Interactive system

• US 20030018489A1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Conopco (Unilever PLC)
• Original Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV (Unilever PLC)
• Inventors: Newby, Brian Patrick, Treloar, Robert Lindsay
• Application Number:
  US10/184,062
• Publication Number:
  US 20030018489A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4784 receiving rewards
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8173 End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game

Abstract

A kit of parts comprising

(i) one or more consumer products;

(ii) one or more promotional device(s) being pre-programmed such that the promotional device is capable of transmitting a signal to a media device

Claims

1. A kit of parts comprising

(i) one or more consumer products;

(ii) one or more promotional device(s) being pre-programmed such that the promotional device is capable of transmitting a signal to a media device.

2. A kit of parts according to claim 1, wherein the consumer product is consumed during use.

3. A kit of parts according to claim 1, wherein the consumer product is selected from the group of food products, cleaning products, pet food, cosmetics, personal care products, dietary supplements.

4. A kit of parts according to claim 1, wherein the consumer product is selected from the groups of:

(a) assembly products e.g. flatpack furniture and do it yourself materials;

(b) household appliances (other than the media device) e.g. kitchen appliances, cleaning appliances, do it yourself appliances and garden appliances

5. A kit of parts according to claim 1, wherein the media device is an interactive media device such as an interactive television.

6. A kit of parts according to claim 1, wherein the promotional device is a toy, a counter or a card.

7. A kit of parts according to claim 1, wherein the promotional device comprises one or more light emitting diodes for example for emitting infrared pulses.

8. A kit of parts according to claims 1-4, wherein the promotional article comprises a photoelectric cell, a piezo electric device or a tiny battery.

9. A kit of parts according to claim 1 wherein the promotional device and the consumer product are contained in an outer package.

10. A method for the targeted provision of consumer information comprising the steps of:

(i) provision of a consumer product in combination with a promotional device being pre-programmed such that it is capable of transmitting a signal to a media device

(ii) bringing the promotional device into reaching distance of a media device such that the signal is received by the media device;

(iii) Provision of targeted information by the media device as a result of said signal.

11. Method according to claim 10 wherein the media device is an interactive television.

12. Method according to claim 10 wherein the signal is an infrared signal received by the infrared port of the media device.

13. Method according to claim 10 wherein the media device comprises a set top box and the signal is unknown to said set top box.

14. Method according to claim 10 wherein the media device receives the targeted information from a provider.

15. Method according to claim 10 wherein the targeted information comprises advertising information relating to the consumer product.