Abstract:
A system for delivering informational content to a portable electronic device includes a processor placeable in signal communication with a network. Software is resident on the processor that is adapted for providing an application available to and loadable on a mobile device of a user and receiving over the network access data for the user device and a user selection of a time to receive content. The user device access data and time selection are stored, and deliverable content is provided. At substantially the user-selected time, the software assembles content and makes it available to the user device. The user can either elect to access the content or have the content “pushed” directly to the device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/292,532, filed on Jan. 6, 2010. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to systems and methods for delivering informational videos electronically, and, more particularly, for delivering informational videos to portable electronic devices. 
         [0003]    Portable electronic devices, such as laptop computers, smart telephones, and personal digital assistants, are capable of serving many functions. For example, smart telephones may be used to send and receive electronic mail, access the Internet, watch movies, listen to music, take photographs, provide navigation capabilities, etc. 
         [0004]    Another use of such portable devices is as an alarm clock, providing ease of use and convenience. For instance, when the alarm feature notifies a user that it is time to wake up, the user can quickly and easily turn off the alarm and immediately access his/her email, the Internet, etc., all from the comfort of his/her bed. Over time, it is expected that these devices will be capable of rendering additional functions and improve those already in use. 
         [0005]    At present, however, there is no known system or method for providing content to a user within the alarm application. 
         [0006]    Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide an application that combines the alarm functions known in mobile devices with up-to-date content for the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention is directed to systems and methods for delivering informational content to a portable electronic device. In one aspect a system comprises a processor placeable in signal communication with a network and a timer in signal communication with the processor. A database is accessible by the processor. 
         [0008]    Software is resident on the processor that comprises code segments adapted for providing an application available to and loadable on a mobile device of a user and receiving over the network access data for the user device and a user selection of a time to receive content. The software further comprises code segments for storing in the database the user device access data and time selection and for receiving and storing in the database deliverable content. At substantially the user-selected time, the software assembles content and makes available to the user device via the network the assembled content. 
         [0009]    In another aspect a system is disclosed for providing informational content to a user. The system comprises a portable electronic device that comprises a processor that is placeable in signal communication with a network, and an input and an output that are in signal communication with the processor. 
         [0010]    An application is resident on the device processor that comprises code segments adapted for receiving via the input a user selection of a time to receive content and for transmitting the user-selected time to an administrator site over the network. The application further comprises a code segment adapted for accessing content assembled and delivered by the administrator site at substantially the user-selected time. 
         [0011]    Methods are also provided commensurate with the above-described systems. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a system schematic for an exemplary embodiment of the content-delivery system of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 2A-2B  is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for delivering content to a mobile device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    A detailed description of embodiments of a computer-readable storage medium and method will now be presented with reference to  FIGS. 1-2B . One of skill in the art will recognize that these embodiments are not intended to be limitations on the scope of the invention, and that modifications are possible without departing from the spirit thereof. 
         [0015]    The present invention is directed to systems and methods for delivering to and receiving content on a portable electronic device such as, but are not limited to, a laptop, smart telephone, cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, pager, text messaging device, voice recorder, handheld electronic device, and any electronic device that is capable or receiving, storing, or transmitting content over a network such as the Internet. 
         [0016]    An aspect of the invention is directed to a system  10  ( FIG. 1 ) and method  100  (FIGS.  2 A, 2 B) for delivering informational content to and receiving informational content on a portable electronic device  11  at the user end. The device  11  has a processor  12  and an input  13 , such as a keyboard and/or touch screen and/or microphone, and an output  14 , such as a display screen and/or speaker, in signal communication with the processor  12 . The processor  12  is connectable with a network such as the Internet  15  by means known in the art, and can include wireless communication. 
         [0017]    The administration side  16  comprises a processor  17  placeable in signal communication with the Internet  15  and content management software  18  resident thereon. A timing device  19 , a database  20 , and an input  21  are in signal communication with the processor  17 . 
         [0018]    The administrator  16  provides an application  22  over the Internet  15  (block  101 ), for example, directly from the processor  17  or via a third-party vendor, as, for example, known in the art for iPhone® applications, although this is not intended as a limitation. 
         [0019]    The system  10  and method  100  can comprise at least one of a “personal” application  23  or an “institutional” application  24  (block  102 ). In the personal application  23 , a content provider  25 , which may be the same entity as the administrator  16  or yet another entity, comprises means for delivering content electronically to the administrator processor  17 , over the Internet  15  or internally over another network as desired and by means known in the art. 
         [0020]    In the personal version, the user selects (block  103 ) and pays for (block  104 ) the application  23  by means known in the art, successful completion of which permits the user to download the application  23  into the device  11  (block  105 ). The user is permitted to select from a plurality of options (block  106 ), including, but not intended to be limited to, content delivery time, recurrence (e.g., every weekday, one-time event, etc.), type of content (e.g., news, sports, music, etc.), length of content to be delivered, and type of delivery (notification of availability or automatic “push”). The administrator processor  17  receives and stores these selected options and also data permitting access to the device  11  (block  107 ). 
         [0021]    The administrator  16  enters content into the database  20 , or provides a link thereto (block  108 ). This content may be pre-recorded prior to delivery or presented substantially in real time, and may comprise a plurality of types of content, including, but not limited to, content related to news, sports, business, health, entertainment, weather, and any other type of content. The content may be generated, for example, by substantially real-time on-air talent such as a newscaster. The content may include audio and/or video content for playing on the portable electronic device, information pages viewable on the informational video or accessible via a link in the informational video, graphics viewable on the informational video, etc. The content may have portions that are “commercial” in nature, that is, created by a third party for monetary gain, and/or “non-commercial” in nature, that is, created by a third party not for monetary gain. As one of skill in the art will appreciate the “third party” can comprise a for-profit or non-profit entity, such as, but not intended to be limited to, a corporation, a college, the military, or government entity. 
         [0022]    The content can arise from one or more sources, such as, but not intended to be limited to, a newscast from a specific program, or newscasts from multiple programs, or varied content, such as that related to entertainment, stocks, sports, and news. The content management software  18  is adapted to manage the content uploads. The uploads may be made on any temporal basis desired, such as monthly, weekly, daily, hourly, real time, or on any other basis as determined the user and/or administrator, or may be predetermined by the content management system itself. 
         [0023]    The content can also be sponsored by an entity, including for-profit and not-for-profit entities, individuals, etc. An electronic coupon may be included in the informational video wherein a user may view the coupon on a screen or display of the portable electronic device and use the coupon online, at a retail store, or any other location where such coupon is accepted. The electronic coupon may be downloadable from the informational video wherein a user may print the coupon and redeem the printed coupon at a retail store or any other location where such coupon must be physically presented. Additionally or in the alternative, the coupon may include a bar code viewable on the screen of the portable electronic device to permit a retailer or vendor to scan the bar code in order for the user to receive a discount. Moreover, a discount code may be located on the electronic coupon to permit a user, retailer, vendor, or any other entity to manually input the discount code into a system to permit the user to receive a discount. The term “electronic coupon” can also include gift cards, discount cards, reward cards, and any other type of document wherein a user may redeem the document with a retailer, vendor, or other third party to receive a value. 
         [0024]    In accordance with the timer  19  and user-specified options, the content management software  18  assembles content for the user (block  109 ). If the user has elected to receive notification that content is available (block  110 ), such a notification is delivered to the device  11  (block  111 ) in the form, for example, of an audible tone or otherwise perceptible means. The user can then elect to access the content on the device  11  (block  112 ), for example, by selecting an icon, and then view the delivered content (block  113 ). 
         [0025]    If the user has elected to receive the content directly (block  110 ), the administrator processor  17  delivers (“pushes”) the content to the user device  11  (block  114 ). 
         [0026]    The user can continue to receive the content for the predetermined duration of the content or deactivate the content, as with any alarm system (block  115 ). The content can also be delivered in addition to, or instead of, a device alarm and can serve as a backup or supplemental alarm system as desired. Other features known in the art of alarm systems, such as “snooze,” can also be provided. 
         [0027]    If the system  10  aspect is selected to comprise an “institutional” application  24  (block  102 ), again, the content provider  25  can comprise the same entity as the administrator  16  or yet another entity, such as the institution. The institution can comprise an educational institution or an employer, for example, although these are not intended as limitations. 
         [0028]    As above, the user downloads the application  24  into the device  11  (block  116 ). The user is permitted to select from a plurality of options (block  117 ), including, but not intended to be limited to, institution identity, content delivery time, recurrence (e.g., every weekday, one-time event, etc.), and type of delivery (notification of availability or automatic “push”). In this case, the institution may provide payment to the administrator  15  (block  118 ). The administrator processor  17  receives and stores these selected options and also data permitting access to the device  11  (block  119 ). 
         [0029]    The administrator  16  enters content into the database  20 , or provides a link thereto (block  120 ). This content may be pre-recorded prior to delivery or presented substantially in real time, and may comprise a plurality of types of content, including, but not limited to, content related to the institution, such as institution events, closing times, or the other types of content listed previously, or a combination thereof. The content may include audio and/or video content for playing on the portable electronic device, information pages viewable on the informational video or accessible via a link in the informational video, graphics viewable on the informational video, etc. 
         [0030]    In accordance with the timer  19  and user-specified options, the content management software  18  assembles content for the user (block  121 ). If the user has elected to receive notification that content is available (block  122 ), such a notification is delivered to the device  11  (block  123 ) in the form, for example, of an audible tone or otherwise perceptible means. The user can then elect to access the content on the device  11  (block  124 ), for example, by selecting an icon, and then view the delivered content (block  125 ). 
         [0031]    If the user has elected to receive the content directly (block  122 ), the administrator processor  17  delivers (“pushes”) the content to the user device  11  (block  126 ). 
         [0032]    As above, the user can continue to receive the content for the predetermined duration of the content or deactivate the content, as with any alarm system (block  127 ). The content can also be delivered in addition to, or instead of, a device alarm and can serve as a backup or supplemental alarm system as desired. Other features known in the art of alarm systems, such as “snooze,” can also be provided. 
         [0033]    An additional feature of the institutional application  24 , which could also be incorporated into the personal application  23  as desired, comprises the ability to “push” informational content in other situations, such as in an emergency (block  128 ). Examples of this usage could include a school being closed in bad weather, a function being canceled, or a facility being shut down unexpectedly. 
         [0034]    Further, content provided to either the institutional  24  or personal  23  application can be shared with a secondary recipient  26  (block  129 ) via means known in the art such as, but not intended to be limited to, a social network, email, or a site such as YouTube. 
         [0035]    Having now described the invention, the construction, the operation and use of preferred embodiments thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby, the new and useful constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.