Method and apparatus for targeting of interactive virtual objects
US9813641B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 2015 |
| Grant date | Nov 7, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 3, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/478
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and an apparatus are used to target interactive virtual objects to subscribers in a television delivery system. Programs are selected and virtual object locations are defined in the selected programs. The virtual objects available for targeting are categorized and the categories are correlated to subscriber information to determine the optimum targeting of the virtual objects. The virtual objects may be targeted based on individual subscriber information or on information related to groups of subscribers. When a frame of a program includes a virtual object location, a default or an alternate virtual object is displayed. The virtual object location may change over space or time. The virtual object may be interactive, and may be used to link a subscriber to a remote location, such as an Internet web site. An operations center or a cable headend may generate a group assignment plan that assigns the subscribers' television terminals to groups, based on factors such as area of dominant influence and household income. A retrieval plan is then generated that instructs the television terminals to select the desired virtual object for display. The television terminals record which …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.