Method and apparatus for placing virtual objects

Details Method and apparatus for placing virtual objects Method and apparatus for placing virtual objects

2000-06-30

2010-06-22

Ke, Simon (Department: 2174)

Data processing: presentation processing of document, operator i

Operator interface

On screen video or audio system interface

C715S782000, C715S848000, C715S706000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07743330

ABSTRACT:
A method and an apparatus are used to place virtual objects in video programs. Programs are selected and virtual object locations are defined in the selected programs. The available virtual objects available are categorized and the categories are correlated to subscriber information. 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' terminals to groups, based on factors such as area of dominant influence and household income. A placement plan may instruct the television terminals to display the desired virtual object. The television terminals may record which virtual objects were displayed, and may report this information to the cable headends and the operations center. The reported information is used to generate billing for commercial advertisers, and to analyze viewer watching habits. The invention uses upstream data reception hardware, databases and processing hardware and software, and corresponding features in the televisions to accomplish these functions.

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Report for Canadian Application No. 2,462,160 dated Jan. 20, 2009.
Supplementary Search Report in EP 02776187.3 dated March 31, 2005.

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