Patent Application
20240193642
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The present invention relates most generally to computer graphics processing and selective visual display systems, and more particularly, to triggering live media streams via a dynamic display object.
The internet has effectively eclipsed all other media for promoting goods and services. There is, however, growing evidence indicating that many online advertisements remain either unnoticed, or in many cases, are considered to be annoyances that are thus consciously and purposefully ignored by the end user. Originally, online advertising involved only text. Later, banner ads were introduced, which included still artwork design and photographs. Eventually, the artwork was animated or otherwise made dynamic so that the movement would attract and keep a viewer's attention. The most recent online trend is video advertising, and it is growing at a rapid rate. Regardless of the type of advertisement displayed, there have been few significant changes with regard to what happens after an end user selects (e.g., “clicks” on) a displayed advertisement, and then in how the ad content is presented to—and communicated with—the end user.
In an aspect, it will be seen that the present invention involves methods of delivering, measuring, managing, and displaying, live advertisements (“LivingAds”) that are easily accessible and highly engaging. LivingAds content is available in real-time, offering a truly immersive and inherently human, thus natural experience for the end user. Online real-time communications are quickly becoming mainstream and are readily available, providing an opportunity for a unique and highly effective online advertising system and method.
The invention employs a real-time communications (“RTC”) System, which provides unique methods ideally suited for online advertising. These benefits directly affect all those involved in an online advertisement lifecycle: the end user, the advertiser, and the publisher; and they include online networks (social networks and others) hosting sophisticated online advertising networks of their own. The system is designed for real-time communications from the ground up, and because of its customized and unique RTC architecture, it offers such advertising methods in ways that conventional advertising systems simply cannot.
Conventional internet advertising does not involve actual live person(s) and/or experiences associated with the ads. Most traditional online ads, when selected, direct the end user to the advertiser's website or to an external, third-party web page that cannot support real-time communications. For this reason, many of the features offered by the present invention would be difficult or impossible to achieve without having access, and taking full advantage, of the unique properties of the inventive RTC system.
The system is also designed to closely mimic the real world experience, insofar as the inventive methods offer real-time communications features found in everyday real world events, activities, and engagements. The system and its methods allow for this real world experience and then enhance that experience with unique online features. Mixing the “traditional” real world communications model with internet communications methods results in a powerful hybrid, offline/online, real-time communications system that is powerful, flexible, and truly unique.
The inventive system and methods, however, are compatible with conventional closed, open, and hybrid online platforms and networks. The system and methods of the present invention are also compatible with traditional, and modern, online advertising platforms, networks and methods. The system is not inextricably tied to browser-based technologies. On the contrary, it is suited for use with native apps, television, messaging platforms, and other platforms not dependent on browsers.
Among the many advantages of the present invention, first and foremost, the Living Ad live teaser only appears when its associated channel is live. The channel online/offline control option is a crucial component of the proposed invention. If the channel associated with a teaser ad is set to offline, the live teaser ad will not display on a publisher's site or channel. The live teaser ad may deactivate or convert to its default static teaser ad state as soon as its associated channel is switched to offline, resulting in extra incentive for an interested end user to select the teaser before it's potentially no longer available. The live teasers can be configured to run on a first-come/first-served, basis, along with a maximum capacity set.
An advertiser can control how many of its live teasers are displayed. Once the maximum impressions and/or “click-thrus” are reached, the live teaser “times out” and self-destructs on the publisher, or converts to its default static teaser ad state.
The advertiser can also set limits on how many products and/or services are being sold, and the live teaser advertisement can self-destruct on the publisher once that limit is reached, or converts to its default static teaser ad state.
A counter can be included on a live teaser ad, notifying end users how many items are left. Or, the number of items remaining for sale can remain unknown to the end user; providing additional incentive for an interested end user to click-thru before the teaser disappears on the publisher.
The advertiser also has control over the number of simultaneous end users (number of current click-thrus and/or regular viewers) with RTC privileges on its channel. As soon as an end user who has been granted RTC privileges leaves a channel, another live teaser advertisement can be displayed, only allowing a predetermined set number of end users with RTC privileges on the channel at a time. Referred to as the “revolving door” method, the method involves: one person out, one person in, and this can be ongoing until the maximum number of live teaser ad click-thrus or CPMs (cost per 1,000 impressions) are reached. It should be noted that this “revolving door” method closely resembles the real world experience as mentioned in the Introduction of this document. As with a brick and mortar store, channels also have control over the number of simultaneous visitors. (Sec
The advertiser, as part of the LivingAds campaign, can also be granted (by the System) a prearranged set of RTC features and/or tools based on a type of promotion. For example, some advertisers may wish to present a live video broadcast while others may prefer individually-selected video and/or audio chats, telepresence, or IM.
The advertiser's channel, by default, can begin with pure peer-to-peer (P2P) communications and convert to broadcast, along with media server(s), based on the amount of traffic. This on-demand media server method, specifically geared for online advertising, is truly unique and very effective. As used herein, “broadcast” bears the meaning of transmitting from one to many.
A LivingAds advertising campaign can also be dynamic, and easily scalable, based on the type of advertisement experience being presented on its associated channel.
End users can be presented with opportunities to win rewards and/or prizes if they click-thru the live teaser to experience the ad content on its associated channel. This type of ad gamification is unique and an incredibly effective marketing strategy, particularly due to its RTC features.
Advertisers have control over their teaser ad “roll out” frequency rates. For example, some advertisers, particularly those opting for pure P2P communications, may wish to limit to a bare minimum the number of end users simultaneously on their channels. In these cases, they can set their live teasers to be released on a slower roll out rate in relation to advertisers who wish to broadcast to a large number of end users simultaneously on their channel, such teasers being released to publishers on a more rapid roll out scheduling rate. Live teaser ads can also be adjusted to roll out to publishers only when their associated channel has not reached the maximum number of simultaneous end users with RTC privileges. (See
Advertisers have control over the amount of time a teaser is displayed on a publisher. Such control enables an advertiser to ensure that end users never know, for example, exactly how long a live teaser ad will be available, thus providing an extra incentive for those end users truly interested in the teaser ad to click-thru.
Advertisers have control over the amount of time they allow the end user to view their channels. Special conditions can also be arranged. For example, if an end user participates in RTC, including instant messaging (IM), his or her time allowed on the channel may be increased or the time limit may no longer apply. As with all the channel configurations (with or without advertising), the channel provider is in full control. This method prevents end users from sitting idle on channels and potentially preventing others from experiencing the advertiser's content, much as with the “revolving door” method previously described.
Teaser ads can be requested by end users. The advertiser(s) can accept or deny any end user, based on the user profile, or for any other reason. If the request is accepted, the teasers can be released at any time to the specific end users requesting them.
Invitations can be sent out by advertisers to specific end users based on their profiles. An RSVP can be included as part of the invitation and either accepted or denied by the end user for any reason. If the invitation is accepted, the teaser ads can be released at any time to the specific end users agreeing to receive them.
As with real world seminars and online webinars, questions asked on an advertiser's channel can be handled by operators and addressed selectively before, during, or after the ad broadcast has completed. In some cases, interaction may not be necessary such as during special live events.
As with conventional online advertising methods, teasers can be location based. Using geolocation technologies, including end users' IP addresses, different advertisements can be displayed on the publisher at the same time, and based on the end user's location. However, unlike conventional advertising methods, LivingAds live teasers are always live and offer an enhanced experience for the end user, regardless of location. Ultimately, LivingAds offer a more intimate experience with the advertiser's product, no matter where the end user resides.
Accessing a promotion featuring such RTC options is particularly unique and advantageous for manipulating and/or operating remote physical devices (“telepresence”) associated with the advertisement. Such physical objects can include digital cameras, robots, and/or any electronic mobile device. The system architecture permits easy access, along with control, of network-connected devices, offering an end user a unique perspective of the advertiser's product, whether in the real world, in a virtual reality landscape, and/or an augmented reality environment. (See
With conventional advertising, the end user is essentially a spectator of a polished, often unrealistic, representation of a product and/or service. With LivingAds, the end user becomes an actual participant in the advertisement. The advertiser can no longer fully control how an advertisement is seen by prospective buyers. Instead, the end user is now in charge of how he views the product being promoted. This is a significant change in how the internet-based advertising world operates.
With the present invention, advertisers are forced into being more transparent and honest with customers, especially on advertising channels where end users have the option of directing the advertisement. The result: a more level playing field where not only the advertisers with the largest ad campaigns thrive. Instead, advertisers that are most open and honest about their products are more likely to succeed, regardless of the size of their advertising budgets. Advertisers caught being deceptive will lose market share quickly, particularly in a real-time communications environment such as this proposed invention. “Live cameras don't lie.” The consumer now has an advantage, and advertisers must conform to this new (marketing) reality.
Selected and/or random end users can be chosen (by the advertiser) to have a telepresence option available on an associated channel, (see
LivingAds assist in converting push advertising into pull advertising. End users will recognize, and embrace, the trust factor associated with products promoted using these proposed advertising methods. Ultimately, customers will seek out products they recognize being advertised as LivingAds.
Ad measurement methods: Advertisers can track, in real-time, individual end user behavioral patterns.
Advertisers, on membership-based websites, can instantly be provided with information on (logged in) end users entering their associated channel.
Advertisers on membership-based websites can target end users demographically based on their user profiles.
End users, including those who are not logged in on membership-based sites, are immediately recognized when entering an advertiser's channel. Real-time communications, under channel provider discretion, are immediately available to the end user, without any login, downloads, installs, and/or special privileges when entering a channel. It should be noted that in some scenarios the ad viewer may need to download and install software in order to experience RTC with the inventive system. This may be a download via the browser (plugin) or native mobile app install, or even pre-installed (out of the box) in the electronic device itself.
Ad management methods: Advertisers can make real-time adjustments based on individual end user behavioral patterns. For example, teasers can be personalized and targeted to specific end users, resulting in customized ads—“quality vs. quantity”—as opposed to bulk ad campaigns used in conventional online advertising campaigns. Though it must be noted that LivingAds can promote bulk ad campaigns as well.
The inventive system contains network condition-based algorithms that factor in and adjust LivingAds-related data accordingly, all in real-time. Poor network conditions, primarily, affect those ads (and associated channels) that rely strictly on core peer-to-peer communications. With this proactive method in place, channels are notified in real-time of any network-related issues, allowing them to adjust how they present their promotions. The algorithms factor in dynamic network conditions and make the same, or similar, accommodations for channels broadcasting live and using media servers. Channels can notify their customers in real-time of current network conditions. The types of LivingAds can be adjusted in real-time based on network conditions. The number of those ads can be adjusted in real-time based on network conditions. (Sec
Micropayment options are offered to all advertisers. Micropayments are particularly beneficial for advertisers that may fall under the “classifieds” type of promotions. These types of small budget advertisers don't have the volume of traffic on their associated channels compared to the larger, live broadcast, types of advertisements. LivingAds, however, are ideal for smaller ad campaigns, including “classifieds” type ads. Micropayments, as a result, offer an affordable option for those ad campaigns that depend on core P2P advertising.
Core P2P advertising is also facilitated and is more advantageous using the present invention, because the consumer purchases products and/or services directly from the source, with no middleman involved. The result is a quicker, more informative, and transparent/honest transaction. The ability of the system to offer 1-1 real-time advertising communications is truly unique to the internet, yet similar to real world occurrences. Furthermore, pure P2P communications are inherently more secure than those in the traditional client/server architecture.
The size, type, or even placement of LivingAds are insignificant compared to conventional online ads. Video advertising has proven to be an effective type of display advertising because of their ability to grab the end user's attention but, end users observing display ads, beyond brand awareness, really don't provide much benefit for the advertiser. The advertiser's goal is for the end user to select the ad, and make the purchase. The proposed teaser ads can be in any display format. However, once an end user recognizes that any Living Ad live teaser, when selected, results in a live feed, the size or type of ad does not matter.
Live teasers can be shown as a live video feed, unlike current ad promotions showing taped video or stills. This type of ad display will prove to be much more effective than standard video advertising.
Pricing can be adjusted per type of teaser ad display, with text teasers being the least expensive and live video teasers being the most expensive.
Core P2P online advertising is, technically, more simple than conventional online advertising. When there is no use of a media server, communication between advertiser and the end user is direct, client-to-client.
From a business perspective, core P2P advertising using the present invention is more cost effective than standard online advertising because there is little to no hosting costs involved.
Summarily stated, LivingAds translates into a dignified advertising model that respects end users by presenting their promotion in a live and transparent format, thereby greatly diminishing the chance of any false or deceptive advertising. Showing respect for the end user will be reciprocally returned to the advertiser who will be supported for being so open with promotions. The publisher will also be appreciated by guests for running such teaser ads.
In short, LivingAds provide the incentive for click-thrus, and the methods for communicating with the customer, in a real-time environment. This vastly increases the advertiser's chances at making a sale.
In the most general terms, there are five principal aspects of the present invention that make it unique and, ultimately, a better “System and Method of Delivering Advertising Over Networks”:
First, live teasers may be served, but teasers can also be served static—and change to live when an advertiser goes live on its channel. In some cases, RTC can be achieved directly in the live teaser ad itself without the Ad Viewer (End User) having to select the teaser.
Second, the RTC System(s) are designed from the ground up for live online advertising.
Third, the system uses push technology, wherein the advertiser triggers the live teaser ad being served—and/or—the static teaser already served can convert to live (be activated) with the trigger being the advertiser going live on its channel or the advertiser's respective channel going live. A common way to describe such a system is a dynamic electronic advertising communications switchboard.
Fourth, the RTC-related methods, including, but not limited to, the Revolving Door, Ad Viewer Validation, Anti-Click Fraud, Real-Time Ad Gamification, and Real-Time Ad Metrics methods, as described in the Detailed Description that follows.
Fifth, the inventive system employs a blend of “traditional” real world communications model with internet communications methods, results in a hybrid, online/offline communications system that is powerful, flexible, and truly unique.
The following five distinct technology components play significant roles in the inventive system, but the sum of these components—the synergistic combination of technologies and methods applied to these technologies—truly make the invention commercially and practically advantageous:
LivingAds Portal: allows for advertisers to register and manage RTC settings (related to RTC Ad Rules Engine, below); including login to go live on their channels. It can also serve as the advertiser's RTC channel during live engagements with ad viewers (referred to as ad “content details” in the provisional).
LivingAds Ad Server: responsible for serving the teasers and/or advertiser's availability status appearing on the teaser ad.
RTC Server: responsible for all RTC-related functionalities; including, but not limited to: coordinating the signaling of setting up the IM/audio/video call between the ad viewer and the advertiser, as well as setting the appropriate status of the advertiser. WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communications) is the preferred browser-based peer-to-peer (P2P) technology for the present invention; however, the system is not limited to this technology and can utilize other real-time communications technologies. For example, for broadcast (one-to-many) streaming, media servers, along with other technologies such as DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP), HLS (HTTP Live Streaming), and SFU (Selective Forwarding Unit) can be utilized in conjunction with WebRTC or on their own, or even other RTC technologies. Further, the system is not in any way dependent on a single RTC solution or RTC vendor. Rather, multiple RTC solutions and/or vendors may be involved in the overall system, depending on the application.
RTC Ad Rules Engine: Provides advertisers with a number of unique communications controls, based on their RTC settings, to manage their ad campaigns. Ultimately, the RTC Ad Rules Engine governs how, when, what, and where teaser ads are served.
WebSocket connection: The persistent bilateral communication established between the end user, as well as advertiser, and LivingAds Network is absolutely critical, especially with respect to online live advertising. This uninterrupted connection ensures delivery of truly real-time ads. Permitting ongoing and real-time data transfer between the browser (end user and advertiser), and/or mobile app, and the LivingAds network is mandatory as a true RTC Advertising system. It also enables dynamic capabilities, before, during, and after the teaser is selected, that are absolutely essential to the RTC system as a whole, and its associated methods described in this application.
Live online advertising is dependent on a genuine RTC system. Without a designated RTC system, the result is static advertising—i.e., bad advertising—with the user left waiting for an advertiser to appear; an effect entirely opposite that desired by an advertiser paying to run a promotion. The present invention, with its systems and its unique methods, creates a powerful and effective solution, ideal for live online advertising.
The foregoing summary broadly sets out the more important features of the present invention so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood, and so that the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that are described in the detailed description of embodiments of the invention and which form the subject matter of claims set out herein.
System: An online real-time communications platform comprising dedicated and/or ephemeral channels. The System is not limited to run on just one website or network. The system can be licensed to run on independent networks, or even appearing to run independently on external websites or networks through the use of white labeling options.
Channel: Advertisement content details (product and/or service) are displayed here, only if the channel is associated with a Living Ad. The channel consists of, but is not limited to, real-time communication tools such as instant messaging (text), audio, video, and built-in telepresence capabilities for remote manipulation of physical devices. The channel resides within the aforementioned real-time communications system. All “teaser ads”, see below, must have an associated channel, internal to a set website and/or network, or external, potentially as an independent white label web page, and/or network. The channel may be dedicated, but it may also be ephemeral, enduring only for the duration of the Living Ad. Thus, there are two types of channels: one dedicated and going live, wherein the advertiser engages with an end user in a real-time communication; another in which the advertiser goes live, and also engages with the end user via RTC, but has no dependency on the status of the ephemeral/temporary channel. It should be noted that channels may provide a viewer with real world experiences, virtual world experiences, or augmented reality experiences.
Channel Provider: Person(s) or entity responsible for configuring and managing a channel. As indicated in the channel definition, a channel does not have to be associated with an advertisement.
Ad server: Serves both static and live teaser advertisements to a publisher for display to end users.
Ad database: Stores both static and live teaser advertisements that may be pulled by an ad server.
LivingAd(s) or Living Ad(s): Online advertisements presented with real-time content and communications features. The LivingAds advertisement is comprised of two components: “teasers”, or “teaser ads”, residing on the publisher, and content details, residing on its associated channel. In some cases, RTC can be achieved directly in the live teaser itself without the Ad Viewer (End User) having to select the teaser ad. Self-contained static teaser ads, with RTC features dormant, can convert to live teaser ads, with RTC capabilities activated, when their associated channel goes live. Teasers can be served either static or live.
Advertiser: Company or person or other entity promoting the advertisement.
Publisher: Web page presenting the teaser advertisements. A publisher may be an external web page, or another internal (within a set network) channel that offers advertisements. A publisher can also be an Advertiser, in which case its channel may not necessarily offer advertisements or other teaser ads.
Ad Viewer/End User—the entity that goes to a published web page, views the teaser, and then clicks on the teaser to “talk to the advertiser” when the teaser is live. The terms “ad viewer” and “end user” are used interchangeably and synonymously throughout this application.
Agency—the entity that hosts the teaser ad HTML, CSS, Javascript code and any other necessary software, to display the teaser, as well as the entity that makes the teaser available to the Ad Exchange.
LivingAds Server—the entity that hosts the portal for the advertiser to log into and the RTC server that coordinates the signaling of setting up the instant messaging and/or video/audio call between the Ad Viewer and Advertiser. It is, inter alia, a web portal, digital asset server, RTC server, and RTC ad rules engine.
Ad Exchange—the entity that provides the links to teasers based on availability from various agencies.
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
Referring first to
Next, referring to
Referring next to
Finally,
Summarily stated, when a publisher's internal server serves a page that includes any LivingAd teasers, it sends a script (provided by LivingAds) that opens a WebSocket connection (for that browser tab) to the LivingAds server. Through the open WebSocket, the script sends the LivingAds server the identification of all the teasers on the page. When an advertiser goes live on its channel, the LivingAds server sends that information back to the script in the browser, which replaces the static teaser with a live teaser. As an alternative, the LivingAds server can send LIVE feature(s) to be placed on top of the existing static teaser ad, such as a “LIVE” button which, when selected, activates the now live teaser ad's real-time communications capabilities.
It should be noted that the inventive LivingAds system must integrate two detailed and interconnected data flows. The RTC experience requires persistent connections (typically persistent HTTP transactions) for WebRTC media negotiations to take place between an End User and an Advertiser to share a two-way call. The online display advertising process links End Users, and potentially End User profiles, with Advertisers, Advertising Agencies, and Ad Exchanges to connect Publishers and Advertisers.
This self-contained teaser has embedded script that enables the teaser to change from static-to-live; an event which takes place only if the teaser's associated advertiser goes live on its channel. The same RTC logic and functionality previously discussed in this document applies to this embodiment. It should be noted that the live teaser changes back to its default, static, state when the advertiser is not live.
Salient features and differences in this embodiment include: (1) the initial step of the teaser being served does not involve the advertiser going live on its channel; in other words, the advertiser going live on its channel doesn't trigger the live teaser being served as with some of the other embodiments mentioned in this document; and (2) the teaser, by default, is static and only converts to a LIVE teaser ad when its associated advertiser goes live on its channel. However, this self-contained static teaser method can be applied to all the embodiments mentioned in this document.
Referring next to
Next, the Ad Viewer in parallel clicks on a link to the publisher web page and downloads the publisher content, including links to the Ad Server 244.
Next, the Ad Viewer browser then uses those links to query the Ad Server for advertisements to render inside the publisher page 246.
Then the Ad server may have some details about the user it may use to customize Ads for the Ad Viewer and makes a request to the Supply Side Platform that can query one or more Ad Exchanges 248.
Then, because the LivingAd teaser was enabled in the Ad Exchange it can be chosen as the ad to deliver to the user. A link to the teaser ad's Agency webserver is provided back to the Ad Viewer 250.
Finally, the Ad Viewer's browser uses the URL provided to request the teaser from the Agency webserver and renders the LivingAd for the Ad Viewer 252.
Referring now to
The Advertiser next establishes a persistent signaling channel over WebSockets to the LivingAds RTC Server 266.
Next, the LivingAds RTC server calls an Agency API to set the LivingAd teaser to available in the corresponding Ad Exchanges 268. The Advertiser then waits for an Ad Viewer to select the live teaser to initiate a video/audio (and/or IM) session 270. When an Ad Viewer/End User initiates the call 272, the LivingAds RTC Server sets the status of Advertiser to “offline” to prevent any simultaneous calls 274. Note: An “offline” signal is set only if the maximum number of simultaneous ad viewers is reached; otherwise, the advertiser's status remains as “available/live.”
The Advertiser gets a notification of an incoming call over the WebSocket signaling channel 276. If the Advertiser accepts the call, the WebRTC media negotiation starts using standard WebRTC JSEP style procedures 278, and the video/audio (and/or IM) call takes place, and eventually it ends. The RTC server then sets the Advertiser status to “online” to make him available for the next call 280.
RTC flow proceeds as follows: First, the teaser advertisement JavaScript code embeds a unique RTC ID to identify to the RTC server to which advertiser it should route incoming call notifications 322. Once the Advertiser is ready to go live on its channel, it logs into the LivingAds Portal and sets its status to live 324. This session may be associated to the RTC ID set above in the LivingAds RTC Server.
Next, the Advertiser establishes a persistent signaling channel over WebSockets to the LivingAds RTC Server, and waits for an Ad Viewer to click on the live teaser to initiate a video/audio (and/or IM) session 326
When an Ad Viewer visits the Publisher and downloads a Living Ad teaser 328, the JavaScript code executes with the Advertiser RTCID and establishes a WebSocket connection to the LivingAds RTC Server. The RTC Server then signals the Ad Viewer Browser that the Advertiser is live and available for a call 330.
Should the Ad Viewer decide to talk to the Advertiser and initiate the call 332, the Ad Viewer browser sends a signaling message to RTC server that the Ad Viewer wants to initiate a call 334. Then the RTC server looks at the RTC ID and corresponding Advertiser, sets Advertiser to “busy” state and signals the Advertiser that there is an incoming call. A “busy” signal is set only if the maximum number of simultaneous ad viewers is reached; otherwise, the advertiser's status remains as “available/live.”
If the Advertiser decides to answer the call, it sends a signaling message to accept the call with WebRTC Media Offer using WebRTC JSEP style procedures 336. The Ad Viewer Browser receives the offer and sends an answer 338. The video/audio (and/or IM) call takes place 340 until it terminates, at which point the RTC server sets the Advertiser status to “live” to make him available for the next call 342. In a broadcast media server environment (one-to-one and/or one-to-many streaming), communications between the Advertiser and the Ad Viewer do not necessarily take place via core peer-to-peer networking. In a broadcast media server environment (one-to-many streaming), media servers, along with other RTC technologies such as DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP), HLS (HTTP Live Streaming), and SFU (Selective Forwarding Unit) can be utilized in conjunction with WebRTC or on their own, or even other RTC technologies.
Referring next to
Referring next to
The RTC flow for the anti-click fraud method employed in the present invention proceeds as follows: First, the teaser Advertisement JavaScript code embeds a unique RTC ID to identify to the RTC server to which Advertiser it should route incoming call notifications. Once the Advertiser is ready to go live on its channel, he should log into the LivingAds Portal and set his status to live. This session should be associated to the RTC ID set above.
A LivingAd teaser and/or teaser ad status 514 is served 516 to the browser only if it passes this validation check. If not, the teaser will not be served to the browser 518. The anti-click fraud method is adapted for use with both live and static teasers. When selected by an End User, static teasers direct the End User to an associated website (as with conventional ads). When static teasers convert to live teasers, they direct the user to either a dedicated or ephemeral channel; as discussed above. The validation check process is covered in detail in
Thus, and referring now to
The inventive LivingAds system provides registered Advertisers with powerful ad metrics tools.
Ad metrics may be generated automatically or manually, at the Advertiser's discretion. Auto-generated metrics can be associated with the anti-click fraud features, as well, insofar as an Advertiser may also enable anti-click fraud support and request that the system automatically generate a report of each communication with Ad Viewers, and this feature may affect both live and static teasers, precisely as with anti-click fraud functionality. The ad metrics report includes, but is not limited to, time of live teaser selected, teaser location/publisher (ad placement), length of time of teaser displayed, length of time engaged with ad viewer, cost of teaser ad, close of sale (if applicable), any ad viewer contact information shared, ad viewer questions, and any other pertinent information, or documents, shared. The “Ad viewer validation”, by default, allows the advertiser to prompt the ad viewer with a message that must be responded to prior to any communications. The ad viewer can be prompted with questions via text, voice and/or video (including live video), and they can reply accordingly, utilizing any number of real-time communications techniques. This further helps prevent click fraud and can potentially help the advertiser learn more about the ad viewer, depending on what type of message is presented, prior to any communications. The advertiser can opt out of the ad viewer validation step by deselecting the “Ad Viewer validation” setting. By doing so, the Ad Viewer will have direct communications with the advertiser after selecting the live teaser. Artificial intelligence features can be included to minimize needless human interaction before a suitable degree of validation has been completed. In fact, manual response by the ad viewer in some cases may be unnecessary based on certain behavioral patterns, image recognition (such as facial recognition), and/or other AI-related techniques. AI may be employed productively to determine the reason and priority of an ad viewer's request to communicate with the advertiser. Preferably, this includes a software bot to be used as part of the user validation process. The bot detects incoming user requests and, using Artificial Intelligence, addresses any basic questions. The bot can then hand off communications to a human for more advanced inquiries concerning the advertisement. The Advertiser can intervene during the bot-to-end user communications at any time, and can set triggers (such as key words) for immediate hand off to human interaction established in the RTC Ad Rules Engine.
Ad metrics further includes an “Enable screen sharing” option that allows the Advertiser and Ad Viewer to share screens. This option might not be set as a default because it may involve the ad viewer having to install additional software in order to use this feature. A “Call Center configuration” setting is provided for those advertisers that have call center representatives communicating with the ad viewers and want to have a customized report better suited for this category. A “Generate Report” button can also be provided and when selected, provides all the ad metrics results data based on the Advertiser's settings, in real-time, in an easy-to-read format. This report also includes the Anti-Click Fraud real-time data.
The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of embodiments of this invention, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative forms, functions, operational features or the like.
Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.
The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 15/663,479, filed on Jul. 28, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/368,652, filed Jul. 29, 2016 (Jul. 29, 2016), and is a continuation-in-part U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,397, filed Jun. 23, 2016 (Jun. 23, 2016), which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/183,587, filed Jun. 23, 2015 (Jun. 23, 2015), all of which are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62368652 | Jul 2016 | US | |
| 62183587 | Jun 2015 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15663479 | Jul 2017 | US |
| Child | 18584274 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15191397 | Jun 2016 | US |
| Child | 15663479 | US |
