U.S. patent application number 11/758871 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-04 for method and system for allowing viewers to purchase program products.
Invention is credited to Sanjay K. Jindal, James A. Jorasch, Thomas M. Sparico, Jay S. Walker.
Application Number | 20070234393 11/758871 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25260320 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070234393 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walker; Jay S. ; et
al. |
October 4, 2007 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ALLOWING VIEWERS TO PURCHASE PROGRAM
PRODUCTS
Abstract
To allow viewers to easily purchase products shown in
entertainment programs, the viewers call an operator terminal. The
operator terminal is networked to a central controller, which is
also networked to remote terminals. Remote terminal operators enter
data about props used in programs, copies of which are to be
offered for sale. These remote terminals transmit this data to the
central controller for storage in a database. Operators at the
operator terminals can access the data stored at the central
controller to respond calls from viewers seeking to purchase
products.
Inventors: |
Walker; Jay S.; (Ridgefield,
CT) ; Jorasch; James A.; (Stamford, CT) ;
Jindal; Sanjay K.; (Pacific Palisades, CA) ; Sparico;
Thomas M.; (Riverside, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WALKER DIGITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
2 HIGH RIDGE PARK
STAMFORD
CT
06905
US
|
Family ID: |
25260320 |
Appl. No.: |
11/758871 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09511968 |
Feb 23, 2000 |
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11758871 |
Jun 6, 2007 |
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08831968 |
Apr 2, 1997 |
6131086 |
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09511968 |
Feb 23, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/109 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0613 20130101;
G06Q 30/0633 20130101; G06Q 30/0625 20130101; G06Q 30/06 20130101;
H04N 21/4882 20130101; G06Q 30/0601 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/109 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/18 20060101
H04N007/18 |
Claims
1-40. (canceled)
41. A method, comprising: reviewing an entertainment program to
determine that a product used in the entertainment program will be
offered for sale; storing program data associated with the
entertainment program, the entertainment data comprising at least
one of: a network identifier, a genre identifier, an entertainment
program title, a time and date associated with the entertainment
program, a plot description of the entertainment program, and a
listing of characters associated with the entertainment program;
storing product data associated with the product used in the
entertainment program, the product data comprising at least one of:
a type of product, an identification of a character that used the
product in the entertainment program, a plot description associated
with the use of the product in the entertainment program, a price
of the product, a vendor associated with he product, and an
availability of the product; and providing the stored program data
and the stored product data to a controller that offers the product
for sale to viewers of the entertainment program.
42. The method of claim 41, wherein the reviewing is conducted
during the filming of the entertainment program.
43. The method of claim 41, further comprising: receiving, from a
viewer of the entertainment program, an indication of one of a
plurality of products shown in the entertainment program that the
viewer desires to purchase, wherein the indication is descriptive
of how the one of the plurality of products is used in a plot of
the entertainment program; determining, based on the received
indication, a portion of the stored product data; providing the
portion of the stored product data to the viewer; receiving, after
the providing of the stored product data, a verification that the
viewer desires to purchase the product; and selling the product to
the viewer.
44. A method, comprising: reviewing an entertainment program to
determine that a prop used in the entertainment program will be
offered for sale; offering the prop for sale to viewers of the
entertainment program; receiving a plurality of bids for the prop,
each of the plurality of bids being received from one of a
plurality of viewers; ranking the plurality of bids; and selling
the prop to the one of the plurality of viewers associated with the
highest ranked bid.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein the plurality of bids are
received via telephone calls from each of the plurality of viewers,
further comprising: providing a telephone number to the plurality
of viewers as part of the entertainment program.
46. A system, comprising: a processor; and a storage device in
communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted
to be executed by said processor to: perform the method of claim
41.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a method and system for
allowing viewers to purchase products shown on television shows.
More particularly, the invention relates to a method and system for
allowing television viewers to purchase products which appear on
entertainment program-type television shows.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Television programs dedicated solely to selling merchandise,
or sales programs, have been broadcast on television and other
broadcast media. One example of such sales programs includes,
"infomercials," which are essentially lengthy paid commercials.
Also, narrative television programs, in which scenes that showcase
products available for sale are intermittently frozen while
commercial sales of those products are undertaken, have been
broadcast.
[0005] In recent years, sales programs have become increasingly
commonplace. This is largely attributable to the wide availability
of cable television, which provides access to many more channels,
and therefore programming choices, than would otherwise be
available. Indeed, cable channels such as the "Home Shopping
Network," are devoted solely to selling merchandise.
[0006] In addition to broadcasted television, promotional video
tapes have also been used to specifically sell merchandise.
Automobile manufacturers, for example, distribute video tapes
containing product information to potential customers.
[0007] Sales programs, however, do not constitute the most
prevalent type of programming. Far more widespread are programs
whose primary objective is to entertain. Entertainment programs,
which include such programs as soap operas, sitcoms, dramas, and
sporting events, generate revenue primarily by selling advertising
time dispersed throughout broadcasts of the programs. Thus, while
entertainment programs are supported by advertising, the artistic
contents of entertainment programs are directed solely to
entertaining viewers, and not to soliciting sales of merchandise as
they are with sales programs.
[0008] Because entertainment programs are typically not produced
with the intent of selling merchandise, a potentially lucrative
source of revenue has gone unrealized. Television viewers may find
themselves interested in purchasing products which are the same
brand or design as props seen in entertainment programs. However,
the demand for these products has not yet been satisfied. Revenue
from sales of such products could improve the financial success of
an entertainment program. Manufacturers would pay to have their
products used in popular shows. Further, the producer could charge
a fee for each product ordered that was identified from their show.
This could increase revenues as well as lessen the program's
dependency on S advertising. As a result, products could experience
greater freedom of artistic content, increasing the variety of
entertainment programs available to the public.
[0009] Present sales mechanisms are not effective for selling
products that are related to entertainment programs. For example,
while catalogs are presently used to sell souvenir merchandise such
as t-shirts and coffee mugs, they do not sell products similar to
television props. For example, a program viewer cannot buy the
Armani suit that Frasier was wearing on the Jun. 30, 1996 episode.
These products gain much appeal from their association with the
program actors. The present invention provides viewers with a sense
of immediate gratification through making the products readily
available.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Systems consistent with the present invention allow viewers
of an entertainment program to purchase products used in the
program. Information about products is stored in databases that can
be accessed by operators based on viewer supplied information.
[0011] To achieve these and other advantages, a product sales
system consistent with the present invention comprises a system for
allowing a viewer to purchase products shown in an entertainment
program. The system includes means for storing in a database
product information relating to a product shown in the
entertainment program. Means are provided for receiving from the
viewer a request about the product shown in the entertainment
program, the request containing a subset of the product
information. Also included are means for identifying the product
information in the database using the subset of the product
information, and means for sending to the viewer the identified
information about the product.
[0012] In another aspect, the invention includes a system for
allowing entertainment program viewers to purchase products shown
in an entertainment program. The system includes a remote terminal
for entering product data about a product used in the entertainment
program. A central controller, coupled to the remote terminal,
receives and stores the entered product data from the remote
terminal. An operator terminal, coupled to the central controller,
accesses from the central controller information about the product
used in the entertainment program.
[0013] Both the foregoing general description and the following
Detailed Description are exemplary and are intended to provide
further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The accompanying drawings provide a further understanding of
the invention and, together with the Detailed Description, explain
the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the product sales system
consistent with the invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of central controller 110 shown in
FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of remote terminal 150 shown in
FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of operator terminal 140 shown in
FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates sample records from program database 262
stored in data storage device 260 shown in FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates sample records from product database 263
stored in data storage device 260 shown in FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates sample records from vendor database 264
stored in data storage device 260 shown in FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates sample records from order database 265
stored in data storage device 260 shown in FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram representing a method for the
operation of, remote terminal 150 shown in FIG. 3;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram representing a method for
processing data in central controller 110 of FIG. 2; and
[0025] FIGS. 11a-11b are flow diagrams representing a method for
processing a viewers, orders consistent with this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Introduction
[0026] Systems consistent with this invention allow viewers of an
entertainment program to purchase products seen on these programs.
The term "entertainment program," as used in the specification,
refers to programs whose primary purpose is to entertain, and not
to sell products or services. Examples of "entertainment programs"
include soap operas, sitcoms, dramas, sporting events, and movies.
An entertainment program may be transmitted over any transmission
media, such as wireless transmission, cable, or the Internet, or
stored on a storage media, such as video tape or laser disk.
Further, an entertainment program may be displayed on any broadcast
media, such as television. The term "prop" refers to an item
actually used on an entertainment program. The term "product"
refers to merchandise similar to a prop. By similar it is meant
that the product is visually and/or functionally indistinguishable
from the prop. The product may or not be the same brand and/or make
and model of the prop, but will not be the actual prop used in the
show. This includes but is not limited to clothing, furniture,
electronic goods, jewelry, cars, sporting goods and the like. The
term product is not restricted to physical goods, but also includes
services such as vacations or tickets to sporting events or shows.
Additionally, videos of the episode would also be available for
sale through this service.
[0027] In one such system, a central controller stores information
about products available for sale. Before an entertainment program
is broadcasted, viewers are shown a telephone number that they can
call to find out whether certain products used in the program are
available for sale. Calling this telephone number connects viewers
to an operator who queries them regarding products they are
interested in purchasing. The operator then compares the
information provided by the viewers with information stored in the
central controller's database to identify the particular products
each viewer would each like to purchase. The database is organized
to allow the operator to access information with only a minimal
amount of information describing the product. The operator may also
provide viewers with information about products other than those
the viewers asked about. If the viewers are interested in
purchasing a product at this point, an order is placed for the
product through the operator.
System Organization
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100
consistent with the present invention. System 100 includes a
central controller 110, a viewer interface 120, a telephonic
interactive voice response unit (IVRU) 130, a plurality of operator
terminals 140, a plurality of remote terminals 150, and a vendor
facility 160. Although FIG. 1 shows three operator terminals 140
and three remote terminals 150, any number of these terminals may
be connected to central controller 110. Similarly, one viewer
interface 120 or multiple viewer interfaces 120 can access each
operator terminal 140 through a corresponding IVRU 130. Central
controller 110 is linked to operator terminals 140, remote
terminals 150, and vendor facility 160 through communication links,
such as telephone lines or other data communication lines. IVRU 130
is linked to viewer interface 120 by conventional telephone
lines.
[0029] Central controller 110 receives product data and
entertainment program data from remote terminals 150 and stores
this data in a memory, as described below. Further, viewer
interface 120 transmits a product request to a corresponding IVRU
130 and operator terminal 140, each of which may be located in a
call service center. The product request describes a particular
product of interest to the viewer, and an operator at operator
terminal 140 processes the product request. Terminal 140 then
transmits program description data corresponding to the request to
central controller 110, which, after accessing the product and
program data stored in its memory, transmits product identification
data back to operator terminal 140. This data is provided to viewer
interface 120. If the viewer decides to purchases a product,
controller 110 transmits product order data to vendor facility 160,
which then routes the purchased product to the viewer.
[0030] Central controller 110 preferably includes a digital data
processing unit programmed to execute unique functions and
operations in accordance with the principles of the invention. Such
a digital data processing unit may include conventional hardware,
such as the IBM RS 6000. Operator terminals 140 and remote
terminals 150 are digital data processing units, such as
conventional personal computers configured to carry out the
functions and operations described below.
[0031] Viewer interface 120 preferably comprises a conventional
touch-tone telephone, although any device capable of transmitting
messages may be employed. In one embodiment viewer interface 120
comprises a conventional personal computer with a modem. The user
connects to central controller 110 or operator terminal 140 via the
Internet or other appropriate data communication channels.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of central
controller 110. Central controller 110 includes certain standard
hardware components, such as central processing unit (CPU) 210,
random access memory (RAM) 220, read only memory (ROM) 230, clock
240, communication port 250, and data storage 260. CPU 210 is
linked to each of the other listed elements. Communication port 250
interfaces central controller 110 with operator terminal 140,
remote terminal 150, and vendor facility 160.
[0033] Central controller 110 executes one or more programs to
perform the functions and operations described below, and stores
several databases of data relating to those functions and
operations. These databases include program database 262, product
database 263, vendor database 264, and order database 265. The
programs (described in reference to FIGS. 10 and 11) are preferably
stored in storage device 260 and executed by CPU 210. Transaction
processor 261 manages the storage and retrieval from the databases
in data storage device 260. Transaction processor 261 may comprise
a separate conventional microprocessor, as shown in FIG. 2, or may
comprise a portion of the operating function of CPU 210.
[0034] Program database 262 provides a repository of information on
entertainment programs on which products available for sale were
used. By accessing the information stored in database 262, operator
terminal 140 can identify the particular entertainment program the
viewer is calling about. FIG. 5 shows a possible organization of
database 262 with the following fields for each program: program
record number 510; network 515; class 520; program title 525;
episode date and time 530; scene data 535; episode status 540;
episode title 545; episode plot 550; and special characters 555. A
manager of the system assigns program record number 510, which
uniquely identifies a particular entertainment program. In one
embodiment, program record number 510 could correspond to a program
identifying number used in the VCR Plus system. Scene data field
535 includes information identifying a particular program scene in
which a prop was used. A sitcom, for example, might have a scene
data record describing the activity of the characters in the
kitchen if the prop being sold is a kitchen utensil. The remaining
fields are self-explanatory. Episode plot field 550 includes
information describing the plot of a particular episode of an
entertainment program. Special characters field 555 includes data
representing, for example, guest characters or persons appearing in
a particular episode. In alternative embodiments, program database
262 includes fewer or more fields of program information.
[0035] Product database 263 provides a table of information on
products indexed by a program record number 610, which may be the
same as program record number 510. By accessing the information in
product database 263, operator terminal 140 can identify the
particular product that the viewer is interested in purchasing. As
shown in FIG. 6, database 263 preferably includes the following
fields on each product offered for sale: program record number 610;
product type 615; program identifying data 620; product identifying
data 625; product description 630; vendor 635; product cost 640;
availability 645; and time code 650. Program and product
identifying fields 620 and 625 include information that enables the
identification of programs, and products offered for sale on the
programs, respectively. Such information describes characteristics
of the entertainment programs and associated products. Thus,
program identifying data field 620 typically contains information
similar to episode plot field 550. Time code field 650 includes a
range of time code values corresponding to the time during which
the respective product was displayed on the program. Product
database 263 further includes information about the type of product
for sale (product type 615), and retail information about the
product description 630, vendor 635, product cost 640, and
availability 645. In practice, product database 263 may include
fewer or more fields for product information.
[0036] Vendor database 264 contains a table of information on the
different vendors who supply the products. This table is preferably
indexed by various vendor names. The information stored in vendor
database 264 reflects information that central controller 110 can
access about product vendors when placing orders. In other words,
vendor database 264 provides information that may be either
provided to viewer interface 120 or used while placing an order
with a particular product vendor. FIG. 7 shows a possible
organization for vendor information containing the following fields
on each registered vendor: vendor name 710; vendor identification
number 715; products sold by the vendor 720; location of the vendor
725; and preferred methods of payment 730. The nature of these
fields are self-explanatory. In alternative embodiments, vendor
database 264 may include more or fewer fields.
[0037] Order database 265 includes a data file for each order
placed by a viewer. FIG. 8 shows a possible organization of
database 265 with the following fields for each viewer: viewer name
810; viewer address 815; order tracking number 820; order date 825;
order amount 830; product ordered 835; product identification
number 840; method of payment used 845; shipping data 850; and
vendor used 855 (same as vendor field 710). Product identification
number 840 is preferably assigned by vendor 855. The nature of the
remaining fields are self-explanatory. Order database 265 may,
however, include fewer or more fields for order information.
[0038] FIG. 3 shows the architecture of remote terminal 150 of
system 100. Communication port 350 provides an interface for
linking remote terminal 150 to central controller 110. As shown in
FIG. 3, remote terminal 150 includes conventional computer
components, including CPU 310, which is connected to video driver
320, video terminal 322, data entry unit 324, RAM 330, ROM 340,
communication port 350, and data storage device 360. Video terminal
322 is connected to CPU 310 through video driver 320. Data entry
unit 324, shown to include a keyboard and a mouse, is connected to
CPU 310 for entering data. CPU 310 executes program modules
(described in reference to FIG. 9) preferably stored in storage
device 360 to perform the functions and operations described below
in connection with remote terminal 150. Storage device 360 includes
transaction processor 361, program database 362, and product
database 363.
[0039] With respect to data entry operations, remote terminal 150
operates conventionally. A remote terminal operator enters into
remote terminal 110 program data for program database 362 and
product data for product database 363. Under control of a program
stored, for example, in storage device 360 or ROM 340, CPU 310
formats the data for storage in program database 362 and product
database 363. Databases 362 and 363 are similar in organization to
program database 262 of FIG. 5 and product database 263 of FIG. 6,
except that databases 362 and 363 contain information entered in
the remote terminal 150.
[0040] FIG. 4 shows the architecture of operator terminal 140
according to the invention. Communication port 450 provides an
interface for linking operator terminal 140 to central controller
110 and IVRU 130. As shown in FIG. 4, operator terminal 140
includes CPU 410 which is connected to video driver 420, video
terminal 422, data entry unit 424, RAM 430, ROM 440, and data
storage device 460. These components may also be conventional.
Video terminal 422 is connected to CPU 410 through video driver
420. Data entry unit 424, shown to include a keyboard and a mouse,
is connected to CPU 410 for entering data. CPU 410 executes modules
stored in storage device 460 to perform functions and operations
described below. Further, storage device 460 includes transaction
processor 461 and order database 462. Database 462 comprises a
subset of order database 265 of FIG. 8, and includes order
information generated locally by operator terminal 140.
System Operation
[0041] Two different aspects of the operation of system 100 will be
described. First, system 100 operates to create the databases for
the sale of products. Second, system 100 operates using the
databases to enable viewers to purchase products shown on an
entertainment program
Creating the Databases
[0042] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating steps for entering
program and product information into system 100. This data entry
may be performed during or after the filming or taping of an
entertainment program. As shown in FIG. 9, a remote terminal
operator reviews the script of the entertainment program to
determine which products will be offered for sale (step 910).
According to one embodiment of the invention, the products sold are
not the actual props used on the program, but substantially
identical merchandise ordered from the particular product
vendor.
[0043] In alternative embodiments, the actual props used on an
entertainment program are sold to viewers. The actual items used by
celebrities often have a significantly higher market value than
identical, but new, items. Therefore, the price for the actual prop
of an entertainment program may be determined, for example, by an
auction among the viewers in which the prop is sold to the highest
bidder during a fixed period of time. In an auction, each viewer
telephones IVRU 130 to place his bid with an operator. Central
controller 110 determines the winner of the auction by ranking the
viewer bids.
[0044] The remote terminal operator enters program data for storage
in local program database 362 of remote terminal 150 (step 920) and
product data for storage in local product database 363 of remote
terminal 150 (step 930). Examples of types of program data and
product data are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Remote terminal 150
transmits the data stored in program database 362 and product
database 363 to central controller 110 (step 940). This may be done
shortly after the remote terminal operator has entered the data or
at a specified time interval (e.g., once a week).
[0045] Once central controller 110 receives the transmitted data,
controller 110 processes and indexes the data. FIG. 10 illustrates
one way which controller 110 processes and indexes the data. As
shown in FIG. 10, central controller 110 receives the data stored
in program database 362 and product database 363 from remote
terminal 150 (step 1010). CPU 210 processes the data and accesses
the program and product databases 262 and 263 from data storage
device 260 (step 1020). Next, controller 110 merges the program and
product data received from remote terminal 150 into the respective
program and product databases 262 and 263 (step 1030). Furthermore,
controller 110 preferably merges program and product data from a
plurality of remote terminals 150, each remote terminal 150
corresponding to a different entertainment program. Controller 110
then assigns a program record number to each new program data file
received from each remote terminal 150 (step 1040). Once the
transaction is completed, the product data is indexed by the
program record number (step 1050).
Purchasing a Product
[0046] FIGS. 11a-11b illustrate the process in which system 100
allows a viewer to purchase a product used in a broadcasted
entertainment program. An entertainment program is broadcast to a
number of viewers using conventional broadcast techniques (step
1105), such as over-the-air television broadcasts and cable
transmission. The program may also be played from a storage media,
such as a video cassette or an optical laser disc, upon which the
program is recorded or stored. If the program is played from a
storage media, the program may include a statement telling the
viewer the date after which products shown on the program will no
longer be available for purchase. When a viewer wishes to purchase
a product displayed in the program, he calls the service using
viewer interface 120 and is connected to IVRU 130 (step 1110).
[0047] Various methods may be used to disseminate the telephone
number of the service to the viewers. In one embodiment of the
invention, the provider of the program adds a text overlay to the
entertainment program to provide the viewer with the telephone
number of the IVRU 130. The telephone number may be displayed
either before the start of the entertainment program, at the end of
the program, during a commercial; or during the program in a corner
or along a side of the screen. The telephone number could also be
made available in an entertainment program listing, such as TV
Guide. The telephone number may be an 800 number, and the purchase
price of a product is preferably charged to the viewer using either
a credit card or personal check.
[0048] In a further embodiment of the invention, a 900 number is
used as a communication and/or a payment interface for purchasing
the desired product. In one such mode, the cost of the 900 number
call is the cost of the requested product plus a connection charge.
When a viewer/caller has confirmed an order using a standard IVRU
interface or by talking to a live operator, the cost of the product
is billed to his phone number. In another mode, the 900 number
charges a service fee for the call plus a connection charge.
Payment for the product is made in a conventional manner.
[0049] A time code may also be superimposed near the corner of the
screen. The time code may be a running clock which is incremented
as the program is broadcasted. In this embodiment, time code field
650 in Product Database 263 contains the values of the time code
during which products were displayed on the program. By displaying
the time code during the program broadcast, the viewer can identify
products by the time code value indicated when the viewer noticed
the product was shown.
[0050] IVRU 130 preferably includes a voice prompt system which
asks the viewer a series of questions to identify the particular
program the viewer is calling about, and the viewer responds by
pressing the telephone keys (step 1115). For example, a viewer
calling the service to order a suit an actor was wearing in a
recent episode is queried by the IVRU 130 for the following
information: network identification (CBS, NBC, TNT, FOX, ABC, ESPN,
USA), time of day (AM, PM) and episode time (8:00 pm), date of
episode (March 4) and name of show (Seinfeld). IVRU 130 transmits
the responses from the viewer interface 120 to central controller
110 (step 1120). Central Controller 110 then transmits program
description data to operator terminal 140 (step 1125). In response,
operator terminal 140 receives product identification data from
controller 110 (step 1130). Viewer interface 120's call is then
transferred to a live operator (step 1135) who, based upon the
information received from controller 110, asks the viewer further
questions (perhaps even repeating the same questions as necessary)
to determine which product the viewer would like to purchase (step
1140).
[0051] In an alternative embodiment, the viewer does not have to
know the name of the program when describing the product to IVRU
130 or to the live operator. For example, the viewer could state "I
don't know the name of the program, but a tall guy spilled coffee
on something." The operator would then perform a 5 keyword search
on databases 262 and 263, using the description given by the
viewer. In this way, the particular product may be identified
without additional information from the viewer.
[0052] Continuing on FIG. 11b, the operator then accesses databases
262 and 263 to find data on the particular product that the viewer
would like to purchase (step 1145). Central controller 110 then
outputs the data on the particular product to the operator (step
1150). The operator, in turn, then provides product ordering
information to viewer interface 120 and requests payment for the
product (step 1155). Once the operator receives the viewer's
payment, for example, a credit or debit card account number, the
call is terminated (step 1160) and the order is placed with vendor
facility 160 (step 1165). Vendor facility 160 then sends the
purchased product to the viewer (step 1170). Alternatively, the
service could simply forward the call to the vendor once the
product has been identified and not process the order at all.
[0053] In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is
practiced using an Internet interface to the service central
controller 110. In this embodiment, a viewer connects to a service
web page using conventional web browser software and enters show
and product identifying information in response to programmed
queries. A conventional search engine searches the appropriate
databases, retrieves the episode and product information and
displays a graphic presentation of the product. The viewer then
visually identifies the product, and verifies electronically that
the selection is correct. If the product selection was incorrect,
the viewer is given the option to modify his search terms and
submit a new query. Once the correct product is identified, the
viewer purchases the product using conventional payment methods,
and it is shipped to him. This embodiment has the advantage of not
requiring human agents to process orders.
CONCLUSION
[0054] Systems and methods consistent with the invention
significantly increase the financial revenue of an entertainment
program by selling props or products used on the program. This
added revenue may lessen the entertainment program's dependency on
advertising, allowing greater freedom in the artistic content of
the programs. Vendors may also be willing to pay more to have their
products shown on an entertainment program due to the enhanced
exposure associated with being on the program. To this end, systems
consistent with the invention efficiently assemble program and
product data into databases accessed by a central controller. Such
data may be assembled, for example, for live broadcast
entertainment programs, prerecorded (video tape) entertainment
programs, or digital (laser disc) entertainment programs.
[0055] Systems and methods consistent with this invention also
provide a simple, effective interface through which viewers may
purchase products of an entertainment program without special codes
or product numbers to identify the products. The viewer simply
describes the entertainment program that he was viewing, the
particular scene in which the product was used, or merchandise
information to identify the particular product. Thus, there is no
need for the viewer to know particular information about the
product or prop itself. This provides added flexibility that will
increase sales of those products by simplifying the ordering
process. Accordingly, the present invention provides a system and
method which efficiently sells products used on an entertainment
program.
[0056] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the system and method
of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope
of the invention. The present invention covers the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *