Method and system for sharing brand information

• US 20100121918A1
• Filed: 07/30/2009
• Published: 05/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SINOEAST CONCEPT LIMITED (Tencent Holdings Limited)
• Original Assignee: SINOEAST CONCEPT LIMITED (Tencent Holdings Limited)
• Inventors: Gottfried, Linda
• Granted Patent: US 8,725,804 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0214 Referral reward systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0276 Advertisement creation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15

Abstract

An interactive, computer network based system presents consumers with multimedia brand information via a browser-based interface called the GraffitiWall™. Consumers can use the GraffitiWall™ to modify and display a sponsor'"'"'s brand information in any way desired. Consumer modifications are immediately communicated to the other member consumers and the advertiser/sponsor. Consumers can rate the GraffitiWall™, or portions thereof, and email the GraffitiWall™. An archive of GraffitiWalls™ is maintained by the system. Consumers participate in online focus groups, one-to-one interviews and discussions, as well as games and promotions pertaining to the brand. Interaction with consumers through focus groups, one-to-one interviews, discussions, games and promotions allows the hosting company to reinforce brand equities; speak directly to their target audience; test new and updated products and services; and encourage participation to a brand via purchases and signups by rewarding the participant with coupons, samples, gift certificates, and the like. An ongoing dialogue between business and consumer, as well as consumer-to-consumer, nurtures customer participation, loyalty and satisfaction, and builds a community housed within the company'"'"'s brand.

Claims

1. A networked interactive system for display of product information to a plurality of consumers, comprising:

a. a multimedia forum for enabling the consumers to communicate with each other and at least one sponsor; and

b. a multimedia interface for enabling the consumers to modify and view the product information;

wherein the product information and the multimedia interface are updated based upon the consumers'"'"' actions and communicated to the sponsor.

12. A system as recited by claim 1, wherein the consumer can add multimedia product information to the system.

13. A system as recited by claim 1, further comprising a chat feature.

61. A system as recited by claim 1, wherein the multimedia interface enables the consumer to establish a virtual three-dimensional room for display of the product information.

62. A system as recited by claim 1, wherein the product information and the multimedia interface form a projected image for viewing on a designated viewing area.

63. A system as recited by claim 62, wherein the projected image is a GUI, the consumer being able to select objects and commands on the GUI and manipulate them by gesturing.

66. A system as recited by claim 1, wherein the consumers communicate using at least one of the following types of devices:

a laptop, a PDA, a cell phone, a computer, a kiosk, a microphone, a camera, a video camera, an electronic billboard and other electronic platforms.

69. A system as recited by claim 1, wherein the consumer can upload multimedia personal information and product information to the system.

132. A system as recited by claim 69, wherein the uploaded multimedia personal information comprises an image of a room or other physical environment associated with the consumer and the product information comprises images from the sponsor such as staff members, automobiles, famous personalities, art, clothing or furniture and the consumer creates a virtual place, in the graffiti frame window, by incorporating the sponsor'"'"'s images within the image of the consumer'"'"'s uploaded environment.

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51. Computer-executable process steps for displaying product information to a plurality of consumers in a networked interactive system, the computer-executable process steps being stored on a computer-readable medium comprising:

a. a connecting step for connecting the consumers and at least one sponsor so that they can communicate with each other in a multimedia forum;

b. a presentation step for providing a multimedia interface to the consumers with which the consumers can modify and view the product information;

c. an updating step for updating the product information and the multimedia interface based upon the consumers'"'"' actions; and

d. a communicating step for communicating the updating to the sponsor.

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121. A method as recited in claim 119, wherein the consumer can upload multimedia personal and product information for placement in the graffiti frame window.

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