Pet of the month exclusive limited time rewards

• US 8,118,636 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2007
• Issued: 02/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GANZ An Ontario Partnership Consisting of SH GANZ Holdings Incorporated and 816877 Ontario Limited
• Original Assignee: Ganz
• Inventors: Ganz, Howard, Borst, Karl Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Ahmed, Masud
• Application Number:
  US11/857,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20090063271A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,616 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 446/175
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement

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:

providing a real-world item to a user that is associated with a unique registration code;

allowing the user to enter the unique registration code into a website, and allowing the user to view and interact with a virtual representation of the real-world item on the website responsive to the entry of the unique registration code;

providing at least one extra item on the website that is usable with said virtual representation and can interact with said virtual representation, if said user enters said unique registration code during a specified and limited time period; and

allowing the user to enter a supplemental code into the website that extends said specific and limited time period and which allows said user to obtain said at least one extra item during an extended time period beyond said specific and limited time period.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said at least one extra item is an exclusive item that can only be obtained via said unique registration code during said specified and limited time period or said extended time period.

3. An apparatus comprising:

a real-world item that is associated with a unique registration code;

a computer, running a website that allows entry of the unique registration code by a user, said website also allowing the user to view and interact with a virtual representation of the real-world item on the website responsive to the entry of the unique registration code;

said computer running said website providing at least one extra item on the website that is usable with said virtual representation and can interact with said virtual representation, if said user enters said unique registration code during a specified and limited time period; and

said computer running said website allowing the user to enter a supplemental code into the website that extends said specific and limited time period and which allows said user to obtain said at least one extra item during an extended time period beyond said specific and limited time period.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said at least one extra item is an exclusive item that can only be obtained via said unique registration code during said specified and limited time period or said extended time period.