Cross channel delivery system and method

• US 9,171,325 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2012
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Music Choice
• Original Assignee: Music Choice
• Inventors: Rosenberg, Jeremy C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Misiaszek, Michael
• Application Number:
  US13/709,358
• Publication Number:
  US 20130198034A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,051 Days
• Field of Search: 705 261- 272
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0253 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0637 Approvals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide a cross channel fulfillment system that enables consumers to purchase and receive items using different transmission mediums. The fulfillment system is a centralized distribution system that maintains information relating to consumers and has access to multiple transmission mediums. Specifically, the fulfillment system contains a database of consumer contact information relating to each transmission medium. The fulfillment system uses a remote device to provide information to consumers. The remote device transmits and receives broadcast messages including information relating to purchasable items. The fulfillment system may deliver a purchased item to the consumer using a medium different from that used to purchase the item.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

transmitting information identifying an item, wherein the information is transmitted by a transmitter such that the information is received at the same time at a first communication device and at a second communication device, wherein the first communication device is operable to (i) use the transmitted information to present information about the item to a user of said first communication device, (ii) receive from the user input indicating the user'"'"'s desire to acquire the item, and (iii) transmit a request message requesting the item to a remote system remote from said first communication device after receiving the input from the user, said remote system comprising a receiver and a processing apparatus;

receiving the transmitted request message using said receiver;

processing, by the processor, the request message to identify the requested item so as to locate a file containing the requested item; and

as a result locating a file containing the requested item, transmitting, from the remote system and via a communications network, said file containing the requested item to a third communication device that is separate from said first communication device, wherein

said separate third communication device is operable to (i) receive the transmitted file and (ii) store the file in a storage unit of said separate third communication device automatically in response to receiving the file, wherein

the request message comprises a device identifier identifying said first communication device and said step of processing the request message comprises using said device identifier to retrieve a previously stored delivery address, which delivery address is associated with the device identifier, and the step of transmitting the file to the third communication device comprises transmitting the file to the delivery address,

the first communication device is a set-top box, and

the third communication device is not a set-top box, but is one of a server device or a client device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the request message includes a delivery instruction indicating a delivery method.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of maintaining at the remote system information associating each said first and third communication devices with at least one user.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of maintaining at the remote system information associating said first communication device with said third communication device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of processing the request message includes determining whether the user is permitted to acquire the item.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the determining step includes the step of accessing payment information associated with the user using a user identifier associated with the user.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the user identifier is included in the request message transmitted to the remote system.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said first communication device maintains a set of previously broadcasted information for a predetermined period of time.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the information is transmitted using a cable television network.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the information is transmitted using an IP enabled transmission network.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the information is transmitted using a wireless communication network.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the file containing the item from the remote system to the third communication device comprises transmitting the file immediately after processing the request message.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the file containing the item from the remote system to the third communication device comprises transmitting the file a later time after processing the request message.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the file containing the item from the remote system to the third communication device comprises transmitting the file by electronic mail.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting the file containing the item from the remote system to a fourth communication device in response to processing the message, wherein the fourth communication device is different than said third communication device and said first communication device that transmitted the request message to the remote system.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the third communication device implements an e-mail server.

17. A system, comprising:

a first communication device comprising;

a first transmitter, a first receiver, a first processing apparatus, and a display;

a second communication device that is separate from said first communication device; and

a remote system located remotely from the first communication device, the remote system comprising;

a second transmitter;

a second receiver; and

a second processing apparatus, wherein

the second processing apparatus is configured to employ the second transmitter to transmit information identifying an item such that the information is received at the same time at the first communication device and at a third communication device,

the first processing apparatus is configured to (i) employ the transmitted information to present information about the item on said display and (ii) employ the second transmitter to transmit a request message to the remote system remote from said first remote device as a result of receiving from a user of the first communication device an input indicating the user'"'"'s desire to acquire the item,

the second processing apparatus being further configured to process the request message to identify the requested item, locate a file containing the requested item, and employ the transmitter to transmit, via a communications network, said file containing the item to the second communication device as a result of processing the request message, and

said second communication device is operable to (i) receive the transmitted file and (ii) store the file in a storage unit of said second communication device automatically in response to receiving the file, wherein

the request message comprises a device identifier identifying said first communication device and said step of processing the request message comprises using said device identifier to retrieve a previously stored delivery address, which delivery address is associated with the device identifier, and the step of transmitting the file to the second communication device comprises transmitting the file to the delivery address

the first communication device is a set-top box, and

the second communication device is not a set-top box, but is one of a server device and a client device.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the request message includes a delivery instruction indicating a delivery method.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising a data store for storing information associating said first communication device with said third communication device.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the second communication device comprises an e-mail server.