Contextual commerce for viewers of video programming
US10123084B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2014 |
| Grant date | Nov 6, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 16, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/858
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for enabling a viewer to watch television in the usual manner, while providing the viewer with an opportunity to indicate interest in products contextually associated with, but not necessarily displayed, in the television programs viewed, are described. Viewer interest might be indicated, for example, by launching a widget from an icon located on the TV video receiver using a handheld remote controller in communication with a set-top box during the program. The program being viewed may then be identified, for example, by the selected channel, the name of the program, the episode, and the time of the selection, or a combination of these indicators. The selections are transmitted by the set-top box to a remote search server, which returns information to the viewer on a portion of the TV video receiver concerning available products contextually related to the program being viewed at the time the widget was launched by the viewer, as well as purchase information. A selected product may as well be purchased through the set-top box in communication with an e-commerce server. Use of a mobile telephone in combination with a TV set-top box for product purchasing is a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.