Abstract:
An Internet-based digital promotion system for effectively presenting interactive promotional items to consumers during a digital broadcast/transmission. The Internet-based digital promotion system includes a control center, at least one broadcast station, and at least one computer system all in communication with one another via a global computer network (e.g. Internet). A receiver in communication with the computer system of a viewer receives a digital signal transmitted by the broadcast station. The digital signal contains video, audio and digital tokens wherein the digital tokens correspond to commercials or other events occurring within the digital signal. The digital token is displayed as an object upon the display screen of the computer system or a television thereby allowing the viewer to select the object. Upon selecting the object, the file data is logged to the computer system along with the date and time. When the computer system is logged upon the Internet, the digital token information is transmitted to the control center via the Internet wherein the viewer is able to redeem coupons and other promotional items. The control center logs the consumer information relating to the viewer to assist in obtaining marketing research of the digital broadcast/transmission programming and commercials.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e) of United States provisional patent application Serial No. 60/231,347 filed Sep. 8, 2000. This application is a continuation of the 60/231,347 application. The 60/231,347 application is currently pending. The 60/231,347 application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not applicable to this application.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0004]    The present invention relates generally to digital television broadcasts and digital transmissions (“digital broadcast/transmission”). More specifically, it relates to an Internet-based digital promotion system for effectively presenting interactive promotional items to consumers during a digital broadcast/transmission. Further the invention relates to the distribution and authorization of serialized digital tokens (“digital data”) and a method for relating specific promotions to the digital data.  
           [0005]    Digital broadcasts/transmissions are growing rapidly with the usage of personal satellite television systems, “over-the-air” antennas, cable and the Internet. The arrival of digital television (“DTV”) to consumers within the home via televisions is one of the most significant developments in television technology. DTV has the capability to provide clearer and sharper, cinema-like pictures as well as multi-channel, CD-quality sound. DTV can also provide new uses such as multiple video programs or other services on a single television channel, including data services. The use of DTV technology will also allow the television to enter the digital world of the personal computer and the Internet.  
           [0006]    With the proliferation of connections to the Internet by a rapidly growing number of individuals, the viability of the Internet as a widely accepted medium of communication has increased correspondingly. The Internet is comprised of a global computer network allowing various types of data to be transmitted including but not limited to video and audio. The type of connection the individual has to the Internet determines the resolution and frame rate of the video displayed upon the individual&#39;s computer monitor. With increased bandwidth of connections by individuals such as DSL, ISDN, T1, T3 and cable modems, digital broadcasts/transmissions are becoming increasingly accessible to consumers. As these broadcasts/transmissions are primarily funded through advertising, there is a need for an Internet-based digital promotion system that effectively includes advertisements to consumers without interrupting a digital presentation.  
           [0007]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0008]    There are three main forms of transmitting and receiving a digital television broadcast/transmission—(1) digital satellite systems, (2) DTV via “over-the-air” or cable, and (3) Internet. The first and most commonly utilized form of digital television broadcast is the digital satellite system. The most common manufacturers of these satellite systems include DIRECTV and DISHNETWORK. The digital satellite system typically consists of a small satellite dish for receiving a digital satellite broadcast signal, a digital integrated receiver/decoder (IRD), which separates each channel, and decompresses and translates the digital signal so a conventional television can show it. Most digital satellite systems employ either MPEG or MPEG-2 technology (i.e. Moving Pictures Experts Group). MPEG is a technology that can compress a moving image so it requires a tiny fraction of the space it normally would for a transmission.  
           [0009]    The second type of digital television broadcast system uses a relatively new “over-the-air” or “cable” system that will be used by numerous local broadcast stations in the United States in the near future. DTV may be comprised of two main resolution formats—High Definition Television (HDTV) and Standard Definition Television (SDTV). The DTV standard is based on the Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC). Information regarding the standards set by the ATSC can be found upon their web site at http://www.atsc.org/.  
           [0010]    The DTV standard is a relatively flexible television system that allows broadcasters to provide new and higher quality services. The DTV system allows broadcasters to transmit multiple programs simultaneously using a single television channel. Television stations will, depending on the type and source of programming, be able to transmit multiple SDTV programs or in some cases two HDTV programs. DTV also will provide improved audio quality, similar to that of compact discs, with up to five channels of sound per program.  
           [0011]    The new DTV system also allows for support delivery of digital data services simultaneously with television and audio programming. Using this data transmission capability, it will be possible for broadcast stations to send publications (such as a local “electronic newspaper”), program schedules, computer software, information requested about specific products, or virtually any other type of information, at the same time that they transmit regular television programming.  
           [0012]    The third method of transmitting digital broadcasts/transmissions is via the Internet. This form of transmitting digital multimedia information has been around for years and has become conventional in the art. With the usage of high speed Internet connections, additional improvements in this area of digital television will be made.  
           [0013]    Conventional advertisements within television have been in use for years by television broadcasters. The most common type of advertisement found within television broadcasts is the “commercial.” The conventional commercial typically is positioned one or more times within the television broadcast interrupting the sequence of the television program being watched forcing the viewer to observe the commercial and delaying the presentation of the television program.  
           [0014]    Conventional methods of advertising within a television broadcast are simply limited and require significant interruptions of the television program. Many consumers, having endured traditional advertising are “preprogrammed” to ignore commercials that are presented within a television program and often times will perform additional activities during these unwanted commercials thereby decreasing the overall effectiveness of commercials. By providing an alternative method of advertising that combines traditional commercials with interactive promotions, advertisers&#39; promotions reach the consumer and evoke interaction and response.  
           [0015]    Examples of related patents include U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,404 to Bullock et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,770 to Horton; U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,942 to Beyers, Jr. et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,404 to Bullock et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,241 to Purnaveja et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,775 to King et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,285 to Damico et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,197 to d&#39;Eon et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,811 to Angles et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,061 to Merriman et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,477 to Roden; U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,318 to Cardinal et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,078 to Naftzger; U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,470 to Walker et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,634 to Scroggie et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,308 to Walker et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,693 to Holda-Fleck; U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,648 to Golden et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,277 to Khosla; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,907,830 to Engel et al. are all illustrative of such prior art.  
           [0016]    While the previous inventions disclosed within the above patents may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for effectively evoking interaction and a response from consumers during a digital broadcast/transmission over a global computer network. Conventional advertising methods and systems are not suitable within today&#39;s society in which interactivity and consumer response is paramount.  
           [0017]    In these respects, the Internet-based digital promotion system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of effectively presenting interactive promotional items to consumers during a digital broadcast/transmission.  
           [0018]    Additionally, the present invention provides for the tracking and usage of the digital data from the time it is authorized by the control center through the embedding of the digital data into the digital broadcasts/transmission, and finally to the verification/redemption of the consumer back at the control center.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0019]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of Internet advertising systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new Internet-based digital promotion system construction wherein the same can be utilized for effectively presenting interactive promotional items to consumers during a digital broadcast/transmission.  
           [0020]    The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new Internet-based digital promotion system that has many of the advantages of the digital broadcast/transmission systems mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new Internet-based digital promotion system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art digital broadcast/transmission systems, either alone or in any combination thereof.  
           [0021]    To attain this, the present invention generally comprises control center, at least one broadcast station, and at least one digital device (e.g. computer system, television cable receiver, etc.) all in communication with one another via a global computer network (e.g. Internet). A receiver in communication with the computer system of a viewer receives a digital signal containing a digital broadcast/transmission including commercials. The digital signal contains video, audio, digital tokens, and other information wherein the digital token corresponds to commercials or other events occurring within the digital signal. The digital token is displayed as an object upon the display screen of the computer system, a television, or other digital device, thereby allowing the viewer to select the object. Upon selecting the object, the digital token is logged to the computer system along with the date and time. When the computer system is logged upon the Internet, the file data information is transmitted to the control center via the Internet wherein the viewer is able to redeem coupons or other promotional items. The control center logs the consumer information relating to the viewer to assist in marketing research of the broadcast/transmission programming and commercials. Additionally, the control center will verify, authorize, and facilitate the process of obtaining the promotional items.  
           [0022]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.  
           [0023]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
           [0024]    A primary object of the present invention is to provide an Internet-based digital promotion system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.  
           [0025]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an Internet-based digital promotion system that allows for the usage of one or more remote control devices in selecting representative objects from a display.  
           [0026]    A second object is to provide an Internet-based digital promotion system for effectively presenting interactive promotional items to consumers during a digital broadcast/transmission.  
           [0027]    Another object is to provide an Internet-based digital promotion system that simultaneously broadcasts/transmits advertising data along with a digital broadcast/transmission.  
           [0028]    An additional object is to provide an Internet-based digital promotion system that is interactive with an individual viewing a digital presentation.  
           [0029]    A further object is to provide an Internet-based digital promotion system that requires the consumer to select a displayed object during a digital presentation.  
           [0030]    Another object is to provide an Internet-based digital promotion system that can offer, track and redeem various items such as but not limited to coupons, sweepstakes, awards, cash, merchandise, discount offers, memberships, services, tickets and software.  
           [0031]    A further object is to provide an Internet-based digital promotion system that accumulates purchasing habit data from consumers in regards to specific advertisements.  
           [0032]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.  
           [0033]    To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0034]    Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system for practicing the various aspects of the present invention.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the communications between a digital television transmitter and receiver along with a computer system connected to a global computer network.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the communications between a digital television transmitter and receiver along with a television connected to a global computer network.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the request, creation and transmittal of a unique data token to be attached to digital data.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the transmittal of a digital signal containing digital data plus the digital token.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the uploading of logged data token to the control center.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the receipt of an uploaded data token and the redemption thereof.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the logging of file data information upon the computer system when the viewer selects an object.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 9 is a front view of a television displaying a commercial with an object within the upper left portion for the viewer to select for an online discount.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 10 is a box diagram illustrating the overall communication sequence of the present invention between the control center, broadcast station and the consumer computer system. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0045]    The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.  
         [0046]    The data structures and code described in this detailed description are typically stored on a computer readable storage medium, which may be any device or medium that can store code and/or data for use by a computer system. This includes, but is not limited to, magnetic and optical storage devices such as disk drives, magnetic tape, CDs (compact discs) and DVDs (digital video discs), and computer instruction signals embodied in a transmission medium (with or without a carrier wave upon which the signals are modulated). For example, the transmission medium may include a communications network, such as the Internet.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system  100  for practicing the various aspects of the present invention. Computer system  100  includes a display screen (or monitor)  104 , a printer  106 , a floppy disk drive  108 , a hard disk drive  110 , a network interface  112 , and a keyboard  114 . Computer system  100  includes a microprocessor  116 , a memory bus  118 , random access memory (RAM)  120 , read only memory (ROM)  122 , a peripheral bus  124 , and a keyboard controller  126 . Computer system  100  can be a personal computer (such as an APPLE computer, an IBM computer, or one of the compatibles thereof), a workstation computer (such as a SUN MICROSYSTEMS or HEWLETT-PACKARD workstation), or various other types of computers.  
         [0048]    The microprocessor  116  is a general purpose digital processor which controls the operation of the computer system  100 . Microprocessor  116  can be a single-chip processor or implemented with multiple components. Using instructions retrieved from memory, microprocessor  116  controls the reception and manipulations of input data and the output and display of data on output devices.  
         [0049]    Memory bus  118  is used by microprocessor  116  to access RAM  120  and ROM  122 . RAM  120  is used by microprocessor  116  as a general storage area and as scratch-pad memory, and can also be used to store input data and processed data. ROM  122  can be used to store instructions or program code followed by microprocessor  116  as well as other data.  
         [0050]    Peripheral bus  124  is used to access the input, output and storage devices used by the computer system  100 . In the described embodiment(s), these devices include a display screen  104 , a printer device  106 , a floppy disk drive  108 , a hard disk drive  110 , and a network interface  112 . A keyboard controller  126  is used to receive input from the keyboard  114  and send decoded symbols for each pressed key to microprocessor  116  over bus  128 .  
         [0051]    The display screen  104  is an output device that displays images of data provided by the microprocessor  116  via the peripheral bus  124  or provided by other components in the computer system  100 . The printer device  106  when operating as a printer provides an image on a sheet of paper or a similar surface. Other output devices such as a plotter, typesetter, etc. can be utilized in place of, or in addition to, the printer device  106 .  
         [0052]    The floppy disk drive  108  and the hard disk drive  110  can be utilized to store various types of data. The floppy disk drive  108  facilitates transporting such data to other computer systems, and the hard disk drive  110  permits fast access to large amounts of stored data.  
         [0053]    The microprocessor  116  together with an operating system operate to execute computer code and produce and use data. The computer code and data may reside on RAM  120 , ROM  122 , or hard disk drive  120 . The computer code and data could also reside on a removable program medium and loaded or installed onto computer system  100  when needed. Removable program mediums include, for example, CD-ROM, PC-CARD, floppy disk and magnetic tape.  
         [0054]    The network interface circuit  112  is utilized to send and receive data over a network connected to other computer systems. An interface card or similar device and appropriate software implemented by microprocessor  116  can be utilized to connect the computer system  100  to an existing network and transfer data according to standard protocols.  
         [0055]    The keyboard  114  is used by a user to input commands and other instructions to the computer system  100 . Other types of user input devices can also be used in conjunction with the present invention. For example, pointing devices such as a computer mouse, a track ball, a stylus, or a tablet to manipulate a pointer on a screen of the computer system  100 .  
         [0056]    The present invention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can be thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, magnetic data storage devices such as diskettes, and optical data storage devices such as CD-ROMs. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over a network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.  
         [0057]    Televisions  50  and other electronic devices are now being constructed to receive digital signals directly and that allows for manipulation of data received from a digital signal. Televisions  50  with these capabilities are similar in construction and functionality to the conventional computer system  100  as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. A receiver box connected to the television  50  may also serve as the computer system  100  when receiving the digital signal and selecting the various objects  60  displayed upon the display screen  104  or the television  50 . Various other devices are capable of receiving digital signals and communicating with computer systems  100  via the Internet  12  as can be appreciated.  
         [0058]    As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the Internet  12  is comprised of a “global computer network”. A plurality of computer systems  100  around the world are in communication with one another via this global computer network through various telecommunication systems. The present invention utilizes the Internet  12 , however it can be appreciated that as future technologies are created that various aspects of the invention may be practiced with these improved technologies.  
         [0059]    The control center  40 , the broadcast station  20  and the consumer computer system  100  are all in communication with one another via the Internet  12 . As shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, when the broadcast station  20  desires to transmit a data file containing various types of information, the broadcast station  20  or other third-party entity transmits a “request” to the control center  40  for a unique “digital token”. The digital token is merely a unique data file that has a unique serial number or other identifying characteristic which allows the control center  40  to determine which promotional offer is being accepted by a consumer. When requesting the digital token, the broadcast station  20  may be required to enter various types of information regarding themselves, the digital broadcast and the promotional offer to be associated with the digital token. Once the control center  40  has received the request for a digital token, the control center  40  then generates a unique digital token and transmits this unique digital token to the broadcast station via the Internet. As further shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, upon receiving the digital token, the broadcast station  20  then incorporates the digital token into the digital signal to be transmitted to consumers and viewers.  
         [0060]    An alternative system of generating and supplying digital tokens to be utilized within a digital signal involves utilizing a third-party such as an advertising agency or similar entity. This third party could purchase individual or bulk digital tokens to be generated by the control center  40  and then distributed to a broadcast station  20  individually to be added to a digital signal or directly added to a digital program that is later provided to a broadcast station  20  to be transmitted at a later date.  
         [0061]    The following patents are considered relevant to incorporating data files such as the above-stated data token into a digital signal of the present invention and are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,942 to Beyers, Jr. et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,770 to Horton. The aforementioned patents which form a part of this disclosure, may be applied in known manner by those skilled in the art in order to practice various embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0062]    As further shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the broadcast station  20  transmits a digital signal containing the digital data and the digital token. The transmission of this digital signal may be via “over-the-air”, cable, Internet  12 , or other communication means available. Over-the-air transmissions may occur by conventional signal transmission or by satellite. If transmitted via over-the-air a transmitter  22  broadcasts the digital signal to individuals within a specific broadcast area. If using satellite technology, the digital signal is transmitted to a satellite, which resends the digital signal to the surface of the earth to be received.  
         [0063]    Regardless of the method of transmitting the digital signal, a receiver  30  is utilized by viewers to receive the digital signal. The receiver  30  may be comprised of various well-known technologies such as but not limited to antennas, satellite dishes, tuner cards for personal computers  100 , or receiver boxes for cable. The receiver  30  converts the digital signal to a format viewable upon a display screen  104  of a personal computer, personal digital assistant, or a television  50  as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings.  
         [0064]    The digital signal includes various multimedia content such as but not limited to video, audio, objects  60  and data tokens. Each of the objects  60  has a corresponding data token that represents the particular offer or promotion being offered with the selection of the particular object  60 . The object  60  may be comprised of a graphical element (moving or non-moving) and/or textual representing a promotional item. The viewer desiring to participate within the promotional offer may “select” the object  60  via the computer system  100  by utilizing a computer mouse or similar device.  
         [0065]    The viewer desiring to participate within the promotional offer may also “select” the object  60  utilizing a remote control device that is in communication with their television  50  or cable box. More particularly, the remote control device utilizes a transceiver system for sending and receiving communications with respect to the television  50  or cable box. The remote control device may be utilized to control the operation of the electronic devices or specifically designed for selecting the objects  60  displayed. It can also be appreciated that multiple remote control devices may be utilized within the present invention for allowing multiple individuals to select desired objects  60  when displayed.  
         [0066]    The remote control device is preferably constructed to include a memory unit that is capable of receiving, storing and transmitting one or more data tokens as received. When a specific button is selected upon the remote control device, a selection signal is transmitted to the television  50  or cable box indicating that the user desires to download the data token associated with a currently displayed object  60 . The television  50  or cable box then transmits the data token to the remote control device which is then stored within the memory unit. The user may then transfer the data token to a computer for uploading to the control center  40 . Alternatively, the data token may be transferred to another remote control device for use by another individual.  
         [0067]    As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the control center  40  is in communication with the broadcast station  20  and the viewer computer systems  100  via the Internet  12 . The control center  40  is comprised of one or more computers that are capable of storing data regarding programming from the broadcast stations  20  and matching this programming data with the file data received from viewer computer systems  100 .  
         [0068]    As shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, the broadcast station  20  transmits the digital signal containing various multimedia data, objects  60  and data token associated with the objects  60 . Software and other common tools are utilized to add the objects  60  and data tokens to the multimedia digital signal as required. The receiver  30  receives this digital signal and converts the digital signal to a form that is transmitted to a display screen  104  of a computer system  100  or a television  50 . The computer system  100  and/or television  50  then displays the digital broadcast transmitted from the broadcast station  20 . The following patents are considered relevant to the data transfer, reception and display of the present invention and are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,942 to Beyers, Jr. et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,770 to Horton. The aforementioned patents, some of which are mentioned elsewhere in this disclosure, and which form a part of this disclosure, may be applied in known manner by those skilled in the art in order to practice various embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0069]    When an object  60  is displayed, the individual viewing the digital television broadcast has the option of “selecting” this object with a pointer, remote control device or similar means. When the individual selects an object  60 , the data token associated with the object is logged upon the computer system  100  or television  50 , and retained with other saved object information that have been selected. If a remote control device is utilized, the data token is preferably transmitted to the remote control device via a transceiver system for storage upon the remote control device. The date, time, broadcast station identification, program identification and other important data are preferably logged in addition to the data token associated with the object  60  to assist the control center  40  in determining important marketing statistics and information regarding viewers of the television program and commercials. If the individual does not select a displayed object  60 , there is no information logged upon the computer system  100 .  
         [0070]    When the computer system  100  is online with the Internet, the computer system  100  then uploads the logged events regarding the selection of specified objects and the corresponding data tokens for redemption. This information is verified and stored within a database within the control center  40  for future market research. The individual then is able to redeem their discount or other promotional item for selecting the object  60  displayed during the television broadcast/transmission. Important marketing information can be received from monitoring when the consumer selects the object  60 .  
         [0071]    As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.  
         [0072]    The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description only. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Additionally, the above disclosure is not intended to limit the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.  
         [0073]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.  
                                                 Index of Elements for Internet-Based Digital Promotion System-PAGE 1                                    ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS   40.   Control Center               41.               42.               43.               44.               45.               46.               47.               48.               49.       10.   Internet-Based Digital Promotion System   50.   Television       11.       51.       12.   Internet   52.       13.       53.       14.       54.       15.       55.       16.       56.       17.       57.       18.       58.       19.       59.       20.   Broadcast Station   60.   Object       21.       61.       22.   Transmitter   62.       23.       63.       24.       64.       25.       65.       26.       66.       27.       67.       28.       68.       29.       69.       30.   Receiver   70.       31.       71.       32.       72.       33.       73.       34.       74.       35.       75.       36.       76.       37.       77.       38.       78.       39.       79.       100.   Computer System       101.       102.       103.       104.   Display Screen       105.       106.   Printer       107.       108.   Floppy Disk Drive       109.       110.   Hard Disk Drive       111.       112.   Network Interface       113.       114.   Keyboard       115.       116.   Microprocessor       117.       118.   Memory Bus       119.       120.   RAM       121.       122.   ROM       123.       124.   Peripheral Bus       125.       126.   Keyboard Controller       127.       128.   Bus       129.       130.       131.       132.       133.       134.       135.       136.       137.       138.       139.