Abstract:
To allow viewers to easily purchase products shown in entertainment programs, the viewers call an operator terminal. The operator terminal is networked to a central controller, which is also networked to remote terminals. Remote terminal operators enter data about props used in programs, copies of which are to be offered for sale. These remote terminals transmit this data to the central controller for storage in a database. Operators at the operator terminals can access the data stored at the central controller to respond calls from viewers seeking to purchase products.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a method and system for allowing viewers to purchase products shown on television shows. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and system for allowing television viewers to purchase products which appear on entertainment program-type television shows.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Television programs dedicated solely to selling merchandise, or sales programs, have been broadcast on television and other broadcast media. One example of such sales programs includes, “infomercials,” which are essentially lengthy paid commercials. Also, narrative television programs, in which scenes that showcase products available for sale are intermittently frozen while commercial sales of those products are undertaken, have been broadcast.  
         [0005]     In recent years, sales programs have become increasingly commonplace. This is largely attributable to the wide availability of cable television, which provides access to many more channels, and therefore programming choices, than would otherwise be available. Indeed, cable channels such as the “Home Shopping Network,” are devoted solely to selling merchandise.  
         [0006]     In addition to broadcasted television, promotional video tapes have also been used to specifically sell merchandise. Automobile manufacturers, for example, distribute video tapes containing product information to potential customers.  
         [0007]     Sales programs, however, do not constitute the most prevalent type of programming. Far more widespread are programs whose primary objective is to entertain. Entertainment programs, which include such programs as soap operas, sitcoms, dramas, and sporting events, generate revenue primarily by selling advertising time dispersed throughout broadcasts of the programs. Thus, while entertainment programs are supported by advertising, the artistic contents of entertainment programs are directed solely to entertaining viewers, and not to soliciting sales of merchandise as they are with sales programs.  
         [0008]     Because entertainment programs are typically not produced with the intent of selling merchandise, a potentially lucrative source of revenue has gone unrealized. Television viewers may find themselves interested in purchasing products which are the same brand or design as props seen in entertainment programs. However, the demand for these products has not yet been satisfied. Revenue from sales of such products could improve the financial success of an entertainment program. Manufacturers would pay to have their products used in popular shows. Further, the producer could charge a fee for each product ordered that was identified from their show. This could increase revenues as well as lessen the program&#39;s dependency on advertising. As a result, products could experience greater freedom of artistic content, increasing the variety of entertainment programs available to the public.  
         [0009]     Present sales mechanisms are not effective for selling products that are related to entertainment programs. For example, while catalogs are presently used to sell souvenir merchandise such as t-shirts and coffee mugs, they do not sell products similar to television props. For example, a program viewer cannot buy the Armani suit that Frasier was wearing on the Jun. 30, 1996 episode. These products gain much appeal from their association with the program actors. The present invention provides viewers with a sense of immediate gratification through making the products readily available.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     Systems consistent with the present invention allow viewers of an entertainment program to purchase products used in the program. Information about products is stored in databases that can be accessed by operators based on viewer supplied information.  
         [0011]     To achieve these and other advantages, a product sales system consistent with the present invention comprises a system for allowing a viewer to purchase products shown in an entertainment program. The system includes means for storing in a database product information relating to a product shown in the entertainment program. Means are provided for receiving from the viewer a request about the product shown in the entertainment program, the request containing a subset of the product information. Also included are means for identifying the product information in the database using the subset of the product information, and means for sending to the viewer the identified information about the product.  
         [0012]     In another aspect, the invention includes a system for allowing entertainment program viewers to purchase products shown in an entertainment program. The system includes a remote terminal for entering product data about a product used in the entertainment program. A central controller, coupled to the remote terminal, receives and stores the entered product data from the remote terminal. An operator terminal, coupled to the central controller, accesses from the central controller information about the product used in the entertainment program.  
         [0013]     Both the foregoing general description and the following Detailed Description are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The accompanying drawings provide a further understanding of the invention and, together with the Detailed Description, explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the product sales system consistent with the invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of central controller  110  shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of remote terminal  150  shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of operator terminal  140  shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates sample records from program database  262  stored in data storage device  260  shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates sample records from product database  263  stored in data storage device  260  shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates sample records from vendor database  264  stored in data storage device  260  shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  illustrates sample records from order database  265  stored in data storage device  260  shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a flow diagram representing a method for the operation of, remote terminal  150  shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is a flow diagram representing a method for processing data in central controller  110  of  FIG. 2 ; and  
         [0025]      FIGS. 11   a - 11   b  are flow diagrams representing a method for processing a viewers&#39; orders consistent with this invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0000]     Introduction  
         [0026]     Systems consistent with this invention allow viewers of an entertainment program to purchase products seen on these programs. The term “entertainment program,” as used in the specification, refers to programs whose primary purpose is to entertain, and not to sell products or services. Examples of “entertainment programs” include soap operas, sitcoms, dramas, sporting events, and movies. An entertainment program may be transmitted over any transmission media, such as wireless transmission, cable, or the Internet, or stored on a storage media, such as video tape or laser disk. Further, an entertainment program may be displayed on any broadcast media, such as television. The term “prop” refers to an item actually used on an entertainment program. The term “product” refers to merchandise similar to a prop. By similar it is meant that the product is visually and/or functionally indistinguishable from the prop. The product may or not be the same brand and/or make and model of the prop, but will not be the actual prop used in the show. This includes but is not limited to clothing, furniture, electronic goods, jewelry, cars, sporting goods and the like. The term product is not restricted to physical goods, but also includes services such as vacations or tickets to sporting events or shows. Additionally, videos of the episode would also be available for sale through this service.  
         [0027]     In one such system, a central controller stores information about products available for sale. Before an entertainment program is broadcasted, viewers are shown a telephone number that they can call to find out whether certain products used in the program are available for sale. Calling this telephone number connects viewers to an operator who queries them regarding products they are interested in purchasing. The operator then compares the information provided by the viewers with information stored in the central controller&#39;s database to identify the particular products each viewer would each like to purchase. The database is organized to allow the operator to access information with only a minimal amount of information describing the product. The operator may also provide viewers with information about products other than those the viewers asked about. If the viewers are interested in purchasing a product at this point, an order is placed for the product through the operator.  
         [0000]     System Organization  
         [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a system  100  consistent with the present invention. System  100  includes a central controller  110 , a viewer interface  120 , a telephonic interactive voice response unit (IVRU)  130 , a plurality of operator terminals  140 , a plurality of remote terminals  150 , and a vendor facility  160 . Although  FIG. 1  shows three operator terminals  140  and three remote terminals  150 , any number of these terminals may be connected to central controller  110 . Similarly, one viewer interface  120  or multiple viewer interfaces  120  can access each operator terminal  140  through a corresponding IVRU  130 . Central controller  110  is linked to operator terminals  140 , remote terminals  150 , and vendor facility  160  through communication links, such as telephone lines or other data communication lines. IVRU  130  is linked to viewer interface  120  by conventional telephone lines.  
         [0029]     Central controller  110  receives product data and entertainment program data from remote terminals  150  and stores this data in a memory, as described below. Further, viewer interface  120  transmits a product request to a corresponding IVRU  130  and operator terminal  140 , each of which may be located in a call service center. The product request describes a particular product of interest to the viewer, and an operator at operator terminal  140  processes the product request. Terminal  140  then transmits program description data corresponding to the request to central controller  110 , which, after accessing the product and program data stored in its memory, transmits product identification data back to operator terminal  140 . This data is provided to viewer interface  120 . If the viewer decides to purchases a product, controller  110  transmits product order data to vendor facility  160 , which then routes the purchased product to the viewer.  
         [0030]     Central controller  110  preferably includes a digital data processing unit programmed to execute unique functions and operations in accordance with the principles of the invention. Such a digital data processing unit may include conventional hardware, such as the IBM RS 6000. Operator terminals  140  and remote terminals  150  are digital data processing units, such as conventional personal computers configured to carry out the functions and operations described below.  
         [0031]     Viewer interface  120  preferably comprises a conventional touch-tone telephone, although any device capable of transmitting messages may be employed. In one embodiment viewer interface  120  comprises a conventional personal computer with a modem. The user connects to central controller  110  or operator terminal  140  via the Internet or other appropriate data communication channels.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing one embodiment of central controller  110 . Central controller  110  includes certain standard hardware components, such as central processing unit (CPU)  210 , random access memory (RAM)  220 , read only memory (ROM)  230 , clock  240 , communication port  250 , and data storage  260 . CPU  210  is linked to each of the other listed elements. Communication port  250  interfaces central controller  110  with operator terminal  140 , remote terminal  150 , and vendor facility  160 .  
         [0033]     Central controller  110  executes one or more programs to perform the functions and operations described below, and stores several databases of data relating to those functions and operations. These databases include program database  262 , product database  263 , vendor database  264 , and order database  265 . The programs (described in reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 ) are preferably stored in storage device  260  and executed by CPU  210 . Transaction processor  261  manages the storage and retrieval from the databases in data storage device  260 . Transaction processor  261  may comprise a separate conventional microprocessor, as shown in  FIG. 2 , or may comprise a portion of the operating function of CPU  210 .  
         [0034]     Program database  262  provides a repository of information on entertainment programs on which products available for sale were used. By accessing the information stored in database  262 , operator terminal  140  can identify the particular entertainment program the viewer is calling about.  FIG. 5  shows a possible organization of database  262  with the following fields for each program: program record number  510 ; network  515 ; class  520 ; program title  525 ; episode date and time  530 ; scene data  535 ; episode status  540 ; episode title  545 ; episode plot  550 ; and special characters  555 . A manager of the system assigns program record number  510 , which uniquely identifies a particular entertainment program. In one embodiment, program record number  510  could correspond to a program identifying number used in the VCR Plus system. Scene data field  535  includes information identifying a particular program scene in which a prop was used. A sitcom, for example, might have a scene data record describing the activity of the characters in the kitchen if the prop being sold is a kitchen utensil. The remaining fields are self-explanatory. Episode plot field  550  includes information describing the plot of a particular episode of an entertainment program. Special characters field  555  includes data representing, for example, guest characters or persons appearing in a particular episode. In alternative embodiments, program database  262  includes fewer or more fields of program information.  
         [0035]     Product database  263  provides a table of information on products indexed by a program record number  610 , which may be the same as program record number  510 . By accessing the information in product database  263 , operator terminal  140  can identify the particular product that the viewer is interested in purchasing. As shown in  FIG. 6 , database  263  preferably includes the following fields on each product offered for sale: program record number  610 ; product type  615 ; program identifying data  620 ; product identifying data  625 ; product description  630 ; vendor  635 ; product cost  640 ; availability  645 ; and time code  650 . Program and product identifying fields  620  and  625  include information that enables the identification of programs, and products offered for sale on the programs, respectively. Such information describes characteristics of the entertainment programs and associated products. Thus, program identifying data field  620  typically contains information similar to episode plot field  550 . Time code field  650  includes a range of time code values corresponding to the time during which the respective product was displayed on the program. Product database  263  further includes information about the type of product for sale (product type  615 ), and retail information about the product description  630 , vendor  635 , product cost  640 , and availability  645 . In practice, product database  263  may include fewer or more fields for product information.  
         [0036]     Vendor database  264  contains a table of information on the different vendors who supply the products. This table is preferably indexed by various vendor names. The information stored in vendor database  264  reflects information that central controller  110  can access about product vendors when placing orders. In other words, vendor database  264  provides information that may be either provided to viewer interface  120  or used while placing an order with a particular product vendor.  FIG. 7  shows a possible organization for vendor information containing the following fields on each registered vendor: vendor name  710 ; vendor identification number  715 ; products sold by the vendor  720 ; location of the vendor  725 ; and preferred methods of payment  730 . The nature of these fields are self-explanatory. In alternative embodiments, vendor database  264  may include more or fewer fields.  
         [0037]     Order database  265  includes a data file for each order placed by a viewer.  FIG. 8  shows a possible organization of database  265  with the following fields for each viewer: viewer name  810 ; viewer address  815 ; order tracking number  820 ; order date  825 ; order amount  830 ; product ordered  835 ; product identification number  840 ; method of payment used  845 ; shipping data  850 ; and vendor used  855  (same as vendor field  710 ). Product identification number  840  is preferably assigned by vendor  855 . The nature of the remaining fields are self-explanatory. Order database  265  may, however, include fewer or more fields for order information.  
         [0038]      FIG. 3  shows the architecture of remote terminal  150  of system  100 . Communication port  350  provides an interface for linking remote terminal  150  to central controller  110 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , remote terminal  150  includes conventional computer components, including CPU  310 , which is connected to video driver  320 , video terminal  322 , data entry unit  324 , RAM  330 , ROM  340 , communication port  350 , and data storage device  360 . Video terminal  322  is connected to CPU  310  through video driver  320 . Data entry unit  324 , shown to include a keyboard and a mouse, is connected to CPU  310  for entering data. CPU  310  executes program modules (described in reference to  FIG. 9 ) preferably stored in storage device  360  to perform the functions and operations described below in connection with remote terminal  150 . Storage device  360  includes transaction processor  361 , program database  362 , and product database  363 .  
         [0039]     With respect to data entry operations, remote terminal  150  operates conventionally. A remote terminal operator enters into remote terminal  110  program data for program database  362  and product data for product database  363 . Under control of a program stored, for example, in storage device  360  or ROM  340 , CPU  310  formats the data for storage in program database  362  and product database  363 . Databases  362  and  363  are similar in organization to program database  262  of  FIG. 5  and product database  263  of  FIG. 6 , except that databases  362  and  363  contain information entered in the remote terminal  150 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 4  shows the architecture of operator terminal  140  according to the invention. Communication port  450  provides an interface for linking operator terminal  140  to central controller  110  and IVRU  130 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , operator terminal  140  includes CPU  410  which is connected to video driver  420 , video terminal  422 , data entry unit  424 , RAM  430 , ROM  440 , and data storage device  460 . These components may also be conventional. Video terminal  422  is connected to CPU  410  through video driver  420 . Data entry unit  424 , shown to include a keyboard and a mouse, is connected to CPU  410  for entering data. CPU  410  executes modules stored in storage device  460  to perform functions and operations described below. Further, storage device  460  includes transaction processor  461  and order database  462 . Database  462  comprises a subset of order database  265  of  FIG. 8 , and includes order information generated locally by operator terminal  140 .  
         [0000]     System Operation  
         [0041]     Two different aspects of the operation of system  100  will be described. First, system  100  operates to create the databases for the sale of products. Second, system  100  operates using the databases to enable viewers to purchase products shown on an entertainment program  
         [0000]     Creating the Databases  
         [0042]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating steps for entering program and product information into system  100 . This data entry may be performed during or after the filming or taping of an entertainment program. As shown in  FIG. 9 , a remote terminal operator reviews the script of the entertainment program to determine which products will be offered for sale (step  910 ). According to one embodiment of the invention, the products sold are not the actual props used on the program, but substantially identical merchandise ordered from the particular product vendor.  
         [0043]     In alternative embodiments, the actual props used on an entertainment program are sold to viewers. The actual items used by celebrities often have a significantly higher market value than identical, but new, items. Therefore, the price for the actual prop of an entertainment program may be determined, for example, by an auction among the viewers in which the prop is sold to the highest bidder during a fixed period of time. In an auction, each viewer telephones IVRU  130  to place his bid with an operator. Central controller  110  determines the winner of the auction by ranking the viewer bids.  
         [0044]     The remote terminal operator enters program data for storage in local program database  362  of remote terminal  150  (step  920 ) and product data for storage in local product database  363  of remote terminal  150  (step  930 ). Examples of types of program data and product data are shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Remote terminal  150  transmits the data stored in program database  362  and product database  363  to central controller  110  (step  940 ). This may be done shortly after the remote terminal operator has entered the data or at a specified time interval (e.g., once a week).  
         [0045]     Once central controller  110  receives the transmitted data, controller  110  processes and indexes the data.  FIG. 10  illustrates one way which controller  110  processes and indexes the data. As shown in  FIG. 10 , central controller  110  receives the data stored in program database  362  and product database  363  from remote terminal  150  (step  1010 ). CPU  210  processes the data and accesses the program and product databases  262  and  263  from data storage device  260  (step  1020 ). Next, controller  110  merges the program and product data received from remote terminal  150  into the respective program and product databases  262  and  263  (step  1030 ). Furthermore, controller  110  preferably merges program and product data from a plurality of remote terminals  150 , each remote terminal  150  corresponding to a different entertainment program. Controller  110  then assigns a program record number to each new program data file received from each remote terminal  150  (step  1040 ). Once the transaction is completed, the product data is indexed by the program record number (step  1050 ).  
         [0000]     Purchasing a Product  
         [0046]      FIGS. 11   a - 11   b  illustrate the process in which system  100  allows a viewer to purchase a product used in a broadcasted entertainment program. An entertainment program is broadcast to a number of viewers using conventional broadcast techniques (step  1105 ), such as over-the-air television broadcasts and cable transmission. The program may also be played from a storage media, such as a video cassette or an optical laser disc, upon which the program is recorded or stored. If the program is played from a storage media, the program may include a statement telling the viewer the date after which products shown on the program will no longer be available for purchase. When a viewer wishes to purchase a product displayed in the program, he calls the service using viewer interface  120  and is connected to IVRU  130  (step  1110 ).  
         [0047]     Various methods may be used to disseminate the telephone number of the service to the viewers. In one embodiment of the invention, the provider of the program adds a text overlay to the entertainment program to provide the viewer with the telephone number of the IVRU  130 . The telephone number may be displayed either before the start of the entertainment program, at the end of the program, during a commercial; or during the program in a corner or along a side of the screen. The telephone number could also be made available in an entertainment program listing, such as TV Guide. The telephone number may be an 800 number, and the purchase price of a product is preferably charged to the viewer using either a credit card or personal check.  
         [0048]     In a further embodiment of the invention, a 900 number is used as a communication and/or a payment interface for purchasing the desired product. In one such mode, the cost of the 900 number call is the cost of the requested product plus a connection charge. When a viewer/caller has confirmed an order using a standard IVRU interface or by talking to a live operator, the cost of the product is billed to his phone number. In another mode, the 900 number charges a service fee for the call plus a connection charge. Payment for the product is made in a conventional manner.  
         [0049]     A time code may also be superimposed near the corner of the screen. The time code may be a running clock which is incremented as the program is broadcasted. In this embodiment, time code field  650  in Product Database  263  contains the values of the time code during which products were displayed on the program. By displaying the time code during the program broadcast, the viewer can identify products by the time code value indicated when the viewer noticed the product was shown.  
         [0050]     IVRU  130  preferably includes a voice prompt system which asks the viewer a series of questions to identify the particular program the viewer is calling about, and the viewer responds by pressing the telephone keys (step  1115 ). For example, a viewer calling the service to order a suit an actor was wearing in a recent episode is queried by the IVRU  130  for the following information: network identification (CBS, NBC, TNT, FOX, ABC, ESPN, USA), time of day (AM, PM) and episode time (8:00pm), date of episode (March 4) and name of show (Seinfeld). IVRU  130  transmits the responses from the viewer interface  120  to central controller  110  (step  1120 ). Central Controller  110  then transmits program description data to operator terminal  140  (step  1125 ). In response, operator terminal  140  receives product identification data from controller  110  (step  1130 ). Viewer interface  120 &#39;s call is then transferred to a live operator (step  1135 ) who, based upon the information received from controller  110 , asks the viewer further questions (perhaps even repeating the same questions as necessary) to determine which product the viewer would like to purchase (step  1140 ).  
         [0051]     In an alternative embodiment, the viewer does not have to know the name of the program when describing the product to IVRU  130  or to the live operator. For example, the viewer could state “I don&#39;t know the name of the program, but a tall guy spilled coffee on something.” The operator would then perform a keyword search on databases  262  and  263 , using the description given by the viewer. In this way, the particular product may be identified without additional information from the viewer.  
         [0052]     Continuing on  FIGS. 11   b,  the operator then accesses databases  262  and  263  to find data on the particular product that the viewer would like to purchase (step  1145 ). Central controller  110  then outputs the data on the particular product to the operator (step  1150 ). The operator, in turn, then provides product ordering information to viewer interface  120  and requests payment for the product (step  1155 ). Once the operator receives the viewer&#39;s payment, for example, a credit or debit card account number, the call is terminated (step  1160 ) and the order is placed with vendor facility  160  (step  1165 ). Vendor facility  160  then sends the purchased product to the viewer (step  1170 ). Alternatively, the service could simply forward the call to the vendor once the product has been identified and not process the order at all.  
         [0053]     In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is practiced using an Internet interface to the service central controller  110 . In this embodiment, a viewer connects to a service web page using conventional web browser software and enters show and product identifying information in response to programmed queries. A conventional search engine searches the appropriate databases, retrieves the episode and product information and displays a graphic presentation of the product. The viewer then visually identifies the product, and verifies electronically that the selection is correct. If the product selection was incorrect, the viewer is given the option to modify his search terms and submit a new query. Once the correct product is identified, the viewer purchases the product using conventional payment methods, and it is shipped to him. This embodiment has the advantage of not requiring human agents to process orders.  
         [0000]     Conclusion  
         [0054]     Systems and methods consistent with the invention significantly increase the financial revenue of an entertainment program by selling props or products used on the program. This added revenue may lessen the entertainment program&#39;s dependency on advertising, allowing greater freedom in the artistic content of the programs. Vendors may also be willing to pay more to have their products shown on an entertainment program due to the enhanced exposure associated with being on the program. To this end, systems consistent with the invention efficiently assemble program and product data into databases accessed by a central controller. Such data may be assembled, for example, for live broadcast entertainment programs, prerecorded (video tape) entertainment programs, or digital (laser disc) entertainment programs.  
         [0055]     Systems and methods consistent with this invention also provide a simple, effective interface through which viewers may purchase products of an entertainment program without special codes or product numbers to identify the products. The viewer simply describes the entertainment program that he was viewing, the particular scene in which the product was used, or merchandise information to identify the particular product. Thus, there is no need for the viewer to know particular information about the product or prop itself. This provides added flexibility that will increase sales of those products by simplifying the ordering process. Accordingly, the present invention provides a system and method which efficiently sells products used on an entertainment program.  
         [0056]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the system and method of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.