AU784716B2 - Method for providing an additional use of a consumer item, consumer item and database - Google Patents

Description

WO01/86519 PCT/EP01/05371 Technique for imparting 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 dataprocessing 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 wellknown 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, .WO 01/86519 PCT/EP01/05371 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.

WO 01/86519 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 dataprocessing 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, .WO 01/86519 PCT/EP01/05371 4 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 _WO 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 outperform an earlier game result.

The database according to the invention is preferably designed to be isolated, without links to other .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 .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 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 WO 01/86519 PCT/EP01/05371 8 the described insular design of the database and the strictly limited access to programs in the database.

Claims (5)

1. 2. The method of providing an extra utility for a purchased consumer article as recited in claim 1, said method further comprising steps of; allowing said user to enter a personal password; allowing said user to re-access selected extra utility by using said personal password.
2. 3. The method of providing an extra utility far a purchased consumer article as recited in claim 1, said method further comprising a step of; providing a supplementary Rtem with said consumer article.
3. 4. The method of providing an extra utility for a purchased consumer article as recited In claim 3, said method further comprising a step of; providing a small toy as said supplementary hem.
4. 6. The method of providing an extra utility for a purchased consumer article as recited in claim 1, said method further comprising a step of; providing said individual code in said consumer article; COMS ID No: SBMI-03236807 Received by i13 Australia: Time (HNm) 15:46 Date
5. 2006-04-05 05/04 2006 15:52 FAX 61 7 3221 0597 FISHER ADAMS KELLY IJ Uu 6. The method of providing an extra utility for a purchased consumer article as recited in claims 1 to 5, said method further comprising a step of; disabling said individual code after access to said selected extra utility, 7. A system for providing an extra utility for a purchased consumer article, comprising; an individual code associated with said consumer article; a public data network accessible by a user having said individual code using a data-processing device; wherein said public data network collects personal data from said user and designates said user to one of a plurality of groups having one or more extra utilities, based on said personal data; and wherein said extra utility is selected for said user from said designated 'group using said individual code. 8. The system for providing an extra utility for a purchased consumer article as recited in claim 7 wherein, said individual code used to access said selected extra utility is stored Son a storage device associated with said public data network. 9. The system for providing an extra utility for a purchased consumer article as recited in claim 7 or 8 wherein, said individual code is disabled after accessing said selected extra utility. The system for providing an extra utility for a purchased consumer article as recited in claim 8 or 9 wherein, said user stores a password on said storage device, and wherein said user re-accesses said extra utility using said password. COMS ID No: SBMI-03236807 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:46 Date 2006-04-05 ~r l--sCIffll lk i uc-- 05/04 2006 15:53 FAX 61 7 3221 0597 FISHER ADAMS KELLY viuuu 11 11. The system for providing an extra utility for a purchased consumer article as recited in any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein, said public data network has no external links. 12. The system for providing an extra utility for a purchased consumer article as recited in any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein, said extra utility is protected against downloading. •go COMS ID No: SBMI-03236807 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:46 Date 2006-04-05 1 IC~. -~aL 3-