Method and system for creating a personalized experience with video in connection with a stored value token

Abstract

A method and system for creating an augmented reality experience with video in connection with a stored value token comprises augmented reality software which can be loaded on a general purpose computer. The augmented reality software may monitor camera signals in order to detect a marker on a stored value token. The augmented reality software tracks the position of this marker relative to camera. The augmented reality software can display video that is projected on the image captured by the camera and adjacent to the image of the marker. The software may also display an object that is projected on the image after the video is displayed. The projected object can have three dimensions as it is projected on a two-dimensional display. In another exemplary embodiment, an electronic-token can be created and which is associated with customized video and without any augmented reality components.

1 . A method for creating an augmented reality experience comprising:
 capturing streaming video images with a camera coupled to a client device;   displaying the streaming video images on a display device which is coupled to the client device;   scanning the video images for a marker present on a stored value token;   determining a position of the marker relative to the camera from the video images; and   if the marker is in a predetermined position relative to the camera, then displaying a video adjacent to the marker in the streaming video images.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating and displaying an object having perspective adjacent to the marker in the streaming video images if the marker is in a predetermined position relative to the camera, wherein the predetermined position is a first position and the object is a first object, wherein when the marker is in a second position, then generating and displaying a second object that contains a graphical item, the second object not having perspective. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting a token identifier associated with a stored value token over a computer network. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the video comprises one of an advertisement associated with a merchant of the stored value token and a customized video recorded by a purchaser of the stored value token. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining if the marker has been removed from a view of the camera. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the graphical item is a first graphical item and wherein if the camera detects the marker leaving a view of the camera and then being re-introduced into the view, then displaying the object adjacent to the marker and with the object containing a second graphical item different from the first graphical item. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining if a screen pointer has interacted with the object. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein if the screen pointer has interacted with the object, then displaying additional information about the graphical item contained within the object. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the additional information comprises one of text and an image related to the graphical item. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining if the graphical item has been selected for purchase. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein if the graphical item has been selected for purchase, then retrieving value from stored value account in exchange for purchase of the selected graphical item. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving additional value to add to a stored value account associated with the stored value token. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising if the marker is removed and then reintroduced into a view of the camera, then generating and displaying the object adjacent to the marker and containing a graphical item that is associated with a price that is close to a value associated with the stored value token. 
     
     
         14 . A method for creating an augmented reality experience comprising:
 receiving a value to associate with a stored value token;   searching a database for one of products and services that are sold close to the value;   matching at least one of a product and a service which is sold close to the value;   creating a record comprising a token identifier and a graphical item representing one of the product and service that is found during matching;   receiving a request to initiate the augmented reality experience;   in response to the request, preparing data comprising augmented reality information including a video file, and the record comprising the graphical item; and   sending the data over a computer network.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein preparing data comprising augmented reality information further comprises preparing a video file for playback on a display device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising preparing data for generating an object with perspective on a display device, wherein the object comprises a storage container. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein creating the record comprising the graphical item further includes retrieving an image that represents at least one of a product and a service. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the image comprises a digital photograph of at least one of a product and a scene representing a service. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein receiving a request to initiate the augmented reality experience further comprises receiving the token identifier associated with a stored value token. 
     
     
         20 . A computer system for creating an augmented reality experience on a display device, comprising:
 a processing unit;   a memory storage device;   a display device coupled to the processing unit for displaying data; and   a program module for providing instructions to the processing unit, the processing unit responsive to the instructions of the program module, operable for:
 capturing streaming video images with a camera; 
 displaying the streaming video images on the display device; 
 scanning the video images for a marker present on a stored value token; 
 determining a position of the marker relative to the camera from the video image; and 
 if the marker is in a predetermined position relative to the camera, then displaying a video associated with the stored value token. 
   
     
     
         21 . The computer system of  claim 20 , wherein the stored value token comprises one of a gift card, credit card, an atm card, and a debit card. 
     
     
         22 . The computer system of  claim 20 , wherein the marker on the stored value token comprises a first graphical member and a second graphical member, the second graphical member being circumscribed by the first graphical member. 
     
     
         23 . The computer system of  claim 20 , wherein the stored value token comprises machine-readable media. 
     
     
         24 . The computer system of  claim 20 , further comprising generating and displaying an object adjacent to the marker and containing a graphical item that is associated with a price that is close to a value associated with the stored value token if the marker is in a predetermined position relative to the camera, wherein the object comprises a three-dimensional container. 
     
     
         25 . The computer system of  claim 24 , wherein the container contains one or more decorations suggesting a gift context for the stored value token. 
     
     
         26 . The computer system of  claim 24 , wherein the graphical item comprises one of an image and an icon representing at least one of a product and a service that is associated with a price which is one of less than and equal to a value associated with the stored value token. 
     
     
         27 . The computer system of  claim 20 , wherein the system further comprises an instruction for determining if the marker has been removed and reintroduced into a view of the camera, and if the marker been reintroduced into the view, then generating and displaying an object having perspective adjacent to the marker. 
     
     
         28 . A method for creating a personalized experience with customized video in connection with a stored value account, comprising:
 receiving a token identifier from a communications network associated with a physical token;   retrieving a customized video associated with the token identifier; and   sending the customized video over a communications network.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the token comprises one of a gift card, credit card, an atm card, and a debit card. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the token identifier is positioned adjacent to machine-readable media. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the machine-readable media comprises a bar code. 
     
     
         32 . A method for creating a personalized experience with customized video in connection with an e-token, comprising:
 receiving a selection of one or more options on-line associated with an e-token;   receiving a denomination of value to associate with the e-token;   receiving a video to associate with the e-token;   receiving a hypertext link associated with the video; and   sending the video over a communications network in response to receiving the hypertext link.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising receiving personal information about a purchaser of the e-token. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the receiving video to associate with the e-token further comprises receiving one of video created with a web-cam and pre-existing video stored on a tangible storage medium. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the e-token comprises machine-readable media.