Security system-related marketing system and method

• US 7,647,245 B1
• Filed: 02/12/2003
• Issued: 01/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation Of North America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation Of North America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Roshandel, Mike
• Primary Examiner(s): Gart; Matthew S
• Assistant Examiner(s): GLASS, RUSSELL S
• Application Number:
  US10/365,365
• Time in Patent Office: 2,526 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 340/531
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A security system-related marketing system includes a retail environment receptive of walk-in traffic and adapted to market goods and services to consumers. A security system-compliant device adapted to operate as a component of a security system is physically disposed in the retail environment, thereby permitting a purchaser to take physical possession of the device during a purchasing process. A security system component package is also marketed in the retail environment to purchasers of the device, thereby permitting a purchaser of the device to obtain rights to a predetermined set of security system components in the retail environment that substantially provide the security system. Security system services are further marketed in the retail environment to purchasers of the security system component package, thereby permitting a purchaser of the package to obtain rights to security system services in the retail environment.

Claims

1. A security system-related marketing system, comprising:

a retail environment receptive of walk-in traffic and adapted to market goods and services to consumers;

a telephone, physically disposed in said retail environment, having a designated component deactivated and of a home security system operated by a remote security service provider, wherein said designated component, when activated, functions as a security panel of the home security system and relays communication between the remote security service provider and peripheral devices, of the home security system and installed at a home, including at least one of a siren, a glass-break detector, a fire detector, and a door sensor,

wherein said telephone has a telecommunication functionality independent of interfacing with the home security system;

at least one security system component package, physically disposed in said retail environment, granting rights to activate the designated component of the telephone and to receive security services including operating the home security system, provided by the remote security service provider, thereby permitting a purchaser to purchase, in said retail environment, one or more of said at least one security system component package and thereby obtain rights to at least one predetermined set of security system components that substantially provide the home security system; and

security system monitoring services marketed in said retail environment to purchasers of said one or more of said at least one security system component package, thereby permitting the purchaser of said telephone and said one or more of said at least one security system component package to obtain rights to said security system monitoring services by purchasing said security system monitoring services in said retail environment,

wherein said telephone is available for sale in said retail environment independently of purchase of said at least one security system component package.

2. The security system-related marketing system of 1, wherein said security system is installed in a home environment,

wherein said telephone utilizes said designated component to serve as a sensor, of the security system, that is accessible and operable by the security service provider.

3. A security system-related marketing system, comprising:

a telephone having a designated component of a home security system that is operated by a remote security service provider, the designated component being selectively activated or deactivated;

wherein said designated component, when activated, functions as a security panel of the home security system and relays communication between the remote security service provider and peripheral devices that are of the home security system and that are installed at a home,

wherein said designated component serves as a sensor, of the home security system, that is accessible and operable by the security service provider;

wherein said telephone has a telecommunication functionality independent of interfacing with the home security system.

4. The security system-related marketing system of 3, wherein the peripheral devices include at least one of a siren, a glass-break detector, a fire detector, and a door sensor.

5. The security system-related marketing system of 3, wherein only a cordless handset of the telephone includes the designated component, wherein the cordless handset serves as an auditory sensor.

6. The security system-related marketing system of 5, wherein the cordless handset is accessible to and operable by the remote security service provider through a local communication network.

7. A security system-related marketing method, comprising:

marketing a telephone in a retail environment receptive of walk-in traffic and adapted to market goods and services to consumers,

wherein the telephone has a designated component deactivated and of a home security system operated by a remote security service provider,

wherein said designated component, when activated, functions as a security panel of the home security system and relays communication between the remote security service provider and peripheral devices, of the home security system, installed at a home,

wherein said telephone has a telecommunication functionality independent of interfacing with the home security system;

marketing at least one security system component package in the retail environment,

granting rights to activate the designated component of the telephone and to receive security services, including operating the home security system, provided by the remote security service provider to a purchaser of the telephone and the security system component package.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said marketing at least one security system component package includes marketing first and second security system component packages in the retail environment,

the method further comprising:

conveying first benefits, to the purchaser of the first security system component package, that include a first predetermined set of security system services and devices that substantially constitute the security system, and

conveying second benefits, to the purchaser of the second security system component package, that include a second predetermined set of security system services and devices that substantially constitute the security system.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

selecting a first set of security system services and devices based on predetermined criteria to form the first security system component package; and

selecting a second set of security system services and devices to form the second security system component package.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the predetermined criteria include house size.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising marketing a security system installation services package;

and

conveying a benefit including installation of a predetermined set of security system devices to the purchaser of the security system installation services package.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said marketing a security system installation services package includes marketing optional services including installation of security system components in addition to the predetermined set of security system devices.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising enacting contractual incentives including payment of a bounty by the remote security service provider.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising paying the bounty to at least one of a retailer providing sales support in the retail environment and a supplier of the telephone.