METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN EXTRA UTILITY TO A CONSUMER ARTICLE, A CONSUMER ARTICLE AND A DATABASE

PROCEDE OCTROYANT UNE UTILISATION ADDITIONNELLE D'UN ARTICLE DE CONSOMMATION, ARTICLE DE CONSOMMATION ET BASE DE DONNEES

English Abstract

The invention relates to a method for providing an additional use of a
consumer item that is primarily focused on a main use, especially a food item,
upon purchase. According to said method, an individual code is made available
for providing the additional use, this code enabling access to a public data
network with a suitable data processing device. A supply of programmes that
can be accessed using the individual code is stored in said public data
network. The individual code is used to select a programme from said supply
programmes. The selected, launched programme remains available for a
predetermined access time, the individual code being blocked from further
access once access has been gained on a predetermined number of occasions.

French Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé octroyant une utilisation additionnelle lors de l'achat d'un article de consommation, notamment une denrée alimentaire, affecté initialement à une utilisation principale. Un code individuel est affecté à l'octroi d'une utilisation additionnelle et permet d'avoir accès à un réseau de données public à l'aide d'un appareil de traitement de données approprié. Le réseau de données public contient une réserve de programmes à laquelle on peut accéder à l'aide du code individuel. Le code individuel permet de sélectionner un programme de la réserve de programmes. Le programme sélectionné lancé reste disponible aux fins d'accès pendant un temps prédéterminé et le code individuel est bloqué à des accès ultérieurs au bout d'un nombre prédéterminé d'accès.

Claims

-9-
Claims
1. A technique for imparting an extra utility when
buying a consumer article aimed primarily at a main
utility, in particular foodstuff, in which an
individual code is provided for imparting the extra
utility, by means of which it is possible to access a
public data network via a suitable data-processing
device,
characterized in that a stock of programs that can be
accessed by means of the individual code is held on the
public data network, in that a program can be selected
from the stock of programs using the individual code,
in that the started, selected program remains available
for access for a predetermined time, and in that the
individual code is disabled for further accesses after
a predetermined number of accesses.
2. The technique as claimed in claim 1, characterized
in that
prior to accessing the stock, personal data is obtained
interactively from the person accessing the stock, and
in that a suitable program is offered based on the
personal data entered.
3. The technique as claimed in claim 2, characterized
in that
the programs are divided into program groups, and in
that the program group is selected using the user data
provided.
4. The technique as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that
the selection of the program is predetermined by the
individual code.
5. The technique as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that

-10-
an additional extra utility is imparted in addition to
the code.
6. The technique as claimed in claim 5, characterized
in that
the additional extra utility, in the form of a small
toy, is held in a container carried in the consumer
article.
7. The technique as claimed in claim 6, characterized
in that
the code in written from is also held in the container.
8. The technique as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that
the individual code is disabled after a single access
to an offered program.
9. A consumer article with a main utility, in
particular as a foodstuff, and an extra utility, in
particular as a plaything, which for the extra utility
contains an individual code that, using code data,
enables access to a public data network for a limited
time via a data-processing device with access to the
data network, characterized in that
the individual code contains code data for selecting
from a stock of programs so that only one selected
program can be accessed.
10. The consumer article as claimed in claim 9,
characterized in that
the individual code contains extra data for
individualization that can be used to disable the
individual code after use of the code data.
11. The consumer article as claimed in claim 9 or 10,
characterized by
an object for an additional extra utility in addition

-11-
to the code.
12. The consumer article as claimed in one of claims 9
to 11, in which the consumer article contains a
container for the extra utility, characterized in that
the code is placed in the container in written form.
13. The consumer article as claimed in claim 11 and 12,
characterized in that
the object for the additional extra utility is also
placed in the container.
14. A database, for operation in a public data network,
that is accessible using an individual code containing
code data for accessing the database and additional
data for individualization, characterized in that
a selection is made from a stock of programs in the
database using the individual code, so that only one
selected program can be initialized for a predetermined
time, and in that the individual code is automatically
disabled after a predetermined number of accesses.
15. The database as claimed in claim 14, characterized
in that
the individual code is automatically disabled after one
single access to an offered program.
16. The database as claimed in claim 14 or 15,
characterized in that
a program predetermined by the individual code is
offered for access.
17. The database as claimed in claim 14 or 15,
characterized in that
the individual code is used to enable access to the
programs on offer, and in that an offered program is
selected automatically using a selection program.

-12-
18. The database as claimed in one of claims 14 to 17,
characterized in that
prior to offering a program, an initialization dialog
is opened in which user data is requested, and in that
the offered program is selected on the basis of the
user data provided.
19. The database as claimed in claim 18, characterized
in that
in the database one program in each program group can
be opened by the individual code, and the selection of
the program group is determined by the user data
provided.
20. The database as claimed in one of claims 14 to 19,
characterized by
a memory device for disabled individual codes.
21. The database as claimed in one of claims 14 to 20,
characterized by
a memory device for personal passwords, which are
assigned to a program opened when the password is
entered.
22. The database as claimed in one of claims 14 to 21,
characterized in that
the database is designed to be isolated, without links
to other material on offer.
23. The database as claimed in one of claims 14 to 22,
characterized in that
it is protected against downloading of programs.

Description

CA 02409606 2002-11-21
WO 01/86519 . PCT/EP01/05371
Technique for in~arting an extra utility to a consumer
article, consumer article and database
The invention relates to a technique for imparting an
extra utility when buying a consumer article aimed
primarily at a main utility, in particular foodstuff,
in which an individual code is provided for imparting
the extra utility, by means of which it is possible to
access a public data network via a suitable data-
processing device.
The invention also relates to a consumer article with a
main utility, in particular as a foodstuff, and an
extra utility, in particular as a plaything, which for
the extra utility contains an individual code that,
using code data, enables access to a public data
network for a limited time via a data-processing device
with access to the data network.
The invention also relates to a database, for operation
in a public data network, that is accessible using an
individual code containing code data for accessing the
database and additional data for individualization.
The marketing of consumer articles that provide the
purchaser with multiple utilities is known of. A well-
known example is the "Kinder Surprise Egg" from the
applicant, in which, inside a hollow egg with a
chocolate/milky-cream shell, there is placed a
container in the form of a two-piece plastic capsule
holding small toy figures that may need to be assembled
from building instructions. Thus when buying the
milk/chocolate egg, the purchaser obtains both an
appetizing piece of confectionery and a stimulating
toy.
Although the main target group of these articles are
children and young people, it has been shown that,

~
' CA 02409606 2002-11-21
WO 01/86519 . PCT/EPO1/05371
- 2 -
owing to the extra utility, adults are also interested
in the article, in particular in order to collect the
toy figures.
It requires a considerable amount of time and effort to
continually devise new playthings that can fit into the
minimal space inside the capsule and enable new
variations of the play experience, in particular the
assembly of the plaything. It is also a problem that
the playthings are meant to interest as broad an age
range as possible, without smaller children being
frustrated by excessive demands, or older children
dismissing the article offered as "kids' stuff".
The notion to provide a product, for example a drinks
bottle, with a code that allows a single access to a
specific website on the Internet via a data-processing
device, for example to play a video game, is known from
W099/44161. The incentive achieved with this is low,
because the extra utility always presents itself in the
same form.
The present invention is based on the problem of
extending the extra utility imparted by a consumer
article, and designing it to be adaptable in principle
to the consumer concerned.
With this problem as starting point, a technique of the
type mentioned in the introduction is characterized
according to the invention in that a stock of programs
that can be accessed by means of the individual code is
held on the public data network, in that a program can
be selected from the stock of programs using the
individual code, in that the started, selected program
remains available for access for a predetermined time,
and in that the individual code is disabled for further
accesses after a predetermined number of accesses.

CA 02409606 2002-11-21
WO 01/$6519 . PCT/EP01/05371
- 3 -
In the technique according to the invention, the
purchaser of the consumer article is given an
individual code, for example in the form of a printed
alphanumeric code, which the purchaser of the consumer
article as user can utilize with a suitable data-
processing device to access a stock of programs on a
public data network, in particular the Internet. This
can happen, for instance, by calling up a predetermined
address, possibly given with the code, which allows
access to a website where it is possible to access the
stock of programs by entering the individual code into
the device. A program automatically selected from the
programs on offer then remains available for access for
a predetermined time, for example 30 minutes, so that
the program offered as a surprise can be enjoyed for
the predetermined time. After a predetermined number of
accesses, preferably after one single access, the
individual code is disabled for further accesses.
The technique according to the invention is
particularly advantageous if, prior to accessing the
stock, personal data is obtained interactively from the
person accessing the stock, and a suitable program is
offered based on the personal data entered. The
personal data required for this may in particular
consist of stating the age of the user, in order to
offer programs suitable for that age. It is also
conceivable to ask for interests in order to offer
different programs that are designed to be primarily
educational, primarily passive entertainment or
primarily an interactive game, for example. Programs
can be assigned accordingly to one particular group,
and the program group selected using the user data
provided. The selection of the program from within the
specific program group can be performed by a random
program for the access concerned, or else even
predetermined by the individual code. In the first case
mentioned, it is possible to allow the user to access,

CA 02409606 2002-11-21
.WO 01/86519 . PCT/EP01/05371
for instance, the same game later in order to
out-perform an earlier performance if applicable. For
this purpose, a personal password for the user can be
requested at the end of the access time, which can be
used to re-open the same program (the same game) at a
later access.
It is highly advantageous for selling the consumer
article if an additional extra utility is imparted in
addition to the code, as not all purchasers have access
to a data-processing device to benefit from the extra
utility offered with the code. The additional extra
utility, in the form of a small toy known in the art,
can be held in a container, carried in the consumer
article, that advantageously also holds the code.
With the problem presented above as starting point, a
consumer article of the type mentioned in the
introduction is also characterized according to the
invention in that the individual code contains code
data for selecting from a stock of programs so that
only one selected program can be accessed.
It is particularly advantageous here if the individual
code contains extra data for individualization that can
be used to disable the individual code after a single
use of the code data.
Further preferred features of the consumer article
according to the invention arise in the description of
the preferred embodiments of the technique according to
the invention.
In addition, a database, for operation in a public data
network, that is accessible in a customary way using an
individual code containing code data for accessing the
database and additional data for individualization, is
suitable for implementing the technique according to

~~
CA 02409606 2002-11-21
_W0 01/86519 . PCT/EP01/05371
- 5 -
the invention, if the database is characterized
according to the invention in that a selection is made
from a stock of programs in the database using the
individual code, so that only one selected program can
be initialized for a predetermined time, and in that
the individual code is automatically disabled after a
predetermined number of accesses.
In the database according to the invention, a program
predetermined by the individual code can be offered for
access, or alternatively the individual code is used
merely to enable access to the programs on offer, and
an offered program is selected using a selection
program, which may be a random-number generator.
In a preferred embodiment, prior to offering a program,
an initialization dialog is opened in which user data
is requested, and the offered program is selected on
the basis of the user data provided.
This occurs advantageously in that in the database one
program in each program group can be opened by the
individual code, and the selection of the program group
is determined by the user data provided.
The database according to the invention preferably
contains a memory device for used - and thus disabled -
individual codes. In addition, a memory device can be
provided for personal passwords, which are assigned to
a program opened when the password is entered. By this
means, when accessing the stock of programs again using
a new individual code, it is possible to re-open a
specific program that has been opened before by
entering the password, for instance in order to out
perform an earlier game result.
The database according to the invention is preferably
designed to be isolated, without links to other

CA 02409606 2002-11-21
WO 01/86519 . PCT/EP01/05371
- 6 -
material on offer. This enables strict control of the
database, which is necessary if in particular younger
children are also meant to be able to access the
database.
The invention shall be described in more detail below
with reference to an exemplary embodiment. When
purchasing a consumer article, for example a chocolate
egg, the purchaser gets a capsule, held in the
chocolate egg, containing a printed alphanumeric code
in the form of a batch number and preferably a hitherto
customary small toy. Advantageously, a special Internet
address of the supplier of the consumer article is
specified in addition to the alphanumeric code. Using a
suitable data-processing device, for example a personal
computer with Internet access, the Internet address can
be dialed up. A portal site opens, through which one
can be guided by a special figure.
While wandering through the portal site, personal data,
specifically one's age, is entered by clicking on a
relevant category of four age ranges. The four age
ranges may for example be: 3 to 6 years, 7 to 11 years,
12 to 18 years or over 18.
In addition, one is prompted for the type of surprise
that one would like to experience as an offered
program. Possible types are video games, cartoons,
documentation, discoveries, novelties.
A program belonging to the program group in question is
selected on the basis of the choice of program group
and the specified age range, where the selection can be
made by a selection program of the database, for
example using a random-number generator, or is already
preset by the individual code.
The opened Internet site is a closed site containing no

CA 02409606 2002-11-21
.WO 01/86519 . PCT/EP01/05371
_ 7 _
links to other Internet sites, and is safeguarded
against the introduction of outside information. The
Internet site is also protected, i.e. it is not
possible to download programs or parts of programs,
including images or music, to the personal computer.
After the specific program is selected, this program
can be used for a limited time, for example for about
30 minutes. In particular for young people and adults,
there is an option to enter a personal password at the
end of the program, in order to be able to open the
specific program again at the next Internet access. The
password then takes priority, for instance over the
selection program of the database.
Thus it is possible to re-open a video game that
measures performance or success, in order to improve as
far as possible on the result achieved with this video
game.
Unchecked repeat access using an individual code
obtained once can be prevented on the part of the
database in that the database contains a storage device
for individual codes that have been used once, so that
when an individual code is entered it is compared with
individual codes already saved. If the individual code
is already held in the memory device for "used codes",
then this can be used to identify a repeat access
attempt. Access is then refused by the database. Of
course it is possible to allow a predetermined number
of accesses for each individual code. Then the used
codes are each saved in the memory device with a code
number for the number of accesses already made. Access
is refused when the maximum number of accesses has
already been made.
The invention described enables a new method of use of
a program database in a public data network is based on

. ' CA 02409606 2002-11-21
WO 01/86519 . PCT/EP01/05371
_ g _
the described insular design of the database and the
strictly limited access to programs in the database.