Method of mutually enhancing retail sales and user traffic on a web site

• US 20040093266A1
• Filed: 11/12/2002
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NeoPets, Inc. (ViacomCBS Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: NeoPets, Inc. (ViacomCBS Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dohring, Doug Carl
• Application Number:
  US10/292,895
• Publication Number:
  US 20040093266A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.23
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0222 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions

Abstract

A method of mutually enhancing retail sales and user traffic on a web site involves offering an item code to a customer at a retail store, a place of business, or other promotional site in one of several different ways. Instructions are provided with the item code directing the customer to visit a web site, the instructions including the URL of the web site. The customer accesses the web site utilizing the URL address. The customer enters the item code where provided for on the web page and submits the item code. A server computer receives the item code, processes the item code, and returns to the customer'"'"'s computer a web page for display indicating the virtual item that the customer has acquired through the item code. The customer may now interact within the environment provided for by the web site with the virtual item acquired.

Claims

1. A method for mutually enhancing retail- sales and user traffic on a web site, the method comprising:

(a) offering an item code to a customer, wherein said offer includes an instruction to visit a web site to redeem said item code for a virtual item;

(b) logging onto said web site by said customer wherein said web site is affiliated with said offering of said item code to said customer;

(c) returning a web page to said customer in response to said logging onto said web site, said web page having an entry instruction for said item code;

(d) entering by said customer said item code in said web page on said web site;

(e) returning a virtual item to said customer through said web site; and

(f) utilizing said virtual item by said customer within said web site.