Abstract:
A promotional system initiated by capturing encoded images with mobile phones supports interactions between customers and vendors. A host site receives and decodes an information-bearing image captured with a customer&#39;s mobile phone. The image preferably appears on a vendor&#39;s product or place of business, such as a retail outlet. The host site also acquires information distinguishing the customer, such as the customer&#39;s telephone number or location. The information extracted from the information-bearing image is processed together with the information from the customer and a reply is sent to the customer to engage the customer in a promotion.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to promotional systems, including interactive games, involving remote data exchanges between participants and one or more hosts, initiated through the image transmissions by mobile phones. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A number of commercially sponsored games are ongoing for promoting products and brands. One such game mounts removable game pieces on product containers, and the removed game pieces can be collected in various combinations for winning prizes or instantly redeemed for receiving products or points having other potential value. The game pieces can be expensive to print and must remain hidden to prevent the identification of the more valuable pieces. Also, the game provides only limited feedback concerning the game participants. 
         [0003]    Other games print hidden codes, whose potential value can be ascertained over an internet connection. For example, such as codes have been printed inside bottle caps. Participants can sign onto such online promotional enterprises and earn various rewards by entering the hidden codes. These known systems have relatively limited response rates and generally require the code information to be manually entered, often at an internet site remote from the point of purchase. 
         [0004]    Camera phones have become near ubiquitous and provide a variety of potential communication links via telephone and internet connections. Many mobile phones are equipped with cameras that capture images that can be sent to other mobile phones or internet addresses. This ability carries with it the potential for other useful applications. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention exploits the capability of mobile phone cameras for capturing information-bearing images and provides for extracting and using the extracted information to trigger actions on behalf of the phone user. However, the processing capabilities of current mobile phones are generally limited and vary among mobile phone models. Some mobile phone models restrict the download of new software capabilities. Mobile phone processors and operating systems also tend to vary between mobile phone manufacturers, and as a result, new software capabilities are difficult to add to the current generation of mobile phones. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, the invention provides for extracting information from information-bearing images captured by mobile phones at remote host sites placed in communication with mobile phones. For example, a mobile phone could be used for capturing an information-bearing image, and the mobile phone user could send the captured image to a given telephone number or an internet address much as the user would send a picture to another phone. The host site receives not only the intended information-bearing image but also information concerning the sender (the mobile phone user), such as a telephone number and information about the route of the call to the host site. With this information, the host site can process the information-bearing image and instantly reply to the sender to engage the sender in a game or other promotion. 
         [0007]    Upon extracting information from the information-bearing image, the host site can acknowledge receipt of the information-bearing image and provide the sender (now a participant) with a relevant response, such as triggering some sort of promotional award, or providing instructions to the sender for further participation. In addition, the host could create or access a unique webpage for the sender as a participant, link the information from the information-bearing image or an assigned derivative of the information to the sender&#39;s webpage, and provide information to the sender about how to access the new webpage or any updates made to the page. If the sender&#39;s phone is equipped with an internet browser, the phone&#39;s browser could be directed to the webpage. 
         [0008]    The webpage made available to the sender can be chosen from a number of optional web sites based on the information from the information-bearing image or the accompanying identifying information about the sender. If the sender has already established an online account from a previous transmission, the sender&#39;s webpage can be updated to reflect the transmission of a new information-bearing image, and the sender can be notified of the update, as well as any bearing the new information might have on the play of a game or progress toward a reward. Once a direct relationship is established with a sender, a wide range of further interactivity is possible. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is side view of a cup containing a code arranged for imaging and uploading to a host site. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of communication links between a mobile phone user and a host site. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a central web site of the host and various connections. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a cup containing a dice code for uploading to a host site 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  depicts a pair of dice using conventional spots to reveal and encode information. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  depicts a pair of dice using differently shaped or colored spots to reveal and encode information. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]    One particular implementation of the invention involves a digital form of a promotional game, such as McDonald&#39;s® popular Monopoly®-type game promotion. A machine-readable code, such as barcode or other printed encoding mechanisms, can be incorporated into game pieces that can be placed on or directly printed onto product containers. The codes for most pieces can be in a fixed form, but for certain high value pieces, the codes could be variably imaged and serialized. 
         [0016]    For example,  FIG. 1  depicts a cup  10  on which a game piece  12  in the form of a label is placed. The game piece  12  contains a barcode  14 , as well as both a telephone number  16  and a web address  18  for uploading an image of the barcode  14  with a mobile phone  20  to a host site  30  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The mobile phone  20  preferably takes the form of a wireless, cellular phone but can be any type of long-range, portable, imaging capable, electronic device used for mobile communication. 
         [0017]    A participant  28  can play the game by first imaging the code  14  on the game piece  12  with a camera  22  of the mobile phone  20 . Next, the participant  28  uploads the image or information locally derived from the image to the host site  30  through a telephone network connection  24  (e.g. a wireless network), a computer network connection  26  (e.g., the internet), or a combination of the two networks  24  and  26 . For example, a wireless telephone network can support a telephone-to-telephone connection or a telephone-to-website connection, such as for mobile phones containing a web browser. 
         [0018]    The host site  30 , which can be managed by a game administrator, preferably decodes the image, identifies the participant  28 , such as through a mobile phone identifier or locator, and creates or enters information into a personal webpage  32  for each participant  28 . For example, the host site  30  can collect virtual game pieces on the page  32 . Through a web browser, the participant  28  can access the page  32  to see what pieces have been collected, all without requiring the physical removal and mounting of removable game pieces. 
         [0019]    In such virtual games, options for assigning value to various outcomes can be better controlled and even varied to accommodate the preferences of particular participants  28 . For example, the game can be organized in such a way that if a matching set of properties were collected, the participant could cash them in for a choice of prizes redeemable in a number of different ways. For example, free food or merchandise could be awarded by sending the participant  28  a redemption code directly on the participant&#39;s mobile phone  20  that could be taken to a store register within the host&#39;s promotional network to receive the awarded product. Cross promotions are also possible, including awarding Coke® rewards, iTunes®, ring tones, free wallpaper, access to other internet games, free airtime, a broadband demo, and discounts on other products. 
         [0020]    Game themes can also be tied to particular rewards, such as the collection of railroad properties could be tied to discounts for online travel services. The travel rewards can be customized to the geographic area from which the participant&#39;s phone call is placed. Return communications to the participant  28  can include text messaging, picture messaging, internet responses, and even telephone calls. For example, the participant  28  could receive a telephone call awarding a prize or directing the participant  28  as to how the prize can be collected. The call itself could be a reward, such as a call from a celebrity. 
         [0021]    Web-based versions of such promotions could allow the participant to choose among different “skins”, which provide different graphic themes for the underlying game or other interactive promotion. These themes could be customized to fit specific demographic profiles. For example, some participants might prefer a sport theme while other participants might prefer a TV or other entertainment-based themes. This makes it possible to use high volume distribution of game pieces but still provide very specific targeted marketing appealing to a range of different people. 
         [0022]    The participants  28  can be identified by their telephone number and the location from which their call was placed. The telephone numbers themselves may provide access to other information for identifying the participants  28 . In addition, the participants  28  can choose to provide additional information about themselves in return for access privileges to a virtual promotional (e.g., gaming) space. Additional routes of communication can be opened in this way for contacting the participants  28  by postal mail addresses, internet addresses, or other telephone numbers. The virtual games and other promotional opportunities offered to participants  28  allow many more interesting play options, such as token movements on a personalized virtual game boards and awarding loyalty points for achieving certain goals in the game. In the Monopoly® game, Chance and Community Chest cards can be used to trigger treasure-hunt-type activities and additional value can be associated with game-based activities such as passing GO. 
         [0023]    Instant rewards returned to the participant&#39;s mobile phone include free products or discounts made available at a designated vendor closest to where the participant&#39;s call is placed. These rewards could be managed by sending to the participant&#39;s mobile phone  20  a text message containing a one-time use validation key that could be entered at the local vendor&#39;s register having a separate connection to the host. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , a central website  40  can be provided by the host for (a) receiving information-bearing images through a network interface  42 , (b) decoding the information-bearing images using decoding technology  44  that converts images to alphanumeric data, and (c) directing the participant  38  through routing protocols  46  to other websites  48  based on the contents of the transmitted information-bearing image or information relating to the identity of the participant  28 , such as the telephone number or location of the sender. For example, participants  28  in one section of the country or even a more specific location within the country could be directed to one website and other participants placing calls from different locations could be directed to other websites based on the perceived demographic preferences or characteristics associated with the sender&#39;s location or other information. 
         [0025]    The central website  40  for receiving and routing information-laden images for a given promotion provides for enhanced security for both the host  30  and the participant  28 . Of course, more than one website could be used as a trusted site for receiving and decoding information, but communication between such sites would also be of value to detect instances of attempted fraud. Central records  50  can be kept regarding the activity of individual mobile phone numbers. For example, attempts to submit a large number of information-bearing images over a short period of time and over the same mobile phone could be used to trigger a security alert for that particular mobile phone number and given its approximate location. Suspected fraud could be traced to the mobile phone owner, which could be used to discourage employee theft. High-value information-bearing images could be serialized to provide traceability, or all of the images could be serialized. Through a vender network interface  52 , products or their packaging containing information-bearing images can be scanned at the vendor&#39;s place of business, such as at a register, and uploaded to activate embedded codes so that no information-bearing image has value unless the product or package (e.g., cup  10 ) on which it is printed is first passed through the register. The codes contained within the information-bearing images could also be entered and received only once before being deactivated. 
         [0026]    The information-bearing images can contain hidden information or decodable information that is incorporated as a part of the graphics themselves. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a code  54  in the form of dice could be printed directly on a product container  50  as shown or on a separate substrate attached to the container  50 . The dice code  54  can represent both a value meaningful to the participant  28  (e.g., a roll of eight) for the intended play of a game as well as an underlying code that further characterizes the information-bearing image. The underlying code can be interpreted as a unique number that drives an online game. The number could be translated into a meaningful action based on both the visible display of the dice code  54  as a number value to the participant (e.g., eight) and the underlying code that distinguishes the same dice combinations of one image from another. Like other information-bearing images, the dice code  54  could be captured by the mobile phone  20 , a digital camera, a fax, or even a webcam. It is the further communication to the host that allows the game to be played or a promotion to be advanced. 
         [0027]    In an elemental form, the dice code  54  could be used as an equivalent of a one-dimensional or a two-dimensional barcode, but having a much more pleasing aesthetic appearance, in addition to providing the possibility for being integrated as a visually apparent event into the intended game. Easily, the number of dots could be interpreted to mean a number. However, by equating relevance to position, many more permutations are possible. 
         [0028]    For example, as apparent from the enlarged view of  FIG. 5 , each die  60  and  62  of a dice code  64  has ample room for nine positions. The use of square geometry and an asymmetric position of the two dice  60  and  62  provide for easy orientation and scaling of the data-containing positions. The relevant position and orientation of the dice can add additional permutations, where in addition to spots on the dice, any location in the image can be a potential bearer of relevant information. For example, dice  70  and  72  of a dice code  74  of  FIG. 6  illustrate other permutations of the dice code including use of colors (shown as shades) or spots of different shapes, such as triangles, square, circles, or even lucky charms symbols, which can themselves be exploited for encoding more information. 
         [0029]    With dice as an iconic component of board games and their wide association with games of chance, the use of dice images to convey game-related information is considered particularly expedient. Other graphic images having intrinsic numeric or other potential gaming significance can be used to similarly encode information for playing virtual games. For example, images of slot machine reels or dart boards with embedded darts can be given a numeric interpretation by the host beyond the significance that the reel images otherwise convey. An image of a roulette wheel could be used to the same effect. 
         [0030]    Regardless of the image or its apparent content, the value of the captured image is determined based on the underlying code that is extracted by the host  30 . The meaning of the underlying codes is known only to the host or the host&#39;s administrator. Thus, the information-bearing images do not need to be hidden from view. In fact, even at the host  30 , the response to a particular code does not necessarily need to be preprogrammed. The code could be categorized based on its location and time of day, and a response, including a winning response, could be fashioned to match the additional available information. For example, in the early hours of the morning, a breakfast sandwich might be awarded whereas later in the day, free French fries might be offered. The reward could also be matched to ongoing geographically limited promotions. Even a determination as to whether the code is a winner or a loser could be determined on a random or changing basis. A database of released codes (i.e. codes embedded in printed images that are publicly distributed) could be maintained and each attempted redemption could be checked against the database to assure that the assigned number is redeemed but once. 
         [0031]    Some cost is associated with both the transmission of images to the host  30  and any response from the host  30  or subsequent site to the participant&#39;s mobile phone  20 . The potential rewards and even game play itself are incentives for mobile phone users to participate. The cost of returned communications would preferably be borne by the host promoter. The host promoter&#39;s motivation is also high as an opportunity to obtain direct access and interaction with individual customers. These customers are likely to be persons who have already purchased a product of the host promoter or have acquired the images from one of the host promoter&#39;s sites (physical or virtual). The demographics of interactive mobile phone users is also expected to be particularly appealing to promoters. 
         [0032]    The invention can be practiced as a promotional exercise in the form of an interactive game that includes a printed graphic, such as the code  14  of  FIG. 1 , bearing information capable of being machine decoded. A mobile phone, such as the mobile phone  20 , or other image-capturing device with internet or phone access can be used to capture the printed graphic  14  and to transmit an image of the captured graphic to a host computer, such as the host site  30 . A participant, such as the participant  28 , takes a picture of the printed graphic  14  and instructions within or associated with the printed graphic enable participants to send the picture to the host computer  30 . The host computer  30  processes the picture to extract the machine-readable information. The extracted information can be used to trigger a response, which can be performed directly by the host computer  30  or transmitted to another computer or program, such as to create an event within an online game. The event is attributable to an individualized account, such as a web page  32 , referenced, for example, to the participant&#39;s mobile phone number. The event furthers the participant&#39;s interaction with the game. A sign-on protocol can be established for more securely connecting the participant  28  with their individualized account  32  for allowing access at other times. 
         [0033]    Preferably, the printed image appears as an aesthetically pleasing graphic despite encoding information necessary to the play of the game or advancement of the intended promotion. For example, the graphic can be in the form of dice, such as the dice code  54 ,  64 , or  74 , whose spot layout, spot content, and relative positions among two or more die can be used to encode additional information beyond the obvious appearance of the dice. The host computer  30  or a related link can store the event triggered by the decoding of the picture under a phone-number-based identification until the participant  28  claims the event from a personalized online account at a later time. An instant response is also preferably generated by the host computer  30  or another computer to which at least some of the information is routed. 
         [0034]    Upon receiving the transmission of a picture and decoding its contents, the host computer  30  can determine from the telephone number associated with the transmission whether an online account has already been established or not. If not, an instant response is preferably sent to the participant&#39;s phone  20  providing details through which the participant  28  can so establish an account, either through the participant&#39;s mobile phone  20  or through another internet connection. Any instant awards, offers, or information related to the progress of the game can also be instantly conveyed to the user. 
         [0035]    Although described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those of skill in this art will appreciate the modifications and different combinations that have been made possible within the teaching of this invention. For example, the imageable codes subject to transmission to host sites by mobile phones can appear, not only on products or product containers, but also on promotional materials, such as advertisements or coupons, or on places of business