Container software for virus copying from one endpoint to another

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure is directed generally to container software, and more specifically to systems and methods for distributing container software.

LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

Online shopping has increased in recent years. Consumers are using technology to simplify the shopping experience to shop from home without having to travel to the store. Sellers have become more competitive in selling their products and services to consumers over the Internet. Traditionally, when a consumer sees an advertisement for a product or wants to buy something online, the consumer needs to visit the merchant's website to complete the transaction. This may not be desirable in certain situations. For example, consumers may not want to be distracted by an advertisement, or they may not want to leave the website they are browsing to buy something. As a result, online sales potential is diminishing due to a lack of convenience from a consumer perspective. In addition, the hosts of the website that the consumer is browsing may not want consumers to leave their website to go and do a deal elsewhere.

Videos and other types of media are often popular with viewers. Websites like YouTube allow users to post videos for others to watch. Some videos are gaining popularity, which can be tracked through the number of views or "hits".

Monetizing multimedia content (media content) can present challenges even though video is popular. For example, some websites provide advertisements that appear before the video or elsewhere on the web page. Such ads can interfere with video content and can annoy viewers. While website advertising can generate some revenue, that revenue often remains mostly on the side of the website that hosts the video content. This leads to a dynamic where the hosting website makes a financial profit, while the creators of video content, while gaining prominence, often make an effort to see the return on investment.

Accordingly, there is a need for methods, systems, apparatus, and computer-readable media that address one or more of these problems, and probably other problems as well. For example, there is a need to bring a store to a consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, methods, systems, devices, and computer-readable media are disclosed to make available container software.

In one embodiment, a method is provided for including media content objects. The method comprises the step of receiving on one or more servers a request for media content to be displayed at an endpoint. The method comprises the step of identifying information about the operating environment associated with the endpoint. The method comprises the step of identifying a set of objects to be included in the media content container based on the identified information about the working environment. At least one of the objects includes a program code for making an electronic trade transaction while displaying media content. In addition, the method comprises the step of sending a set of objects via one or more servers to an endpoint.

Before proceeding to the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be useful to formulate definitions of some of the words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms "include" and "contain", as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term "or" is inclusive, meaning and / or; the phrases "associated with" or "associated with", as well as their derivatives, may mean to include, be included in, connect with, contain, contained in, connect to or with, connect to or with, be compatible with, interact with, alternate, place next to, be close to, be attached to or with, have, have a property, or the like; and the term "controller" means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or any combination, at least two of them. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller can be centralized or distributed, either locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those skilled in the art should understand in many, if not most, examples, such definitions apply to the prior art as well as future uses of such specific words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference will now be made to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers represent like parts:

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a communication system that can be used to facilitate communication between endpoint (s) over a communication network, in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a container management environment that can be used to virally syndicate and distribute a container over the Internet, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary display of media content in a display unit for a container at an endpoint in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary tape display, including for purchase on video, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary display of selected product information in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary display of an interface for logging into an account in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary display of a checkout interface for an item in a user's shopping cart in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary display of a shipping address input interface allowing a user to enter shipping information in connection with a purchase transaction, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary exchange interface for sending a video clip with a container in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 10 illustrates an exemplary display of the video clip of Figure 3 displayed on a display unit for a container on a web page, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 11 illustrates an exemplary display of the shipping address input interface of Figure 8 displayed in a display unit for a container on a web page, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 12 illustrates an exemplary display of a container implemented on a social media website in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 13 illustrates an exemplary display of a container implemented on a web page on a tablet computer in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 14 illustrates an exemplary display of a container implemented on a mobile device in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 15 is a flow diagram of a process for including media content objects in accordance with the disclosed embodiments;

Figure 16 is a flow diagram of a process for rendering a container at an endpoint in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; and

Figure 17 illustrates a data processing system that may be used to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1-17, discussed below, and various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are given by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those of skill in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably organized system.

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a communications system 100 that may be used to facilitate communications between endpoint (s) 110 and endpoint (s) 120 via communications network 130, in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure. In various embodiments, server (s) 102 may be used to facilitate communication between endpoint (s) 110 and endpoint (s) 120. As used herein, "endpoint" can generally refer to any object, device, software, or any combination of the foregoing, which is typically configured to communicate with another endpoint. The endpoint (s) may represent a user, which in turn may refer to a user profile representing a person. A user profile may contain, for example, an address for a user, a username, a passcode, other user information, or any combination of the preceding. In addition, the endpoint (s) can represent a device that contains any hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof, configured to communicate through the communication network 130. Server (s) 102 are one or more computers or programs running on one or more computers that are capable of fulfilling a request received from another computer or program. Examples of server (s) include application servers, corporate servers, and web servers.

Examples of endpoint (s) include, but are not necessarily limited to, computer or computers (including servers, application servers, corporate servers, desktops, laptop computers, netbooks, tablet computers (such as iPad)), switch, mobile phones (e.g. including IPHONE and Android-based phones), networked TVs, networked disk players, components in the cloud computing network; or any other device or component of such a device suitable for transmitting information to and from the communication network 130. In various embodiments, endpoint (s) 110 and 120 may be a website or email message. Endpoints can support Internet Protocol (IP) or other suitable communication protocols. The endpoints may further include a medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) interface that are compliant with IEEE 801.11. If the endpoint is a device, the device may have a device identifier, such as a MAC address, and may have a device profile that describes the device.

Communication network 130 and links 105, 115, and 125 to communication network 130 may include, but are not limited to, a public data network or a private data network; local area network (LAN); regional computer network (MAN); wide area network (WAN); wired or wireless network (GSM, CDMA, LTE, WIMAX or similar); local, regional or global communication network; parts of the cloud computing network; communication bus for components in the system; fiber optic network; satellite network; intranet; other suitable links, or any combination of the foregoing. In specific embodiments, portions of links 115, 125, or network 130 may be on the Internet.

Although the endpoint is typically presented as being located in one location, the endpoint (s) can be geographically dispersed, such as in cloud computing scenarios. As used herein, “each” can refer to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

When endpoint (s) 110 and 120 communicate with each other, any of a variety of security schemes may be used. As an example, in specific embodiments, endpoint (s) 110 may represent a client and endpoint (s) 120 may represent a server in a client-server architecture. The server and / or servers may host a website through hosting, and the website may have a registration process whereby a user sets a username and password to authenticate or log into the website. The website may additionally use the web application for any particular application or function that may need to be submitted to the website for use by the user.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide innovative new ways for merchants to reach their customers online. In the traditional online selling model, sellers have to create searches or display ads that appear when online consumers visit search engine sites or various web properties. If a consumer sees an interesting advertisement related to a product or service, they should leave their current activity and visit some other destination on the web to find more information or make online purchases. Consumers have certain patterns of online behavior. If they are actively shopping, then the traditional multi-stage model is fine for the job. The traditional advertising sales model requires the consumer to stop doing what they were doing and visit some other online destination. However, if they are on a social site, interacting with friends, reading news, playing games, or engaging in other online activities, they are much less likely to leave their current activities to visit any external Internet destinations.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure bring product or store information to a consumer. Various embodiments of the present disclosure utilize an innovative new code / technology, Smart Container ™ (smart container) that syndicates virally across the web, for example using the components described with reference to Figure 1 or using other components. Smart Container ™ code / technology is ideal for those types of destinations that online consumers tend to visit frequently, such as social media and blogs. Regardless, if the Smart Container ™ code is located on a web page, blog article, social media page or wall, or mobile device, the user can complete their transaction right there without having to be directed to any other external destination.

Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a container management environment 200 that can be used to virally syndicate and distribute a container over the Internet, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. Container 205 is program code that virus syndicates and distributes objects 210 over the Internet and other associated network and mobile devices. Container 205 is a new type of software entity that performs a task in a distributed manner, while adapting and tuning to the user's environment. Container 205 may not have been created by the author of the website, but it may be an independent entity that can operate in several different environments. Container 205 can be deployed by anyone: blogger, email campaign, etc. Container 205 does not need to be specially embedded in a website or code in order to work.

The shopping and marketing experience can be enhanced by using interactive media. Container 205 brings interactive media to users. For example, one of the objects 210 in the container 205 is a media player 215. The media player 215 includes instructions and parameters for rendering or otherwise displaying media content on a display unit 220 located at endpoint 225. Media player 215 displays or streams media content from media server (s) 230 at display 220 at endpoint 225. For example, media player 215 may reference a URL or other location to stream media content from media server (s) 230. In some examples, media player 215 can stream content from websites such as YouTube ™. Examples of media content that can be displayed include video data (such as video clips and animations), image data (such as freezes from video data, advertisements, pictures of goods or services, etc.), and audio data (such as descriptions or marketing content related to video or image data, music or songs). Various embodiments recognize that one of the most attractive forms of sales and purchase media is video. Video provides a much more realistic presentation than text or static images. Video also creates a rich viewing or shopping experience.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, container 205 supports many different types of transactions. For example, container 205 can be configured in a variety of ways to address the entire value chain of online marketing and shopping. The value chain of online marketing and purchases includes impressions, clicks (for example, enticing a viewer to click on an object and be directed to another website or other content in container 205), identifying a circle of potential consumers (for example, sending a personal information requesting offers of products or services) and the execution of electronic trade transactions. Electronic commerce is the buying and selling of products or services over computer networks such as the Internet. Electronic commerce transactions are transactions related to electronic commerce. In non-limiting examples, e-commerce transactions include the purchase or sale of goods and services, and the donation of tangible assets (eg, money, goods, or services) to an organization (eg, charity, campaign, business, etc.). In other non-limiting examples, e-commerce transactions can encompass actions (such as impressions, clicks, or targeting) that lead to other e-commerce transactions (such as buying or selling goods and services).

The container 205 includes transaction objects 235 to support various types of transactions. Transaction objects 235 include code for marketing and transacting in container 205. For example, transaction objects 235 may include images and information about the selection of products or services that are being offered, data for making payment transactions, an electronic shopping cart, and / or others. data for making electronic trade transactions. Media content, such as video clips, may be displayed by the media player 215 at one of the endpoints to allow the consumer to learn more about the products, services, or transactions supported by the container 205. The consumer may select any of these suggested headings for more details (e.g. using transaction object 235), all enclosed in container 205.

Syndication objects 240 include code for allowing a user to share, embed, or otherwise send a container to a different endpoint. For example, syndication objects 240 include code for allowing a user to share media content (and therefore objects accompanying media content in container 205) on a social website, embed in a web page, or send container 205 (or at least at least, a link (eg, a uniform resource locator (URL)) for the container) via an email message (eg, email, text message, instant message).

Authentication objects 245 include programming code to allow a user of endpoint 225 to authenticate or log into an account associated with container 205. Authentication objects 245 can provide a user interface for a user to log in, or can automatically log in a user. into the system based on a combination of one or more of user preferences, device recognition and / or data stored in cookies. The account can be the user account for the container provider or the merchant associated with the container. For example, an account can be used to easily process payment transactions or a distributed shopping cart, as will be described in more detail below. If the user chooses to share container 205, authentication objects 245 may include information about the user who is sharing container 205 for data tracking analytics and / or identification information about which objects to include in the syndicated container.

Binding objects 250 include code for binding container 205 to another container at a different endpoint. Snap objects 250 enhance the shopping experience for different users. The binding objects 250 make it possible to experience a shared container between two or more different users. For example, anchor objects 250 may synchronize the display of media content, allow users to share a shopping or shopping cart, provide an interface for text, voice, and / or video chat between users.

Reporting objects 255 include code for tracking information about container 205. For example, reporting objects 255 can report information about clicks, impressions, targeting, product sales, donations, users, syndication paths, syndication locations, and / or any other registerable metrics for vendors and / or container providers to track and improve container performance. The description of objects 210 included in container 205 is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. Any other suitable object types can be included in container 205.

Because the code for container 205 handles all the complexity, in some embodiments, container 205 can turn a simple website into an instant e-commerce store. Container 205 allows users to transact online without having to deal with the complexity of setting up an ecommerce site. For merchants with an e-commerce site, container 205 easily enables a rich shopping experience with interactions between media content and transaction objects 235. In non-limiting examples of a creative hobbyist or local group, container 205 allows a user to easily sell directly to interested consumers. In some embodiments, transaction objects 235 may include offers in container 205 for custom-made items. For example, sellers can custom design a set of clothes with their illustrations and graphics to sell alongside their own creations. Certain embodiments may dynamically manufacture and deliver tailor-made clothing to merchants, eliminating the need for inventory management and providing online customers with a richer product line. Because the e-commerce store uses container 205, the e-commerce store can also extend to all forms of viral syndication methods.

These proposed headings (products or services) may be headings that are advertised or sold. Depending on the type, container 205 may allow a consumer to make a request to be contacted, or even purchase an object in container 205. The consumer does not need to leave their current activity or web page. The proposed headings could also include receiving discounts or coupons. The proposed headings may even be an opportunity to donate to a charity or political campaign. In some cases, it makes sense to visit another Internet destination, and if necessary, the consumer can also be directed by a link there.

The objects 210 in the container 205 are supported by the terminal event server (s) 260. Objects 210 are individual applications (eg, gadgets or applets) that provide functionality to implement container 205. Objects 210 are smart and lightweight, which improves the portability of container 205 while allowing container 205 to perform tasks in a dynamic and efficient manner. Objects 210 may not include everything needed to handle all of the required tasks. Objects 210 can communicate with one or more servers in the terminal event server (s) 260 to complete tasks in container 205.

For example, to process a transaction, transaction objects 235 may securely send payment information to payment server (s) 265. In other examples, transaction objects 235 or authentication objects 245 may send information about impressions, clicks, sharing, and / or user login information to administrative server (s) 270 for reporting and analytics. In other examples, all of the objects required for container 205 may not be provided initially. For example, to keep the container initially lightweight, identifiers or locations for objects may be included in the container 205 initially along with the objects later provided by the object server (s) 275. In another example, certain objects may be provided in the container 205 based on initial information about the endpoint 225 (eg, object selection based on the intended device type, website location, or programming language). Upon recognizing that additional or different objects are to be included in container 205, the object server (s) 205 may provide additional or different objects to enhance the container experience at endpoint 225. The peer event server (s) 280 can send and receive information from objects to process information related to sharing and shopping. For example, peer-to-peer event server (s) 280 support binding events such as notifications of video clip views, purchases, and / or user messages.

Container 205 can be virus syndicated over the Internet following more popular network paths. The container 205 can be hosted on traditional web pages, blogs, contained in emails, run on mobile devices, or distributed on social media. Because the container code 205 is flexible, container 205 can also be customized in an ad display unit form factor and distributed through ad servers on ad serving networks. When the code for container 205 exists on social networks like Facebook ™, container 205 can ride a wave of user "likes". For example, if a female shopper likes any of the lovely shoes shown in the video in container 205, the container code 205 could propagate directly to her "wall". Now all of her friends will see the videos and products in the container and can watch or complete the transaction right there on her own wall. Of course, if any of her friends also "like" it, the container code 205 will propagate and ride the wave further into that branch of the social network, leading to a potential exponential growth factor. In other examples, container objects 205 may support a politician running for office. Its supporters can get hooked on the post and "like" it, making it available again on their network. Now like-minded political supporters can see these messages as well, and if so, the displaced can donate to the common cause in container 205. In another example, such as sports, a sports fan may want to watch this content on their large-screen HDTV. More and more people have interconnected devices such as the Roku ™, and container code 205 could also exist on such IPTV set-top boxes, making it possible to share container 205 across various Internet-connected devices.

Another form of tracking relates to how container 205 is distributed. The merchant may want to use the affiliates to help syndicate container 205 and pay interest based on the transactions that result from their work. Container objects 205 can be tagged with branch tracking IDs, allowing progress reports and transactions from that container entity or its descendants to be properly filtered. Another use for tracking might be for a politician to assign branch codes to his supporters and be able to measure whose attempts lead to the most new supporters.

Container 205 is a smart container in that container 205 is capable of auto-tuning based on the environment in which container 205 is distributed. For example, objects 210 included in container 205 can be configured or selected in real time based on various criteria. The container 205 is generated by the configurator 285 when the configurator 285 receives a request for the container 205, such as an insert code 290. Configurator 285 is an endpoint service or application that runs on a server (eg, one or more of server (s) 102 in Figure 1). Configurator 285 generates container 205 by identifying objects 210 for inclusion in container 205.

The environment associated with the endpoint 225 where the container is distributed is one example of criteria that can be used to select or otherwise configure the objects 210 included in the container 205. For example, the configurator 285 may identify this environment information from code 290 to insert. The embed code 290 is a request for a container 205 that includes information such as, for example, but not limited to, the ID of the container 205 that is being propagated, the outgoing Internet Protocol (IP) address, the time the request was sent, and / or accepted, link codes such as requester ID, merchant ID, website (e.g. URL) where the embed code 290 was sent from, and / or where the embed code 290 is requesting, that the container 205 is rendered, and / or other information that can be identified about the environment where the container 205 is rendered. From the IP address and / or website information, the configurator 285 can identify the location of the endpoint 225, the type of device (e.g., mobile device, computer, etc.) an endpoint, a website (e.g. a stand-alone webpage, embedded in a webpage, displayed on a social website) for an endpoint, and / or other environment information.

In some examples, if the device is a traditional PC (personal computer) or laptop, the configurator 285 will include objects from the container 205 for rendering using the optimal rendering technology or parameters, which may be video for this purpose. On mobile devices such as IPhone, iPad or Android phones, rendering options can be selected as HTML5 or native interactive application. Based on the information about how the content should be rendered, the configurator 285 includes the appropriate objects that the media player 215 should render properly for the environment. Besides the device type, there are other setup dimensions. Smaller devices and some environments, such as a social site, limit the size of the windows, so the media player 215 in the container 205 adapts to properly render the media content.

In other examples, the configurator 285 can identify which products to advertise or ways to customize media content based on the location of the endpoint 225, which can be identified from the IP address. For example, container 205 can provide various content customized based on geolocation. In one example, if the location of the endpoint is in a cold climate, objects in transaction objects 235 may be selected to offer appropriate seasonal media content products. In other examples, media content can be customized based on location. For example, text associated with media content and transaction objects 235 may be selected based on the language typically spoken at the location. In other examples, media content may be selected to refer to the preferred sports teams, activities, and more in the location.

As other examples of criteria that can be used to select or otherwise configure objects 210 included in container 205, configurator 285 can communicate with endpoint event server (s) 260 to identify objects to be included in container 205. For example, configurator 285 may identify products for sale or video clips to send based on vendor information available through the administration server (s) 270. For example, the status of a marketing campaign can be used to select or otherwise configure objects 210 and media content included in container 205. The objects in container 205 can be updated and / or selected based on real-time successes and failures based on marketing campaign information. ... For example, embodiments of the present disclosure track sales data and video distribution data such as which video clips are popular and / or the demographic of viewers syndicating or viewing media content. The server (s) 102 in Figure 1 may identify which products to advertise at which location and which video clips to select based on sales data or video distribution data. Based on this, the server (s) dynamically choose which objects to place in the container 205, which is sent to the endpoint.

The admin server (s) 270 can track the data as the shopping campaign is running and when the merchants launch and syndicate their container code 205 to the Internet. For example, reporting objects can report the status of events and transactions of interest (for example, how many impressions occurred, video views, clicks, leads, sales). All such statuses can be sent back when events occur, providing details of how they happen. Because the containers 205 are smart, the server (s) can instruct the container 205 to change behavior, suggest different clips, update products, or end a marketing or sales campaign.

The objects in the container code 205 are aware of each other in certain embodiments. When the video is playing, the container 205 can update the displayed product and service objects that match a specific sequence in the video snippet. Container 205 allows a trade channel to be created and syndicated over the Internet.

The code for container 205 is designed to be highly scalable in certain embodiments. Instead of loading a single website with a lot of traffic, which would lead to the traditional model of bringing all customers to the store, the code for container 205 works in a distributed fashion. In certain embodiments, the code for the container 205 is executed on the endpoint 225 (eg, a blog, social network, or mobile device). The container 205 can fetch instructions when given and then collect items and video streams from a globally distributed content delivery network (eg, network 130). The result is a highly scalable architecture that allows millions of concurrent consumers.

Although container 205 has been described with media content and objects 210, such media content and objects 210 may not all be sent to an endpoint at the same time or as a packet. Instead, in certain embodiments, the container information may initially be stored, for example, on a server that the endpoint accesses. Then, when the endpoint requests information for the container, the additional information can be dynamically passed to the endpoint without a request, or retrieved upon request from the endpoint (eg, through a server sending a pointer to the endpoint).

Using such a dynamic no-push / pull scenario, a single container 205 can be changed over time. As a simple example, price can be associated with an item for sale at a point in time; however, when this point in time changes, the price for this item may change. Although the price changes, the original information for requesting container 205 does not change. Additional examples of dynamic content will be described below.

Figures 3-14 are screenshots illustrating various exemplary embodiments of the functionality of the container 205. Figures 3-14 are intended to be examples of features of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary display of media content in a display unit for a container at an endpoint in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, in Figure 3, a video clip 300 for a shoe is shown in a frame for a container (such as container 205). Video clip 300 can be played by selecting the play button 305. The user can access the shopping cart through the cart button 310, find out information about the video through the information button 315, and share the video through the share button 320. Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary display of a tape 400 including items 405 for purchase in video clip 300, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary display of selected product information in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, while watching video clip 300, the viewer may want to buy or learn about the purchase of the shoe represented in video clip 300. When an image of item 500 from heading 405 is selected in tape 400, container 205 operating at the endpoint generates a display of information about item 500 in that the same block 220 display for video clip 300. For example, a user may view information about an item 500 with options to add to the user's cart (eg, add to cart button 505) or share the item (eg, share button 510). The user has the ability to view information about item 500, add to cart and share the item, all inside container 205, while watching video clip 300.

Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary display of an account login interface 600 in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this illustrative example, a user may log into an account to purchase items, all within container 205, while watching video clip 300. For example, the login interface 600 in FIG. 6 may be generated by authentication objects 245 in FIG. 2.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the purchase of an item in a display unit for a container. Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary display of the checkout interface 700 for an item 705 in a user's shopping cart, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The checkout interface 700 allows a user to purchase an item or items in the user's cart in container 205 while watching video clip 300. Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary display of a shipping address input interface 800 allowing a user to enter shipping information in connection with a purchase transaction, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Container 205 may generate and present similar interfaces for other stages of a purchase transaction (eg, payment, authorization, logon, etc.). Container 205 allows the user to complete the entire transaction in container 205 while watching video clip 300. In other embodiments, authentication entities 245 may authenticate the user and retrieve the user's saved payment or shipping information, which can speed up the payment process. For example, a shipping address input interface 800 is part of one exemplary embodiment of container 205 and may not be displayed in some embodiments.

Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary exchange interface 900 for sending a video clip 905 with a container in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The exchange interface 900 illustrated in Figure 9 is a screenshot of a video clip 905 being played on one endpoint 110, displaying options 910 for sending the video clip 905 (and therefore container 205) to another endpoint 120. For example, a viewer watching video clip 905 may choose to share video clip 905 on a website, such as a social networking site. In response to such a choice, code for container 205 (eg, syndication objects 240) can generate a display of sharing options 910 listing websites where video clip 905 and container can be shared. In other examples, the code for container 205 (for example, syndication objects 240) allows the viewer to embed in a web page or email container 205. All of these options 910 for sending, distributing, or otherwise virally syndicating video clip 905 can be accomplished by viewing video clip 905 in display unit 220 for video clip 905 and without having to be directed to another web page.

The container 205 can be implemented in a variety of different environments. Figures 10-14 provide exemplary screenshots of container 205 implemented in various environments. The illustrations provided in Figures 10-14 are intended to be illustrative and are not intended to be exhaustive or to imply any structural or physical limitation of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 10 illustrates an exemplary display of the video clip 300 of Figure 3 displayed on a display unit for a container on a web page 1000, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in Figure 10, the container 205 can be implemented on a web page 1000 in a browser on a computer such as a desktop or laptop computer. Figure 11 illustrates an exemplary display of a shipping address input interface 800 in Figure 8 displayed on a display unit for a container on a web page 1000, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, as illustrated in Figure 11, the container 205 allows the user to complete the entire transaction in the display unit 220 for the container 205 while watching a video clip and without having to be directed to another web page.

Figure 12 illustrates an exemplary display of a container implemented on a social media website 1200 in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. As depicted in Figure 12, container 205 adjusts itself to accommodate and render in the environment into which container 205 is propagated. As illustrated, container 205 has adapted to display a thumbnail image 1205 for a video clip on wall 1210 on a social media website 1200. For example, a user can share a link to a video clip through the social media website 1200. The container 205 then adjusts itself to display according to the user's wall. When a video clip is selected by another user, that other user has the ability to view the video clip and complete transactions, all in a container displayed on the social media website 1200 as described above. Just as illustrated in this example, container 205 streams video content from another website (eg, youtube.com) while still providing container functionality as described above.

Figure 13 illustrates an exemplary display of a container implemented on a web page on a tablet computer 1300, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. As depicted in Figure 12, container 205 configures itself to accommodate and render in a browser for tablet computer 1300. Figure 14 illustrates an exemplary display of a container implemented on a display 1400 of a mobile device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 14, container 205 configures itself to accommodate and render in user interface 1405 on mobile device display 1400. For example, container 205 can be generated in a separate application for container 205, an application for a social media website (eg, Facebook ™ application, Twitter ™ application, etc.), or a web browser.

By bringing the store to the customer, container 205 enables many new ways for merchants to connect with their consumers without disrupting the consumer's web activities. The end result is to connect the consumer directly with the seller, eliminating the middleman and fostering a much more natural shopping experience.

In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, an innovative new way is provided for merchants to administer their online virtual stores. To manage functions with container 205, an administrative function may be provided through the administration server (s) 270 in what is referred to as an administration application. The online administration model typically requires sellers to have a fully functional computing device with constant access to the World Wide Web (www). As an alternative to such a scenario and to enable on-the-go control, the disclosure embodiment provides merchants with a fully functional administration application — executable on mobile, handheld, and smart devices — that is capable of creating and administering an entire virtual online store. In such embodiments, camera and video functions can be used to capture digital assets for container 205, while the communication capabilities of a mobile device can be used not only to download digital assets to a remote computer, but also to issue commands and / or retrieve control information. the account that is used to create objects for container 205.

The administration application for a mobile device can work in both connected and disconnected modes. In connected mode, the mobile administration device sends commands to a remote server instructing it to perform various actions related to store administration. Alternatively, in disconnected mode, the mobile administration device executes all commands locally, on the installed device, with periodic synchronization with the remote server.

The following are non-limiting distinguishing features of administration apps for a mobile device:

- Onboarding Management Ability: Allows sellers to receive a step-by-step video tutorial designed to simplify the onboarding process.

- Store Management Ability: Allows merchants to display, create, modify and delete Smart Stores ™ that they own.

- Email Management Ability: Allows merchants to display, create, modify and delete email templates.

- Ability to manage taxes: allows merchants to display, create, modify, delete and apply tax principles.

- Ability to manage shipment: allows sellers to display, create, modify and apply shipment rules.

- Display block control ability: Allows sellers to display, create, modify, preview and delete video display blocks. In addition, this distinctive feature allows merchants to associate display units with stores that the merchant owns.

- Display Control Ability: Allows merchants to configure additional options such as product purchase limit, user purchase limit, video playback control, branch tracking, purchase instructions, thank you page content, video end content, and background images.

- Video management ability: Allows sellers to capture, upload to a remote computer, display, modify, preview, transcode, convert, and delete videos. In addition, this distinctive feature allows merchants to associate video with display units.

- Library Management Ability: Allows merchants to capture, upload to a remote computer, display, modify, preview and delete digital assets in both 3-D and 2-D formats.

- Plan Management Ability: Allows merchants to display, upgrade, demote, and unsubscribe.

- Reporting Ability: Allows sellers to generate desired reports based on ecommerce, analytic measurements and video and social sharing correlations.

- Customer Management Ability: Allows sellers to display, create, modify, group and delete user information. In addition, this distinctive feature allows merchants to create alerts to users and / or groups.

- Ability to manage product: allows sellers to display, create, modify and delete products of various types offered within the facility. Products include, but are not limited to: a) e-commerce products; b) e-commerce products with deviations; c) disabled products; d) donation products; e) coupons; d) downloadable products; and g) targeting products. In addition, this distinctive feature allows sellers to associate products with stores.

- Ability to manage orders: Allows sellers to display, create, modify, delete and place orders.

- Promotion Management Ability: Allows sellers to display, create, modify, delete and apply promotions.

With the foregoing in mind, in specific embodiments, a user can create objects for the virus distribution container (s) 205 directly from a mobile device. As a non-limiting example, a user can capture a video from a mobile device, download a video resource from a mobile device (for example, using the wireless network described in Figure 1) to the server (s) 102 and then create and / or modify the distinctive features of a new object from the mobile device. using commands issued from the mobile device to the central server or servers. Thus, if the objects for container 205 include an e-commerce store, the user can retrieve resources and create a viral e-commerce store — all from a mobile device.

In certain embodiments, the traditional web interface for an administration application can be largely repeated to provide a mobile user with the convenience of modifying and / or creating information for someone's account on the move.

In various embodiments, container technology 205 allows users to select products and services in the context of their video or animation viewing experience within a display unit for container 205. When a product or service is selected, the user is presented with the details of the selected product or service without leaving the display unit or interrupting the experience of watching an animation or video, as illustrated for the example in Figure 5. Depending on the type, the products or services in the display unit for the container 205 may be advertised or sold. In addition, in certain configurations, the entire buying or advertising experience may be fully captured within the display unit for the container 205.

It is important to note that the container 205 retains all of the buying and advertising opportunities in essentially the same manner when exchanged over social distribution channels such as social networks or blogs. In certain configurations, container 205 is fully capable of being distributed or virally syndicated across any media that supports Adobe Flash ™ and HTML5 technologies.

In addition to physical goods and services, the 205 container technology supports the sale and redemption of digital goods such as coupons and gift certificates. The digital products presented in the display units of the container 205 are available for purchase or as a reward for completing an action that the seller deems worthy of the product redemption. Such actions may include purchasing, providing requested information, viewing advertisements or videos, or confirming. When a digital product is sold, or as a result of an action deemed satisfactory to qualify a user for a digital product reward, the digital product is available for redemption. A digital product can be purchased using a variety of mechanisms, including, but not limited to: a) an email thanking you for your purchase; b) a screen giving thanks for your purchase; c) an end-of-play screen; or d) a third party redemption web page.

In certain configurations, a "thank you for your purchase" email may be a digital email sent to a user when performing an action that qualifies to buy back a downloadable product. The digital letter provides instructions on how the downloadable product will be redeemed. In other configurations, a "thank you for purchase" screen is presented to the user when performing an action that qualifies to buy back a downloadable product. In such configurations, the above screen may optionally contain instructions on how to redeem the downloadable product or how to download the product itself.

In other configurations, an “end-of-play screen” may be presented to the user upon completion of the animation or video viewing experience. In such configurations, the above screen may optionally contain instructions on how to redeem a downloadable product or how to download the product itself. In other configurations, a third party ransom web page served by a third party provider to a user may be exposed when performing an action qualifying to ransom a downloadable product. The provided web page may optionally contain instructions on how to redeem the downloadable product or how to download the product itself.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure also provide related products and upselling (selling additional goods and / or services) Internet smart object products. Container 205 technology supports related products and services as well as upselling products and services. Related products and services are presented to the user at the time of product selection or after the sale of the product. When choosing a product or service, the user may be presented with the details of the selected product or service in addition to the matching mechanism. The matching mechanism can either be predefined or dynamically select additional products or services that complement the original selection. The user is given the choice to take the action using the original product or service selection, or continue with the proposed product or service package. In the context of container 205, an action is defined as a purchase, donation, providing requested information, viewing an advertisement or video, or confirming. An identical mechanism can be used during the post-purchase process, where upon completion of the purchase the user is presented with upselling products or services that offer additional actions.

Any suitable algorithm can be used with any mechanism based, for example, on the general relationship between products and services. Alternatively, the algorithm may be based, for example, on statistical analysis that looks at users and related products to yield a result which related products or services are most frequently purchased with a particular product or service or group of products or services. In addition, other techniques will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a distributed shopping cart with Internet smart objects. The container technology 205 supports a distributed shopping cart (eg, accessible via an "add to cart" button 505 as illustrated in FIG. 5). A distributed shopping cart allows a user to start the purchase process in one or more display units for a container (s) and transact in another container that belongs to a seller or a group of sellers that are networked of sellers. A network of sellers is made up of sellers who own, or multiple sellers who have agreed to share information about a user's purchases. By definition, the smallest vendor network consists of a single vendor who makes a shared shopping experience possible. The user can be identified by the tracking engine. Such tracking mechanism may consist of cookies, personal credentials, or other suitable tracking methods, including, for example, an account that has a username and password. Upon recognition of a user who has one or more shopping carts, the user may be presented with the choice to continue the shopping experience where he / she left off. If the user chooses to continue with the shopping experience, the purchase flow resumes from where the purchase flow was last saved. Otherwise, a new shopping cart will be created and the purchase flow will restart from the beginning. A similar mechanism can be used for products and services that include charitable contributions or collecting contact information. The last known safepoint allows the choice to resume workflow.

As a short summary of the above and as an example, a user might visit a friend's Facebook ™ wall and see a container display of something of interest. A specific container display can become associated with a user when the user interacts with the container using any suitable tracking mechanism. As a simple example, a user can log into a specific account directly on the display to associate the container and any items placed in the shopping cart with the user. The user can then visit another site or simply access the container display via email. By associating the display with the same user, the user can access items previously placed in the cart and continue shopping by placing additional items in the cart. The above is a non-limiting example and is not intended to exclude other ways of accessing a distributed shopping cart.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide distributed reorientation of Internet intelligent object products. Container 205 supports distributed reorientation of products and services. Distributed reorientation of products and services allows merchants to display products or services that have been viewed, or similar to products or services that have been viewed by users that belong to a merchant or a group of merchants networked of merchants. By recognizing a user who has viewed one or more products or services in container 205 or a merchant website belonging to the same network of merchants, the user may be presented with the products or services that have been viewed, or similar products and services that have been viewed during previous visits. Any suitable algorithm can be used to represent distributed reorientation, including collaborative filtering and others. Such algorithms can benefit from data from a group of salespeople. In addition, in a distributed reorientation, additional media types may be displayed with such media associated with other products or services.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide dynamic configuration of intelligent Internet objects. Container 205 technology supports dynamic configuration. Dynamic configuration allows the container 205 to define the number of screens, screen margins, field validation, business rules, and user-specific characteristics based on a configuration file that is passed to the container technology 205 at runtime or at build time. The configuration file contains configuration metadata. Upon acceptance of the configuration file, the container 205 determines which screens containing which fields, requiring which validation, should be presented to the user. Based on user input, container 205 interprets the business rules passed to it using a configuration file, logic and screen flow. In addition to receiving central configuration metadata files, container 205 is capable of including third-party dynamic sequences. Such streams can be provided to container 205 in the form of executable files during configuration of container 205 or at runtime. Just like dynamic configuration files, third party dynamic sequences contain screens, screen fields, field validation, business rules, and user-specific characteristics. Unlike dynamic configuration files, third-party dynamic sequences may not require separate interpretation steps and can be executed in native format within a web browser.

Figure 15 depicts a flow diagram of a process for including media content objects in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. This process may be performed, for example, by one or more servers, such as, for example, server (s) 102 in Figure 1, configured to perform the actions described below, referred to in the singular as "system". The process can also be performed using the configurator 285 in the container management environment 200 of FIG. 2. A process can be executed with executable instructions stored in non-temporary machine-readable media that cause one or more servers to execute such a process.

The process begins with the system receiving a request for media content to display at an endpoint at step 1505. For example, at step 1505, the system may receive a click request to play the video, or may receive a request from a second endpoint where the media content was scanned and split with the first endpoint.

Thereafter, the system that identifies the operating environment information associated with the endpoint at 1510. For example, at 1510, the system may identify the type of device associated with the endpoint, the website where the media content is to be displayed, and the network speed between end point and system. In other examples, the system can identify the location information of the device associated with the endpoint.

The system then identifies the set of objects to be sent along with the requested media content based on the identified work environment information, at 1515. For example, at 1515, the system may include the objects and media in a container (eg, container 205 in Figure 2). At least one of the objects in the set includes program code for executing an electronic trade transaction while displaying media content. For example, an electronic commerce transaction can be a purchase of a product or service, a donation of money, or the presentation of a sales tip.

In some examples, the system may identify information about the user associated with the second endpoint and identify the objects to be sent with the requested media content based on the information about the user. For example, higher quality media content can be sent where the network bandwidth between the endpoint and the system is high. In other examples, the system can identify rendering parameters associated with a device type or website and include objects for generating a display of media content in a set of objects to be sent based on the rendering parameters. In other examples, the system may identify a product for advertising with media content, a language for text associated with the media content, and / or the type of video to send as media content for display based on device location information, and include the corresponding objects in the container. In yet other examples, the system can identify marketing campaign status information related to media content and items based on the marketing campaign status information.

In various configurations, analytics can be used to determine what to send to a user based on their environment and / or profile information about the user. For example, based on geographic location or a specific profile, a shirt ad might be sent, as opposed to a hat ad (which might also be shown in a video), because analytics show that a shirt is much more likely to be sold than a hat.

The system then sends a set of objects including the media content for display at the endpoint at 1520. For example, at 1520, the system sends the container to the endpoint so that the media content is displayed and the electronic transaction can occur. As stated above, objects and media can be sent separately or together.

Figure 16 depicts a flow diagram of a process for rendering a container at an endpoint in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. This process may be performed, for example, by an endpoint, such as, for example, endpoint (s) 110 or 120 in FIG. 1, configured to perform the actions described below. A process can be executed with executable instructions stored in non-temporary machine-readable media that cause one or more servers to execute such a process.

The process begins by receiving a request to render the container at the endpoint at 1605. For example, at 1605, the process may receive a request from a user requesting to view a video clip associated with the container. A process can also accept a request from a user sharing a container. The process then identifies the server supporting the container at 1610. For example, at 1610, the process may identify the server from the container. The server may be one or more of the server (s) 102 in Figure 1. In other examples, the server may be the configurator 285 or one of the terminal event server (s) 260 in Figure 2.

Thereafter, the process provides information about the operating environment at the endpoint at block 1615. For example, at block 1615, the process can provide an identifier of the container information about the endpoint (e.g., website, device type, IP address), information about the user sharing or requesting a view. video, cookies, shopping cart information, container binding information, and / or any other type of information that may be helpful in selecting items to include in a container.

The process then receives the container objects and the location of the media content at block 1620. For example, at block 1620, the process receives container objects from the configurator 285 that has configured or otherwise selected objects to include in the container. The location of the media content can be the server from which the media player in the container must stream or otherwise receive the media content. The process then receives and displays media content from the location at 1625. For example, at 1625, a process may stream media content within a display unit for a container from a media server defined in the container.

Figure 17 illustrates a data processing system 1700 that may be used to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, a data processing system 1700 that may be used in connection with other embodiments of the disclosure to perform any of the aforementioned functions and / or serve as a computing device for server (s) 102 and / or endpoint (s) 110 and 1120 on Figure 1. The data processing system 1700 can generally be adapted to run any of the known OS2, UNIX, Mac-OS, Linux, Android and / or Windows operating systems, or other operating systems. In this example, data processing system 1700 includes a bus system 1702 that provides communication between processor 1704, memory 1706, persistent storage 1708, communication unit 1710, input / output (I / O) unit 1712, and display 1714.

Processor 1704 processes instructions for software that may be loaded into memory 1706. Processor 1704 may be multiple processors, a multiprocessor core, or some other type of processor depending on the particular implementation. In addition, the processor 1704 may be implemented using a variety of heterogeneous processor systems in which the main processor is present with the secondary processors on a single chip. As another illustrative example, processor 1704 may be a symmetric multiprocessor system containing multiple processors of the same type.

Memory 1706 and persistent storage 1708 are examples of storage 1717. A storage device is any piece of hardware that is capable of storing information such as, for example, but not limited to, data, program code in functional form, and / or other suitable information, either on a temporary basis and / or on a permanent basis. Memory 1706 in these examples may be, for example, random access memory or any other suitable volatile or non-volatile storage device. For example, persistent storage 1708 may contain one or more components or devices. For example, persistent storage 1708 may be a hard disk, flash memory, optical disk, rewritable magnetic tape, or some combination of the above. The medium used by the persistent storage device 1708 can also be removable. For example, a removable hard drive can be used for persistent storage 1708.

The communication unit 1710 provides communication with other data processing systems or devices. For example, communication unit 1710 can be coupled to a computer network or various other communication platforms, including, but not limited to, a public data network or a private data network; local area network (LAN); regional computer network (MAN); wide area network (WAN); wired or wireless network; local, regional or global communication network; fiber optic network; satellite network; intranet; other suitable links, or any combination of the foregoing. For example, communication unit 1710 can include a network interface card. The communication unit 1710 can provide communication through the use of either or both of physical and wireless communication links. The unit 1710 may also include a radio frequency (RF, RF) transceiver allowing wireless communication (eg, Wi-Fi, cellular data connection, etc.). The communication unit 1710 can also include a GPS transceiver making positional position information available.

The I / O unit 1712 allows input and output of data with other devices that may be coupled to the data processing system 1700. For example, I / O unit 1712 may provide a connection for user input via a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, and / or some other suitable input device. In addition, the I / O unit 1712 can send an output signal to the printer. The I / O unit 1712 may also include or be connected to a camera, microphone, speaker, accelerometer, and / or a presence sensor. The data processing system 1700 can utilize the inputs and outputs of a camera, microphone, speaker, accelerometer, and / or presence sensor in accordance with various communication and communication principles of this disclosure. Display 1714 provides a mechanism for displaying information to a user. For example, display 1714 can be a touchscreen.

Program code for the operating system, applications, or other programs may be located in storage devices 1717 that communicate with the processor 1704 via the bus system 1702. In some embodiments, the implementation of the program code is in functional form in the persistent storage device 1708. These instructions can be loaded into memory 1706 for processing by the processor 1704. The processes of the various embodiments may be executed by processor 1704 using computer-executable instructions that may be located in memory 1706. For example, processor 1704 may execute processes on one or more of the modules and / or devices described above.

In some embodiments, the various functions described above are executed or supported by a computer program product that is derived from machine-readable program code and that is embodied in a machine-readable medium. Program code for a computer program product may be located in functional form on a machine-readable storage device that is selectively removable and may be downloaded or transferred to a data processing system 1700 for processing by a processor 1704. In some illustrative embodiments, the implementation of the program code may be downloaded over the network to the storage device 1708 from another device or data processing system for use in the data processing system 1700. For example, program code stored on a machine-readable storage medium in a server data processing system can be downloaded over the network from the server to the data processing system 1700. The data processing system providing the program code may be a server computer, a client computer, or some other device capable of storing and transmitting the program code.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program embodied in one or more machine-readable storage medium (s) having program code embodied thereon. A computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, without limitation, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM, ROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), a flash - memory, portable read-only memory on compact discs (CD-ROM), optical storage device, magnetic storage or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Program code can also be loaded for execution by a processor to provide processes for executing the functions or operations described in this disclosure.

While Figure 17 provides one embodiment of a data processing system that may be used with other embodiments of the disclosure; such other embodiments may additionally utilize non-general-purpose computers as well as general-purpose computers without traditional operating systems. In addition, embodiments of the disclosure may also include data processing systems 1700 or other computers networked together on a computer network. Most often, multiple data processing systems 1700 or other computers can be networked over the Internet and / or in a client-server network. Embodiments of the disclosure may also be used in conjunction with separate computer networks linked to each other via private or public networks.

Several embodiments of the disclosure may include logic contained in a medium. In the embodiment of Figure 17, logic includes computer software executing on data processing system 1700. The medium may include memory 1706, persistent storage 1708, or other media. In other embodiments, the logic may be contained in a hardware configuration or a combination of software and hardware configurations. Logic can also be embedded in any suitable medium without leaving the scope of the disclosure.

The functionality of the above description may again benefit from any of the components described in Figures 1-17 or other suitable components. The code itself can be written in any suitable format, including but not limited to Java, C ++, C-sharp, HTML, HTML5, and the like.

It will be understood that well-known processes have not been described in detail and have been omitted for brevity. Although specific steps, structures and materials may be described, the present disclosure may not be limited to these features, and others may be replaced, as is well understood by those skilled in the art, and the various steps may not necessarily be performed in the sequence shown.

While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally related methods, changes and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of exemplary embodiments does not define or limit the present disclosure. Other changes, substitutions and changes are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as defined by the following claims.