Household appliance, network system, household appliance control method using a network, computer program product achieving the control method, and a computer-readable data storage medium
First Claim
1. A network system comprising a network interconnecting at least one home appliance having a data output system that outputs information, and a server system for communicating data with the home appliance, wherein:
- the home appliance comprises;
a product identification system that identifies products used in conjunction with operation of the home appliance;
a transmission system that sends product information identified by the product identification system via the network to the server system;
a receiving system that receives advertising information or sales promotion information sent from the server system by way of the network; and
a data output system that outputs information received by the receiving system; and
the server system comprises;
an interpreting system that interprets lifestyle conditions of the home appliance user based on the information received from the home appliance; and
a transmission system that sends to the home appliance advertising information or sales promotion information corresponding to the lifestyle of the home appliance user based on the lifestyle information interpreted by the interpreting system.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A network system and home appliance connected to a network effectively utilize data collected from home appliances to achieve more effective advertising and sales promotion using the home appliance. A home appliance (e.g., refrigerator) connects to a service center via a network. Benefit is provided to the consumer by reimbursing the consumer for the power consumed by refrigerator operation. When the consumer places something in the refrigerator, the consumer enters product information using a bar code scanner disposed to the refrigerator, and when removing something from the refrigerator enters the product name and amount used. This information is then sent to the service center, which by collecting information can accurately identify consumer lifestyle preferences. Advertising from a marketing company selected according to the consumer information can then be presented in a timely manner using a display or speakers disposed to the refrigerator.
107 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A network system comprising a network interconnecting at least one home appliance having a data output system that outputs information, and a server system for communicating data with the home appliance, wherein:
-
the home appliance comprises;
a product identification system that identifies products used in conjunction with operation of the home appliance;
a transmission system that sends product information identified by the product identification system via the network to the server system;
a receiving system that receives advertising information or sales promotion information sent from the server system by way of the network; and
a data output system that outputs information received by the receiving system; and
the server system comprises;
an interpreting system that interprets lifestyle conditions of the home appliance user based on the information received from the home appliance; and
a transmission system that sends to the home appliance advertising information or sales promotion information corresponding to the lifestyle of the home appliance user based on the lifestyle information interpreted by the interpreting system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 13, 16)
-
-
6. A control method for a home appliance using a network in a network system comprising a plurality of home appliances having data output systems, and a server system for communicating data with the home appliance, the control method comprising:
-
placing the home appliance where it will be used by a user, inputting on the home appliance side usage data indicative of consumption of product used with the home appliance in conjunction with home appliance operation, sending the input product information via the network to the server system, receiving advertising information or sales promotion information selected according to the product information and sent from the server system, outputting the received information with the data output system of the home appliance, the information received from the server system being advertising information or sales promotion information selected according to the home appliance user lifestyle information, which is identified from the information received by the server system from the home appliance, and providing advertising information or sales promotion information according to the lifestyle information for the home appliance. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 14, 17)
-
-
10. A home appliance connected to a network and receiving information from a server system connected to the network, comprising:
-
a product identification that identifies products used in conjunction with home appliance operation;
a transmission system that sends product information identified by the product identification system via the network to the server system;
a receiving system that receives advertising information or sales promotion information sent from the server system; and
an output system that outputs information received by the receiving system;
wherein the information sent from the server system comprises advertising information or sales promotion information corresponding to the lifestyle of the home appliance user as determined by the server system from the information received from the home appliance. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 15, 18)
-
Specification