Sony Patent for adding ads inside of Shows already recorded by replacing props with real products as you watch the show.
Dynamic replacement of cinematic stage props in program content
Dynamic replacement of cinematic stage props in program content
Dynamic replacement of cinematic stage props in program content
Abstract
Stage props, such as consumer products, in legacy program content are replaced with dynamically replaceable assets.
Such assets can be used for advertising purposes in that images of different products and services can be inserted therein and are changeable via a network.
Such assets may be created by identifying props in the content for replacement, determining location and visual effects information for each identified prop, and creating a reference file that includes the content and the location and the visual effects information associated with each identified prop.
A value may be determined for each asset or advertisers may bid on the assets to yield additional advertising revenue channel for the content. The content may be played back by broadcasting the content and reference information designating parameters for inserting the assets into the content.
Replacement images, such as images of products, may be obtained via a network. The visual appearance of each replacement image may be modified using visual effects information so the inserted objects appear natural as if they were part of the original scene.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention advantageously addresses the needs above as well as other needs by providing a method for use in modifying program content. The method comprises the steps of: identifying props in the content for replacement; determining location information for each identified prop; determining visual effects information associated with each identified prop; and creating a reference file that includes the content and the location and the visual effects information associated with each identified prop.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a system for modifying program content. The system comprises: means for identifying props in the content for replacement; means for determining location information for each identified prop; means for determining visual effects information associated with each identified prop; and means for creating a reference file that includes the content and the location and the visual effects information associated with each identified prop.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for use in generating program content. The method comprises the steps of: providing content and one or more reference files that index location and visual effects information associated with one or more replaceable props in the content; obtaining one or more replacement images for the props to be replaced; modifying a visual appearance of each replacement image using the visual effects information; and inserting the one or more replacement images in the content to replace the one or more replaceable props.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a system for playing program content. The system comprises: means for providing the content and reference file that includes the location and visual effects information associated with one or more replaceable props in the content; means for obtaining one or more replacement images; means for modifying a visual appearance of each replacement image using the visual effects information; and means for inserting the one or more replacement images in the content to replace the one or more replaceable props.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a computer program product comprising a medium for embodying a computer program for input to a computer and a computer program embodied in the medium for causing the computer to perform steps of: accessing a reference file that includes program content and location and visual effects information associated with one or more replaceable props in the content; obtaining one or more replacement images; modifying a visual appearance of each replacement image using the visual effects information; and inserting the one or more replacement images in the content to replace the one or more replaceable props.
A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description of the invention and accompanying drawings which set forth an illustrative embodiment in which the principles of the invention are utilized.