WO2005052856A2

WO2005052856A2 - A method of selecting and transmitting a brand graphic over a communications network

Info

Publication number: WO2005052856A2
Application number: PCT/IB2004/003848
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gail Diane Waddell; Tonia Marie Larkan
Original assignee: Gail Diane Waddell; Tonia Marie Larkan
Priority date: 2003-11-25
Filing date: 2004-11-24
Publication date: 2005-06-09
Also published as: WO2005052856A3

Abstract

A method of transmitting a brand graphic over a communication network comprises the steps of providing a user with input selection means for use to select a brand graphic (user selects appropriate brand graphic) to be transmitted with an electronic message, the brand graphic being a graphic which identifies the user or an organisation to which the user is associated. In response to an input from a user, brand graphic data is inserted into header data of the electronic message (graphic data is embedded in the message ). The appropriate brand graphic is then displayed on a graphical user interface next to other electronic message header information in a list of electronic messages received. Thus the recipient is easily able to identify the sender of the electronic message by the brand graphic.

Description

A METHOD OF SELECTING AND TRANSMITTING A BRAND GRAPHIC OVER A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method of selecting and transmitting a brand graphic over a communications network. The brand graphic may be transmitted by e-mail over the Internet or by Short Message Service (SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) over a mobile communications network.

Brand identity and brand consciousness are very important to businesses and to individuals. There are numerous different methods of building brand identity and brand consciousness, all of which are effective to various degrees.

The present invention seeks to provide another method of not only strengthening brand identity and brand consciousness, but also allowing the user of this invention the ability to create a brand identity over any appropriate communication network. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a method of transmitting a brand graphic over a communication network, the method comprising the steps of: providing a user with input selection means for use to select a brand graphic to be transmitted with an electronic message, the brand graphic being a graphic which identifies the user or an organisation to which the user is associated; in response to an input from a user, inserting brand graphic data into header data of the electronic message; and transmitting the brand graphic data across a communications network.

The input selection means may be in the form of an icon displayed on a graphical user interface which the user is able to point to and select using a pointing device.

The graphic brand data may be graphic data defining the parameters of the brand graphic.

Alternatively, the brand graphic data may be data identifying the brand graphic.

The electronic message may be an e-mail message wherein the communications network is the Internet.

Alternatively, the electronic message may be a Short Message Service (SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message wherein the communications network is a mobile communications network. The present invention extends to a method of receiving and displaying a brand graphic, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an electronic message; retrieving brand graphic data from the header data of the electronic message; and displaying a brand graphic on a graphical user interface next to other electronic message header information in a list of electronic messages received wherein the brand graphic is a graphic which identifies the sender of the electronic message or an organisation to which the sender is associated.

Preferably, the other electronic message header information is one or more of the name of the sender, the subject of the electronic message and the date the electronic message was received.

More preferably, the method includes the steps of displaying the brand graphic in a column so that each electronic message in the list of received electronic messages has a brand graphic displayed next to it.

The electronic message may be an e-mail message wherein the communications network is the Internet and the graphical user interface is a computer screen or television, for example.

Alternatively, the electronic message may be a Short Message Service (SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) ^' message wherein the communications network is a mobile communications network and the graphical user interface is a screen of a mobile communications station, for example. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a flow chart illustrating the registration process of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a checkout process of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating the use of the present invention in an e-mail environment;

Figure 4 is a screen dump showing the preparing of an e-mail message to be sent;

Figure 5 is a screen dump showing an e-mail received with a brand graphic attached.

Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating the use of the present invention by a corporation in an e-mail environment;

Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating the renewal process for a brand identifier in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention implemented in an SMS environment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention implements a method of selecting and transmitting a brand graphic on a communications network and further implements a method of receiving and displaying a brand graphic. The brand graphic is a graphic which identifies the user or an organisation to which the user is associated.

The communications network is preferably the Internet whereby the means of communication will be an electronic mail (e-mail) message or preferably the communications network is a mobile communications network whereby the means of communication will be a short message service (SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention could be implemented on other communication platforms. Nevertheless, the exemplary embodiments described below will refer to the use of e-mail or SMS.

Referring to Figure 1, the figure illustrates the registration process for a user wishing to use the present invention.

The user, typically using a personal computer (PC) or mobile station such as a mobile telephone, logs on to the Internet via an Internet service provider (ISP). The user accesses their Internet service provider's homepage or accesses their mobile communications service provider's homepage where an option is provided to them for registering for the present invention which is hereinafter referred to as BrandXchange (BX).

The user is forwarded to the BrandXchange Server. Typically, the user is warned of any copyright, trademark and any other legal issues for which the BrandXchange will not be held accountable.

On the acceptance of the terms and conditions the user must select a licence period, the number of users and the number of brands that they wish to use.

Firstly, the user needs to choose the brand or brands that they will be using. These can either be selected from a range of existing brands or can be developed by the user. If the user selects to browse the existing brands, the brands will be shown to the user together with any licensing information such as whether or not the brand is already licensed to another user and when the renewal date for the brand may be.

The user may also choose to preview the brand in an MMS, SMS or e-mail format, for example.

If the user chooses to build their own brand, the user is directed to a brand builder program. Here the user may either cut and paste the brand into the BrandXchange, or they may use tools provided to them to build their own brand.

If the user chooses to copy and paste their brand into the indicated area, the brand builder converts the brand into the correct format.

If the user selects to build their own brand using the brand builder tools, the user is given the opportunity to build the brand and to test their brand by previewing it to make sure that they are satisfied with the brand.

Alternatively, a user can be referred to brand developers who are given a full description of the required brand which is then developed for the user. Once the brand developer has finished developing the brand, the user can be contacted either directly, by MMS, SMS or by e-mail. The user may also be given a unique pin or password.

The licence period selection is a simple selection whereby the user selects the number of years of the licence, for example, one, two or three years, and whether or not the license fees will be pre-paid or usage based.

Finally, the number of users is selected together with the channels which will be used. The channels are devices via which the e-mail, MMS or SMS will be sent e.g. TV, Personal Digital Assistant, PC, Mobile phone. Finally, once all the channel options have been chosen, an administrator must be selected for the channels. The administrator is the person who is given administration rights for the chosen brand. This will be necessary where there is more than one user for a specific brand. For example, in the case of a club wanting to use one brand for a number of users, the club will select one person to administer the user rights for ail users of the brand identifier for that specific club. This could also apply to a corporate environment where the administrator can assign the appropriate corporate logo to employees and/or divisions or departments within the group

Referring to Figure 2, once the brand is finalised, the registration process is finalised with the user checking out. Depending on the number of users, licence period and number of brands, the user is presented with an electronic invoice which the user can pay either using a credit card or with an on-line credit transaction.

If the transaction is authorised by the appropriate financial institution, the user receives a purchase confirmation and a unique pin and password is forwarded to the selected administrator who will be responsible for the user's account.

The BrandXchange will distribute a brand graphic or a brand graphic pointer or indicator to the user/s via an appropriate channel. The user receives the brand graphic and/or brand graphic pointer or indicator message and executes a program which immediately embeds and/or interprets the brand graphic/s and associate functionalities into the relevant application or platform. The functionalities will include the icons to allow a user to select a brand and any changes to the graphical user interface required for a user to view brands from other users. These will all be described in more detail below.

Once the brand has been made available to the user, in the case of the Internet example, the Internet service provider or possibly the brand licence number which may be embedded in the brand graphic data, will carry a date stamp so that the brand will expire in accordance with the purchase period.

If the user has an active brand and needs to add another brand to their portfolio, the BrandXchange Server updates the user's details with new brand data.

Figure 3 illustrates the use of the BrandXchange in an e-mail environment. A user once again typically uses a PC to log into their Internet service provider and enter their e-mail in the usual manner.

The user creates their message. Referring to Figure 4, while creating the message the user is provided with input selection means 10 which is used to select a brand graphic to be transmitted with the e-mail.

In the illustrated embodiment, the input selection means is in the form of an icon 10 in a graphical user interface which the user is able to point to and select using a pointing device such as a mouse directing a cursor to the graphical user interface.

If the user does not select to attach a brand graphic, when the user selects to send the e-mail, an alert appears to remind the user to attach the brand graphic.

If the user does choose to attach a brand graphic, in response to an input from the user, brand graphic data is inserted into header data of the e-mail message and transmitted together with the e-mail message across a communications network.

The brand graphic data may be graphic data defining the actual branded graphic. For example, if the brand graphic is a "BX" graphic, the brand graphic data will define the actual parameters of the graphic and the colours etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the brand graphic data is merely data in the form of a brand identification key indicating the identity of the brand graphic. This could be thought of as a pointer or indicator to the data which defines the actual brand parameters. In this scenario, the e-mail message is directed to the BrandXchange Server at the relevant Internet service provider and by matching the e-mail address and/or an embedded licence number, the correct brand graphic is attached to the e-mail message and forwarded to the recipient's address.

Alternately, the brand graphic data in the form of the pointer or indicator may be sent directly to the recipient who will have the necessary software loaded to interpret the brand graphic data pointer or indicator into the sender's chosen brand graphic.

The recipient receives the e-mail message in their inbox and brand graphic data is retrieved from the header data of the e-mail message.

Referring to Figure 5, the brand graphic data allows the receiver's e-mail to display the brand graphic 12 on a graphical user interface next to other e- mail header information in a list of e-mails received. In this way, the message in the inbox is immediately identifiable from the accompanying brand.

The recipient opens the e-mail and the brand graphic is presented enlarged on the recipient's screen which the recipient acknowledges by clicking "OK".

The brand graphic disappears from the screen and the recipient can read the e-mail.

Alternately, the recipient opens the e-mail and the brand graphic is enlarged on the recipient's screen for a few seconds before automatically disappearing from the screen and the recipient can read the email. If the recipient forwards the e-mail, the brand graphic is not attached to the forwarded e-mail as only the brand owner may send the brand graphic together with the e-mail.

Alternatively, the system could be set up to allow the brand graphic to be forwarded. This may be desirable in a corporate environment, for example.

Referring to Figure 6, the present invention may be implemented in a corporate environment in which case it will operate in much the same method as has been described with reference to Figure 4.

In an alternative embodiment, the present invention may be implemented in the corporate environment by automatically attaching a brand graphic or brand graphic data to every outgoing e-mail if this is the company's policy. Of course, a similar policy may be implemented by an individual.

In this example, the company may implement a BrandXchange server onsite or may ask an offsite service provider to implement the invention for them.

Referring to Figure 7, the process for renewing a brand identifier is illustrated.

The BrandXchange Server identifies that a brand identifier is due for renewal and notifies a user via e-mail, MMS or SMS.

The user logs on to the BrandXchange Server and enters their pin and/or password. An alternative to entering a pin or password is to request security information from the user which is used to identify the user.

Once the user has entered a valid pin or password or has been authenticated via an alternative means, the user is passed through a similar payment process to the one when they registered. When an authorisation code is received by an appropriate financial institution the user receives a purchase confirmation via e-mail and confirmation that their brand identifier has been renewed.

Figure 8 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment in which the present invention is implemented on the mobile communications platform using SMS or MMS.

The registration and checkout process for this embodiment is the same as the registration and checkout process which has been described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2 and therefore will not be described again here in detail.

In any event, a user creates an SMS or MMS message using a mobile device. The user is given the option of attaching a brand graphic.

If the user does not select a brand graphic, when the SMS or MMS is sent, an alert appears to remind the user to attach the brand graphic.

If the brand graphic is attached, brand graphic data is embedded in the message.

As is described above, the brand graphic data may be graphic data defining the actual branded graphic. Alternatively, the brand graphic data is merely data in the form of a brand identification key indicating the identity of the brand graphic. This could be thought of as a pointer or indicator to the data which defines the actual brand parameters.

In this scenario, the message is directed to the BrandXchange Server at the relevant mobile service provider and by matching the originating mobile identity and/or an embedded licence number, the correct brand graphic is attached to the SMS or MMS message and forwarded to the recipient's address. Alternately, the brand graphic data may be sent directly to the recipient who will have the necessary software loaded to interpret the brand graphic data pointer or indicator into the senders chosen brand graphic.

The recipient receives the message in their inbox and the brand graphic is displayed next to other SMS or MMS information in a list of SMS's received.

The recipient opens the SMS or MMS message and the brand graphic is enlarged on the recipient's screen.

If the recipient selects OK, the brand graphic dissipates and the SMS or MMS message is displayed on the user's screen.

Alternately, the recipient opens the SMS or MMS and the brand graphic is enlarged on the recipient's screen for a few seconds before automatically disappearing from the screen and the recipient can read the SMS or MMS.

It will be appreciated that the above are two examples of implementations of the brand exchange but that the concept could be implemented on other communications platforms.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of transmitting a brand graphic over a communication network, the method comprising the steps of: providing a user with input selection means for use to select a brand graphic to be transmitted with an electronic message, the brand graphic being a graphic which identifies the user or an organisation to which the user is associated; in response to an input from a user, inserting brand graphic data into header data of the electronic message; and transmitting the brand graphic data across a communications network.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the input selection means is in the form of an icon displayed on a graphical user interface which the user is able to point to and select using a pointing device.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the brand graphic data is data defining the parameters of the brand graphic.

4. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the brand graphic data is data identifying the brand graphic.

5. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the electronic message is an e-mail message and wherein the communications network is the Internet.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the electronic message is a Short Message Service (SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message and wherein the communications network is a mobile communications network.

7. A method of receiving and displaying a brand graphic, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an electronic message; retrieving brand graphic data from the header data of the electronic message; and displaying a brand graphic on a graphical user interface next to other electronic message header information in a list of electronic messages received wherein the brand graphic is a graphic which identifies the sender of the electronic message or an organisation to which the sender is associated.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the other electronic message header information is one or more of the name of the sender, the subject of the electronic message and the date the electronic message was received.

9. A method according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the method includes the steps of displaying the brand graphic in a column so that each electronic message in the list of received electronic messages has a brand graphic displayed next to it.

10. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the electronic message is an e-mail message and wherein the communications network is the Internet and the graphical user interface is a computer screen or television.

11. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the electronic message is a Short Message Service (SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message and wherein the communications network is a mobile communications network and the graphical user interface is a screen of a mobile communications station.