Pet of the month with music player

• US 8,348,716 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2010
• Issued: 01/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ganz
• Original Assignee: Ganz
• Inventors: Ganz, Howard, Borst, Karl Joseph, Braund, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Ahmed, Masud
• Application Number:
  US12/953,921
• Publication Number:
  US 20110126115A1
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 446/175, 463/39
• US Class Current: 446/175
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A unique code is used to register a virtual pet or other item using a code that is associated with the pet, and which, when entered, allows viewing and interacting with a virtual representation of the actual item on the website. If the code is entered during a specific time period, it allows obtaining at least one additional item, for example an exclusive item that cannot be obtained in any other way. The specific time period can be extended, e.g., using supplemental codes. The codes may specify fixed or variable time periods, and may be generic extension codes and extend other things other than this period.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

accepting a registration code that is associated with a real-world item to allow registration of the real-world item on a website, where said real-world item cannot be registered on the website without said accepting said registration code;

responsive to said registration of said real-world item on said website, providing at least one image on the website that is indicative of and resembling the real world item;

determining if said registration has been accepted during a specified and limited time period; and

if said registration was accepted during said specified and limited time period, providing both said at least one image and an item of media to a website user that carried out the registration, where said item of media is related to said real-world item, and if said registration was accepted outside said specified and limited time period, then providing said at least one image, but not providing said item of media to the website user that carried out the registration, and where said registration adds an item to a library of items associated with the website user.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said item of media is a video, and said video includes an image resembling said real-world item.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein said item of media includes an audio song, and said audio song is associated with said real-world item.

4. A method as in claim 3, further comprising providing a part associated with said audio song, said part including an image resembling said real-world item.

5. A method as in claim 1, further comprising playing said media on the website using a virtual media player.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein said website includes a link to media that was obtained by said registration during said specific and limited time period, wherein said link only provides media that was obtained during said specific and limited time period.

7. A method as in claim 6, further comprising on the website, determining if the user has obtained any media during said specific and limited time period, and providing a link to said media only if said user has created said media during said specific and limited time period.

8. A method as in claim 7, further comprising using a computer for determining if at least a first registered item in said library of items was registered prior to said specific and limited time period, and if so, then providing an item of media associated with said item to the website user during said specific and limited time period.

9. A method as in claim 1, further comprising an extension code, that when entered into the website allows the user to obtain said item of media during extended time period beyond said specific and limited time period.

10. A method as in claim 1, wherein said specific and limited time period is one specific calendar month.

11. A method as in claim 2, wherein said specific and limited time period is a specific period, and also including another period prior to said specific period during which said item of media can still be obtained even though said period has expired by taking an action on the website.

12. A computer system, comprising:

a website, accepting a unique registration code;

said website producing outputs indicative of viewing and interacting with a virtual item on the website, where said virtual item is provided after entering of the unique registration code; and

only if the unique registration code was entered during a specified time, said website producing outputs indicative of both said virtual item and an item of media on the website, where the item of media is related to the virtual item, and if the unique registration code is entered after said specified time, not providing said item of media on the website, and whenever the unique registration code is entered, adding an item to a library of items associated with a website user.

13. A computer system as in claim 12, wherein said item of media includes a video, and said video includes an image resembling a real-world item associated with the unique registration code.

14. A computer system as in claim 12, wherein said item of media is an audio song, and said audio song is associated with a real-world item associated with the unique registration code.

15. A computer system as in claim 14, further comprising a part associated with said audio song, said part including an image resembling a real-world item associated with the unique registration code.

16. A computer system as in claim 12, further comprising viewing said media on the website using a media player.

17. A computer system as in claim 16, wherein said website includes a link to media that was obtained by said registration during said specific and limited time period, wherein said link only provides media that was obtained during said specific and limited time period.

18. A computer system as in claim 17, further comprising on the website, determining if a user has obtained any media during said specific and limited time period, and providing a link to said media only if said user has created said media during said specific and limited time period.

19. A computer system as in claim 12, wherein said website determines if at least a first registered item in said library of items was registered prior to said specific and limited time period, and if so, then providing an item of media associated with said item to the website user during said specific and limited time period.

20. A computer system as in claim 12, further comprising an extension code, that when entered into the website allows a user to obtain said item of media during extended time period beyond said specific and limited time period.

21. A method, comprising:

registering a real world item on a website using a code;

providing a user with a virtual item, after said registering; and

only if said registering is carried out during a specified period during which said code represents an item that is associated with a special promotion time, providing both said virtual item and an item of media to the web site user that carried out the registration, where said item of media is related to said real-world item, and where the item of media is related to the virtual item and includes a likeness of the virtual item, and if the unique registration code is entered after said specified period, not obtaining said item of media on the website; and

where said registering adds an item to a library of items associated with the website user and further comprising using a computer for determining if at least a first registered item in said library of items was registered prior to said specific and limited time period, and if so, then providing an item of media associated with said item to the website user during said specific and limited time period.

22. A computer system, comprising:

a processor, running a program allowing entering a registration code that is associated with a real-world item to allow registration of the real-world item, communicating information indicative of said registration code to a network, of a type that allows viewing at least one image on a local computer, responsive to said entering of said registration code; and

receiving an item of media on the local computer that carried out the registration, but only if said registration was accepted during a specified and limited time period, and not if said registration is accepted at a time outside said specified and limited time period, where said item of media is related to said real-world item, and where said registration adds an item to a library of items associated with a website user, and

wherein said website determines if at least a first registered item in said library of items was registered prior to said specific and limited time period, and if so, then providing an item of media associated with said item to the website user during said specific and limited time period.

23. The computer system as in claim 22, wherein said item of media is a video, and said video includes an image resembling said real-world item.

24. The computer system as in claim 22, wherein said item of media includes an audio song, and said audio song is associated with said real-world item.

25. The computer system as in claim 24, further comprising providing a part associated with said audio song, said part including an image resembling said real-world item.

26. The computer system as in claim 22, further comprising playing said media on the local computer using a media player that is playing on the local computer.

27. The computer system as in claim 26, further comprising viewing a link to media that was obtained by said registration during said specific and limited time period, wherein said link only provides media that was obtained during said specific and limited time period.

28. The computer system as in claim 27, further comprising viewing a link to media only if a user has created said media during said specific and limited time period.

29. The computer system as in claim 22, wherein said at least one image is indicative of and resembles the real-world item.

30. The computer system as in claim 22, wherein said specific and limited time period is one specific calendar month.

31. The computer system as in claim 23, further comprising an extension code, that when entered into the website allows a user to obtain said item of media during extended time period beyond said specific and limited time period.