Universally interactive request for information
A request for information (RFI) system is provided for use in communications networks including broadcast networks and the Internet. In one implementation, a code identifying an item of media content of interest (e.g. television, newspaper, magazines, billboards, radio) is captured and input to an RFI system that includes stored media tags and a search tool for matching inputs to the stored media tags. Upon receipt of the captured code, the RFI system matches the captured code with the stored media tags and provides a response to the user based on the match. The response may include or relate to follow-on or premium information relating to the content of interest. Using this information, an RFI data center or an RFI platform may credit value to a rewards account established for the network user based on the user's verified consumption of assets and/or data requests. Further, the RFI data center or RFI platform may be used to collect consumer behavior information, including purchasing decisions made by the user after consumption of assets, and correlate the consumer behavior information with the user's verified asset consumption.
1 . A method for use in providing information to users of communications networks via a processor configured to execute program instructions stored in a memory, comprising:
receiving, at a first data network platform from a first device of a data network, said first device operating a request-for-information (RFI) application, request information regarding an indication of interest specific to a first network user, wherein said request information captures RFI enabled content, wherein said RFI enabled content comprises an RFI icon and said RFI icon is specific to said RFI application;
using said first data network platform of said data network, remote from said first device, for processing, via the processor, said request information to make an association of said request information to a first provider of goods or services; and
based on said association, providing access, via a request-for-information data center, to purchase information of said first provider, wherein:
said request information is indexed, via the request-for-information data center, to said first network user at said first data network platform such that said purchase information of said first provider can be accessed by said first network user via one of the first device, at a time separate from a time of delivery of first video programming content, and a user device different than said first device;
wherein said first device is a mobile data device of said data network, said indication being provided by operating said first device to enter information obtained in connection with delivery of said first video programming content to said first network user via a second device separate from said first device.
2 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said first device is a smart phone.
3 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said first device is associated with multiple users and said method further comprises identifying said first network user associated with input from among said multiple users.
4 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said first video programming content is an advertisement.
5 . The method as set forth in claim 4 , wherein said advertisement is delivered during a break in programming.
6 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said first video programming content is an advertisement targeted to said first network user.
7 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising the step of collecting consumer behavior information associated with said first network user.
8 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said request information is entered in relation to one or more of an audio snippet of a portion of said first video programming content and an image of a portion of said first video programming content.
9 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said purchase information is accessed via an e-commerce platform.
10 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising the step of transmitting follow-on information to said first network user.
11 . The method as set forth in claim 7 , further comprising the step of closing the loop utilizing said consumer behavior information, wherein said consumer behavior information comprises one or more of:
information of interest to asset providers; and
information of interest to programming providers.
12 . The method as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the step of closing the loop comprises one or more of the steps of:
analyzing asset effectiveness; and
analyzing follow-on information effectiveness.
13 . The method as set forth in claim 7 , wherein said consumer behavior information is collected from a source, wherein said source comprises one or more of:
direct reporting from the user;
memberships;
loyalty accounts; and
databases of consumer information.
14 . A system for use in providing information to users of communications networks, comprising:
a request-for-information (RFI) data center;
a first data network platform of a data network; and
software stored on a computer readable medium and operable on a processor to perform the following steps:
receiving, from a first device of said data network, said first device operating an RFI application, request information regarding an indication of interest specific to a first network user, wherein said first device is a mobile data device of said data network, said indication being provided by operating said first device to enter information obtained in connection with delivery of first video programming content to said first network user via a second device separate from said first device, wherein said request information is entered independent of any enabling element of said first video programming content and said request information captures RFI enabled content, wherein said RFI enabled content comprises an RFI icon and said RFI icon is specific to said RFI application;
processing said request information to make an association of said request information to a first provider of goods or services; and
based on said association, providing access to purchase information of said first provider, wherein said request information is indexed via the request-for-information data center, to said first network user at said first data network platform such that said purchase information of said first provider can be accessed by said first network user via one of the first device, at a time separate from a time of delivery of said first video programming content, and a user device different than said first device.
15 . The system as set forth in claim 14 , wherein said first device is a smart phone.
16 . The system as set forth in claim 14 , wherein said first device is associated with multiple users and said method further comprises identifying said first network user associated with input from among said multiple users.
17 . The system as set forth in claim 14 , wherein said first video programming content is an advertisement.
18 . The system as set forth in claim 17 , wherein said advertisement is delivered during a break in programming.
19 . The system as set forth in claim 14 , wherein said first video programming content is an advertisement targeted to said first network user.
20 . The system as set forth in claim 14 , wherein said first data network platform is further operative for collecting consumer behavior information associated with said first network user.
21 . The system as set forth in claim 14 , wherein said request information is entered in relation to one or more of an audio snippet of a portion of said first video programming content and an image of a portion of said first video programming content.
22 . The system as set forth in claim 14 , wherein said purchase information is accessed via an e-commerce platform.