Method for providing advertising multimedia contents

Abstract

The method in accordance with the invention provides for sending multimedia contents to the users and a verification system which verifies whether the content has been fully visualized. In the event of complete visualizations of a predetermined amount of multimedia contents, the user receives a bonus in the form of credit for free Internet browsing.

Description

TITLEMETHOD FOR PROVIDING ADVERTISING MULTIMEDIA CONTENTSScope of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of multimedia contents such as advertising videos and images in general.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to an innovative method for rendering multimedia contents, or rather advertising, more efficient and vivid.Brief outline of prior art

[0003] In the current state of technology, multimedia contents are known and can often be found on the Internet by browsing many sites available.

[0004] Many platforms in use today, for example for listening to music or watching videos and films, often send promotional messages. Browsing the Internet itself often launches advertising messages. For example, it is common to visit an Internet page of a newspaper to read the news and, suddenly, multimedia advertising contents of any kind are superimposed on the article' s screen.

[0005] The virtual universe of the Internet is now a preferred channel for sending advertising of all kinds and for any type of product considering the enormous number of users which includes almost the entire world population.

[0006] However, the user has very often the option of skipping the advertisement by interrupting its execution. Many advertising banners, in fact, allow to press a "skip" button that allows to skip the content or, alternatively, it is possible to close and interrupt the window execution by pressing the close button of the window itself (usually an x). In other cases, the user can opt out of continuing tonavigate the specific site in order not to continue seeing the advertising content.

[0007] Therefore, this implies a lower efficiency of advertising since, because of its interruption or skipping, it does not allow the full transmission of the promotional message for which it was created and therefore results in a certain ineffectiveness of the same.

[0008] However, such advertisements have a preparation cost and a transmission cost that is not insignificant for those who commission them, so it is important that they allow for an economic return with their effectiveness.Summary of the invention

[0009] Therefore, the need for a method which resolves the above-mentioned technical inconveniences is felt.

[0010] In particular, the aim of the present invention is to provide a method and architecture which allows a much more efficient forwarding of advertisements, making the public pay more attention to advertising.

[0011] These and other aims are achieved with the present method in accordance with claim 1.

[0012] This method is a method for visualization of / listening to multimedia contents.

[0013] The method comprises the following steps:

[0014] Arranging a central server system (300);

[0015] Arranging one or more remote stations ( 101, 102, 103) configured to be remotely connectable to the central server system;

[0016] Advantageously, still according to the method, in correspondence of a remote connection of one or more of said remote stations with the central server system, the central server system sends one or more multimedia contents to said remote stations connected to the central server system,

[0017] A user, from the remote stations may thereforevisualize / listen to said multimedia contents.

[0018] According to the invention, further, the method provides for sending a signal from a remote station ( 101, 102, 103) towards the central server system (300) and with said signal indicating information regarding the execution status of the multimedia content.

[0019] In this way, in the event that a complete or substantially complete execution of the multimedia content is detected, the central server system receives such information associated with a certain remote station and provides for memorizing said complete or substantially complete execution occurred of the multimedia content by the specific client (remote station).

[0020] Complete or substantially complete execution means that the multimedia content (it may be in any form of video and / or audio) has not been closed by the user, therefore it is executed until its completion or its substantial completion.

[0021] More in particular, advantageously, the central server system provides for increasing a count by the number of times in which said complete or substantially complete execution of the multimedia content occurred by the specific remote station.

[0022] In fact, if there has been a complete or substantially complete execution of the multimedia content, this implies that the multimedia content has been played for all its duration and therefore it has been probably visualized and / or listened to by the user for all its duration.

[0023] Still according to the invention, it follows an assignment of a bonus upon reaching or exceeding a predetermined number of complete or substantially complete executions (and therefore probably of visualizations ) of the multimedia message.

[0024] In this way all the preset aims are reached.

[0025] This solution in which the central server is informed or not about a complete or substantially complete execution of the multimedia content allows to be able to credit benefits to the user, who in this way is encouraged to start the content and fully execute it without interrupting it (complete or substantially complete execution of the multimedia content).

[0026] This results in greater penetration and efficiency of the multimedia content being executed.

[0027] For example, the bonus may be a period of free Internet browsing, for example it may be enjoyed in different ways.

[0028] Advantageously, supplying the bonus may comprise an operation of communication of the central server system with an external server ( for example the server of the phone company which the specific remote station uses for Internet browsing) in such a way that said external server ( for example just the one of the phone company) may supply the bonus.

[0029] Advantageously, the bonus may comprise an amount of free Internet browsing.

[0030] Advantageously, one or more Proxy Servers (200) may be comprised.

[0031] Advantageously, each of such Proxy Servers may be associated with one or more remote stations ( 101, 102, 103).

[0032] Advantageously, said Proxy Servers may execute a communication between the central server system and one or more of the remote stations with which they are associated.

[0033] Advantageously, each Proxy Server executes the functions of server supplying contents by downloading them from the central server system and supplying them to one or more of the remote stations to which it is assigned or associated in other words.

[0034] Obj ect of the present invention is also an assembly for executing visualization of / listening to multimediacontents, the assembly comprising:

[0035] At least one central server system (300);

[0036] One or more remote stations ( 101, 102, 103) configured to be able to be remotely connected to said central server system;

[0037] The central server system being programmed in such a way that, in correspondence of a remote connection of one or more of said remote stations with the central server system, the central server system sends one or more multimedia contents to said remote stations connected to the central server system;

[0038] The remote stations being configured to allow, in use, visualization of / listening to said multimedia contents;

[0039] And wherein, each remote station comprises a software application programmed in such a way that it sends a signal from said remote station towards the central server system if this application detects a complete or substantially complete execution of the multimedia content.

[0040] Substantially, if the user visualizes the whole multimedia content, such information is sent to the central server system.

[0041] In its turn, advantageously, the central server system may have a software application equipped with a counter which is programmed to increase a count (n) by the number of times in which said complete or substantially complete execution of the multimedia content occurred by the specific remote station.

[0042] Advantageously, the central server system may be therefore programmed to communicate with a further external server.

[0043] In particular, the central server system may set a communication upon reaching a preset threshold of complete executions of visualizations associated with a remote station or with a group of remote stations.

[0044] In this way, advantageously, the external server can assign a bonus to said remote station or to said group of remote stations.

[0045] Advantageously, said external server may be the server of the phone company which the specific remote station uses for Internet browsing in such a way that said external server can supply the bonus.

[0046] Advantageously, the bonus may comprise an amount of free Internet browsing.

[0047] Advantageously, one or more Proxy Servers (200) may be comprised, each associated with one or more remote stations ( 101, 102, 103).

[0048] Advantageously, said Proxy Servers are programmed for executing a communication between the central server system and one or more of the remote stations.

[0049] Advantageously, each Proxy Server is programmed to execute the functions of server supplying contents.

[0050] Advantageously, each Proxy Server is programmed to download these contents from the central server system and supply them to one or more of the remote stations to which it is assigned.Brief description of the drawings

[0051] The invention, in one or more of its embodiments, will be described in detail below according to the following drawings:Figure 1 shows a schematization of working architecture and method in accordance with the invention in which a central server system 300 is interfaced with one or more client-related PCs ( 101, 102, 103) in this case through one or more Proxy Servers (200);Figure 2 shows a variant of the invention without the presence of the Proxy Server in which the central server system is directly connected with one or more client-relatedPCs while Figure 3 shows again the solution with the Proxy Server; both solutions of Figure 2 and Figure 3 show information feedback towards the central server system 300 in order to provide information about the complete or incomplete visualization of the multimedia content by the specific client;Figure 4 shows a schematization which highlights a count (n) made by the central server system by increasing it by one for each complete or substantially complete visualization of the multimedia content / s with the aim of ensuring the supply of an economic bonus upon reaching or exceeding a threshold (n' ) of complete or substantially complete visualizations while, in the case of not reaching it, the system continues this count.Detailed description of some embodiments of the invention

[0052] Figure 1 shows a schematization of the invention.

[0053] Numbering 300 indicates a central server system.

[0054] The central server system 300 is designated to supply multimedia contents, whether in the form of videos, images, sounds and the like. Therefore, the central server system comprises a suitable software application which is therefore designated to supply multimedia contents towards client users.

[0055] Therefore, the different multimedia contents are created and downloaded on the central server system 300 which supplies them towards the clients through software application.

[0056] In fact, Figure 1 still shows the client part which, by way of non-limiting example, represents three computers ( 101, 102, 103) in the form of normal PCs (obviously any number of remote stations may be provided). Therefore, the client part is relative to the remote users and theyobviously may be in any number. Figure 1 shows in a non-limiting way the PCs ( 101, 102, 103) through which the users may normally connect with the Internet. Any audio / video connectable with the Internet such as PCs, mobile devices such as mobile telephone devices may constitute a usable client device.

[0057] According to a possible simple solution, the users may connect remotely (therefore for example through the Internet) directly with the server system 300. The server system 300 supplies the multimedia contents which are then acquired and visualized by the PCs (or another client device as mentioned), as is outlined in Figure 2.

[0058] In particular, the server system 300 supplies the multimedia contents which are thus downloaded (in the background) by a specific application present on the client side. In this way, the different contents downloaded are then shown by the application installed on the client and this is with specific scheduling / timing which will be repeated over time and whose frequency may be defined a priori, for example by means of a commercial agreement.

[0059] Preferably, even more in particular, said application, present on the client side, when it is online, will download the contents from the central server system and will reproduce them from a browser through different systems (such as, for example, VLC client systems or media players). In this way, the application will be able to supply the contents even if it is offline to then send the feedback report of the contents supplied when it is back online.

[0060] If the user visualizes the full multimedia content, then the central server system, as per outline of Figure 2, receives a feedback signal containing such information about complete execution of the content. On the contrary, if the user interrupts execution of the multimedia content (therefore, the user does not fully see it) then either nofeedback signal is sent or the signal brings such information of interrupted execution and therefore of interrupted visualization.

[0061] In any case, it follows that the central server system has feedback information regarding whether this content has been executed or not according to the predefined standard.

[0062] Definitely, for each client ( 101, 102, 103) the server system 300 is capable of sending multimedia contents and it receives feedback information about complete or incomplete execution of said multimedia content.

[0063] As is schematically shown in Figure 4, the central server system may keep a count (n) of the complete executions (and therefore of the occurred visualizations) for the specific client or client group according to the predetermined standard, that is an execution which is complete or substantially complete of the multimedia content.

[0064] As is also clarified below, it follows that upon reaching a preset threshold (n' ) (or upon exceeding this threshold) of these complete executions a bonus is supplied while if the threshold has not been reached the count will continue increasing over time until reaching the threshold.

[0065] For example, if the threshold is reached and the bonus is supplied, a resetting of count and a reactivation of the count cycle follow with a new count.

[0066] Without prejudice to the foregoing, according to a variant of the invention, as is outlined in Figure 1, a Proxy Server 200 may be interposed between the central server system 300 and the different clients ( 101, 102, 103).

[0067] The Proxy Server is a physical device which is connected to the local network of the user and, in accordance with the invention, will facilitate activity between the clients and the central server system 300, thereby acting as an intermediate server.

[0068] More in particular, the Proxy Sever can be recommended in the case of multiple clients which use the same network ( for example a group of PCs of an office using all the same network of the office) while for a single computer / client it may be possibly avoided.

[0069] The proxy server will then be responsible for downloading the multimedia contents from the main server and will do this in place of the different clients of the same network.

[0070] The Proxy Server itself will perform the functions of server supplying contents; therefore, the clients of this network should not download the multimedia contents from the main server, but they will do that directly from the Proxy Server thus reducing the data traffic / volume necessary to supply the same content on more clients.

[0071] The proxy server will collect information from the clients regarding the number of contents fully supplied and will communicate them massively to the main server.

[0072] Then the Proxy Server will preferably download the contents from the main server during nighttime hours so as to minimize impact on network / Internet activity of the workday part.

[0073] Exactly as already described and as is outlined in Figure 3, through the Proxy Server the central server system 300 receives information regarding the complete execution of the multimedia file (therefore of the multimedia content) or information regarding its interruption.

[0074] As already described, in the case of complete execution of the multimedia content, the server system assigns a certain score to the user or to the client with more clients and upon exceeding a preset threshold of scores or count in general, the score allows the user to achieve one or more benefits.

[0075] Therefore, the central server system may sendelectronic information to the server of a designated entity for physical supplying of the bonus.

[0076] In particular, according to the invention, the complete or substantially complete visualization (thus execution) of a predetermined number of multimedia contents determines obtaining free access to the Internet, therefore without any payment being required.

[0077] This free access may occur in many ways and two of them are described here only by way of a non-limiting example.

[0078] For example, in a case, a direct deduction from the account of the phone company which supplies the Internet service may be provided.

[0079] In a further case, for example, a crediting / bank transfer or another direct refund to the client may be provided.

[0080] Therefore, in accordance with these two examples, the central server system may communicate with the server of the phone company of the specific client which obtained the bonus, thus informing said server of the phone company regarding the reaching of the score and acquisition of the bonus.

[0081] The company will supply the bonus, which, as mentioned, may be a discount applied to the invoice or be credited to credit / prepaid cards or the like or count number.

[0082] In all the above-mentioned cases, the client will have a predetermined amount of credit for Internet browsing, therefore without any costs.

[0083] This obviously increases the interest in visualizations of the multimedia content thus rendering the multimedia content itself more effective.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for visualization of / listening to multimedia contents, the method comprising the following steps:Arranging a central server system (300); Arranging one or more remote stations ( 101, 102, 103) configured to be remotely connectable to the central server system;And ’wherein, in correspondence of a remote connection of one or more of said remote stations with the central server system, the central server system sends one or more multimedia contents to said remote stations connected to the central server system;The remote stations allowing visualization of / listening to said multimedia contents;And wherein, further, the method provides for sending a signal from a remote station towards the central server system and with said signal indicating information about the execution of the multimedia content, such that, in the event of complete or substantially complete execution of the mul timedia content, the central server system provides for increasing a count (n) by the number of times in which said complete or substantially complete execution of the multimedia content occurred by the specific remote station;Assigning a bonus upon reaching or exceeding a predetermined number (n') of complete or substantially complete executions2. The method, according to claim 1, wherein supplying the bonus comprises an operation of communication ofthe central server system with a server of the phone company which the specific remote station uses for Internet browsing in such a way that said server of the phone company may supply the bonus.

3. The method, according to claim 2, wherein the bonus comprises an amount of free Internet browsing.

4. The method, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein one or more Proxy Servers (200) are comprised, each associated with one or more remote stations ( 101, 102, 103), said Proxy Servers executing a communication between the central server system and one or more of the remote stations.

5. The method, according to claim 4, wherein each Proxy server executes the functions of server supplying contents by downloading them from the central server system and supplying them to one or more of the remote stations to which it is assigned.

6. The method, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the central server system (300) supplies multimedia contents, which multimedia contents are subsequently downloaded in the background by a specific application present in said remote stations7. The method, according to claim 6, wherein the different multimedia contents downloaded are visualized by the application installed in the remote station.

8. The method, according to claim 7, wherein said contents downloaded are visualized by the application installedspecific scheduling / timing.

9. An assembly for executing visualization of / listening to multimedia contents, the assembly comprising:At least one central server system (300);One or more remote stations ( 101, 102, 103) configured to be remotely connectable to said central server system;The central server system being programmed in such a way that, in correspondence of a remote connection of one or more of said remote stations with the central server system, the central server system sends one or more multimedia contents to said remote stations connected to the central server system;The remote stations being configured to allow, in use, visualization of / listening to said multimedia contents;And wherein, each remote station comprises a software application programmed in such a way that it sends a signal from said remote station towards the central server system; in the event of complete or substantially complete execution of the multimedia content, the central server system having a software application equipped with a counter which is programmed to increase a count (n) by the number of times in which said complete or substantially complete execution of the multimedia content occurred by the specific remote station;And wherein the central server system is programmed to communicate with a further external server upon reaching a preset threshold of complete executions of visualizations associated with a remote station or with a group of remote stations, in such away that the external server can assign a bonus to said remote station or to said group of remote stations.

10. The assembly, according to claim 9, wherein said external server is the server of the phone company which the specific remote station uses for Internet browsing in such a way that said external server can supply the bonus.

11. The assembly, according to claim 10, wherein the bonus comprises an amount of free internet browsing.

12. The assembly, according to one or more of the previous claims from 9 to 11, wherein one or more Proxy Servers (200) are comprised, each associated with one or more remote stations ( 101, 102, 103), said Proxy Servers executing a communication between the central server system and one or more of the remote stations.

13. The assembly, according to claim 12, wherein each Proxy server is programmed to execute the functions of server supplying contents by downloading them from the central server system and supplying them to one or more of the remote stations to which it is assigned.

14. The assembly, according to one or more of the previous claims from 9 to 13, wherein the central server system (300) is programmed to supply multimedia contents that are thus subsequently downloaded in the background by a specific application present in said remote stations.

15. The assembly, according to claim 14, wherein the different contents downloaded are visualized by theapplication installed in the remote station.

16. The assembly, according to claim 15, wherein said application is programmed to display said multimedia contents according to specific scheduling / timing which are repeated over time.

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