METHOD FOR INTERACTING WITH A TV SYSTEM ooo§ooo Field of the invention
This invention refers to a method for interacting with a TV system, useful for advertsing products. Background of the invention
Television has been being a very popular mass media for years and years. Most families possess a television apparatus in Italy; a lot of people possess more than an apparatus per family. Television is so popular, because it allows to see films, information and events without leaving home, with a very- low price.
Such a success is much appreciated by advertising world. Therefore, especially after the starting of the commercial television, advertising firms provide their spots during TV programs . The main purpose for an advertising firm is to reach as many people as possible, so that the spot can be seen by most people. Therefore, audience has become the most important parameter for checking the success of a program. The higher is audience, the higher is the cost of a spot for the advertisers.
A lot of films and TV formats are sponsorised and it would be interesting for advertisers to highlight their products during a transmission, what is not possible through analog television.
In recent years, digital television became possible and, although it is still relatively seldom, it is becoming more and more popular. Digital television allows a sort of interaction between transmission and the' public, by introducing special trnasmissions, showing a menu with which the public can interact through the so-called return-channel .
In any case, such an interaction is not possible during films, sport events or formats which have not been prepared therefor. Summary of the invention
This invention refers to a method for interacting with a TV system, characterised in that it includes the steps of: a) showing a TV program,- b) selecting a scene under vision through the use of a menu for parts of the objects shown in the program, which can be activated by the spectator through a remote control; c) providing information and/or images, and/or purchasing an object in response of activation and of the subsequent choice of option.
Brief description of the drawings
This invention is now described with reference to the annexed drawings, showing preferred embodiments thereof, and wherein fig. 1 is a diagram showing the timeline in a first embodiment of the present invention; fig. 2 is a diagram showing a first step in the embodiment of fig. 1; fig. 3 is a diagram showing a second step in the embodiment of figs . 1 and 2 ; fig. 4 is a diagram showing a third step in the embodiment of figs. 1 to 3; fig. 5 is a diagram showing the last step in the method according to the first embodiment of the present invention,- fig. 6 is a diagram showing a first step in an alternative embodiment of this invention; fig. 7 is a diagram showing a second step in the embodiment of fig. 6,- fig. 8 is a diagram showing a third step in the embodiment of figs. 6 and 7; and fig. 9 is a diagram showing the last step in the embodiment of figs 6 to 8. Best mode for carrying out the invention
This invention allows to make a spectator interact virtually with any TV program. Different possibilities arise for the interaction.
According to a first embodiment of this invention, the interaction is possible when broadcasting a film. As it is shown in Fig. 1, some interaction sequences, labelled by coloured points 1 (for instance orange points) , are provided in the film time line. As the orange point 1 appears, it is possible to send a reply signal through the remote control, clicking a suitable button. Such a click enables a window menu on the screen, making a series of predetermined images 2, 3 and 4 available. For instance, in a scene of the film it is possible to enlarge a photo thereof, so as to show some particulars, for instances some place or some objects contained in the same scene. With a suitable button, the particular image 2, 3 or 4 can be selected and confirmed, for instance by clicking OK. Let us imagine that the selected image is the image 2, for instance showing the main character of the film.
Depressing the confirmation button, enables a series of first level buttons 5, 6, 7 and 8. The first level buttons 5 to 8 refer to different particulars of the image. An explanatory, not limiting, example could be: 5 clothings, 6 objects, 7 environment and 8 characters. After selection, for instance depressing button 5, a series of second level buttons 9 to 13 appears . Any second level button 9 to 13 refers to a particular of clothings. Roll over one of the buttons allows to highlight the selected objects in the selected image. Depression of a second level button allows to chose an article, which can be illustrated by different means, such as shown in Fig. 5, like a photo 14, a brief description 15, a deep description 16, a catalogue 17 or a spot 18. Furthermore, it is possible with a suitable button (for instance through the photo 14) to book the object directly through television, which is nowadays not possible, like it is common via computer by e-commerce.
Of course, other examples are possible. For instance, touristic information about a location or historical information about a location, a fact or a person, to book travels, hotels, conferences and so on.
Summarising, the interaction according to this embodiment can take place as follows: a few interactive scenes are inserted in a film, each one having a number of reference images. A reference symbol, for instance the orange point 1, signals the presence of an interactive scene. Depressing a suitable button on the remote control activates the function VideoRec, which automatically records the remainder part of the film. Then, the interactive menu appears.
The alternative embodiment of this invention refers to a live transmission, like a reality show or a sport event. In this situation, a pre-determined timeline does not exist and the use of a return channel is needed.
Usually, the format is divided into theme areas, which are geographically well defined. For instance, a reality show comprises a show location, with participants, a studio and possibly other places. Similarly, a sport events comprises the game field, the public, a possible studio and other possible locations. For the sake of illustration, a format divided into four theme area is described in the following,- studio 19, location 20, anchormen 21 and participants 22. Every theme area can be selected through a suitable button on the remote control, as it appears on TV. Upon the selection, for instance of the studio 19, a menu appears, with second level buttons 23 to 26, connected to respective images and able to give more details about the choice done and representing some particular aspects . For instance, if studio 19 is chosen, button 23 can refer to furniture, button 24 to decorations, button 25 to lights, button 26 to the city where the studio is located. Of course, other possibilities are available and any theme area can have its own second level selections.
After selection of a second level, for instance decorations 24, third level buttons become available, enabling the selection of the object really interesting for the spectator. For instance, third level buttons can refer to floor paillettes 27 or to festoons 28. After this final selection, information about the object become available, for instance, a brief description 29, a deep description 30, details for purchase 31, catalogue 32 and possibility to purchase 33. Also in this case, it becomes possible to purchase objects, directly from a TV broadcasting, simply using the remote control in the earth digital television.
Summarising, the alternative embodiment provides an interaction taking place by dividing a format in a number of theme areas; every theme area possesses a number of depth levels. Every area and sub-area has a reference image, enabling a selection button to be depressed. Possibly, theme area are signalled by a signal. Starting interaction, automatically starts the function VideoRec (automatic recording) and opens a menu for the selection of an object for information or purchase.
For a complete interaction, the return channel should be activated, for instance via a telephone connection.
This invention has been described above according to a few exemplary embodiments, which by no means limit its scope. For instance, two levels or more than three levels are possible for the selection, without departing from the scope. Of course, this invention enables interactions virtually with any kind of television program, allowing commerce, advertising, information, etc., without requesting a particular technology.
This invention refers to the interaction between the spectator with the television system in a broad sense, both with presently known aparatus and with any device which can be invented in the future for the same purpose, with the aim at blocking an image (or an image flow) and to find whithin any oblject and/or place and/or character, in order to be provided thereabout any possible information and possibly to finalise a commercial transaction.
A particularly interesting application could be the transmission of a spot and the interaction, in order to allow the purchase through the inventive method directly from macroareas present in the same spot .
A data processing system can be provided, suitable for controlling the number of accesses to a certain image, which control can be performed by the owner of the spot, in order to check how effective its spot is. Preferably, such a system is located at the second level.