ADVERTISING CAPABILITY FOR IN-HOME DISPLAY AND SMART APPLIANCES

• US 20100268595A1
• Filed: 04/17/2009
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Littrell, Nathan Bowman
• Application Number:
  US12/425,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20100268595A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.490
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements

Abstract

A system for broadcasting at least one advertisement is provided. The system includes a database configured to store the at least one advertisement, a server communicatively coupled to the database, wherein the server is configured to schedule the playlist that includes at least one of the at least one advertisement, and an appliance communicatively coupled to the server, wherein the appliance includes a screen, a portion of the screen configured to broadcast the playlist.

Claims

1. A method for broadcasting at least one advertisement on an appliance, said method comprising:

scheduling a playlist that includes the at least one advertisement; and

broadcasting at least a portion of the playlist on the appliance.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said method further comprises:

receiving a history related to at least one of an appliance usage, an appliance energy consumption, and a utility pricing; and

scheduling the playlist based on the history.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein broadcasting at least a portion of the playlist comprises broadcasting the playlist based on at least a timer and a sensor coupled to the appliance.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein scheduling a playlist comprises scheduling the playlist based on at least one of a time of day, a day of week, or a date of month.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said method further comprises:

receiving a predetermined preference of a plurality of advertisers, each of the plurality of advertisers providing at least one advertisement; and

scheduling the playlist based on the predetermined preference of the plurality of advertisers.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein broadcasting at least a portion of the playlist comprises broadcasting the playlist such that the playlist may be interrupted for at least one of a predetermined reminder, a public service announcement, an emergency alert, and a user command.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said method is further comprises:

receiving user information that includes at least one of a name, an occupation, an income, and an address for a user of the appliance;

scheduling the playlist based on the user information.

8. A server for use with a system for broadcasting at least one advertisement on an appliance that includes a screen, said server configured to:

receive the at least one advertisement;

schedule a playlist that includes at least one of the at least one advertisement; and

transmit the playlist to the appliance enabling the appliance to broadcast at least a portion of the playlist on at least a portion of the screen.

9. A server in accordance with claim 8, wherein said server is further configured to:

receive a history related to at least one of an appliance usage, an appliance energy consumption, and a utility pricing; and

schedule the playlist based on the history.

10. A server in accordance with claim 8, wherein said server is further configured to transmit the playlist based on at least one a timer and a sensor coupled to the appliance.

11. A server in accordance with claim 8, wherein said server is further configured to schedule the playlist based on at least one of a time of day, a day of week, or a date of month.

12. A server in accordance with claim 8, wherein said server is further configured to:

receive a predetermined preference of a plurality of advertisers, each of the plurality of advertisers providing at least one advertisement; and

schedule the playlist based on the predetermined preference of the plurality of advertisers.

13. A server in accordance with claim 8, wherein said server is further configured to interrupt the playlist for at least one of a predetermined reminder, a public service announcement, an emergency alert, and a user command.

14. A server in accordance with claim 8, wherein said server is further configured to:

receive user information that includes at least one of a name, an occupation, an income, and an address for a user of said appliance;

schedule the playlist based on the user information.

15. A system for broadcasting at least one advertisement, said system comprising:

a database configured to store the at least one advertisement;

a server communicatively coupled to said database, said server configured to schedule the playlist that includes at least one of the at least one advertisement; and

an appliance communicatively coupled to said server, said appliance comprising a screen, a portion of said screen configured to broadcast the playlist.

16. A system in accordance with claim 15, wherein said server is configured to receive a history related to at least one of an appliance usage, an appliance energy consumption, and a utility pricing, said server configured to schedule the playlist based on said history.

17. A system in accordance with claim 15, wherein said server is further configured to transmit the playlist based on at least one of a timer and a sensor coupled to said appliance.

18. A system in accordance with claim 15, wherein said server is further configured to schedule the playlist based on at least one of a time of day, a day of week, or a date of month.

19. A system in accordance with claim 15, wherein said server is further configured to:

receive a predetermined preference of a plurality of advertisers, each of the plurality of advertisers providing at least one advertisement; and

schedule said playlist based on the predetermined preference of the plurality of advertisers.

20. A system in accordance with claim 15, wherein said server is further configured to interrupt the playlist for at least one of a predetermined reminder, a public service announcement, an emergency alert, and a user command.