System and method for providing digital messaging services
An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a system and method for providing digital messaging services received from multiple sources over a communications network. The system includes a client system, including a display screen coupled to a communications link; a workstation including a web browser, a memory, and a processor, said workstation coupled to said communications link; a hosting system, including a graphics server, a content server, and a scheduling server, each in communication with each other via a communications link; and a workstation and data storage device coupled to the communications link; and a data storage device for storing data utilized by said hosting system. The client system requests and receives digital messaging services from said hosting system under a subscription agreement. Digital messaging services include advertisements procured from said client system, and one or more local content providers, national advertisers, local advertisers, corporate marketing groups, and advertising agencies. Interactive digital messaging services are also available through the present invention. A user accesses these services via a variety of input devices; such as a bar code scanner, a wireless telephone or personal digital assistant, a kiosk with touch screen design, microphone, or other similar input device.
1. A system for providing digital messaging services received from multiple sources over a communications network, comprising:
a client system, including:
a display screen coupled to a communications link; and
a workstation including a web browser, a user interface, a memory, and a processor, said workstation coupled to said communications link;
a hosting system, including:
a server coupled to a communications link;
a workstation for:
accessing applications stored on said server;
inputting and retrieving information stored within said hosting system,
wherein said workstation is coupled to said communications link; and
a data storage device for storing data utilized by said hosting system;
wherein said hosting system is accessible to said communications network;
wherein said client system and said hosting system are in communication with each other, and wherein further, said hosting system provides digital messaging services to said client system;
an input device for entering product information and initiating selection of display-ready content related to the product from said storage device for display on said display screen;
said input device is a bar code reader and the product includes a bar code, said input device initiating selection of said display-ready content upon said bar code reader reading the bar code, said bar code reader and said display screen being located proximate to the product in a retail establishment; wherein said display displays information in a number of windows, said initiating selection of display-ready content related to the product from said storage device for display on said display screen altering the display of only one the windows related to in-store products.
2. A system for displaying content, comprising:
a workstation coupled to a communication link;
a display screen coupled to the workstation configured to display multiple windows related to plural in-store products; and
a bar code reader coupled to the workstation configured to enter product information relating to a product and initiate selection of content related to the product upon reading a bar code included on the product,
wherein said initiating selection of content includes the steps of:
querying a server coupled via the communication link for content related to the product;
receiving via the communication link content related to the product; and
altering the display of only one of the windows on the display device in accordance with the content related to the product, and
wherein said bar code reader and said display screen are proximate to the product in a retail establishment.
3. A system for providing digital messaging services to one or more client system, comprising:
a server coupled to a communication link configured to provide content to said one or more client system; and
a data storage device for storing data coupled to said server,
wherein said providing content to said one or more client system includes the steps of:
receiving a query from a client system via the communication link for content related to a product to alter the display of only one window of a display device operatively coupled to the client system;
querying said data storage device for the content;
receiving the content from the data storage device; and
sending the content to the client system to alter the display of the one window of the display device operatively coupled to the client system, and
wherein the client system is coupled to a bar code reader for entering product information and initiating selection of display-ready content related to the product from the data storage device for display on the display device, wherein the display device includes a screen and displays information in a number of windows,
wherein the product includes a bar code, said bar code reader initiating selection of the display-ready content upon the bar code reader reading the bar code, and
wherein the bar code reader and the display screen are located proximate to the product in a retail establishment.