method further includes identifying a location for execution of the initiated action using the point of contact information communicated by the user.
In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a system for using a message service for communication in a content distribution environment includes at least one display for displaying content, at least one communication means for communicating messages using a message service, and a server. In such an embodiment of the present invention, the server is configured to perform the steps of soliciting a response from a user, the user instructed on at least one display to respond using at least one communication means via the message service and an advertised point of contact and, in response to a received message, initiating an action associated with the received message, wherein the location for execution of the initiated action is identified using the point of contact information communicated by the user.
The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
It should be understood that the drawings are for purposes of illustrating the concepts of the invention and are not necessarily the only possible configuration for illustrating the invention. To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.
The present invention advantageously provides a method, apparatus and system for using message services, such as SMS/MMS messages, for control and interaction within a content distribution environment. Although the present invention will be described primarily within the context of a retail advertising network environment using short-message service or multimedia-message-service (SMS/MMS) messages, the specific embodiments of the present invention should not be treated as limiting the scope of the invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art and informed by the teachings of the present invention that the concepts of the present invention can be advantageously applied in substantially any content distribution environment using other communications means such as Bluetooth.
The functions of the various elements shown in the figures can be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate software. When provided by a processor, the functions can be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which can be shared. Moreover, explicit use of the term “processor” or “controller” should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and can implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (“DSP”) hardware, read-only memory (“ROM”) for storing software, random access memory (“RAM”), and non-volatile storage. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).
Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the block diagrams presented herein represent conceptual views of illustrative system components and/or circuitry embodying the principles of the invention. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudocode, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable media and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.
The various embodiments of the present invention include using message services, such as short-message service or multimedia-message-service (SMS/MMS) messaging, such that a user can send requests to an automated system, and receive detailed responses. For example, shoppers often have text-message enabled cell phones. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, an advantageous way to interact with the shopper is to ask them in the ad to text a message for more information. A playout system or device can then play an ad based on that information and can send the shopper text messages back. This interaction model can engage a user at a deeper level.
Although in the system 100 of
In one embodiment of the present invention, the content distribution system 100 of
In one embodiment of the present invention, software for controlling the various elements of the in-store advertising network 200 and the content distribution system 100 can include a 32-bit operating system using a windowing environment (e.g., MS-Windows™ or X-Windows operating system) and high-performance computing hardware. The advertising network 200 can utilize a distributed architecture and provides centralized content management and distribution control via, in one embodiment, satellite (or other method, e.g., a wide-area network (WAN), the Internet, a series of microwave links, or a similar mechanism) and in-store modules.
As depicted in
A recording company 204 can be a record label, music publisher, licensing/publishing entity (e.g., BMI or ASCAP), individual artist, or other such source of music-related content. The recording company 204 provides audiovisual content such as music clips (short segments of recorded music), music video clips, and the like. The movie studio 206 can be a movie studio, a film production company, a publicist, or other source related to the film industry. The movie studio 106 can provide movie clips, pre-recorded interviews with actors and actresses, movie reviews, “behind-the-scenes” presentations, and similar content.
The other content provider 208 can be any other provider of video, audio or audiovisual content that can be distributed and displayed via, for example, the content distribution system 100 of
In one embodiment of the present invention, content is procured via the network management center 210 (NMC) using, for example, traditional recorded media (tapes, CD's, videos, and the like). Content provided to the NMC 210 is compiled into a form suitable for distribution to, for example, the local distribution system 100, which distributes and displays the content at a local site.
The NMC 210 can digitize the received content and provide it to a Network Operations Center (NOC) 220 in the form of digitized data files 222. It will be noted that data files 222, although referred to in terms of digitized content, can also be streaming audio, streaming video, or other such information. The content compiled and received by the NMC 210 can include commercials, bumpers, graphics, audio and the like. All files are preferably named so that they are uniquely identifiable. More specifically, the NMC 210 creates distribution packs that are targeted to specific sites, such as store locations, and delivered to one or more stores on a scheduled or on-demand basis. The distribution packs, if used, contain content that is intended to either replace or enhance existing content already present on-site (unless the site's system is being initialized for the first time, in which case the packages delivered will form the basis of the site's initial content). Alternatively, the files may be compressed and transferred separately, or a streaming compression program of some type employed.
The NOC 220 communicates digitized data files 222 to, in this example, the content distribution system 100 at a commercial sales outlet 230 via a communications network 225. The communications network 225 can be implemented in any one of several technologies. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, a satellite link can be used to distribute digitized data files 222 to the content distribution system 100 of the commercial sales outlet 230. This enables content to easily be distributed by broadcasting (or multicasting) the content to various locations. Alternatively, the Internet can be used to both distribute audiovisual content to and allow feedback from commercial sales outlet 230. Other ways of implementing communications network 225, such as using leased lines, a microwave network, or other such mechanisms can also be used in accordance with alternate embodiments of the present invention.
Referring back to
The server 110 of the content distribution system 100 receives content and creates various different streams (e.g., content channels) of text, audio, video and/or audio/video to be communicated to the various receivers throughout the store. The streams can be individual channels of text, modulated audio, video and/or audio/video onto a radio frequency distribution or transmitted as data flows within a unicast or multicast internet protocol (IP) network. These streams can originate from one or more servers under the same logical set of control software.
Referring back to
In one embodiment of the content distribution system 100 of
In an alternate embodiment of the content distribution system 100 of
One simple example of an interaction capable with the messaging capabilities of the present invention includes a shopper that sees a message on a display in proximity that displays an advertisement that instructs the shopper to send a text message to a specified number for more information on an advertised product. In response to the instructions, the shopper can send a text message to the identified number using, for example, a mobile communications device and, in response, the shopper can be presented additional content on the same or an alternate display in the proximity of the customer.
In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the messaging capabilities of the present invention can be used by a technician for configuration purposes, verification of installation or for trouble shooting. For example, if a technician wishes to communicate and interact with an appropriate server, a message can be communicated to the server and the server can respond with a failure code if any error occurs during processing of the request. All successful interactions are sent a code verifying that the action was performed. Some typical interactions that are possible with the messaging capabilities of the present invention can include:
In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, optionally a message can be sent from a server back to a mobile communication device from which a message was received. For example,
Although in the system 400 of
In the content distribution system 400 of
The Femtocell 470 of
In one embodiment of the content distribution system 400 of
In an alternate embodiment of the content distribution system 400 of
As described above, a simple example of an interaction capable with the messaging capabilities of the invention of
Similarly, as described above, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the messaging capabilities of the present invention can be used by a technician for configuration purposes, verification of installation or for trouble shooting.
At step 504, in response to a received message from the solicited user, an action associated with the received message is initiated. For example and as described above, the user can be a shopper that sees a message on a display in proximity that displays an advertisement that instructs the shopper to send a text message to a specified number for more information on an advertised product and the user can send such a message. In an alternate embodiment, the user can be a technician, who can use the messaging capabilities of the embodiments of the present invention for configuration purposes, verification of installation or for trouble shooting. For example, if a technician wishes to communicate and interact with an appropriate server, a message can be communicated to the server and the server can respond with a failure code if any error occurs during processing of the request. The method 500 then proceeds to step 506.
At step 506, a location for execution of the initiated action is identified using the point of contact communicated by the user. The action can then be performed. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the action can include presenting additional advertising information on a product in a display in close proximity to a user as requested in the user's message. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the action can include presenting a failure code(s) in a display in close proximity to a technician if any errors exist in the system as requested in the technician's message. That is, in accordance with the present invention, the action can include any of the above described actions or any other actions that can be accomplished using the messaging capabilities of the various embodiments of the present invention. The method 500 can then be exited. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the method 500 can further optionally include step 508, during which the action identified in the received message is executed at the identified location.
Having described various embodiments for a method and system for using message services, such as short-message service or multimedia-message-service (SMS/MMS) messages, for control and interaction within a content distribution environment (which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting), it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments of the invention disclosed which are within the scope and spirit of the invention. While the forgoing is directed to various embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/003,634, filed Nov. 19, 2007.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US2008/012885 | 11/18/2008 | WO | 00 | 5/19/2010 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61003634 | Nov 2007 | US |