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[0001] Not applicable.
[0002] Not applicable.
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates to a method of promoting business, and in particular to a promotional interactive code game.
[0005] 2. Background of the Invention
[0006] It is common for companies to advertise products and services for sale on television, radio and in print as well as on signs, billboards and point of purchase displays. Other common promotional techniques include contests and giveaways. Games offer consumers a chance of winning, which (depending on the prize) can be very alluring. It is a particularly effective promotional technique because the allure of winning can compel consumers to try a new product (or service) or one made by a different manufacturer (or service provider) that they would not have otherwise, particularly when participation in the game encourages the purchase of a specific product.
[0007] One technique commonly used in the beverage industry is a prize giveaway in which the game and prizes are advertised on the outside of the containers and the winning or losing information is printed on the under side of the cap or the back of the label. This ordinarily requires one to purchase (and possibly consume) the drink to see if he or she has won a prize. This can be an effective promotional technique, however, this technique is not broadly applicable to a variety of business models, such as service providers. Nor is this type of contest designed to draw consumers to retail outlets or compel them to purchase related goods or services.
[0008] An improved business promotion technique is thus desired.
[0009] The present invention provides a business promotion method utilizing an interactive code game. The method includes identifying a prize winning message; providing a static code in a designated promotional area and distributing a plurality of game pieces to customers. The static code defines a portion of the message in a way that the message is not readily discernable from the static code alone. Of the distributed game pieces, at least one game piece differs from the other game pieces and includes a complementary code defining a portion of the message complementing the static code such that the game piece can be used to decipher the code and produce the message.
[0010] The prize winning message can be graphical or textual. In a preferred form, the static code is the non-alphanumeric components (straight and curved lines) forming a text message and the complementary code is the non-alphanumeric components of the text message which when combined with the static code produces the text message.
[0011] The distributed game pieces not having a complementary code do not produce the prize winning message when combined with the static code. These pieces can include a message indicating the piece qualifies them for a consolation prize. For example, the game piece can be redeemed for a discount off the purchase price of a product or service.
[0012] The static code and the game pieces can be displayed in various ways. For example, the promotional area in which the static code is posted can be an in-store display, a receipt, a product package, the interior of a product package and in other areas related to the product or where it is sold (virtual or real). The game pieces can be distributed, for example, in product packaging, by affixing them to an exterior surface of product packaging or a carryable paper, such as newspaper or magazine inserts.
[0013] In a preferred form, the game pieces include a transparent sheet on which the complementary code is printed. The sheet includes a registration mark that can be aligned with a similar mark on or near the static code for aligning the codes to make the prize winning message appear. Preferably, the games pieces are affixed to packaging or promotional items so that they can be peeled off and retained by the customer until they can match it up to the static code. A suitable dry release adhesive is preferred.
[0014] Thus, the invention provides a method of promoting business by involving customers in a unique code game. Depending on how the method is carried out and the game is played, the game can increase business in a variety of ways. For example, prizes for deciphering the code may compel consumers to purchase an associated product rather than a competing product. Multiple products, such as complementary goods, can contain different code parts, such that an existing customer of one product may be compelled to purchase the complementary good for the first time. By placing the static code on a display or product in a retail store, players of the game will be drawn to the store to attempt to decipher the code. Once in the store, the players are more likely to become customers, particularly when the game is augmented with point of purchase advertising and in-store product displays.
[0015] The versatility of the method permits the game to be played in any of various ways, thereby allowing the business owner to tailor it to particular business models, such as in-store retail, mail order catalogue, etc. Moreover, the components of the game are inexpensive and do not interfere with shipping or storage of the products.
[0016] The objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description. In this description reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and in which there is shown by way of illustration preferred embodiments of the invention. Such embodiments do not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention, however, and reference must be made therefore to the claims for interpreting the scope of the invention.
[0017]
[0018]
[0019]
[0020]
[0021]
[0022]
[0023]
[0024] The inventive method of promoting business involves an interactive message decoding game. The method includes identifying a prize winning message, providing a static code in a promotional area, and distributing a number of game pieces, at least one of which includes a complementary code for deciphering the message by combining it with the static code, without which the message would not be discernable, at least not without effort. The game can be adapted for various business methods by distributing the game pieces and displaying the static code in various ways.
[0025] Referring to FIGS.
[0026] The embodiment in the drawings shows a textual prize winning message “You Win” (see
[0027] In the case of a text message, as in the preferred embodiment, the static code consists of straight and/or curved lines defining non-alphanumeric indicia corresponding to constituent parts of the message. The indicia are selected and arranged according to the message, however, the message should not be readily discernable from the static code. This can be achieved by selecting portions of letters and/or numbers that do not readily identify the letters of which they form a part, as shown in the drawings.
[0028] Also included, either as part of the static code or at a prescribed location from the static code, is one or more registration marks
[0029] As mentioned, the preferred technique is to distribute the game pieces with the products. This can be done by simply inserting a free-standing game piece inside the package or by affixing a game piece
[0030] Each game piece preferably includes a transparent sheet
[0031] Also like the static code, each game piece includes one or more registration marks
[0032] The above described version of the game is ideal for products that are opened and used at the place of purchase, for example, a dine-in fast food item. In this case, the player could peel off the game piece from a container for the purchase product and then walk up to the display, match up the codes and see if he or she wins a prize. It can also be used for products sold for consumption elsewhere. In this case, the player would be required to go to a retail outlet to attempt to decipher the code. This has the effect of drawing customers into stores, which may result in purchase of products in the store. This can be an effective promotional technique, particularly when combined with in-store point-of-purchase advertising techniques.
[0033] Other ways of displaying the static code and distributing game pieces can be used. For example, as shown in
[0034] Another option is to change where the static code is displayed. For example, it could be displayed at an Internet web page, formatted as necessary for the size of the game piece and the resolution of the computer monitor.
[0035] Or, the static code could be a separate game piece, as shown in
[0036] The static code could be printed on the outside or inside of each product or product package, represented in
[0037] These alternate techniques have the advantage of potentially reaching a larger audience than displaying the static code in just one or a few locations. It may also be more convenient for the player and thus may provide more of an incentive for the player to purchase the associated goods.
[0038] It would also be within the scope of the present invention for the game to include more than one static code for different messages, for example, pertaining to different prize categories, in which the game piece could only be used for one of the categories, such as a small prize category with a higher chance of winning and a grand prize category with only one winner.
[0039] Thus, the invention provides a method of promoting business by involving customers in a unique interactive code game. Depending on how the method is carried out and the game is played, the game can increase business in a variety of ways. For example, prizes for deciphering the code may compel consumers to purchase an associate product rather than a competing product. Multiple products, such as complementary goods, can contain or include different code parts, such that an existing purchaser of one product may be compelled to purchase the complementary good for the first time. By placing the static code on a display or product in a retail store, existing or new customers playing the game will be drawn to the store to attempt to decipher the code. Once in the store, the consumer is more likely to purchase something in the store, particularly when point of purchase advertising and product displays are used. The versatility of the method permits the game to be played in any of various ways, thereby allowing the business owner to tailor it to particular business models, such as in-store retail, mail order catalogue, etc. Moreover, the components of the game are inexpensive and do not interfere with shipping or storage of the products.
[0040] An illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of disclosing a practical, operative structure whereby the invention may be practiced advantageously. However, this is intended to be illustrative only, and the novel characteristics of the invention may be incorporated in other structural forms without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the static code could be printed on a window or transparent substrate and the game piece placed behind it to determine the composite image. Accordingly, to apprise the public of the full scope of the invention, the following claims are made.