Apparatus and method for generating product coupons in response to televised offers

• US 5,500,681 A
• Filed: 05/24/1994
• Issued: 03/19/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCH Marketing Services Incorporated (MX Holdings One LLC)
• Original Assignee: Charles P. Jones
• Inventors: Jones, Charles P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kostak, Victor R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Burgess, Glenton B.
• Application Number:
  US08/248,484
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 348/1, 348/2, 348/3, 348/5, 348/6, 348/12, 348/14, 348/465, 348/473, 455/2, 455/4.2, 455/6.3, 364/407, 364/405
• US Class Current: 348/473
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/306 using TV related infrastructures external card used for payment with client device H04N21/4185
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/103 Transmitter-side switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/28 Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/39 for identifying broadcast space-time use of Electronic Programme Guides H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/63 for services of sales data processing systems or methods specially adapted for electronic commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 the inserted signal being digital

Abstract

Coupon information is stored in a memory at a cable television station. The cable television station may simultaneously transmit multiple video signals, each representing different sources of television programming, over multiple television channels on the cable network. The video signal may at times, such as during a product advertisement or other offer, include an embedded coupon identifier. A coupon subsystem at the cable television station monitors each video signal and retrieves token information from a database when it detects a corresponding embedded token identifier. The coupon information is transmitted over a data channel on the cable network. A subscriber unit at the television viewer'"'"'s site receives the data channel and extracts the coupon information. The television programming aurally or visually alerts the viewer that a coupon may be generated. If the viewer actuates an input device, such as a button on a television remote control, a printer generates a coupon bearing the coupon information.

Claims

1. A method for generating a token, comprising the steps of:

providing video imagery having an embedded token identifier;

monitoring said video imagery to detect said embedded token identifier;

retrieving a token packet from a memory in response to detection of said embedded token identifier, said token packet corresponding to said embedded token identifier, said token packet including token information;

transmitting said video imagery over a first communication channel to a remote site for a first predetermined time period;

transmitting said token packet over a second communication channel to said remote site for a second predetermined time period, said second predetermined time period beginning at the same time as said first predetermined time period;

receiving said first communication channel at said remote site;

displaying said received video imagery at said remote site;

monitoring said first communication channel at said remote site to detect said embedded token identifier;

receiving said second communication channel at said remote site;

monitoring said second communication channel to detect said token packet corresponding to a detected embedded token identifier;

monitoring a user input device at said remote site to detect a user input during said second time period; and

outputting said token information of a received token packet in response to a detected user input.

2. The method for generating a token claimed in claim 1, wherein said token information includes a bit-mapped image of said token.

3. The method for generating a token claimed in claim 1, wherein said second predetermined time period exceeds said first predetermined time period by no more than than five minutes.

4. The method for generating a token claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of outputting said token imagery comprises the step of printing said token imagery on paper.

5. The method for generating a token claimed in claim 1, wherein said token is a product coupon.

6. The method for generating a token claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second communication channels are frequency bands on a cable.

7. The method for generating a token claimed in claim 1, wherein said user input device is a television remote control.

8. The method for generating a token claimed in claim 1, wherein said embedded token identifier is in the closed-captioning space of a video signal.

9. The method for generating a token claimed in claim 1, wherein said token packet is multiplexed on said second communication channel with other token packets.

10. A method for generating a token, comprising the steps of:

providing video imagery having an embedded token identifier;

transmitting said video imagery over a communication channel to a remote site for a first predetermined time period;

receiving said communication channel at said remote site;

monitoring received video imagery to detect said embedded token identifier;

retrieving a token packet from a memory in response to detection of said embedded token identifier, said token packet corresponding to said embedded token identifier, said token packet including token information;

displaying said received video imagery at said remote site;

monitoring a user input device at said remote site to detect a user input during a second predetermined time period exceeding said first predetermined time period by no more than five minutes; and

outputting said token information of said retrieved token packet in response to a detected user input.

11. The method for generating a token claimed in claim 10, wherein said token information includes a bit-mapped image of said token.

12. The method for generating a token claimed in claim 10, wherein said step of outputting said token imagery comprises the step of printing said token imagery on paper.

13. The method for generating a token claimed in claim 10, wherein said token is a product coupon.

14. The method for generating a token claimed in claim 10, wherein said communication channel is a frequency band of radiated energy.

15. The method for generating a token claimed in claim 10, wherein said user input device is a television remote control.

16. The method for generating a token claimed in claim 10, wherein said embedded token identifier is in the closed-captioning space of a video signal.

17. A system for transmitting token information from a first location to a second location remote from said first location, said second location receiving video imagery transmitted from said first location, said video imagery having an embedded token identifier, said system comprising:

a data storage medium at said first location, said token information stored in said data storage medium;

a detector at said first location for monitoring said video imagery to detect said embedded token identifier;

a controller at said first location for retrieving a token packet from said data storage medium in response to detection of said embedded token identifier, said token packet corresponding to said embedded token identifier, said token packet including token information;

a data transmitter at said first location for transmitting said token packet to said second location via a first communication channel;

a receiver at said second location for receiving said first communication channel;

a detector for monitoring said video imagery at said second location to detect said embedded token identifier in said video imagery transmitted from said first location;

a user input device at said second location;

an output device at said second location; and

a controller at said second location for reading a token packet and outputting a token having said token information via said output device in response to detection of an embedded token identifier and a user input signal.

18. The apparatus for generating a token claimed in claim 17, wherein said token information includes a bit-mapped image of said token.

19. The apparatus for generating a token claimed in claim 17, wherein said token is a product coupon.

20. The apparatus for generating a token claimed in claim 17, wherein said user input device is a television remote control.

21. The apparatus for generating a token claimed in claim 17, wherein said embedded token identifier is in the closed-captioning space of said video signal.