System for merchandising and the evaluation of responses to broadcast transmissions

• US 4,876,592 A
• Filed: 05/10/1988
• Issued: 10/24/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intertech Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Henry Von Kohorn
• Inventors: Von Kohorn, Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): George, Keith E.
• Application Number:
  US07/192,248
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 358/84, 358/86, 455/2, 455/5, 379/91, 379/92, 434/307, 434/316, 434/323, 434/350, 434/351, 434/362, 902/23, 902/39
• US Class Current: 725/23
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/338 using television networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/409 Data transfer via television network
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/063 with hand-placed probe or plug
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/28 Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/33 Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/68 Systems specially adapted for using specific information, e.g. geographical or meteorological information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/08 Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band , e.g. by time division H04N7/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0806 the signals being two or more video signals H04N7/0803, H04N7/081 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0884 for the transmission of additional display-information, e.g. menu for programme or channel selection

Abstract

A system and method for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, for the selling of merchandise includes a modifiable instructional signal modulated onto a voice signal transmitted concurrently with a television program, or time-multiplexed with a television transmission. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote shopping audience has the opportunity to respond to a situation presented in the television program by entering a response on a keyboard. The system includes, at each remote receiving station, a memory responsive to the instructional signal for storing desired responses, and a comparison circuit for comparing responses entered at the keyboard with those stored in the memory. Also provided is electronic circuitry for scoring the responses in accordance with commands from the instructional signal, and a recording device for providing a permanent record of the audience score at each of the remote receiving stations. Scoring is performed at differing levels of difficulty, set by a host or by a contestant, with credit being given also to the length of time required for response and the mode of response such as by use of a key word or phrase. By including sales information in the programs, and by printing out award certification, the system encourages telephonic purchasing of merchandise.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating responses to task-setting messages electronically transmitted to and for monetarily rewarding members of a remote shopping audience who have responded to said messages in a manner meeting predetermined response criteria, which method comprises the steps of:

displaying items of merchandise at a central station;

transmitting a first set of electronic audio-visual signals conveying a visual picture and an audio description of items of said merchandise from a central station to members of a shopping audience at remote locations;

formulating a plurality of different task-setting messages for sequential electronic transmission to members of said shopping audience;

transmitting a second set of electronic signals conveying task-setting messages from a central station to receivers at said remote locations;

formatting response criteria relative to individual ones of said task-setting messages, including a scoring basis for entered responses, said scoring basis including a difficulty level and a timing of responses for predetermined time intervals;

receiving said first set of signals at remote locations;

receiving said second set of signals at remote locations;

transmitting from a central station a third set of electronic signals to said remote locations prior to or substantially concurrently with the transmission of said second sets of signals conveying task-setting messages, said third set of signals being instructional signals conveying said response criteria;

receiving said instructional set of signals at remote locations;

storing the data containing said response criteria at said remote locations;

entering responses to said task-setting messages into data-entering means by members of said remote shopping audience;

comparing responses entered by members of said remote shopping audience with said response criteria;

scoring each response relative to said response criteria;

computing the value of an award to be given to members of said remote shopping audience who have entered a response meeting said response criteria, said computing being based on said scoring and including a correlating of responses to a difficulty level;

dispensing to such members a printout having imprinted thereon information regarding an award applicable against the price of merchandise, and having imprinted thereon

imprinted information coded to permit telephone verification of said award;

providing a facility for accepting telephonic orders for said merchandise at a price reflecting said award verified through said coded information;

placing telephonic orders for items of merchandise by the members of said remote shopping audience having had said printouts dispensed to them;

accepting telephonic orders for items of merchandise from the members of said remote shopping audience at said facility for order acceptance; and

making said award available to the members of said shopping audience.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising a step of announcing, prior to or substantially concurrently with a transmission of said second set of electronic signals, a difficulty level correlated with a length of time allowed for a response to a specific task.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of formulating a plurality of task-setting messages includes the formulating of a question intended to be answered by members of said remote shopping audience.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said step of formulating task-setting messages includes the formulation of questions which are selected from a question group consisting of multi-part questions, questions requiring a single or multiple-choice answer, and questions requiring a minimum number of answers.

5. A method according to claim 3 wherein said step of formulating task-setting messages provides for a number of alternative answers to a posed question to be visually displayed to television viewers, a television viewer answering the question by selecting and entering an answer believed to be acceptable.

6. A method according to claim 3 including a step by the host of informing the television audience of specified alternative subject areas of a question prior to asking a question, and a step by a contestant of selecting a subject area prior to knowing the specific question.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said formatting step includes a step of setting individual response criteria for each task.

8. A method according to Claim 7 wherein said formatting includes a step of setting a plurality of difficulty levels as part of the response criteria of a question.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said step of scoring provides that an answer to the same question at higher difficulty levels carries a larger award.

10. A method according to claim 8, including a step of informing a television audience, prior to posing a question, of awards associated with each difficulty level of a particular question.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the step of informing is accomplished by the host by making an announcement correlating a shorter time period allowed for answering a question with a higher difficulty level.

12. A method according to claim 8, wherein, in said formatting step, a difficulty level is at least in part determined by the time allowed for answering a question by an entering of a response.

13. A method according to claim 10, wherein the step of informing is accomplished by the host by announcing a general subject area of a question to be posed, and a step by a contestant of selecting the difficulty level applicable to such question based on said general subject area before knowing the specific question.

14. A method according to claim 11 including a step by a contestant, prior to knowing a question, of shortening a period of time allowed for answering the question, so as to answer a question at a higher difficulty level carrying a greater award.

15. A method according to claim 3 wherein, in said step of transmitting said second set of electronic signals, questions are visually posed through display means on television.

16. A method according to claim 3 further comprising a step of conducting a quiz program for studio audiences independently, but substantially concurrently with a quiz program for home viewing audiences.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of dispensing includes a specifying of items of merchandise, and provides a discount certificate which is visually readable and provides regulations selected from a group consisting of the specified items of merchandise, time periods, cut-off dates for redemption and purchase, and designation of redemption centers.

19. A method according to claim 1, wherein in said dispensing step, verification means is provided in the form of an alphanumeric code, thereby to describe an award in the form of a monetary award.

20. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting instructional sets of electronic signals includes a step of transmitting electronic signals conveying verification data to said remote locations, said verification data being displayed on a printout dispensed to successful contestants.

21. A method according to claim 1 further comprising a step of transmitting a fourth set of electronic signals to said remote locations to serve as further instructional signals, said sets of third and said fourth sets of signals providing, respectively, desired answers and scoring parameters of said response criteria.

22. A method according to claim 1, including a step of printing additional information on a printout, which printout is dispensed to a successful contestant, said additional information being selected from a group consisting of date and time of entering a successful answer, identification of a remote location, name and address of the shopper, promotional material, and advertising material.

54. A method according to claim 1 wherein

said formatting step includes a step of setting individual response criteria for each task;

said step of transmitting task-setting messages includes a transmitting of task-setting messages to locations in different time zones;

there being a further step of

varying tasks of said task-setting messages for presentation of different tasks to audiences receiving said audio-visual signals in different time zones, said audio-visual signals presenting a common visual program in each of said time zones.

55. A method according to claim 1 wherein said audio-visual signals carry a television program, said step of transmitting said audio-visual signals being repeated for successive transmissions of the television program;

and wherein

said task formulating step provides for a plurality of different tasks transmitted by said second set of electronic signals during a common video portion of said television program, an audio portion of said television program including said second set of electronic signals, individual signals of said second set of electronic signals being interchangeably selected for communicating respective tasks with said common video portion;

said task formulating step including a selecting of one of said second set signals to accompany said common video portion; and

wherein

said step of transmitting said task setting messages provides for transmitting a selected one of said second set signal with said common video portion.

67. A method according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said printout is formed as an admission ticket.

18. A method according to claim wherein said step of transmitting instructional sets of signals includes a transmitting of electronic signals conveying data permitting the verification of an award and regulations governing the use of award certificates.

23. A system for evaluating responses to task-setting messages transmitted from a central station to a shopping audience at remote locations comprising:

means at a central station for displaying items of merchandise;

first transmitting means for transmitting a first set of electronic audio-visual signals conveying a visual picture and an audio description of items of said merchandise from the central station to members of a shopping audience at remote locations, said first transmitting means further transmitting a second set of electronic signals adapted to convey task-setting messages from a central station to receivers at said remote locations;

central data entry means at a central station for entering response criteria and a scoring mode relative to tasks set forth in individual ones of said task-setting messages, said scoring mode including a difficulty level and an interval of time allowed for responding to a task;

second transmitting means for transmitting from a central station an instructional set of electronic signals for conveying said response criteria and said scoring mode to remote locations prior to or substantially concurrently with the transmission of said second set of signals conveying the task-setting messages;

means for receiving said first and said second sets of signals at the remote locations;

remote data entry means for entering responses to said tasks by members of said remote shopping audience;

means at a remote location for timing responses;

means for receiving said instructional set of signals at the remote locations;

means at said remote locations for storing data containing said response criteria;

means for comparing responses entered by members of said remote shopping audience with said response criteria, said comparing means identifying acceptable ones of said responses meeting said response criteria;

means responsive to said scoring mode for scoring each response relative to said response criteria in correlation with the difficulty level;

means for informing members of said remote shopping audience who have entered a response meeting the response criteria of an award applicable against the price of merchandise purchased by such member;

means for dispensing to such member a printout having imprinted thereon information regarding an award applicable against the price of merchandise, the printout including coded information permitting telephonic verification of the award; and

a facility for accepting telephonic orders for said merchandise at a price reflecting the award verified through the coded information.

24. A system according to claim 23 wherein said comparing means identifies responses meeting at least minimal response criteria and rejects responses failing to meet the minimal response criteria.

25. A system according to claim 23 wherein, in said data storing means response criteria including scoring method can be updated by replacing previous data, and may also be retained for repeated utilization pursuant to radio command signals from said second transmitting means.

26. A system according to claim 23 including selection means at remote locations and operable by a contestant to select one of several specified alternative subject areas of a question.

27. A system according to claim 23 wherein said scoring means is operable by a contestant for selecting the scoring of a response based on a shorter response interval of time.

28. A system according to claim 23 wherein said scoring means is operable by a contestant for selecting the scoring of a response based on a higher difficulty level.

29. A system according to claim 27 wherein said scoring means is responsive to a contestant for shortening an allowed period of response.

30. A system according to claim 23 further comprising television means at remote locations operative in a split screen mode to inform the remote audience of an award associated with a difficulty level.

31. A system according to claim 23 wherein said dispensing means provides a printout containing information regarding awards applicable to questions at different difficulty levels.

32. A system according to claim 30 wherein said scoring means is responsive to a contestant for shortening a period of time allowed for answering a question.

33. A system according to claim 30 wherein said scoring means is responsive to a contestant for shortening a period of time allowed for answering a question at a higher difficulty level carrying a greater award.

34. A system according to claim 23 having display means visible on television for the display of task-setting messages.

35. A system according to claim 23 further comprising means responsive to said scoring means for audibly announcing an award to a successful contestant.

36. A system according to claim 23 wherein said dispensing means output a printout having imprinted thereon a bar code, which bar code is suitable for transmission to the central station by means of telephone modems, and is suitable for reading by scanners.

37. A system according to claim 23 wherein said dispensing means provides optionally an award certificate and a self-addressed mail-order form.

38. A system according to claim 23 wherein said scoring means includes first comparison means for comparing a key word of a response to a reference word, and second comparing means for comparing a set of words to a set of reference words.

39. A system according to claim 23 including selection means at remote locations and operable by a contestant to select one of several specified alternative subject areas of a question;

and wherein

said comparing means includes means for rejecting responses failing to meet the response criteria; and

in said data storing means, response criteria including scoring method can be updated by replacing previous data and may also be retained for repeated utilization pursuant to radio command signals from said second transmitting means.

40. A system according to claim 23 wherein said remote data-entry means includes selection means by which a contestant in said audience can select a subject area for response from a plurality of such areas set forth in a task setting message.

41. A system according to claim 23 wherein said remote data-entry means includes selection means for selection of a level of difficulty in a response.

42. A system according to claim 23 wherein said second transmitting means includes means for providing in said instructional set of signals a third set of signals carrying said response criteria for designating desired responses to questions, and means for providing in said instructional set of signals a fourth set of signals carrying said scoring mode for designating scoring parameters including an interval timing and a difficulty level.

43. A system according to claim 42 wherein said means for providing the third set of signals modulates said third signal set on a first subcarrier of a signal transmission of said first transmitting means, and said means for providing the fourth set of signals modulates said fourth signal set on a second subcarrier of a signal transmission of said first transmitting means.

44. A system according to claim 42 wherein said means for providing the third set of signals and said means for providing the fourth set of signals multiplex said third signal set and said fourth signal set by time multiplexing with a signal transmission of said first transmitting means.

61. A system according to claim 23 wherein said dispensing means is activated by command signals of a progress conductor at the central station irrespective of any award having been won, so as to dispense at all remote locations a printout announcing a special award to accompany a subsequent task.

62. A system according to claim 23 wherein said informing means includes alarm means for alerting a member of the audience to a chance to win an award.

63. A system according to claim 23 wherein said printout includes a telephone number enabling a member of the audience to contact a salesperson for purchase of merchandise.

64. A system according to claim 23 wherein said printout is a voucher exchangeable for an admission ticket.

65. A system according to claim 23 further comprising means responsive to a score of said scoring means for computing the value of an award to be given to members of said remote shopping audience who have entered an acceptable response.

68. A system according to claim 23 or 45 wherein at least a portion of said printout is formed as an admission ticket.

45. A system for evaluating responses to task-setting messages transmitted from a central station to members of a shopping audience at locations remote from said central station, comprising:

studio means at the central station for presenting a television program including matters requiring response from members of the shopping audience and further including a displaying of items of merchandise for purchase by members of the shopping audience;

means for transmitting from said studio means to said remote locations a set of signals including a program signal setting forth said television program, a task-setting signal setting forth said matters in said program requiring audience response by performance of a set of tasks, response-command signals setting forth acceptable responses to said tasks, and scoring-command signals setting forth scoring criteria to be employed in evaluating responses to said matters by members of the shopping audience, said transmitting means having a plurality of channels for transmitting individual ones of said signals independently of other ones of the signal®

;

means at said central station for entering into said transmitting means criteria for evaluating responses by audience members to individual ones of said tasks, said criteria being carried by said scoring-command signals;

means at said remote locations for receiving the signals transmitted by said transmitting means;

means at said remote locations operable by audience members for entering responses to said tasks;

means at said remote locations responsive to said response-command and said scoring-command signals for scoring audience responses on the basis of a difficulty level, said scoring means including means for timing audience responses to provide a score which decreases with increasing response time, said scoring means including means for comparing audience responses with said acceptable responses carried by said response-command signals;

means responsive to a score of said scoring means for computing the value of an award; and

means responsive to said scoring means and to said award-computing means for dispensing a notification of an award to members of said remote shopping audience who have entered a response meeting the response criteria, the award being applicable against the price of merchandise purchased by such member, the notification being in the form of a printout having imprinted thereon information regarding the award applicable against the price of merchandise, the printout including coded information permitting telephonic verification of the award.

46. A system according to claim 45 wherein said response entering means at a remote location is operable with said scoring means to enable a member of the audience to select a task and a difficulty level for responding to a selected task.

47. A system according to claim 45 wherein said criteria-entering means is operable for altering criteria applied to said scoring means independently of transmission of the progress signal.

66. A system according to claim 45 further comprising means responsive to a score of said scoring means for computing the value of an award to be given to members of said remote shopping audience who have entered a response meeting the response criteria.

48. A method for evaluating responses to task-setting messages electronically transmitted from a central station to and for monetarily rewarding members of a remote shopping audience who have responded to said messages in a manner meeting predetermined response criteria, which method comprises the steps of:

offering marketable items at a central station;

transmitting a first set of electronic signals conveying a description of said items from a central station to members of a shopping audience at remote locations;

formulating a plurality of task-setting messages for sequential electronic transmission to members of said shopping audience;

transmitting a second set of electronic signals conveying task-setting messages from a central station to receivers at said remote locations;

formatting response criteria relative to individual tasks set forth in said task-setting messages, said response criteria including a scoring basis for entered responses, said scoring basis including a difficulty level and a timing of responses for predetermined time intervals;

receiving said first and second sets of signals at remote locations;

entering responses to said task-setting messages into data-entering means by members of said remote shopping audience;

transmitting from a central station an instructional set of electronic signals conveying said response criteria to said remote locations independently of the transmission of said second set of signals conveying task-setting messages;

receiving said instructional set of signals at remote locations;

storing said response criteria at said remote locations;

comparing at least one response entered by members of said remote shopping audience with said response criteria;

scoring each responsive relative to said response criteria in correlation with a difficulty level;

allowing interaction between selected ones of the members of the remote audience and the central station by means of a communication link between members of the remote audience and the central station;

altering the response criteria in accordance with said interaction;

permitting further response by members of the remote audience in accord with altered response criteria;

computing the value of an award to be given to members of a remote shopping audience who have entered a response meeting said altered response criteria, said computing being based on a score of said scoring means;

informing successful members of said remote shopping audience who have entered a response meeting response criteria of an award applicable against the price of items purchased by such member;

placing orders for at least one of said items by successful members of said remote shopping audience; and

accepting orders for said items from successful members of said remote shopping audience.

49. A method according to claim 48 further comprising a step of providing television screen means at remote locations operative in split screen mode for communicating between said central station and said remote audience.

50. A method according to claim 49 wherein said task-setting messages include a question to be asked, said method further comprising a step of informing the remote audience through said split screen means of a plurality of alternative subject areas of a question to be asked.

51. A method according to claim 48 further comprising a step of sequentially televising a plurality of programs, said programs including audio portions carrying said task-setting messages, and a step of varying said tasks with each audio portion.

52. A method according to claim 48 further comprising a step of sequentially televising a plurality of programs to members of the shopping audience at remote locations geographically located in different time zones, said programs including audio portions carrying said task-setting messages;

the method further comprising the steps of

transmitting individual ones of said audio portions to remote locations in different ones of said time zones; and

varying said tasks among the audio portions transmitted to the remote locations in different ones of said time zones.

53. A method according to claim 48 wherein said first and said second sets of signals are transmitted as part of a television program containing a predetermined number of tasks, said method including a step of televising said program repeatedly;

and wherein

there is a number of formulated different task-setting messages which is larger than that required for one of said programs; and

there is one set of task-setting messages which is transmitted in a first such program and a set of different task-setting messages transmitted in a second such program at a time different from that of said first program.

56. A method for evaluating responses to task-setting messages electronically transmitted from a central station to members of a remote shopping audience who have responded to said messages in a manner meeting predetermined response criteria, which method comprises the steps of:

displaying items of merchandise at a central station;

transmitting audio-visual signals conveying a visual picture and an audio description of items of said merchandise from the central station to members of a shopping audience at remote locations;

transmitting a signal conveying task-setting messages from the central station to receivers at said remote locations;

transmitting signals conveying response criteria to members of the shopping audience at remote locations relative to individual ones of said task-setting messages, said response criteria including a scoring basis for responses to be entered by the members of the remote audience, said scoring basis including a difficulty level;

entering responses to said task-setting messages by members of said shopping audience;

comparing at least one response entered by members of said remote shopping audience with said response criteria;

scoring each response relative to said response criteria in correlation with a difficulty level;

allowing interaction between members of the remote audience and the central station by means of a communication link between members of the remote audience and the central station;

altering the response criteria in accordance with said interaction;

permitting further response by members of the remote audience in accord with altered response criteria; and

computing the value of an award for members of said remote shopping audience toward the purchase of merchandise, the award to be given to members of said remote shopping audience who have entered a response meeting said altered response criteria, said computing including a correlating of responses to difficulty levels.

57. A system for evaluating responses to task-setting messages transmitted from a central station to members of a shopping audience at locations remote from said central station, comprising:

studio means at the central station for presenting a television program including matters requiring response from members of the shopping audience, said studio means displaying items of merchandise for purchase by members of the shopping audience;

means for transmitting from said studio means to said remote locations a program signal setting forth said television program, a task-setting signal setting forth said matters in said program requiring audience response by performance of a set of tasks, a response-command signal setting forth acceptable responses which may be provided by members of the shopping audience, and scoring-command signals setting forth scoring criteria to be employed in evaluating responses to said matters by members of the shopping audience, said transmitting means having a plurality of channels for transmitting indiviual ones of said signals independently of other ones of the signals, said transmitting means including means for entering revisions to said scoring criteria;

means at said remote locations operable by audience members for entering responses to said tasks;

means at said remote locations responsive to said response-command and said scoring-command signals for scoring audience responses on the basis of a difficulty level, said scoring means including means for timing audience responses to provide a score which decreases with increasing response time, said scoring means including means for comparing audience responses with said acceptable responses carried by said response-command signals;

means for computing the value of an award to be given to members of said remote shopping audience who have entered a response meeting the response criteria, said computing being responsive to a difficulty level and a response time employed by said scoring means at a remote location; and

means responsive to said scoring means and to said computing means for awarding to members of said remote shopping audience who have entered a response meeting the response criteria an award toward the purchase of merchandise.

58. A system according to claim 57 further comprising means for communication of messages from members of said shopping audience to said central station to allow for interactive response to a program transmitted from said central station.

59. A method for evaluating responses to task-setting messages electronically transmitted from a central station to members of a remote shopping audience who have responded to said messages in a manner meeting predetermined response criteria, which method comprises the steps of:

transmitting audio-visual signals to the members of the audience, the audio-visual signals conveying a presentation of data accompanied by task-setting messages defining tasks to be performed by members of the audience;

transmitting response criteria to members of the audience at remote locations for responding to individual ones of said task-setting messages, said response criteria including a scoring basis for responses to be entered by the members of the audience within a specified period of time, said scoring basis including a difficulty level;

entering responses to said task-setting messages by members of said audience;

rejecting responses entered by members of the audience after expiration of said period of time;

comparing at least one response entered by a member of said audience within said period of time with said response criteria;

scoring each response relative to said response criteria in correlation with a difficulty level;

informing members of said audience of results of said scoring;

allowing interaction between a member of the remote audience and the central station by means of a communication link between a remote location and the central station;

computing the value of an award to be issued to a member of said audience who has entered an acceptable response to said task-setting message within said period of time, the value of the award being based on a score provided by said scoring step; and

dispensing said award to said member of said audience who has entered the acceptable response.

60. A method of claim 59 further comprising:

altering the response criteria in accordance with said interaction; and

permitting further response by members of the remote audience in accord with altered response criteria.