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US007685234B2
(12) United States Patent ao) Patent No.: Us 7,685,234 B2
Gottfried (45) Date of Patent: *Mar. 23, 2010
Page 2
(54) MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM ALLOWING
CONSUMERS USING MULTIMEDIA
INTERFACE TO MODIFY AND SHARE
PRODUCT INFORMATION
(76) Inventor: Linda Gottfried, 35 Marquette Rd.,
Montclair, NJ (US) 07043
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 1516 days.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
(21) Appl.No.: 10/773,861
(22) Filed: Feb. 6, 2004
(65) Prior Publication Data
US 2004/0225715 Al Nov. 11, 2004
Related U.S. Application Data
(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/176,437, filed on Jun. 20, 2002, now Pat. No. 6,691,155.
(51) Int. CI.
G06F15/16 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. CI 709/204; 709/224; 709/246
(58) Field of Classification Search 709/204,
709/224, 246, 206, 203; 705/27, 14, 36 R;
707/7, 201
See application file for complete search history.
(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,625,763 A 4/1997 Cirne 395/133
5,835,088 A 11/1998 Jaaskelainen, Jr 345/343
5,854,893 A 12/1998 Ludwigetal 395/200.34
5,916,302 A 6/1999 Dunn et al 709/204
5,949,414 A 9/1999 Namikataetal 345/332
6,025,871 A 2/2000 Kantoretal 348/15
6,075,571 A 6/2000 Kuthyaretal 348/584
An interactive, computer network based system presents consumers with multimedia brand information via a browserbased interface called the GraffitiWallTM. Consumers can use the GraffitiWallTM to modify and display a sponsor's brand information in any way desired. Consumer modifications are immediately communicated to the other member consumers and the advertiser/sponsor. Consumers can rate the GraffitiWallTM, or portions thereof, and email the GraffitiWallTM. An archive of GraffitiWallsTM is maintained by the system. Consumers participate in online focus groups, one-to-one interviews and discussions, as well as games and promotions pertaining to the brand. Interaction with consumers through focus groups, one-to-one interviews, discussions, games and promotions allows the hosting company to reinforce brand equities; speak directly to their target audience; test new and updated products and services; and encourage participation to a brand via purchases and signups by rewarding the participant with coupons, samples, gift certificates, and the like. An ongoing dialogue between business and consumer, as well as consumer-to-consumer, nurtures customer participation, loyalty and satisfaction, and builds a community housed within the company's brand.
129 Claims, 35 Drawing Sheets
