WO2009132429A1

WO2009132429A1 - Method and system for creating and distributing user-created revenue-generating 3d models

Info

Publication number: WO2009132429A1
Application number: PCT/CA2009/000549
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Craig Boothroyd
Original assignee: Aftercad Software Inc.
Priority date: 2008-04-24
Filing date: 2009-04-24
Publication date: 2009-11-05

Abstract

A method is provided for creating and distributing user-created revenue-generating three-dimensional (3D) models to Internet web sites. A user creates and uploads an interactive 3D model file to a system server which gives the user embed code for embedding the 3D model in third party web sites. The system server selects an advertiser to sponsor the 3D model and adds the advertiser's branding to the interactive 3D model. The user can then post the branded model on one or more web sites and the advertiser pays the system server advertising fees based on the level of interaction with the branded model.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING AND DISTRIBUTING USER- CREATED REVENUE-GENERATING 3D MODELS

Cross Reference To Related Application The present application claims the benefits, under 35 U.S.C.§119(e), of U.S.

Provisional Application Serial No. 61/047,696 filed April 24, 2008 which is incorporated herein by this reference.

Technical Field The invention relates to methods and systems of advertising over computer networks in which advertisements are displayed on a user terminal, and more particularly to methods and system for Internet advertising in which advertisements are displayed on a user terminal in response to clicking an advertisement displayed on a web site.

Background

Internet advertisements are becoming an increasingly important part of advertisers' budgets due to the popularity of Internet use. Typically such advertising takes the form of banner advertisements, that is, an advertisement space that appears on a web site being viewed by a user. This advertisement space displays the advertising content to the user, and also allows the user to click a part of the space to link to the advertiser's web site, thereby displaying an advertisement page on the user terminal.

A banner advertisement is created by embedding the HTML code for the banner within the HTML code for the web page in which it is to appear. The user's web browser compiles and executes the embedded code for the banner ad and displays it as part of a rendered web page at the specified location.

Operators of web sites that post banner advertisements generally earn revenue from advertisers, which can be calculated in various ways. Generally a web site operator can apply for affiliation with an advertiser who provides an advertisement for placement by the operator. Once the advertiser has agreed, the web site operator places the banner advertisement onto its web site, and is then paid fees from the advertiser based upon one of a number of methods. One common method is the "Cost Per Thousand Impressions" or CPM model, in which revenue is based on the number of times a banner advertisement is displayed to a user. A second method is the "Cost Per- Click" or CPC model, in which revenue is based on the number of clicks a banner advertisement receives. A third method is the "Cost-Per-Transaction" model, which compensates the web site operator based on the actual transactions conducted through a banner advertisement, such as a product purchase.

Due to the increasing importance of Internet advertising, there is a need for new vehicles for advertisers to effectively direct their advertising messages over the Internet.

The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.

Summary The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.

The present invention provides a computer-implemented method for creating and distributing user-created revenue-generating three-dimensional (3D) models. More particularly the invention provides a computer-implemented method of creating and distributing user-created revenue-generating three-dimensional (3D) models wherein a user has a client computer provided with three-dimensional interactive model creation application software and web browser software for accessing and interactively communicating via a computer network with a system server provided with data storage to store three-dimensional interactive image files, comprising: a) the user creating and uploading an interactive 3D model file to the system server; b) the system server giving the user embed code for embedding the 3D model in third party web sites; c) the system server selecting an advertiser to sponsor the 3D model; d) the system server adding the advertiser's branding to the interactive 3D model and returning same to the user; e) the user embedding the branded model in one or more web sites; f) the advertiser paying the system server advertising fees based on the level of interaction with the branded model.

The present invention provides a computer readable storage medium having program code stored thereon, wherein the program code, when executed by a computer, performs the following tasks: a) receiving a user-created and uploaded interactive 3D model file to a system server; b) the system server giving the user embed code for embedding the 3D model in one or more web sites; c) the system server selecting an advertiser to sponsor the 3D model; d) the system server adding the advertiser's branding to said interactive 3D model and returning same to the user; e) receiving from the advertiser advertising fees based on the level of interaction with the branded model. The invention further provides computer program code for displaying a branded interactive 3D model which generates advertising revenue for a system web server.

In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following detailed descriptions.

Brief Description of Drawings

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. - A -

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the network or system used to carry out the invention;

Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the method of the invention; and

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a sample of a branded interactive 3D model.

Description

Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessar- ily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

With reference to Figure 1, the method of the invention is carried out by users via a plurality of user computer terminals 10, whether desktop, laptop, mobile device or the like. In referring herein to a "mobile device", reference is to a two-way communication device with advanced data communication capabilities including the capability to communicate with other mobile devices or computer systems through a network of transceiver stations. The mobile device may also have the capability to allow voice communication. Examples are a data messaging device, a two-way pager, a cellular telephone with data messaging capabilities, a wireless Internet appliance, or a data communication device (with or without telephony capabilities). Computer terminals 10 are provided with 3D content creation application software like 3ds Max, Maya, Softimage and other applications, and web browser client software capable of accessing the system web site maintained by a web server 12 via the Internet 14 or other computer network. The user may, as an example, wish to create a custom 3D model for delivery to a social network hosting server 22. The user may post the 3D model on a blog, email or web site via a web hosting server 24. An advertising server 16 also accesses web server 12 via the Internet 14 .

With reference to Figure 2, as a first step, a user at computer terminal 10 who is providing a 3D model ("3d Modeler") creates a 3D model from 3D interactive modelling applications like 3ds Max, Maya, Softimage and other applications. It may for example be a 3D interactive model suitable for gaming, virtual worlds and simulations, for example a Statue of Liberty model 32 as shown in Fig. 3. The 3D Modeler uploads the interactive model into the system web site 12 for immediate 5 display and the ability to embed the interactive 3D model on other web sites such as Facebook and MySpace to display the model to the user's friends and family or potential employers.

As one method of custom creating the 3D model, the system may use the O METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DELIVERING AND INTERACTIVELY

DISPLAYING THREE-DIMENSIONAL GRAPHICS as disclosed in the present applicant's co-pending International patent application publication no. WO08040123 published April 10, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference.

5 The system web site 12 is preferably a free 3D model hosting service that receives advertising revenue from its activities. The system web site 12 gives the 3D Modeler "Embed code" similar to what is currently provided by web-based services such as YouTube, allowing the user to embed the code in many other sites 22, 24. By providing the embed code, the system web site 12 allows the 3D Modeler to post the0 model on sites such as Facebook, MySpace, on the user's own web site etc.

An example of embed code for a web site / blog is as follows:

/xparam name="movie" value="http://renderjam.online. aftercad.com/realworld2.swf' /xparam O name="flashvars" value="f=4&h=renderjam.online.aftercad.com&cm=obj"

/xparam name="quality" value="high" /xparam name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /xembed src="http://renderjam.online.aftercad.com/realworld2.swf' id="renderjam" flashvars="f=4&h=renderi am.online.aftercad.com&cm=obj " swliveconnect="true" quality="high" bgcolor="#000000" width="400" height="300" name="renderjam" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed></object>

Next, the system web site 12 selects a suitable advertiser to "sponsor" the 3D model hosting fees. Every hosted model gets matched up with an Advertising

"Sponsor", for example Google as shown in Fig. 3. The Sponsor is charged a base hosting fee to host the model. For every view (CPM) and interaction (CPC) with the posted model 32, the Sponsor pays a fee to the system web site 12. The Sponsor's logo or brand 34 is positioned in frame with the 3D model as shown in Fig. 3 and includes a hyperlink to the advertiser's web site 16. Alternatively the Sponsor's brand may be placed at the bottom of the 3D model display. Every time someone interacts with the 3D model somewhere, the system web site 12 gets paid by the Sponsor for those clicks. This can be done in the same manner as presently done with banner advertising. When the branded model gets posted on the user's Facebook profile, for example, for every view (CPM or cost per thousand views) or click (CPC or cost per click), the advertiser pays a fee to the system operator. A number of existing methods of click tracking are possible but a preferred method uses the same method employed to monitor how a user manipulates the model. When a user clicks on the model, whether to rotate it or click on the sponsor link, code is created and monitored by the system.

Like popular keywords and Google Adwords, or like sponsored athletes, some branded models will be popular and many others not. Some models may become integrated into games etc. Popular 3D models will be pasted into multiple web pages and blogs all across the Internet and attract a large number of clicks. The advertising model may involve the usual CPC Ranking system whereby a Sponsor has an account and a budget and once their daily model sponsoring budget is exhausted, the next sponsor on the list gets to sponsor the popular models.

The present method is particularly effective because the system benefits from users distributing their created models to their network of friends, relatives and associates, and it also takes advantage of the attraction of interactive 3D models to computer users.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the invention be interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within its true spirit and scope.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A computer-implemented method of creating and distributing user-created revenue-generating three-dimensional (3D) models wherein a user has a client

5 computer provided with three-dimensional interactive model creation application software and web browser software for accessing and interactively communicating via a computer network with a system server provided with data storage to store three- dimensional interactive image files, comprising: a) said user creating and uploading an interactive 3D model file to said O system server; b) said system server giving the user embed code for embedding said 3D model in third party web sites; c) said system server selecting an advertiser to sponsor said 3D model; d) said system server adding said advertiser's branding to said interactive5 3D model and returning same to the user; e) said user embedding the branded model in one or more web sites; f) said advertiser paying said system server advertising fees based on the level of interaction with said branded model at said one or more web sites. 0

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said branding comprises a hyperlink.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said hyperlink is used to calculate payments by said advertiser. 5

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said level of interaction is measured by click tracking.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said level of interaction is measured by O monitoring a user's manipulation of the 3D model whereby when a user clicks on the 3D model, or on the branding, code is created and monitored by the system.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said click tracking is used to calculate pay- ments by said advertiser.

7. A computer readable storage medium having program code stored thereon, wherein the program code, when executed by a computer, performs the following tasks: a) receiving a user-created and uploaded interactive 3D model file to a system server; b) said system web site giving the user embed code for embedding said 3D model in one or more web sites; c) said system web site selecting an advertiser to sponsor said 3D model; d) said system web site adding said advertiser's branding to said interactive 3D model and returning same to the user; e) receiving from said advertiser advertising fees based on the level of interaction with said branded model at said one or more web sites.

8. A computer readable storage medium having program code stored thereon, said code comprising I) an interactive 3D model file which when run displays a 3D interactive model and an advertiser's branding, ii) embed code for embedding said 3D model in a web site, and iii) code for signaling an interaction with said 3D model.