Patent Application
20160034975
This description relates to referring content to a client computing device, and more specifically, to using a food item as a medium for referring content to a client computing device.
Known systems for referring content to a client computing device electronically transmit the content or a link to the content to the client computing device. For example, a server computing device may transmit an email to a client computing device, wherein the email includes a link to the content. The content may be, for example, a web page that contains a video or advertisement. When a user of the client computing device clicks on the link, the client computing device receives the content and displays the content to the user. Additionally, known systems encode information, such as stock keeping unit (SKU) information in a code (e.g., a barcode) embodied on a physical medium, such as the packaging for a product. However, known systems do not encode information on a physical medium and include the physical medium in a food item, wherein the encoded information, when read by a client computing device, causes the client computing device to access and display content from a remote computing device.
In one aspect, a food item transforming system comprising a processor coupled to a memory is provided. The processor is configured to associate, in the memory, an identifier with a source of content pertaining to at least one of a drawing, a contest, a game, a coupon, and an advertisement. Additionally, the processor is configured to generate a computer-readable code that encodes at least the identifier, print the computer-readable code to a physical medium, and insert the physical medium into a food item, thereby transforming the food item into an information carrier.
In another aspect, a method for referring content using a food item is provided. The method is implemented by a computing device including a processor coupled to a memory. The method includes associating, in the memory, an identifier with a source of content pertaining to at least one of a drawing, a contest, a game, a coupon, and an advertisement. The method additionally includes generating, by the computing device, a computer-readable code that encodes at least the identifier, printing, by the computing device, the computer-readable code to a physical medium, and inserting, by the computing device, the physical medium into a food item, thereby transforming the food item into an information carrier.
In another aspect, a computer-readable storage device comprising processor-executable instructions is provided. When executed by a food item transforming system having a processor coupled to a memory, the processor-executable instructions cause the food item transforming system to associate, in the memory, an identifier with a source of content pertaining to at least one of a drawing, a contest, a game, a coupon, and an advertisement, generate a computer-readable code that encodes at least the identifier, print the computer-readable code to a physical medium, and insert the physical medium into a food item, thereby transforming the food item into an information carrier.
In another aspect, a food item is provided. The food item includes an edible material and a physical medium at least partially enclosed within the edible material. The physical medium has a computer-readable code embodied thereon and the computer-readable code encodes at least an identifier associated with a source of content pertaining to at least one of a drawing, a contest, a game, a coupon, and an advertisement.
Implementations of the methods and systems described herein generate a computer-readable code that may be read by a client computing device to direct the client computing device to content relating to a drawing, a contest, a game, a coupon, and/or an advertisement. The computer-readable code is embodied on a physical medium, for example a slip of paper, and is inserted into a food item, for example a fortune cookie, thereby transforming the food item into an information carrier. The content may be, for example, a software application that is transmitted to and executed locally on the client computing device and/or a website that the client computing device displays, for example using a web browser.
The methods and systems described herein may be implemented using computer programming or engineering techniques including computer software, firmware, hardware or any combination or subset thereof, wherein the technical effect may include at least one of: (a) associating, in a memory, an identifier with a source of content pertaining to at least one of a drawing, a contest, a game, a coupon, and an advertisement; (b) generating a computer-readable code that encodes at least the identifier; (c) printing the computer-readable code to a physical medium; and (d) inserting the physical medium into a food item, thereby transforming the food item into an information carrier. Accordingly, by performing one or more of these steps, a client computing device that scans or otherwise reads the computer-readable code embodied on the physical medium in the food item may be directed to content that is of interest to a user of the client computing device. By printing the computer-readable code to a physical medium and inserting the physical medium into a food item, the systems and methods described herein provide the technical effect of transforming a food item into a different state or thing, namely an information carrier.
In one embodiment, a computer program is provided, and the program is embodied on a computer-readable medium. In an example embodiment, the system is executed on a single computer system, without requiring a connection to a server computer. In a further example embodiment, the system is being run in a Windows® environment (Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash.). In yet another embodiment, the system is run on a mainframe environment and a UNIX® server environment (UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T located in New York, N.Y.). The application is flexible and designed to run in various different environments without compromising any major functionality. In some embodiments, the system includes multiple components distributed among a plurality of computing devices. One or more components may be in the form of computer-executable instructions embodied in a computer-readable medium. The systems and processes are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. In addition, components of each system and each process can be practiced independent and separate from other components and processes described herein. Each component and process can also be used in combination with other assembly packages and processes.
The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the disclosure by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is contemplated that the disclosure has general application to directing a client computing device to content in industrial, commercial, and/or residential applications.
As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “example embodiment” or “one embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.
Server computing device 102 inserts or otherwise includes physical medium 106 into food item 104. Food item 104 includes any edible material, for example a fortune cookie. In some implementations, server computing device 102 transmits an instruction to an insertion device 105 to insert or otherwise include physical medium 106 into food item 104. In other implementations, server computing device 102 inserts or otherwise includes physical medium 106 into food item 104 directly. In some implementations, insertion device 105 is included within server computing device 102. By inserting physical medium 106 into food item 104, food item transforming system 107 transforms food item 104 into a different state or thing, namely an information carrier 111.
A user of client computing device 114 receives food item 104 and discovers physical medium 106 within food item 104. The user then uses client computing device 114 to scan or read computer-readable code 108 from physical medium 106 to obtain identifier 110. Client computing device 114 is configured to transmit a request to server computing device 102, wherein the request includes identifier 110. Server computing device 102 then accesses source address 112 from database 103, using identifier 110, and transmits a response to client computing device 114 that includes source address 112. As described above, source address 112 may be, for example, an address such as a URL of a computing device that stores, and is configured to transmit, content 118. For example, source address 112 may be a URL of third party computing device 116. In response to receiving the response from server computing device 102 including source address 112, client computing device 114 transmits a request based on source address 112. More specifically, client computing device 114 transmits a request to third party computing device 116. In response, third party computing device 116 transmits content 118 to client computing device 114.
Each workstation, 316, 318, and 320, is a personal computer having a web browser. Although the functions performed at the workstations typically are illustrated as being performed at respective workstations 316, 318, and 320, such functions can be performed at one of many personal computers coupled to LAN 314. Workstations 316, 318, and 320 are illustrated as being associated with separate functions only to facilitate an understanding of the different types of functions that can be performed by individuals having access to LAN 314.
Server system 102 is configured to be communicatively coupled to various entities, including third party computing devices 116, 322, and 324 (i.e., sources of content), client computing devices 114 and 333, and other computing devices using an Internet connection 326. The communication in the example embodiment is illustrated as being performed using the Internet, however, any other wide area network (WAN) type communication can be utilized in other embodiments, i.e., the systems and processes are not limited to being practiced using the Internet. In addition, and rather than WAN 328, local area network 314 could be used in place of WAN 328.
In the example embodiment, any authorized individual or entity having a computing device may access system 102. At least one of the client systems includes a manager workstation 316 located at a remote location. In some implementations, some or all of workstations 316, 318, and 320 and client computing devices 114 and 333 are configured to operate a web browser and to communicate with server system 102. In some implementations, fax server 307 is configured to communicate with one or more client systems, such as workstations 316, 318, and 320.
Client computing device 402 also includes at least one media output component 415 for presenting information to user 401. Media output component 415 is any component capable of conveying information to user 401. In some embodiments, media output component 415 includes an output adapter such as a video adapter and/or an audio adapter. An output adapter is operatively coupled to processor 405 and operatively couplable to an output device such as a display device (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, cathode ray tube (CRT), or “electronic ink” display) or an audio output device (e.g., a speaker or headphones).
In some embodiments, client computing device 402 includes an input device 420 for receiving input from user 401. Input device 420 may include, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, a mouse, a stylus, a touch sensitive panel (e.g., a touch pad or a touch screen), a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a position detector, an audio input device, a camera or other optical sensor, a barcode scanner, a magnetic sensor, and/or an radio frequency sensor. A single component such as a touch screen may function as both an output device of media output component 415 and input device 420.
Client computing device 402 may also include a communication interface 425, which is communicatively couplable to remote devices such as server system 102 and one or more content source systems 305. Communication interface 425 may include, for example, a wired or wireless network adapter or a wireless data transceiver for use with a mobile phone network (e.g., Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), 3G, 4G or Bluetooth) or other mobile data network (e.g., Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX)).
Stored in one or more memory devices 410 are, for example, computer-readable instructions for providing a user interface to user 401 via media output component 415 and, optionally, receiving and processing input from input device 420. A user interface may include, among other possibilities, a web browser and client application. Web browsers enable users, such as user 401, to display and interact with media and other information typically embedded on a web page or a website from server system 102 or a content source system 305. A client application allows user 401 to interact with a server application from server system 102 or a content source system 305.
Server computing device 502 includes one or more processors 504 for executing instructions. Instructions may be stored in one or more memory devices 506. One or more processors 504 may include one or more processing units (e.g., in a multi-core configuration).
One or more processors 504 are operatively coupled to a communication interface 508 such that server computing device 502 is capable of communicating with a remote device such as client computing device 402 or another server computing device 502. For example, communication interface 508 may receive requests from client systems 304 via the Internet, as illustrated in
One or more processors 504 may also be operatively coupled to one or more storage devices 510. One or more storage devices 510 are any computer-operated hardware suitable for storing and/or retrieving data. In some embodiments, one or more storage devices 510 are integrated in server computing device 502. For example, server computing device 502 may include one or more hard disk drives as one or more storage devices 510. In other embodiments, one or more storage devices 510 are external to server computing device 502 and may be accessed by a plurality of server computing devices 502. For example, one or more storage devices 510 may include multiple storage units such as hard disks or solid state disks in a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID) configuration. One or more storage devices 510 may include a storage area network (SAN) and/or a network attached storage (NAS) system. In some embodiments, one or more storage devices 510 may include database 103.
In some embodiments, one or more processors 504 are operatively coupled to one or more storage devices 510 via a storage interface 512. Storage interface 512 is any component capable of providing one or more processors 504 with access to one or more storage devices 510. Storage interface 512 may include, for example, an Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) adapter, a Serial ATA (SATA) adapter, a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) adapter, a RAID controller, a SAN adapter, a network adapter, and/or any component providing one or more processors 504 with access to one or more storage devices 510.
One or more memory devices 410 and 506 may include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) or static RAM (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM). The above memory types are example only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memory usable for storage of a computer program.
In some implementations, food item transforming system 107 is configured to receive a request from a client computing device (e.g., client computing device 114), wherein the request includes the identifier 110 and food item transforming system 107 transmits an instruction to client computing device 114 to access a website associated with the source of content, in response to receiving the request. For example, in some implementations, food item transforming system 107 transmits source address 112 to client computing device 114, wherein source address 112 is a URL for content 118 hosted on third party computing device 116. In some implementations, for example in implementations in which content 118 is stored in database 103, food item transforming system 107 transmits content 118, or at least a portion of content 118, to client computing device 114 in response to receiving the request. In some implementations, food item transforming system 107 is configured to print the computer-readable code 108 in a format that is readable by at least one of an optical sensor, a barcode scanner, and a magnetic sensor of a client computing device (e.g., client computing device 114). In some implementations, food item transforming system 107 is configured to print the computer-readable code 108 using at least one of multiple colors, multiple shapes, and multiple spatial dimensions. For example, in some implementations, food item transforming system 107 prints computer-readable code 108 in a two-dimensional format, such as a QR (quick response) code, or a three dimensional format, that may contain, for example, extrusions or indentations in the physical medium 106. In some implementations, food item transforming system 107 encodes an instruction to access the source of content (e.g., third party computing device 116) directly into the computer-readable code 108, rather than encoding an identifier 110 that food item transforming system 107 then cross-references with source address 112. In such implementations, client computing device 114 does not transmit a request that includes identifier 110 to food item transforming system 107 prior to requesting the content 118 from the source of content (e.g., third party computing device 116). Rather, in such implementations, upon reading computer-readable code 108, client computing device 114 transmits a request for content 118 directly to third party computing device 116. More specifically, in such implementations, computer-readable code 108 and/or identifier 110 includes the source address 112 (e.g., URL) of content 118.
Food item transforming system 107 includes an associating component 702 for associating, in memory (e.g., database 103), an identifier (e.g., identifier 110) with a source of content (source address 112 of third party computing device 116 which hosts content 118) pertaining to at least one of a drawing 204, a contest 206, a game 208, a coupon 210, and an advertisement 212. Food item transforming system 107 additionally includes a generating component 704 for generating a computer-readable code 108 that encodes at least the identifier 110. Additionally, food item transforming system 107 includes a printing component 706 for printing the computer-readable code 108 to a physical medium 106. Additionally, food item transforming system 107 includes an inserting component 708 (e.g., insertion device 105) for inserting the physical medium 106 into a food item 104.
In an example embodiment, database 103 is divided into a plurality of sections, including but not limited to, an identifiers section 710, a source addresses section 712, and an access records section 714. In some implementations, the access records section 714 stores a record of when a client computing device (e.g., client computing device 114) transmitted a request to food item transforming system 107 that includes an identifier (e.g., identifier 110) stored in database 103. These sections within database 103 are interconnected to retrieve and store information in accordance with the functions and processes described above.
The term processor, as used herein, refers to central processing units, microprocessors, microcontrollers, reduced instruction set circuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), logic circuits, and any other circuit or processor capable of executing the functions described herein.
As used herein, the terms “software” and “firmware” are interchangeable, and include any computer program stored in memory for execution by processor 405, 504, including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types are example only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memory usable for storage of a computer program.
As will be appreciated based on the foregoing specification, the above-discussed embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented using computer programming or engineering techniques including computer software, firmware, hardware or any combination or subset thereof. Any such resulting computer program, having computer-readable and/or computer-executable instructions, may be embodied or provided within one or more computer-readable media, thereby making a computer program product, i.e., an article of manufacture, according to the discussed embodiments of the disclosure. These computer programs (also known as programs, software, software applications or code) include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As used herein, the terms “machine-readable medium,” “computer-readable medium,” and “computer-readable media” refer to any computer program product, apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The “machine-readable medium,” “computer-readable medium,” and “computer-readable media,” however, do not include transitory signals (i.e., they are “non-transitory”). The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.
The embodiments of the method and system described above generate a computer-readable code embodied on a physical medium that is included within a food item, thereby transforming the food item into an information carrier. The computer-readable code directs a client computing device to content relating to a drawing, a contest, a game, a coupon, and an advertisement. Accordingly, a user of a client computing device may read the computer-readable code using the client computing device and view the content.
This written description uses examples, including the best mode, to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/030,158, filed Jul. 29, 2014, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62030158 | Jul 2014 | US |
