PET OF THE MONTH EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME REWARDS

• US 20090063271A1
• Filed: 09/19/2007
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GANZ An Ontario Partnership Consisting of SH GANZ Holdings Incorporated and 816877 Ontario Limited
• Original Assignee: Ganz
• Inventors: Ganz, Howard, Borst, Karl Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,118,636 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.140
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement

Abstract

A unique code is used to register a virtual pet or other item using a code that is associated with the pet, and which, when entered, allows viewing and interacting with a virtual representation of the actual item on the website. If the code is entered during a specific time period, it allows obtaining at least one additional item, for example an exclusive item that cannot be obtained in any other way. The specific time period can be extended, e.g., using supplemental codes. The codes may specify fixed or variable time periods, and may be generic extension codes and extend other things other than this period.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

accepting a registration code that is associated with a real-world item to allow registration of the real-world item on a website;

responsive to said registration of said real-world item on said website, providing at least one image representing the real-world item on the website;

determining if said registration has been accepted during a specified and limited time period; and

if said registration was accepted during said specified and limited time period, providing at least one extra item on the website, wherein said at least one extra item is associated with and capable of interacting with the at least one image representing the real-world item on the website.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said at least one extra item is an item that cannot be obtained in any other way other than by registering said registration code during said specific and limited time period.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein said specific and limited time period is one specific calendar month.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein said providing said at least one extra item is responsive to a determination that the real-world item is of a type that is designated to correspond to said specified and limited time period.

5. A method as in claim 1, further comprising entering an additional code as part of said registration which allows obtaining said at least one extra item outside of said specific and limited time period.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein said additional code comprises a code that extends said specific and limited time period by a fixed amount of time.

7. A method as in claim 5, wherein said additional code comprises a code that extends said specific and limited time by an amount of time necessary for delivery by a carrier.

8. A method as in claim 5, wherein said additional code comprises a code that extends plural different expiration dates on said website.

9. A method as in claim 5, further comprising allowing said additional code to obtain said at least one extra item at any time.

10. A method as in claim 1, further comprising detecting that the registration was entered outside the specified and limited time period, and providing a warning to a user indicative thereof.

11. A method, comprising:

providing a real-world item to a user that is associated with a unique registration code;

allowing the user to enter the unique registration code into a website, and allowing the user to view and interact with a virtual representation of the real-world item on the website responsive to the entry of the unique registration code; and

providing at least one extra item on the website that is usable with said virtual representation and can interact with said virtual representation, if said user enters said unique registration code during a specified and limited time period.

12. A method as in claim 11, further comprising allowing the user to take an action which extends said specified and limited time period.

13. A method as in claim 12, wherein said action is entry of a lock in code which is specific only for said action and only for a specified period of time.

14. A method as in claim 12, wherein said action is entry of a delivery code that is specific for said action, and for a period of time enabling an item to be shipped to the user.

15. A method as in claim 12, wherein said action is entry of a generic extension code that allows either said specified and limited period to be extended or at least one other period on said website to be extended.

16. A method as in claim 11, further comprising allowing the user to enter a promotion code which provides said at least one extra item during a time outside said specified and limited period.

17. A method as in claim 11, further comprising determining if said real world item has already been registered prior to said specified and limited time period, and providing at least one extra item based on said determining.

18. A computer readable medium encoded with a computer programs to cause a machine to:

accept a registration code that is associated with a real-world item to allow registration of that item on a website;

responsive to said registration of said item on said website, provide at least one virtual representation of the real-world item on the website and allow interaction with said at least one virtual representation;

determine if said registration has been accepted during a specified and limited time period; and

if said registration was accepted during said specified and limited time period, provide at least one extra item on the website that is usable with said at least one virtual representation and can interact with said at least one virtual representation.

19. A medium as in claim 18, further comprising instructions to allow a user to take an action which extends said specified and limited time period.

20. A medium as in claim 19, wherein said instructions comprise instructions to allow entry of a lock in code which is specific only for said action and only for a specified period of time.

21. A medium as in claim 19, wherein said instructions comprise instructions to allow entry of a delivery code that is specific for said action, and for a period of time enabling an item to be shipped to the user.

22. A medium as in claim 19, wherein said instructions comprise instructions to allow entry of a generic extension code that allows either said specified and limited period to be extended or at least one other period on said website to be extended.

23. A medium as in claim 18, further comprising instructions to allow a user to enter a promotion code which provides said at least one extra item during a time outside said specified and limited period.

24. A method comprising:

providing a real-world item to a user that is associated with a unique registration code;

allowing the user to enter the unique registration code into a website, and allowing the user to view and interact with a virtual representation of the real-world item on the website responsive to the entry of the unique registration code;

providing at least one extra item on the website that is usable with said virtual representation and can interact with said virtual representation, if said user enters said unique registration code during a specified and limited time period; and

allowing the user to enter a supplemental code into the website that extends said specific and limited time period and which allows said user to obtain said at least one extra item during an extended time period beyond said specific and limited time period.

25. A method as in claim 24, wherein said at least one extra item is an exclusive item that can only be obtained via said unique registration code during said specified and limited time period or said extended time period.