SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCT MARKETING USING FEATURE CODES

• US 20080163055A1
• Filed: 12/05/2007
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GANZ An Ontario Partnership Consisting of SH GANZ Holdings Incorporated and 816877 Ontario Limited
• Original Assignee: GANZ An Ontario Partnership Consisting of SH GANZ Holdings Incorporated and 816877 Ontario Limited
• Inventors: Ganz, Howard, Borst, Karl Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,205,158 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/706
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers

Abstract

An Entertainment System including a website, in combination with a commercially purchased product, wherein the system allows a product user to register a primary product online using a registration code, allowing the user access to various activities and scenarios in a “virtual world” including a virtual representation of the product, via a computer connected to the Internet. Additional ancillary products are also provided that may be related to the primary product or the virtual world, with these ancillary products also being provided with one or more codes to provide additional content, bonus items, and/or bonus access in the virtual world.

Claims

1. A method for providing a virtual world presentation to a user for user entertainment, said method comprising the steps of:

registering a first product on a website;

responsive to registering the first product, displaying a virtual replica of the first product on said website, said virtual replica of the first product being associated with a user ID;

registering a second product on said website, wherein said second product is an accessory to said first product;

responsive to registering the second product, displaying a virtual replica of the second product on said website, said virtual replica of the second product also being associated with said user ID, wherein said virtual replica of the first product interacts with said virtual replica of the second product on said website.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of, further responsive to said registering of the first product, granting access to a first subset of restricted content on said website, said first subset of restricted content interacting with said virtual replica of the first product, with said first subset of restricted content also being associated with said user ID such that logging in to said website using said user ID provides access to said first subset of restricted content and said virtual replica of the first product to allow said interacting.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of, further responsive to said registering of the second product, granting access to a second subset of restricted content on said website, said second subset of restricted content being in addition to said first subset of restricted content.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of, further responsive to said registering of the second product, granting access to a subset of restricted content on said website, wherein said subset of restricted content interacts with said virtual replica of the first product.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first product is registered using a first registration code, and wherein the second product is registered using a second registration code different from the first registration code.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second product is provided with an additional registration code, said method further comprising the steps of:

providing the additional registration code to said website; and

responsive to providing the additional registration code, granting access to a subset of restricted content on said website, said subset of restricted content being associated with said user ID such that logging in to said website using said user ID also provides access to said subset of restricted content.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said subset of restricted content interacts with one or both of said virtual replica of the first product and said virtual replica of the second product.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first product represents a living thing and wherein said virtual replica of the second product is an item for said virtual replica of the first product to wear.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second is an item of clothing.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the second is an item of jewelry.

11. A method for providing a virtual world presentation to a user for user entertainment, said method comprising the steps of:

registering a first product on a website, wherein the first product belongs to a first class of products;

responsive to registering the first product, displaying a virtual replica of the first product on said website, said virtual replica of the first product being associated with a user ID;

registering a second product on said website, wherein the second product belongs to a second class of products different than the first class of products; and

responsive to registering the second product, displaying a virtual item on said website, said virtual item also being associated with the user ID.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of, in further response to said registering of said first product, granting access to a first subset of restricted content on said website, said first subset of restricted content providing an environment for interacting with said virtual replica of the first product, with said first subset of restricted content also being associated with said user ID such that logging in to said website using said user ID provides access to said first subset of restricted content and said virtual replica of the first product to allow said interacting.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first product is registered using a first registration code, and wherein the second product is registered using a second registration code.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second product is provided with an additional code, said method further comprising the steps of:

providing said additional code to said website; and

responsive to providing said additional code, granting access to an additional subset of restricted content on said website, said additional subset of restricted content also being associated with said user ID such that logging in to said website using said user ID also provides access to said additional subset of restricted content.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the second product interacts with one or both of said first subset of restricted content and said virtual replica of the first product, such that logging in to said website using said user ID provides access to all of said first subset of restricted content, said virtual replica of the first product, and said virtual item to allow said interacting.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said second class of products comprises accessories for said first class of products, and wherein said virtual item is a virtual replica of said second product.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of further responsive to said registering of the second product, granting access to a second subset of restricted content on said website.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the second product is used to play a game, and wherein said virtual item is used to play another game in another environment provided by a second subset of restricted content.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the virtual item is substantially different than the second product.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the second product is a set of cards for use in playing a first game, and where the virtual item is a virtual set of cards different from the set of cards.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said virtual set of cards is for use in playing a second game different than the first game.

22. The method of claim 11, wherein the second product is a piece of jewelry and wherein said virtual item is virtual jewelry.

23. The method of claim 11, wherein said virtual item is related to the second product according to the class of the second product and/or an appearance of the second product.

24. The method of claim 11, wherein said virtual item is a virtual replica of the second product.

25. The method of claim 11, wherein the first product is registered using a first registration code, and wherein the second product is registered using a second registration code.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the second product is provided with an additional code, said method further comprising the steps of:

providing said additional code to said website; and

responsive to providing said additional code, granting access to one or both of a subset of restricted content on said website and additional virtual item, wherein

said subset of restricted content and/or said additional virtual item are also associated with said user ID such that logging in to said website using said user ID also provides access to said subset of restricted content and/or said additional virtual item.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the second product is provided with a second additional code, said method further comprising the steps of:

providing said second additional code to said website; and

responsive to providing said second additional code, granting access to one or both of an additional subset of restricted content on said website and another virtual item, wherein

said additional subset of restricted content and/or said another virtual item are also associated with said user ID such that logging in to said website using said user ID also provides access to said additional subset of restricted content and/or said another virtual item.

28. A method for providing a virtual world presentation to a user for user entertainment, said method comprising the steps of:

registering a first product on a website using a first registration code provided with the first product, wherein, during said registering of the first product, a successful registration verifies said first registration code;

responsive to said successful registration of the first product, displaying a virtual replica of the first product on said website, said virtual replica of the first product being associated with a user ID;

further responsive to said successful registration of the first product, granting access to a first subset of restricted content on said website, said first subset of restricted content interacting with said virtual replica of the first product, with said first subset of restricted content also being associated with said user ID such that logging in to said website using said user ID provides access to said first subset of restricted content and said virtual replica of the first product to allow said interacting;

registering a second product on said website using a second registration code provided with the second product, wherein during said registering of the second product, a successful registration verifies said second registration code;

responsive to said successful registration of the second product, performing one or both of the steps of;

(1) displaying a virtual representation of the second product on the website, said virtual representation of the second product being related to the second product and also being associated with said user ID, and

(2) granting access to a second subset of restricted content on said website, said second subset of restricted content interacting with one or more of said virtual replica of the first product, said virtual representation of the second product, and said first subset of restricted content, said second subset of restricted content also being associated with said user ID;

entering a bonus code on said website, said bonus code also being provided with the second product and said bonus code being different than said second registration code; and

responsive to said entering of the bonus code, performing one or both of the steps of;

(1) displaying a virtual image on the website, said virtual image interacting with at least said virtual representation of the second product and/or said second subset of restricted content that is associated with registration of said second product, wherein said virtual image is also associated with said user ID and said virtual image being different than said virtual replica of said first product and different than said virtual representation of said second product, and

(2) granting access to a third subset of restricted content on said website, said third subset of restricted content interacting with one or more of said virtual replica of the first product, said virtual representation of the second product, said first subset of restricted content, and said second subset of restricted content, wherein

said third subset of restricted content is also associated with said user ID;

whereby logging in to said website using said user ID provides access to all of said virtual replica of the first product, said first subset of restricted content, said second subset of restricted content and/or said virtual representation of the second product, and said third subset of restricted content and/or said virtual image, to allow said interacting.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said virtual representation of the second product comprises a virtual replica of the second product.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the second product is provided with an additional bonus code, said method further comprising the steps of:

providing said additional bonus code to said website; and

responsive to providing said additional bonus code, performing one or both of the steps of;

(1) displaying an additional virtual image on the website, said additional virtual image interacting with one or more of said virtual replica of the first product, said first subset of restricted content, said virtual representation of the second product and/or said second subset of restricted content, said virtual image and/or said third subset of restricted content, and a fourth subset of restricted content, wherein said additional virtual image is also associated with said user ID, and

(2) granting access to said fourth subset of restricted content on said website, said fourth subset of restricted content also being associated with said user ID such that logging in to said website using said user ID also provides access to said fourth subset of restricted content.

31. A method for providing a virtual world presentation to a user for user entertainment, said method comprising the steps of:

registering a toy on a website using a first registration code provided with the toy, wherein, during said registering of the toy, a successful registration verifies said first registration code;

responsive to said successful registration of the toy, displaying a virtual replica of the toy on said website, said virtual replica of the toy being associated with a user ID and being animated on said website;

further responsive to said successful registration of the toy, granting access to a first subset of restricted content on said website, said first subset of restricted content interacting with said virtual replica of the toy such that said virtual replica of the toy is animated within an environment provided by said first subset of restricted content, with said first subset of restricted content also being associated with said user ID such that logging in to said website using said user ID provides access to said first subset of restricted content and said virtual replica of the toy to allow said interacting;

registering a peripheral product on said website using a second registration code provided with the peripheral product, said peripheral product being related to said toy, wherein a successful registering of the peripheral product verifies said second registration code;

responsive to said successful registration of the peripheral product, performing one or both of the steps of;

(1) displaying a virtual representation of the peripheral product on the website, said virtual representation of the peripheral product also being associated with said user ID, such that said virtual representation of the peripheral product also interacting with one or all of said first subset of restricted content, said virtual representation of the toy, and a second subset of restricted content, and

(2) granting access to said second subset of restricted content on said website, said second subset of restricted content also being associated with said user ID such that logging in to said website using said user ID also provides access to said second subset of restricted content.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein responsive to said successful registration of the peripheral product, performing both steps of (1) displaying a virtual representation of the peripheral product on the website and (2) granting access to said second subset of restricted content on said website.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the peripheral product is provided with an additional code, said method further comprising the steps of:

providing said additional code to said website; and

responsive to providing said additional code, granting access to an additional subset of restricted content on said website, said additional subset of restricted content also being associated with said user ID such that logging in to said website using said user ID also provides access to said additional subset of restricted content.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein said toy represents a living thing and wherein said virtual representation of the peripheral product is an item for said virtual replica of said toy to wear.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein said peripheral product is capable of use without the toy.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the first registration code is hidden in the packaging of the toy prior to purchase.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the second registration code is hidden in the packaging of the peripheral product prior to purchase.

38. A method for providing a virtual world presentation to a user for user entertainment, said method comprising the steps of:

registering the user on a website using a user ID;

registering a code provided with a first product on the website;

responsive to registering the first product, performing one or both of the steps of;

(1) displaying a virtual representation of the first product on said website, said virtual representation of the first product being associated with said user ID, and

(2) granting access to a first subset of restricted content on said website, said first subset of restricted content providing an activity for the user;

after said registering of the user and the code, registering a second product on said website, wherein said second product is associated with said user ID;

responsive to registering the second product, providing access to additional restricted content on the website, and also providing a bonus feature associated with said first product that was not available prior to said registering of the second product and that would not have been available without said registering of the first product and wherein said bonus feature is other than the second product itself.

39. A method for selling products, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a toy for sale, said toy being provided with an associated registration code;

providing a plurality of accessories to said toy for sale, each of said accessories being provided with an associated registration code;

registering said toy on a website using said associated registration code, wherein, during said registering of said toy, a successful registration verifies said associated registration code;

responsive to said successful registration of said toy, obtaining a user ID and obtaining access to a subset of restricted content on said website, with said subset of restricted content being associated with a user having said user ID such that the user logging in to said website using said user ID gains access to said subset of restricted content; and

offering said plurality of accessories for sale to the user, said offering including notifying a user that purchase of one or more of said accessories provides access to additional subsets of restricted content on said website.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising the steps of:

selling one or more of said accessories;

registering said one or more of said accessories on said website using the associated registration codes provided with said one or more accessories, wherein a successful registering of said one or more accessories verifies said associated registration codes;

responsive to said successful registration of said one or more accessories, granting access to additional subsets of restricted content on said website for each one of said one or more accessories successfully registered, said additional subsets of restricted content also being associated with said user ID such that the user logging in to said website using said user ID also gains access to said additional subsets of restricted content.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising the steps of:

further responsive to said successful registration of said toy, displaying a virtual replica of said toy on said website, said virtual replica of said toy being associated with said user ID and interacting with said subset of restricted content; and

further responsive to said successful registration of said one or more accessories, displaying a virtual representation of said one or more accessories on said website, said virtual representation of said one or more accessories being associated with the user ID and interacting with one or more of;

said subset of restricted content, said additional subset of restricted content, and said virtual replica of said toy.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein said virtual representation of said one or more accessories include virtual replicas of said one or more accessories.

43. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of, further responsive to said successful registration of said toy, displaying a virtual replica of said toy on said website, said virtual replica of said toy being associated with said user ID and interacting with said subset of restricted content.

44. A method comprising:

accepting a first registration of a real-world item on a website;

responsive to a successful first registration, providing a representation of said real world item on said website;

accepting a second registration of an accessory item on said website, where said accessory item is an item that changes a look of said real world item; and

responsive to a successful second registration, providing a representation of said accessory item on said website, and using said accessory item to change a look of said representation of said real world item on said website.

45. The method as in claim 44, wherein said real world item and said accessory item are both real world items which have virtual representations on said website that resemble the real world items.

46. The method as in claim 44, wherein said real world item is a toy.

47. The method as in claim 44, further comprising responsive to said successful second registration, providing access to an area of said website that is not available prior to said successful second registration, and wherein said area includes at least one image thereon which is a virtual image of said accessory item.

48. The method as in claim 47, wherein said accessory item is a charm, and said area of said website is a charms forest.

49. The method as in claim 44, further comprising accepting a third registration of a bonus feature code that unlocks a bonus item that is shown only on said website and does not include a corresponding real world part, and wherein said bonus item interacts with, and is usable with, the virtual version of the real world item.

50. The method as in claim 49, wherein said bonus item changes a look of a virtual version that is displayed on said website.

51. A method comprising:

selling a real world item with a registration code that allows registering the real world item on a website and obtaining a virtual version of the real world item on the website;

selling an accessory item that changes a look of the real world item, said accessory item also including a second registration code that can be entered on a the website and registered to provide a virtual version of the accessory item on the website;

wherein said accessory item changes a look of the virtual item on said website.

52. The method as in claim 51, further comprising preventing said accessory item from being registered unless the user has already registered the main item.

53. The method as in claim 51, further comprising providing a bonus code with one of said items, said bonus code allowing a third registration on said website, to provide an item on said website that interacts with one of said items, and wherein said third item is shown only on said website and does not have a real world version.

54. A method comprising:

accepting a first registration of a real-world item on a website;

responsive to a successful first registration, providing a representation of said real world item on said website;

accepting a second registration of an accessory item on said website, where said accessory item is an item that is usable along with said real world item, and is an accessory for said real world item; and

responsive to said successful second registration, providing access to an area of said website that is not available prior to said successful second registration, and wherein said area includes at least one image therein which is a virtual image of said accessory item.

55. The method as in claim 54, wherein said area has a theme that is based on said accessory item.

56. The method as in claim 54, further comprising allowing access to said area only when a specified item is purchased and registered.

57. The method as in claim 54, wherein said accessory item is a charm, and said area is a charm forest area.

58. A method comprising:

distributing a first product with a code that allows access only to a first portion of a website; and

distributing a second product, that is an accessory for said first product, and which has a code that allows access to a second portion of said website, wherein said second portion has a them that is based on said accessory.

59. A method for providing a virtual world presentation to a user for user entertainment, said method comprising the steps of:

registering a first product on a website, wherein the first product belongs to a first class of products;

responsive to registering the first product, displaying a virtual replica of the first product on said website, said virtual replica of the first product being associated with a user ID;

registering a second product on said website, wherein the second product belongs to a second class of products different than the first class of products, where said first and second classes of products represent different real world items that are interacted with in different ways; and

responsive to registering the second product, displaying a virtual item on said website, said virtual item also being associated with the user ID.