Method and apparatus for presenting and aggregating information related to the sale of multiple goods and services

Abstract

A computer-implemented method can automatically present a plurality of selectable rich media video clips associated with goods and / or services offered for sale via an interactive networked communication system including at least one client and at least one server. A request to the server can be initiated at the client via the interactive networked communication system to select a plurality of rich media video clips from a database of rich media video clips associated with corresponding goods and / or services. A static descriptor can be displayed on the client for each of the plurality of rich media video clips as selected and received from the server. The plurality of rich media video clips can automatically be presented on the client in a concatenated sequence in a continuous rich media video stream.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 753,412, filed May 24, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to the generation and production of video advertisements to be presented via the Internet. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for high quality mass production of customized video clips for the promotion of products and services.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The Internet has become an increasingly important part of the sales industry. Today, many buyers perform some kind of online research prior to making purchases. Not surprisingly, Internet advertising has steadily increased as a percentage of all advertising.[0004]Developments such as these have spawned an entire industry that specializes in providing services relating to the creation and dissemination of advertising content. These kind...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The present invention is directed to a method and system for high quality semi-automatic production of customized rich media video clips. Media source material, such as text, graphics, pictures, and video clips can be submitted by a customer. A computerized content aggregator utilizing an automated production assistant can locate additional source material by searching available information libraries and databases. The computerized content aggregator may be programmed to organize and assemble the various source materials to create suggested video elements and a suggested voice-over script or recording. A human video producer can then quickly and efficiently create a rich media video clip from the suggested video elements and the voice-over script or recording.

Problems solved by technology

Most of this information is relatively undifferentiated, necessitating considerable time and effort on the potential buyer's part to tease out the information he or she seeks.

While customized audiovisual advertisements are known to be more attractive and increase the time a potential buyer spends at a website, the costs involved in producing and disseminating high quality, high bandwidth advertisements would be cost prohibitive if professional video production were used.

This problem is further compounded when there is a need to efficiently and professionally create a multitude of unique, customized advertisements for the various products being sold by a given seller.

Unfortunately, the learning curve to use these products can be substantial and the amount of time required to produce any given customized video segment is often measured in hours, not minutes.

As a result, mass production of customized rich media audiovisual content using skilled operators can be cost prohibitive.