Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LOYALTY PROGRAM FOR CONSUMERS AND
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REWARDING A CONSUMER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to methods, systems
and programs for engendering loyalty in various consumers
and customers and, in particular, to a loyalty program for
television stations, radio stations and other providers of
media, as well as a method and system for rewarding a
consumer / user of a medium (e.g. a television viewer who
watches various channels of television, a listener of a
radio station or a reader of a publication).
Description of Related Art
Presently, television is the most popular form of media
entertainment and watched by millions of viewers across the
world. As the various media outlets grow, the consumer or
viewer now has many more options and channels to choose
from on the television. In short, the viewer typically has
hundreds of channels and choices, and it is difficult for a
television station or channel to attract and maintain a
multitude of viewers in such a competitive environment.
Therefore, there remains a need for developing a
relationship between the viewer and the channel (or
television station), thereby increasing the viewing time,
which increases the market share of the channel or
television station.
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Television stations and channels typically receive income
for a vendor's or merchant's use of commercial airtime on
the station. However, additional sources of income should
be explored based upon sales revenue sharing, telephone
proceeds and other similar consumer sources. Such
additional sources of income would make the television
station or channel more resistant to fluctuating commercial
revenues and markets.
Presently, there is no existing program that engenders
loyalty between a consumer or viewer and a channel or
television station. Further, when multiple channels are
offering multiple, yet similar, programming, the viewer now
makes the choice strictly based upon personal preference.
Accordingly, there is a need for producing some lasting and
mutually beneficial relationship between a particular
television viewer and a specific television channel. In
addition, any information or data exchanged between the
viewer and the channel also is mutually beneficial, in that
the viewer can receive better targeted marketing to his or
her needs or desires and the channel can better assess its
viewing population and use such targeted advertising.
In general, there remains a need for providing a community
of viewers and channels (or television stations), where
there are emotional ties between the viewers and the
channels. There is also a need for linking viewers to
certain affiliated trade partners of the linked channel,
such as affiliated vendors or merchants, which thereby
provides additional ties between the viewers and channels
and these trade partners.
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The said above similarly applies to radio stations and
their listeners and to other providers of media and their
consumers like readers of publications, for example. Thus,
the present application generally applies to situations,
where a medium (e.g. a telecast, a radio transmission or a
publication) is broadcasted and/or distributed to an
indefinite number of persons (e.g. viewer of the television
or listeners of the radio or reader of the publication).
The way of distribution might be electronically (wired
(e.g. via a local or global cable network or the internet)
or wireless) or even physical (e.g. by distributing a
printed publication).
To measure the audience rating of television programs and
channels or radio programs and stations it is known to use
special set-top boxes that are connected to a communication
network like a telephone line or the Internet. Once a
consumer decides to watch a television program or to listen
to a radio program, he identifies himself by pressing a
corresponding button of the set-top box and enters the
channel respectively station he is watching respectively
listening. The set-top box monitors the at least one
identified consumer, the entered channel or station and the
corresponding time of day and generates a corresponding
protocol. Said protocol comprises said identified consumer,
said entered channel or station and said time of day. Said
protocol is output once a day via the communication network
to a central server. The central server compares the
received protocols with a television program respectively
radio program of different channels and stations. Based on
the protocol the central server identifies which television
programs (or radio, programs) were observed by which
consumer and thus outputs audience rating of television
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programs and channels respectively radio programs and
stations.
It is a disadvantage with the known apparatus and method to
measure audience rating of television programs and channels
(respectively radio programs and stations) that the
attention of a consumer cannot be taken into account. Thus,
it cannot be distinguished whether the program is observed
passively in the background (e.g. during housework) or
actively with full attention. Moreover, it cannot be gua-
ranteed that the input of the consumer to the set-top box
is correct. Thus, a consumer intentionally or unintentio-
nally might input a program he is not actually observing. A
possible reason might be that the consumer is ashamed of
the program he is actually observing (e.g. in the case of a
pornographic motion picture or a program having low
intellectual quality), that the consumer is too cushy to
program the set-top box or simply forgets, to correctly
program the set-top box. In consequence, the known
apparatus and method is insufficient to correctly monitor
the television programs and channels respectively radio
programs and stations that are observed by a consumer. In
this respect it is emphasized, that the present application
is not limited with respect to the kind of broadcasting of
the respective program. Thus, the program might be broad-
casted wireless or via a hardwired network, for example.
Said network might e.g. be a global cable network or even a
local company network. Furthermore, said program might even
be broadcast via the Internet, for example. Similar, a
receiving apparatus does not necessarily have to be a
conventional stationary or portable television or radio but
might even be a mobile phone, organizer or computer having
a program receiving function, for example.
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Furthermore, in the prior art there is a demand to detect
the spread of publications (printed media like books, news-
papers, advertisements, journals etc.). In this respect, it
has to be considered that publications frequently are read
by plural persons. For example, a household having a
subscription of a newspaper usually buys only one news-
paper. Nevertheless, plural or even all persons of the
household usually read the newspaper. Thus, by only coun-
ting the number of sold publications it is not yet possible
to determine how many persons indeed read said publication.
Furthermore, there is a risk that a publication is not read
at all but simply thrown away. This is frequently the case
with gratis newspapers or advertisements. Thus, even
publications can be considered as being distributed to an
indefinite number of persons. Currently, it is tried to
solve the above problem by regularly conducting public
polls. Nevertheless, depending on the number of people
participating with said polls the poll either is inaccurate
or very expensive. Once again, the present application is
not limited to the kind of publication and/or way of
distribution of the publication. Thus, the publication
might be sold,.published in the Internet or even laid.open
for public inspection, for example.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide a loyalty program for consumers of a medium (e.g.
television viewers, radio listeners or readers of publica-
tions) and a method and system for rewarding a consumer
(e.g. a television viewer, a radio listener or a reader of
a publication) that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior
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art. It is another object of the present invention to
provide a loyalty program for consumers of a medium and a
method for rewarding consumers of a medium that engenders
loyalty between the consumer and the provider of the medium
(e.g. TV-channel, radio station or publishing company)
and/or affiliated trade partners. It is yet another object
of the present invention to provide a loyalty program for
consumers of a medium and a method and system for rewarding
the consumer of a medium that provides tangible benefits to
the consumer in the form of various offers. It is a still
further object of the present invention to provide a
loyalty program for consumers of a medium and a method and
system for rewarding consumers of a medium that allows for
the flow of information and data between the parties to the
mutual benefit of both parties. It is yet another object of
the present invention to provide a loyalty program for
consumers of a medium and a method and system for rewarding
consumers of a medium that provides additional income to
the provider of the medium (e.g. TV-channel, television
station, radio station or publishing company) and affilia-
ted trade partners.
According to a further aspect of the present invention it
is another object to provide an apparatus and method that
monitors whether a medium has been observed (e.g. watched,
listened or read) by a consumer (e.g. viewer, listener or
reader) with increased accuracy.
According to a further aspect of the present invention it
is another object to provide an apparatus and method that
monitors the television and/or radio programs and channels
and/or stations that are observed by a consumer (viewer or
listener) with increased accuracy.
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According to another aspect of the present invention it is
another object to provide an apparatus and a method that
reliably detect whether a publication (printed medium) is
observed (read) by a consumer in a cheap and easy way.
Further, it is an object to provide an apparatus and a
method that are capable to reliably detect in a cheap and
easy way how many consumers (persons) observe (read) a
publication.
The above objects respectively are solved by the
combination of features of the independent claims. Pre-
ferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a loyalty
program for consumers of a medium (e.g. television viewers
or radio listeners). Specifically, the present invention is
directed to a method for detecting and rewarding a consumer
of a medium who observes (e.g. watches or listens to) a
program over a channel of a television or radio.
This method includes the steps of: assigning a value to a
specified program of a plurality of programs or.a time slot
of a specified channel or station of a plurality of
channels or stations; receiving, at a central data system,
data reflective of the specified program or the specified
time slot that the consumer (viewer or listener) observed
or intends to observe; storing the assigned value of the
specified program or the specified time slot, the data
reflective of the specified program or the data reflective
of the specified time slot in a consumer account; and
interacting with the consumer.
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In particular, the interaction with the consumer is based
upon: the stored assigned value of the specified program or
specified time slot in the consumer account; the data
reflective of the specified program; the data reflective of
the specified time slot; the sum of all observing time
(e.g. viewing time or listening time); the average
observing time of a consumer over a specified period; the
sum of all stored assigned values in the consumer account;
and/or a specified portion of a stored assigned value, the
sum of all observing time or the sum of all assigned values
in the consumer account.
According to an embodiment, the method further comprises a
step of communication with the consumer in real time. In
this respect the term "real time" means, that communication
is at least partially performed during a program or short
after a program observed by the consumer. Another part of
the communication with the consumer might be performed at
any time.
According to an embodiment, said communication comprises
requesting the consumer to contact the central data system
within a limited short time period upon a request, wherein
said request is sent during an actual program or after the
end of the program. In this respect a short time period
means maximum 60 minutes, preferably 15 minutes and most
preferred 5 minutes. This contact can be to at least one of
an automated system or a representative of the central data
system, for example. Moreover, said contact can be at least
one of directly via a communication network or indirectly
by using a special set-top box or television being adapted
for communication with the central data system. Said
communication network can be hardwired or wireless. The
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Internet or a telephone line or a data channel for wireless
communication (e.g. SMS channel) can be used as
communication network, for example. When using an
interactive remote control, for example, the consumer can
perform said indirect contact via a special set-top box or
television respectively radio.
According to an embodiment, said contact of the consumer
with the central data system, which is performed within a
limited short time period upon a request sent during the
program or after the end of the program comprises sub-
mitting a consumer identification and a program identifica-
tion. Said consumer identification can be explicit (e.g. by
submitting an individual consumer ID-code) or implicit
(e.g. by recognizing a phone number or an IP-address of the
consumer or a serial number of a special set-top box of
television respectively radio used by the consumer for
contacting the central data system and by comparing said
recognized phone number or IP-address or serial number with
a database storing information with respect to the
consumer). Even said program identification can be explicit
(e.g. by submitting an individual program code contained in
the request submitted to the consumer during an actual.
program or after the end of the program) or implicit (e.g.
by contacting an individual telephone number or IP-address
contained in the request submitted to the consumer).
The step of communicating with the consumer in real time
has the advantage, that the programs and channels re-
spectively stations that are observed by a consumer can be
monitored with increased accuracy. Moreover, the attention
of a consumer can be accounted for.
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In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the present
invention, the method further includes the step of offering
to the consumer, by a central data system manager, a
service, an item, a discount, a redemption, a coupon, a
voucher, a non-cash benefit, an incentive, a ticket, an
invitation, and/or an event. The offer is based upon the
stored assigned value of the specified program or specified
time slot in the consumer account; the data reflective of
the specified program; the data reflective of the specified
time slot; the sum of all observing time; the average
observing time of a consumer over a specified period; the
sum of all stored assigned values in a consumer account; a
stored consumer status value; a consumer observing rating;
a consumer status rating; and/or the specified portion of
any of these values or sums.
The present invention is further directed to a system for
detecting and rewarding a consumer who observes at least
one program over a channel of the television or radio
station. The system includes means for assigning a value to
a specified program of a plurality of programs or a time
slot of a specified channel of a plurality of channels;
means for receiving, at a central data system, data
reflective of the specified program or the specified time
slot that the consumer observed or intends to observe;
means for storing the assigned value of the specified
program or the specified time slot, the data reflective of
the specified program or the data reflective of the
specified time slot in a consumer account; and means for
interacting with the consumer based upon various values,
collected data, sums, averages or specified portions of
these values and sums.
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According to an embodiment the system further comprises a
communicator for communicating with the consumer in real
time. This means, that the communicator is adapted to
perform at least a part of the communication with the
consumer during a program or short after a program observed
by the consumer. Another part of the communication with the
consumer might be performed at any time. It is obvious that
the communicator preferably is adapted to communicate with
a huge (e.g. more than 100) number of consumers at the same
time. The communicator can be an Internet-Server (and thus
automated system) or a call-center (and thus representa-
tive), for example.
According to an embodiment, said communicator automatically
controls a sender for broadcasting the program to the
consumer in a way that a message, requesting the consumer
to contact the communicator within a limited short time
period upon sending the message, is sent. Said message can
be faded into an actual program or sent separately after
the end of the program, for example. Furthermore, said
message can be at least one of legible or audible. In this
respect a short time period means maximum 60 minutes,
preferably 15 minutes and most. preferred 5 minutes. To
allow this contact the communicator is connected to a
conventional public or a specialized private communication
network. Said communication network can be hardwired or
wireless.
According to an embodiment the communicator further
receives consumer identification and program identification
via said communication network. Said consumer identifi-
cation can be explicit (e.g. individual consumer ID-code)
or implicit (e.g. by automatically detecting a phone number
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or an IP-address of the consumer or a serial ,number of a
special set-top box or television respectively radio used
by the consumer) . Even said program identification can be
explicit (e.g. an individual program code that has been
contained in the message sent to the consumer during the
actual program or after the end of the program) or implicit
(e.g. by receiving a reply of the consumer at an individual
telephone number or an IP-address that has been contained
in the message sent to the consumer).
Accordingly, the present invention is further directed to a
method for reliably detecting and rewarding a consumer
(reader) of a publication (said publication can be any
printed medium like a newspaper, a journal, a flyer, or a
book, for example). Furthermore, said publication can be
distributed physically or electronically (e.g. via the
Internet), for example.
This method includes the steps of: assigning a value to a
specified publication or part of the publication (e.g. an
article) of a plurality of publications or parts of the
publication; communicating with the consumer for receiving,
at a central data system, data reflective. of the
publication or part of the publication that was observed
(read) by the consumer; storing the assigned value of the
publication or part of the publication and/or the received
data reflective of the publication or part of the publi-
cation in a consumer account; and interacting with the
consumer.
In particular, the interaction with the consumer is based
upon: the stored assigned value of the publication or part
of the publication in the consumer account; the data re-
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flective of the publication or part of the publication; the
sum of all observed (read) publications or parts of the
publication; the average number of observed publication or
part of the publication of a consumer over a specified
period; the sum of all stored assigned values in the
consumer account; and/or a specified portion of a stored
assigned value, the sum of all observed publications or
parts of the publication or the sum of all assigned values
in the consumer account.
According to an embodiment, said communicating step
comprises requesting the consumer (reader) to contact the
central data system by a corresponding request/message
(that can be a text or a symbol, for example) included in
the publication or printed next to a part of the
publication. This contact can be to at least one of an
automated system or a representative of the central data
system, for example. Said contact can be established via a
communication network, for example. Said communication
network can be hardwired or wireless. The Internet or a
telephone line or a data channel for wireless communication
(e.g. SMS channel) can be used as communication network,
for example. Said contact. of the consumer with the central
data system comprises submitting consumer identification
and publication information identifying a corresponding
publication or part of the publication that was observed by
the consumer. Said consumer identification can be explicit
(e.g. by submitting an individual consumer ID-code) or
implicit (e.g. by recognizing a phone number or an IP-
address of the consumer and by comparing said recognized
phone number or an IP-address with a database storing
information with respect to the consumer). Even said
publication identification can be submitted in an explicit
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way. Examples for the submission of the publication
identification in an explicit way are e.g. submitting a
reference code definitely identifying a corresponding
publication or part of the publication, wherein said
reference code can either be individual for each copy of
the publication or part of the publication (and thus e.g.
comprise a counter value of the copy) or identical for all
identical publications or parts of publications. Alterna-
tively, said publication identification might be submitted
implicitly (e.g. by contacting an individual telephone
number or IP-address contained in the request submitted to
the consumer).
The consumer might be rewarded for communicating with the
central data system in a similar way to the consumer of a
program as described above.
It is obvious for a skilled person that the above method
for detecting and rewarding a consumer of a program can be
combined with the above method for detecting and rewarding
a consumer of a publication.
The present invention.is further directed to a system for
detecting and rewarding a consumer (reader) who observes
(reads) at least one publication or part of publication.
The system includes means for assigning a value to a
specified publication or part of publication of a plurality
of publications or parts of publications; means for
receiving, at a central data system, data reflective of the
specified publication or part of publication that the
consumer has observed (read); means for storing the
assigned value of the specified publication or part of
publication and/or the received data reflective of the
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specified publication or part of publication in a consumer
account; and means for interacting with the consumer based
upon various values, collected data, sums, averages or
specified portions of these values and sums.
According to an embodiment the system further comprises a
communicator for communicating with the consumer. According
to an embodiment, said communicator either automatically or
upon request generates a request/message (e.g. a text or
symbol) that is printed together with the publication or
next to a part of a publication. In this respect, "next to"
means on the same page or a following / preceding page.
Said request asks the consumer to contact the communicator.
To allow this contact the communicator is connected to a
conventional public or a specialized private communication
network. Said communication network can be hardwired or
wireless as described above with respect to the consumer of
a program.
According to an embodiment the communicator further
receives consumer identification and publication
identification via said communication network. Said
consumer identification can be submitted either explicitly
or implicitly as it is described above. Even said publica-
tion identification can be submitted either explicitly or
implicitly as described above.
It is obvious for a skilled person that the above system
for detecting and rewarding a consumer of a program can be
combined with the above system for detecting and rewarding
a consumer of a publication. In this respect, the means for
assigning are adapted to both assign a value to a specified
program of a plurality of programs or a time slot of a
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specified channel of a plurality of channels and a value to
a specified publication or part of publication of a
plurality of publications or parts of publications.
Furthermore, the means for receiving are adapted to receive
at the central data system both data reflective of the
specified program or the specified time slot that the
consumer observed or intends to observe and data reflective
of the specified publication or part of publication that
the consumer has observed (reader has read). Moreover, the
means for storing are adapted to store both the assigned
value of the specified program or the specified time slot,
the data reflective of the specified program or the data
reflective of the specified time slot in a consumer account
and the assigned value of the specified publication or part
of publication and/or the received data reflective of the
specified publication or part of publication in the same or
a different consumer account. And the means for interacting
are adapted to interact with the consumer based upon
various values, collected data, sums, averages or specified
portions of these values and sums. Similar, the
communicator is adapted to communicate with both the
consumer of the program (viewer or listener of a television
or radio program) and the consumer (reader) of a publica-
tion in the way described above.
The present invention, both as to its construction and its
method of operation, together with the additional objects
and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the
following description of exemplary embodiments when read in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for rewarding a
television viewer according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of one preferred and non-
limiting embodiment of a method and system for rewarding a
television viewer according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a front view of a television displaying a banner
in a method and system for rewarding a television viewer
according to the present invention; and
Fig. 4 is an information flow diagram showing the flow of
information according to an embodiment of the inventive
method.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
It is to be understood that the invention may assume
various alternative variations and step sequences, except
where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be
understood. that the specific devices and processes
illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the
following specification, are simply exemplary and presently
preferred embodiments of the invention.
The present invention is directed to a method for rewarding
a consumer of a medium (e.g. a television viewer, radio
listener or reader of a publication) and a system for
implementing such a method.
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In the following, the present invention is explained by
example of a television viewer. Nevertheless, it is obvious
for the skilled person that the invention alternatively or
additionally might be applied to any consumer of a medium
e.g. a listener of a radio station or a reader of a
publication in the same or a similar way.
In general, the present invention provides a method 100 and
.system 10 that engenders loyalty between a viewer
(consumer) 12 and a television 14 station or channel
(provider of a medium) that the viewer 12 watches or
intends to watch. The various preferred and non-limiting
embodiments of the presently-invented method 100 and system
are illustrated in FIGs. 1-4.
In one embodiment, the method 100 according to the present
invention is a method 100 for rewarding a television viewer
12 that views at least one program over a channel of a
television 14. The method includes the steps of: assigning
a value 16 to a specified program of a plurality of
programs or a time slot of a specified channel of a
plurality of channels (Step 102); receiving, at a central
data system 18, data 20 reflective of the specified program
or the specified time slot that the viewer 12 watched or
intends to watch (Step 104); storing the assigned value 16
of the specified program or the specified time slot, the
data 20 reflective of the specified program or the data 20
reflective of the specified time slot in a viewer account
24 (Step 106); and interacting with a viewer 12 based upon:
(i) the stored assigned value 16 of the specified program
or specified time slot in the viewer account; (ii) the data
reflective of the specified program; (iii) the data 20
reflective of the specified time slot; (iv) the sum of all
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viewing time; (V) the average viewing time of a viewer 12
over a specified period; (vi) the sum of all stored
assigned values 16 in a viewer account 24; and/or (vii) a
specified portion of the stored assigned value 16, the sum
of all viewing time or the sum of all assigned values in
the viewer account 24 (Step 108) . See FIG. 1.
FIG. 2 illustrates one preferred and non-limiting
embodiment of the system 10 and how the various entities in
this embodiment interact. Further, the system 10 (and
method 100) are used in connection with.a television viewer
12 who views one, and typically multiple, programs over a
channel of a television 14. In the system 10, a value is
assigned to a specific program or a specific time slot of a
specified channel, thereby providing an assigned value 16
for this specified program or time slot.
At this point, the viewer 12 may begin watching, have
watched or may intend to watch a specific program or time
slot on the channel on the television 14. Accordingly, a
central data system 18 receives data 20 that is reflective
of this specified program or specified time slot. Further,
this data 20 and/or the.assigned value 16 is stored in the
central data system 18. Finally, a central data system
manager 22 interacts with the viewer 12 based upon the
stored assigned value 16 of the specified program or
specified time slot, the data 20 reflective of the
specified program or specified time slot, the sum of all
viewing time, the average viewing time of the viewer 12
over a specified period, the sum of all stored assigned
values 16 in a viewer account 24, and/or a specified
portion of the stored assigned value 16, the sums, the
averages, and the like.
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In order to initiate the method 100 in the system 10, there
is some communication or a form of contact between the
viewer 12 and the central data system manager 22. In
particular, and in one preferred and non-limiting
embodiment, the viewer 12 communicates with a representa-
tive 26 or an automated system 28 of the central data
system manager 22. This allows the central data system
manager 22 to track the provision of the program or time
slot over the channel of the television to the viewer 12.
Once the communication is complete between. The viewer 12
and the central data system manager 22, the viewer account
24 can be appropriately modified using the supplied data
20. For example, if the viewer 12 indicates that he or she
has watched, is watching or intends to watch a specified
program to the representative 26 or automated system 28,
the central data system manager 22 can then credit the
viewer account 24 the appropriate assigned value 16.
It is also envisioned that the viewer 12 can interact
directly with the television 14, such as through the use of
an interactive remote control, which may be in communi-
cation with the central data system manager 22. According-
ly, no direct communication between the viewer 12 and
central data system manager 22 would be required. Such an
automated system 10 would allow for easier and quicker
interaction between the viewer 12 and the central data
system manager 22. The communication between the television
14 (or associated control box) and the central data system
manager 22 could be hardwired or wireless.
Dependent upon the data 20 and other information in the
viewer account 24 in the central data system 18, the
central data system manager 22 can make certain offers to a
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viewer 12. For example, the central data system manager 22
may offer to the viewer 12 a service, an item, a discount,
a redemption, a coupon, a voucher, a non-cash benefit, an
incentive, a ticket, an invitation, an event, and the like.
The type, quality and value of the offer is based upon the
information available to the central data system manager 22
regarding the viewer account 24. In particular, the offer
can be based upon: the stored assigned value 16 of a
specified program or specified time slot in the viewer
account 24; the data 20 reflective of the specified
program; the data 20 reflective of the specified time slot;
the sum of all viewing time; the average viewing time of a
viewer 12 over a specified period; the sum of all stored
assigned values 16 in the viewer account 24; a stored
viewer status value 38; a viewer viewing rating 30; a
viewer status rating 32; and/or a specified portion of
these values, sums, averages, and the like. In one
embodiment, the offer is a coupon or voucher, such as an
entry ticket for an event (the cinema, the zoo and the
like), which can be downloaded from the Internet. For
example, in order to initiate the download, the viewer 12
appropriately identifies himself or herself on a website.
It is envisioned that the viewer 12 can- interact with the
system 10 after registration with the system 10 or the
central data system manager 22. Initial registration may be
accomplished via any normal means of communication, such as
by telephone, by Internet, by e-mail, by mail, through the
television 14, and the like. For example, registration
forms may be available at various cooperating entities.
Once registered, the viewer account 24 is created in the
central data system 18, and the viewer 12 can begin
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accruing or accumulating values 16 and data 20 in the
viewer account 24.
In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, in order to
accrue assigned values 16 in the viewer account 24, the
viewer 12 calls a specific telephone number or logs on to a
specific website, which has been identified as a viewer
contact point. For example, when using the automated system
28, a voice may prompt the viewer 12 to identify himself or
herself. Once appropriately identified, the viewer 12 will
identify the specified program or specified time slot that
the viewer 12 intends to watch, is watching or has watched.
Such information may be entered via a voice recognition
program, and all such entries will be saved in the viewer
account 24 in the central data system 18.
In addition to the accrual of assigned values 16 or
compilation of data 20 in the viewer account 24, the viewer
12 may be assigned a viewer viewing rating 30 or a viewer
status rating 32. In one embodiment, the viewer viewing
rating 30 is dependent upon the frequency of which the
viewer 12 engages in the activity of watching television
14. The viewer viewing rating 30 will increase or otherwise
change, based upon the viewer's 12 increased television 14
viewing habits. Similarly, the viewer 12 may be assigned
the viewer status rating 32 indicative of the viewer's 12
status within the system 10 or program. An increased or
elevated viewer status rating 32 will indicate to the
system 10 that the viewer 12 deserves additional or
upgraded offers, as discussed above. The viewer viewing
rating 30 or the viewer status rating 32 may be based upon
any of the values, averages and sums discussed above.
However, the viewer viewing rating 30 is typically based
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upon either the sum of all viewing time or the average
viewing time of a viewer over a specified period, while the
viewer status rating is typically dependent upon the sum of
all stored assigned values 16 or other viewer status value
38 in the viewer account 24.
One benefit of the method 100 and system 10 of the present
invention is the flow of data and information between the
viewer 12 and the central data system manager 22.
Accordingly, additional personal data may be collected in
the central data system 18 (and specifically in the viewer
account 24) by the central data system manager 22. Based
upon such data, a viewer profile 34 can be established in a
central data system 18, and this profile 34 is associated
with the viewer account 24. Such collected data may take
many forms. For example, the data collected may be last
name, first name, address, telephone number, e-mail
address, gender, age, occupation, television program
preference, hobby, interests, salary, available income,
household data, credit card data, purchase data, purchase
location, purchased item data, purchased service data,
sales volume, transaction data and personal data. Some or
all of this information can be used in establishing the
user's or a viewer's 12 profile 34. Furthermore, using this
data and the profile 34, the central data system manager 22
can provide improved and targeted offers to the viewer 12
in the system 10.
In order to facilitate appropriate and secure communication
between the viewer 12 and the representative 26 and/or
automated system 28, the viewer 12 may be assigned a viewer
identification and/or a viewer password. The viewer
identification and viewer password can be provided to the
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viewer 12, and then used in all future communications
between the viewer 12 and the central data system manager
22. For example, the viewer identification and viewer
password can be used when the viewer 12 is interacting with
the system 10 and identifying the specified program or time
slot that the viewer 12 is watching, has watched or intends
to watch. In addition, the viewer identification and viewer
password can be used on an affiliated website associated
with the system 10.
In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the present
invention, a specified program or specified time slot is
assigned a specified program or specified time slot
identification 50. It is this identification 50 that is
provided over the television 14 to the viewer 12, such that
the viewer 12 can interact with the central data system
manager 22 regarding his or her viewing habits. This
identification 50 can be a number, a letter, a numeric
value, an alphanumeric value, or the like. As seen in FIG.
3, the identification 50 is presented in a banner 52, which
extends across the bottom portion of the screen of the
television 14. In this example, the banner 52 includes a
logo.portion 54, which identifies the central data system
manager 22. In addition, the banner 52 may include an
advertisement portion 56, as well as a message portion 58.
The advertisement portion 56 provides the central data
system manager 22 with advertising possibilities, as well
as advertising possibilities for any affiliated trade
partners or related entities. Further, the message portion
58 provides an area where the central data system manager
22 can provide messages to the viewer 12, such as an
indication that the viewer 12 should communicate with the
central data system manager 22, indicate the identification
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50 and earn or accrue assigned value 16 in the viewer
account 24.
In this respect, the central data system manager 22 further
comprises a communicator for communicating with the viewer
12 in real time. In Figure 2, the communicator corresponds
to both the representative 26 and the automated system 28.
This means, that the communicator is connected to a public
communication network (in the present embodiment a
telephone network) adapted to perform at least a part of
the communication with the viewer during a program or short
after a program watched by the viewer 12. Nevertheless the
communication with the viewer is not completely restricted
to a certain time period or kind of communication network.
In FIG. 2, the communicator is represented by the automated
system 28 and adapted to communicate with a huge (e.g. 100)
number of viewers 12 at the same time.
Said communicator automatically controls a sender (not
shown) for broadcasting the program to the viewer 12 in a
away, that the above banner 52 requesting the viewer to
contact the central data system manager 22 within a limited
short time period upon sending the banner 22 (request/
message), is sent. In the above example, said banner 52 is
a text message that is faded into the actual program.
Alternatively, said banner 52 might be replaced by an
audible message or a combined readable / audible message.
Further alternatively, said banner can be replaced by a
message sent separately after the end of the program, for
example. Moreover, in the present example, said limited
short time period is 15 minutes after sending of the banner
52.
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The communicator further receives a phone call of a viewer
12 and automatically detects viewer identification and a
program identification sent by the viewer 12 via a
communication network. In the present embodiment, said
viewer identification automatically is detected by reading
a phone number of the calling viewer 12 using a CLIP
(Calling Line Identification Presentation) function of the
communication network. The program identification
automatically is detected by receiving the call of the
viewer at a certain individual telephone number. This
individual telephone number corresponds to the identifi-
cation 50 contained in the banner 52 and has been allocated
to said program. Thus, the transmission of both the viewer
identification and the program identification is very
comfortable for a viewer. Since ringing is sufficient to
transmit said information, it is not even necessary to
initiate a telephone conversation. Thus, the viewer 12 does
not even have to pay for the transmission of the
information.
The transmission of the viewer identification and the
program identification is not limited to the above.
Alternatively, one or both of the above identifications can
be transmitted explicitly by using an individual viewer
identification code respectively a program identification
code, for example. Thus the identification 50 contained on
the banner 52 might comprise a code that has to be
transmitted by the viewer 12 to the central data system
manager 22. Further alternatively, the above-described
interactive remote control might be used by the viewer 12
to transmit the respective identification code. In this
case, a serial number of the remote control might be used
as viewer identification, for example.
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Although usage of the automated system 28 has been
described above, it is obvious that a representative 26
might implement the communicator.
Returning to FIG. 2, and as discussed above, the viewer 12
may be assigned a viewer viewing rating 30. In one
embodiment, and based upon this viewer viewing rating 30,
the viewer 12 is only permitted to accrue a certain amount
of assigned values 16 in the viewer account 24. Therefore,
the more often the viewer 12 views a specified program,
time slot or channel, the resulting increased viewer
viewing rating 30 allows for more value 16 to be
accumulated in the viewer account 24, which translates into
increased and better offers.
It is also envisioned that the viewer 12 can be assigned to
a specific membership level 36. For example, at initial
registration, the viewer 12 would be assigned the lowest
membership level 36, but based upon the viewer 12 data, the
information or data in the viewer account 24, the viewer
viewing habits or other interactions, the membership level
36 can increase, allowing the viewer 12 to accumulate
additional value and receive increased offers. The
membership level 36 may be associated with a number, a
color, a symbol, an alphanumeric symbol, a label, a word, a
term, or the like.
In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the present
invention, a viewer status value 38 can be accrued in the
viewer account 24. The viewer status value 38 in the viewer
account 24 may be based upon the viewer's 12 interaction in
other non-television media. The viewer status value 38 can
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be accrued, and there is additional interaction between the
viewer 12 and the central data system manager 22 based upon
the accrued value. For example, the non-television media
may be a video, a box office movie, a newspaper, a
magazine, a book, a document, a website, or the like.
In one embodiment, based upon the accrued viewer status
value 38 in the viewer account 24 an affiliated trade
partner 40 may make additional, subsequent or supplementary
offers to the viewer 12. The affiliated trade partner 40
would be associated with and in communication with the
central data system manager 22. As with the central data
system manager 22, the affiliated trade partner 40 could
offer the viewer 12 a service, an item, a discount, a
redemption, a coupon, a voucher, a non-cash benefit, an
incentive, a ticket, an invitation, an even or other
rewards or benefits. The trade partner 40 may be a
merchant, a company, a website, a seller, a reseller, or
other entity affiliated with the central data system
manager 22.
In a further embodiment, the accumulated viewer status
value 38 can be used for moving or elevating to a higher
viewer status rating 32 or membership level 36.
Accordingly, the viewer status value 38 would not be used
directly for any redemption, discount, coupon, and the
like. However, in yet another embodiment, the accumulated
viewer status value 38 would be redeemable as discussed
above in connection with the assigned value 16. For
example, the accumulated assigned value 16 and the viewer
status value 38 could be used in making various offers by
the central data system manager 22 to the viewer 12.
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In another embodiment, the viewer 12 is provided with a
viewer account card 42 associated with the viewer account
24. It is envisioned that the viewer 12 can use this card
42 in connection with interactions with the central data
system manager 22 and/or any of the affiliated trade
partners 40. In addition, the card 42 can be associated
with a certain membership level 36, viewer viewing rating
30, and/or viewer status rating 32. For example, the cards
42 can be associated with a membership level 36, which are
blue, silver and gold. The blue card 42 would be issued
directly following registration. All other cards 42 will be
issued to viewer 12 after the relevant higher level 36 has
been reached. The viewer status rating 32, membership level
36 and/or card 42 level can be associated with various
aspects of the viewer's 12 profile. For example, special
cards may be available or offered for persons over a
certain age, for example over 50 years, and rechargeable
cards 42 can be offered for children. Various targeted
viewer status ratings 32 and membership levels 36 are
envisioned for providing specific benefits to various
classes of viewers 12.
With respect to card validity, these cards 4.2 may only be
valid according to the relevant level of observed programs
for one year after issuance. For example, a blue level card
42 may be issued in the year 2005, but if the viewer 12
does not reach the next level, then the blue card 42 will
be maintained in 2006 as well. Accordingly, no new card 42
will be issued. If the viewer 12 cannot validate his or her
level in 2006, the card 42 will automatically expire after
twelve months. If the viewer 12 reaches the next level in
2006, then he or she will automatically receive the silver
or gold card, which he or she has to validate until 2007.
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Similarly, if he or she cannot validate this level in 2007,
then the card 42 will, in turn, expire after twelve months.
The viewer 12 will then receive the card 42, which relates
to the current accrued value 16 in the viewer account 24.
In another embodiment, the viewer account card 42 can be
replaced by a barcode, an identification number or the
like, which is associated with the viewer account. As the
viewer account card 42, the barcode or identification
number can be used for interactions of the user with the
central data system manager 22 and/or any of the affiliated
trade partners 40.
In creating the profile 34 for the viewer account 24 in the
central data system 18, and as discussed above, different
User data can be obtained. In addition, when a viewer 12 is
interacting with an affiliated trade partner 40, such as a
vendor or merchant, additional purchase transaction data
can be gathered at the point of sale. This information, in
turn, can be used to accrue viewer status value 38 in the
viewer account 24.
EXAMPLE
In one example of the presently-invented method 100 and
system 10, and in operation, a central data system manager
22 logo, identification 50 (in the form of a n-digit (n
being a natural number greater than one) e.g. four digit
number) and a message portion 58 (in the form of a request
to "call now") are displayed on the television 14 screen
for 15 seconds on the upper or lower screen margin. The
telephone number of the central data system manager 22 is
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provided either on the screen or on the card 42 provided to
the viewer 12.
The viewer then contacts the representative 26 or automated
system 28, such as by telephone, e-mail, Internet, SMS, an
interactive remote control and the like, and states the
correct numerical sequence or identification 50. The viewer
12 has a 15-minute time limit open to make this
communication, and all of the digits of the identification
50 must be correct to be awarded the assigned value 16 of
the program or time slot. In general, the viewer 12
collects points (in the form of an accrued assigned value
16) in the viewer account 24. The programs or time slots
for which the viewer 12 can collect points (assigned values
16) should be spread throughout the daily television 14
schedule. This assists the central data system manager 22
in gathering more precise and representative data 20
regarding viewing habits. One example of such a schedule is
as follows:
Night Time
11:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. one show with assigned value 16
Morning Time
6:00 a.m. - 12:00p.m. one show with assigned value 16
Day Time
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. one show with assigned value 16
Access Time
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. one show with assigned value 16
Prime Time
8:00 p.m. - 11 :00 p.m. two shows with assigned value 16
In order to reward the viewer 12 for more frequent viewing
of the a specified channel, in this example, the viewer
viewing rating 30 is used to determined how many assigned
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values 16 or how much accrued assigned value 16 can be
obtained by the viewer 12 on a daily basis. One example of
such a viewer viewing rating 30 system is as follows:
Each program or time slot has an assigned value of 10
points.
Frequent Viewer views television for at least 400 minutes
per day:
Can collect an assigned value 16 a maximum of 6 times per
day = 60 points.
Average Viewer views television for at least 200 minutes
per day:
Can collect an assigned value 16 a maximum of 3 times per
day = 30 points.
Occasional Viewer views television for at least 100 minutes
per day:
Can collect an assigned value 16 a maximum of 1 time per
day = 10 points.
In order to upgrade a viewer's 12 viewer status rating 32
or membership level 36, in this example, the viewer 12
collects viewer status values 38. for certain,-activities.
These viewer status values 38 are "status" points, which
cannot be directly redeemed, but instead are credited
towards a higher viewer status rating 32 or membership
level 36. One example of an activity that awards the viewer
12 with viewer status values 38 is purchases made at an
affiliated trade partner 40. For each monetary increment
spent at the trade partner 40, the viewer 12 receives a
status point or a viewer status value 38. In this example,
if the viewer 12 would make all of his or her purchases at
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one of the affiliated trade partner 40, the viewer 12 could
accrue up to 10,000 status points.
In this example, the following model is arrived at: a
maximum of 21,900 points can be earned watching television
14; a maximum of 10,000 points can be earned from the
affiliated trade partners 40; and a grand total of 31,900
points can be earned. The following viewer status ratings
32 or membership levels 36 can be used:
Blue 1,500 points per year
Silver 3,000 points per year
Gold 6,000 points per year
It is obvious that there could be more/less than three
membership levels. Alternatively, the system could also be
designed with only one membership level, while the
rewarding of the viewer is based on the total amount of
points the consumer accumulates in a certain period of
time.
The television used in the above embodiment can be a
conventional stationary or mobile television or even
integrated.into a mobile phone or organizer, for.example.
According to an alternative embodiment the program might
not be a television program but a radio program broadcast
by a radio station. In this case, the above "banner" would
be an audible message (requesting the listener to
communicate with the central data system manager) comprised
in the radio program. Moreover, both the television and the
radio program might be broadcast wired or wireless or even
through the Internet, for example.
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In addition, viewer status values 38 can be collected by
using the above described system by reading daily
newspapers, magazines, books or even an individual part of
a publication (e.g. an article or advertisement) . In this
respect, the publication might be distributed either
physically (e.g. sold at a kiosk) or electronically (e.g.
published on a website in the Internet or submitted by a
SMS or MMS to a mobile phone).
In this example, a n-digit (e.g. four-digit) code will be
printed in the newspaper (or respective publication). If
the publication is distributed via the Internet the n-digit
code preferably is changed on a daily basis to avoid abuse.
A value (corresponding to the value 16) is assigned to said
n-digit code and thus to a specified publication or part of
publication. The assigned value is stored in the central
data system 18. By a text message accompanying the n-digit
code the viewer (reader/consumer) 12 is asked to
communicate with the central data system manager 22.
Communication is performed by using the above described
communicator in the above described way. Thus, the viewer
(reader.) submits his viewer identification and publication
information identifying a corresponding publication or part
of the publication that was read by the viewer. To
guarantee that the same n-digit code is used only once by a
respective viewer (reader), the n-digit code can either be
extended e.g. by an additional counter value identifying
each individual copy of the publication. In this case, the
central data system manager automatically monitors the
received codes and guarantees that each code is used only
once. Alternatively, the central data system manager
automatically monitors the submitted viewer identifications
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together with the submitted codes to guarantee that an
individual viewer (reader) only submits each n-digit code
once.
In case viewer status values 38 are only collected by
reading publications, no real time functionality for
communicating with the viewer has to be provided.
Based upon the viewer's 12 accrued assigned values 16 in
the viewer account 24, the central data system manager 22
may offer the viewer 12 special opportunities and
activities, such as invitations to television shows, trips
to events (such as film openings or award ceremonies),
special merchandising and product give-aways, and other
specific television- and lifestyle-related product
discounts.
The viewer 12 can receive non-cash benefits or incentives
from the affiliated trade partners 40, which may match the
viewer status rating 32 or membership level 36. In a
transaction with a trade partner 40, the viewer 12 may
simply display his or her card 42. The card 42 is read into
the trade partner 40 system, and the viewer.12 receives the
appropriate points, values, benefits, incentives.or awards
matching the accumulated levels. The card 42 may be a
combination card with a barcode, digit code and magnetic
strip. The card 42 can then be used by all trade partners
with existing hardware.
In this manner, the present invention provides a method 100
and system 10 that creates a viewer 12 loyalty program,
which rewards viewers 12 for watching a specific channel of
television 14. This method 100 and system 10 is
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advantageous to the viewer 12, the central data system
manager 22, the television station and the trade partners
40. The viewer 12 receives rewards for watching television,
such as items, services, discounts and redemptions. The
television station receives increased income, increased
market share, increased viewer 12 loyalty and more accurate
data regarding their viewing public. The trade partners
receive increased income, increased marketing ability,
increased loyalty and better advertising. In all, the
presently-invented method 100 and system 10 provides a
mutual beneficial and loyal relationship between the
participating parties.
This invention has been described with reference to the
preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications and
alterations will occur to others upon reading and
understanding the preceding detailed description. It is
intended that the invention be construed as including all
such modifications and alterations.
