WO2004070688A1 - Wait symbol promotional system - Google Patents

Wait symbol promotional system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004070688A1
WO2004070688A1 PCT/AU2004/000116 AU2004000116W WO2004070688A1 WO 2004070688 A1 WO2004070688 A1 WO 2004070688A1 AU 2004000116 W AU2004000116 W AU 2004000116W WO 2004070688 A1 WO2004070688 A1 WO 2004070688A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
software application
promotional
operating system
wait
symbol graphic
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2004/000116
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Darras Hancock
Original Assignee
Darras Hancock
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2003900466A external-priority patent/AU2003900466A0/en
Priority claimed from AU2003900501A external-priority patent/AU2003900501A0/en
Application filed by Darras Hancock filed Critical Darras Hancock
Publication of WO2004070688A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004070688A1/en

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/02Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the promotion of business associated images through computer graphics and, more particularly to the promotion of such images by their display in the form of, or in addition to, the "wait", “busy”, “working” or “loading” indicating symbol on a computer screen.
  • BVCKCSROJNP BVCKCSROJNP
  • wait symbol promotional system wherein wait symbol graphics for display on a computer screen during an operating system or software application processing delay are adapted by said operating system or software application • developer or others for the purposes of promoting third party products or services for gain.
  • said wait symbol graphic is in the form of a logo.
  • said wait symbol graphic is in the form of a trademark.
  • said wait symbol graphic is in the form of a slogan.
  • said wait symbol graphic is in the form of indicia associated with an organization.
  • said organisation is a sponsor of said wait symbol graphic for a consideration.
  • said wait symbol graphic is incorporated in the code of the operating system or software application installed on a computer.
  • said wait symbol graphic persists unchanged for the life of said operating system or said software application.
  • said wait symbol graphic changes cyclically with predetermined states of said operating system or said software application.
  • the display of said wait symbol graphic is static.
  • th ⁇ s display of said wait symbol graphic is dynamic.
  • Preferably television or other images are displayed in place of, or in addition to said wait symbol graphic for at least a part of the duration of said operating system or said software application processing delay or as accessed by the computer user.
  • said wait symbol graphic or the display of said television or other images Is adapted by an operating system developer or software application developer or distributor of said operating s3 r stem or gaid software application for the benefit of a sponsor or hirer for a consideration.
  • a method for the promotion of a sponsor's logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material or advertising material said method including the steps oft-
  • wait symbol promotional system wherein wait symbol graphics or waiting time for display on a computer screen during an operating system or software application processing delay are adapted by said operating system or software application developer or others for the purposes of promoting third party products or services for gain.
  • said wait symbol graphic is in the form of a logo.
  • said wait symbol graphic is in the form of a trademark.
  • said wait symbol graphic is in the form of a slogan.
  • said wait symbol -graphic is in the form of indicia associated with an organisation.
  • said organization is a sponsor of said wait symbol graphic for a consideration.
  • said wait symbol graphic is incorporated in the code of the operating system or software application installed on a computer.
  • said wait symbol graphic changes cyclically with predetermined states of said operating system or said software application, Preferably the display of said wait symbol graphic is static.
  • the display of said wait Eymbol graphic is dynamic. .
  • Preferably television or other images are displayed in place of said wait symbol graphic for at least a part of the duration of said operating system or said software application processing delay or as accessed by the computer user.
  • Preferably said promotional imagery is displayed in addition to a wait symbol graphic.
  • said promotional imagery includes logos of corporate sponsors, Preferably said promotional imagery includes trade marks of corporate sponsors.
  • Preferably said promotional imagery includes slogans of corporate sponsors.
  • Preferably said promotional imagery includes advertorial information of corporate sponsor products.
  • Preferably said promotional imagery includes advertorial information of corporate sponsor services.
  • said promotional imagery ⁇ is adapted by an operating system developer for the benefit of a sponsor for a consideration.
  • said promotional imagery is adapted by a software application developer for the benefit of a sponsor for a consideration.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of & computer monitor displaying an hourglass "wait symbol graphic' "r as an example of prior art?
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of a computer monitor displaying a "wait symbol graphic" in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 3 is a flow diagram showing a typical logic sequence for the display of the "wait symbol graphics" of Figures 1 and 2.
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of a computer monitor displaying a "wait symbol graphic" with an additional display.
  • wait symbol graphic refers to the "wait”, “busy”, “working” or
  • a system for the display of particular "wait symbol graphics” in particular circumstances there is provided a system for the display of particular "wait symbol graphics" in particular circumstances.
  • "wait symbol graphics” are specific to the particular operating system or any soft'fare applic tion currently in uss on ⁇ computer.
  • the "wait symbol graphic” is adapted to display or promote third party logos, trademarks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material by the operating system or software application developers or distributors.
  • the "wait symbol graphic” forms a permanent part of the operating system or software application as originally shipped but may be changed to other forms subsequently by, for example, downloading a software "patch" over the internet.
  • a computer operating system or software developer or distributor incorporates the logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material as the "wait symbol graphic" of a third party sponsor for a consideration.
  • This consideration may be structured in a number of ways; for example as a lump sum, payable once only so as to secure the incorporation of the sponsor's logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material as the "wait symbol graphic" in the operating system or software for the life of the operating system or software, in a further form payment may be based on the number of copies of the operating system or software issued. In yet a further form, payment may secure the incorporation of the .
  • a sponsoring organization pays for the development costs of the operating system or software application or alternatively purchases the rights to the operating system or software in which the "wait symbol graphic" incorporates the sponsor's logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material.
  • the sponsor may then choose to maIce the operating system or software application available at either a subsidized cost to end users or as a promotional give-away,, as by way of a non-limiting example, by including copies of ⁇ the operating system or software application as CD-ROM discs with the sponsor's product.
  • a plurality of sponsors or hirers are each offered the "wait symbol graphic" as a vehicle for their logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material for inclusion in an agreed number of copies of the operating system or software application.
  • the particular number of copies may be linked to some specific criteria, such as for example, offering the operating system or software application for sale in a preferred geographical area.
  • the operating system or software application is offered for download over the internet with the option for purchasers to upgrade from time to time.
  • the "wait symbol graphic" may be offered to sponsors or hirers for an agreed life of a particular release of the operating system or software application.
  • any upgrade may be issued with the "wai symbol graphic " ' " revised to incorporate the logos, trade marks, slogans. products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or in ormational material of new sponsors or hirers.
  • the "wait symbol graphic" in an operating system or software application again takes the form of logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material associated with sponsors or hirers, but may have a cyclic nature in that the operating system or software application is provided with a number of associated "wait symbol graphics' " ' ' , each of a promotional nature of benefit to the individual sponsor.
  • a different x wait symbol graphic may come into use at each time a data or command entry or other user operation is denied or buffered due to processing delays.
  • different "wait symbol graphics” may come into use in accordance with some other protocol.
  • the "wait .symbol graphic” provides some diversion and measure of surprise and interest during those periods of enforced idleness for the computer user.
  • the "wait symbol graphics" of computer games are made available to sponsors or hirers.
  • the "wait symbol graphic' " may again be arranged to c a ge cyclically between a plurality of sponsors or hirers,- either during the playing of a game or at each re-loading of it.
  • the "wait symbol graphic" for a particular sponsor or hirer may for example, be made available on a time or usage basis, that is the sponsor's or hirer's logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material may be displayed every time the game is played over a given period or number of uses.
  • the "wait symbol graphic" and the time of its display is "for hire", that is the operating system or software application developer or distributor makes the "wait symbol graphic" space available to eligible sponsors or hirers at a cost.
  • the associated cost structure may include as parameters the number of operating systems or software applications sold, the estimated wait time when installed on a typical computer system and so forth.
  • the sponsors or hirers of a "wait symbol graphic" may change with each new release of the operating system or software application.
  • the "wait symbol graphic” may be a static or dynamic- representation? either by rotation of the graphic, its vibration, size oscillation or animation in some other manner to indicate that the operating system or software application processing causing the delay is active.
  • a dynamic "wait symbol graphic” display may be configured to give an indication of the likely wait period duration, thus for example, for a relatively short period, the "wait symbol graphic” may be programmed to flash or pulse rapidly while for a relatively longer period the flash or pulse may be slower.
  • • to add interest ' the "wait symbol graphic" may be accompanied by audio content in the form of music or even voice-over promotional information.
  • a dynamic symbol may revert to static at a predetermined point just prior to reverting to normal curser mode, indicating to the user that further interaction will imminently be possible.
  • a "wait symbol graphic" is comprised of a limited number of pixels, . typically up to 2000, which for the purposes of the present invention, may be increased where required to give an adequate definition of a sponsor's or hirer's logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material.
  • the "wait ⁇ -ymb ⁇ l graphic- may for the whole or pe.rt of the waiting period expand to fill the whole or a. portion of the screen, enabling it to be replaced by the display of other advertising material related to the "wait symbol graphic" sponsors or hirer's.
  • the waiting time during operating system or software application processing may be used to show images such as television commercials or other promotional imagery, providing some diversion and measure of surprising interest during those periods of enforced idleness for the computer user and thus providing frequent and focussed exposure of logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material of "wait symbol graphic" sponsors or hirers.
  • a "wait symbol graphic" 20 embedded in the operating system or a software application may continue to be displayed during a waiting time period.
  • the display of the "wait symbol graphic” triggers one or more separate display areas 21 on the computer's display screen for the display of any of the types of promotional or advertorial material described abo ,r e.
  • Such displays may remain at least for the duration of the "wait symbol graphic" display, but may be -.t ⁇ nc.ed as an option by the user if required to more fully ascertain the content of such displays or explore any links or attached display pages for example. This option may be exercised as a non-limiting example by double clicking on a "wait symbol graphic" where this has been so programmed for this purpose, or within the separate display itself.

Abstract

A wait symbol promotional system wherein wait symbol graphics for display on a computer screen during an operating system or software application processing delay are adapted by said operating system or software application developer or others for the purposes of promoting third party products or services for gain.

Description

WAIT SΪMBO PROMOTIONAL SYSTEM
The present invention relates to the promotion of business associated images through computer graphics and, more particularly to the promotion of such images by their display in the form of, or in addition to, the "wait", "busy", "working" or "loading" indicating symbol on a computer screen. BVCKCSROJNP
Many systems have been developed in the desire to utilise the computer as a vehicle for the promotion of an organization, its products or services. The almost universal use of computer systems throughout the business community and the increasing use ' of the Internet as research tool, entertainment and communication vehicle has seen the proliferation of a wide variety of advertising systems to take advantage of the wide exposure of computer systems as an advertising medium.
The effectiveness of a particular advertising method is to some extent related to the frequency and focus of its exposure to potential customers and an organization will strive for repetitive exposure of its logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material to promote brand n me, product, company or organisation recognition. In many forms these advertising systems may be considered intrusive and • may be resented by a computer user, it is the aim of the present invention to ameliorate the above disadvantage or provide a useful alternative. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention there is provided a wait symbol promotional system wherein wait symbol graphics for display on a computer screen during an operating system or software application processing delay are adapted by said operating system or software application developer or others for the purposes of promoting third party products or services for gain.
Preferably said wait symbol graphic is in the form of a logo. Preferably said wait symbol graphic is in the form of a trademark.
Preferably said wait symbol graphic is in the form of a slogan.
Preferably said wait symbol graphic is in the form of indicia associated with an organization.
Preferably said organisation is a sponsor of said wait symbol graphic for a consideration.
Preferably said wait symbol graphic is incorporated in the code of the operating system or software application installed on a computer.
Preferably said wait symbol graphic persists unchanged for the life of said operating system or said software application.
Preferably said wait symbol graphic changes cyclically with predetermined states of said operating system or said software application. Preferably the display of said wait symbol graphic is static.
Preferably th<s display of said wait symbol graphic is dynamic.
Preferably television or other images are displayed in place of, or in addition to said wait symbol graphic for at least a part of the duration of said operating system or said software application processing delay or as accessed by the computer user.
Preferably said wait symbol graphic or the display of said television or other images Is adapted by an operating system developer or software application developer or distributor of said operating s3rstem or gaid software application for the benefit of a sponsor or hirer for a consideration. In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for the promotion of a sponsor's logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material or advertising material, said method including the steps oft-
(a) representing said logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising Or informational material as computer code defining an array of pixels so as to form an image for display on a computer screen,
(b) incorporating said code in the software of a computer operating system or in a computer software application, (c) utilizing said code for display on a computer screen at such times as an operating system o software application would display a wait symbol.
In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of deriving revenue from advertising, said method including the steps of:
(a) making available, for a consideration, the existing wait, busy, working or loading symbol graphic spac of a computer operating system or software application to display the logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material of an organization ; (b) structuring said wait, busy, working or loading symbol graphic of said computer operating system or software application to incorporate said logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational .material specific to the preferences of said organization. In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of subsidizing the cost of a computer operating system or software application to an end user, said method including the steps of:
(a) incorporating the logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material of a sponsor or hirer into the wait symbol graphic system of said operating system or said software application; '(b) defraying the cost, at least in part, of the development, of said operating system or said. software application through paid sponsorship by said sponsors or hirers; (c) making said operating system or software application available freely or at reduced cost to said end users.
In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a wait symbol promotional system wherein wait symbol graphics or waiting time for display on a computer screen during an operating system or software application processing delay are adapted by said operating system or software application developer or others for the purposes of promoting third party products or services for gain.
Preferably said wait symbol graphic is in the form of a logo. Preferably said wait symbol graphic is in the form of a trademark.
Preferably said wait symbol graphic is in the form of a slogan.
Preferably said wait symbol -graphic is in the form of indicia associated with an organisation.
Preferably said organization is a sponsor of said wait symbol graphic for a consideration.
Preferably said wait symbol graphic is incorporated in the code of the operating system or software application installed on a computer.
Preferably said wait Symbol graphic persists unchanged for the life of said operating system or said software application.
Preferably said wait symbol graphic changes cyclically with predetermined states of said operating system or said software application, Preferably the display of said wait symbol graphic is static.
Preferably the display of said wait Eymbol graphic is dynamic. .
Preferably television or other images are displayed in place of said wait symbol graphic for at least a part of the duration of said operating system or said software application processing delay or as accessed by the computer user.
Preferably said wait symbol graphic or the display of said television or other images is adapted by an operating
I system developer or software application developer or distributor of said operating system or εs ±ό software application for the benefit o£ a εponsor or hirer for a consideration , In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for the utilization of the waiting time incurred on a computer during operating system or software application processing delays where said processing delays comprise a period of enforced user idleness; said method including the steps of:
(a) providing promotional imagery on at least a portion of a display screen of said computer. Preferably said promotional imagery replaces a wait symbol graphic.
Preferably said promotional imagery is displayed in addition to a wait symbol graphic.
Preferably said promotional imagery includes logos of corporate sponsors, Preferably said promotional imagery includes trade marks of corporate sponsors.
Preferably said promotional imagery includes slogans of corporate sponsors.
Preferably said promotional imagery includes advertorial information of corporate sponsor products.
Preferably said promotional imagery includes advertorial information of corporate sponsor services.
Preferably said promotional imagery is adapted by an operating system developer for the benefit of a sponsor for a consideration.
Preferably said promotional imagery is adapted by a software application developer for the benefit of a sponsor for a consideration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of & computer monitor displaying an hourglass "wait symbol graphic'"r as an example of prior art?
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a computer monitor displaying a "wait symbol graphic" in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention,
Figure 3 is a flow diagram showing a typical logic sequence for the display of the "wait symbol graphics" of Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a computer monitor displaying a "wait symbol graphic" with an additional display.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For the purposes of this specification, the term "wait symbol graphic" refers to the "wait", "busy", "working" or
"loading" symbol displayed on a computer screen in place of the normal cursor or pointer when data or command entry is denied or buffered due to processing delays.
Probably still the most common form of the wait symbol graphic or associated cursor/pointer is the hour glass graphic as shown in Figure 1 although operating systems may offer a small range of alternatives.
When no software application is in use/ any delay in input acceptance triggers the display of a "wait symbol graphic" as determined by the operating system, however, a software application may elicit its own "wait symbol graphic" when that application is currently in use. A possible logic sequence for determining which symbol should be displayed is shown in Figure 3.
With 'reference to Figure 2, in a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system for the display of particular "wait symbol graphics" in particular circumstances. In this embodiment of the invention "wait symbol graphics" are specific to the particular operating system or any soft'fare applic tion currently in uss on ε computer. In this embodiment of the present invention the "wait symbol graphic" is adapted to display or promote third party logos, trademarks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material by the operating system or software application developers or distributors. in this embodiment the "wait symbol graphic" forms a permanent part of the operating system or software application as originally shipped but may be changed to other forms subsequently by, for example, downloading a software "patch" over the internet.
In a second preferred embodiment of the invention a computer operating system or software developer or distributor incorporates the logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material as the "wait symbol graphic" of a third party sponsor for a consideration. This consideration may be structured in a number of ways; for example as a lump sum, payable once only so as to secure the incorporation of the sponsor's logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material as the "wait symbol graphic" in the operating system or software for the life of the operating system or software, in a further form payment may be based on the number of copies of the operating system or software issued. In yet a further form, payment may secure the incorporation of the . sponsor' s logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material for only a particular release of the. operating system or software. Yet other associated cost structures may include as parameters the number of operating systems or software applications sold, the estimated wait times of the operating system or software when installed and used on a typical computer. Preferably, but not necessarily, such organization's logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services,' identifying indicia, advertising or informational material are in some way complementary to the operating system or software application and/or of some potential benefit to the organization or to the computer user.
In a third preferred embodiment of the invention, a sponsoring organization pays for the development costs of the operating system or software application or alternatively purchases the rights to the operating system or software in which the "wait symbol graphic" incorporates the sponsor's logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material. The sponsor may then choose to maIce the operating system or software application available at either a subsidized cost to end users or as a promotional give-away,, as by way of a non-limiting example, by including copies of ■ the operating system or software application as CD-ROM discs with the sponsor's product. In a fourth preferred embodiment a plurality of sponsors or hirers are each offered the "wait symbol graphic" as a vehicle for their logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material for inclusion in an agreed number of copies of the operating system or software application. In this embodiment the particular number of copies may be linked to some specific criteria, such as for example, offering the operating system or software application for sale in a preferred geographical area. In a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention, the operating system or software application is offered for download over the internet with the option for purchasers to upgrade from time to time. In this embodiment the "wait symbol graphic" may be offered to sponsors or hirers for an agreed life of a particular release of the operating system or software application. When a current release is superceded and the sponsorship or hiring not renewed, any upgrade may be issued with the "wai symbol graphic"'" revised to incorporate the logos, trade marks, slogans. products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or in ormational material of new sponsors or hirers.
In a sixth preferred embodiment of the invention, the "wait symbol graphic" in an operating system or software application again takes the form of logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material associated with sponsors or hirers, but may have a cyclic nature in that the operating system or software application is provided with a number of associated "wait symbol graphics'"'', each of a promotional nature of benefit to the individual sponsor. In this embodiment a different xwait symbol graphic" may come into use at each time a data or command entry or other user operation is denied or buffered due to processing delays. Alternatively different "wait symbol graphics" may come into use in accordance with some other protocol. By this means the "wait .symbol graphic" provides some diversion and measure of surprise and interest during those periods of enforced idleness for the computer user. in yet a further embodiment of the invention, the "wait symbol graphics" of computer games are made available to sponsors or hirers. In this embodiment the "wait symbol graphic'" may again be arranged to c a ge cyclically between a plurality of sponsors or hirers,- either during the playing of a game or at each re-loading of it. Where the game is played interactively over the internet, the "wait symbol graphic" for a particular sponsor or hirer may for example, be made available on a time or usage basis, that is the sponsor's or hirer's logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material may be displayed every time the game is played over a given period or number of uses.
In all embodiments the "wait symbol graphic" and the time of its display is "for hire", that is the operating system or software application developer or distributor makes the "wait symbol graphic" space available to eligible sponsors or hirers at a cost. The associated cost structure may include as parameters the number of operating systems or software applications sold, the estimated wait time when installed on a typical computer system and so forth.
In all embodiments of the present invention the sponsors or hirers of a "wait symbol graphic" may change with each new release of the operating system or software application.
In any one of the above described embodiments, the "wait symbol graphic" may be a static or dynamic- representation? either by rotation of the graphic, its vibration, size oscillation or animation in some other manner to indicate that the operating system or software application processing causing the delay is active. In addition, a dynamic "wait symbol graphic" display may be configured to give an indication of the likely wait period duration, thus for example, for a relatively short period, the "wait symbol graphic" may be programmed to flash or pulse rapidly while for a relatively longer period the flash or pulse may be slower. In yet a further variation, to add interest ' the "wait symbol graphic" may be accompanied by audio content in the form of music or even voice-over promotional information. A dynamic symbol may revert to static at a predetermined point just prior to reverting to normal curser mode, indicating to the user that further interaction will imminently be possible. Generally a "wait symbol graphic" is comprised of a limited number of pixels, . typically up to 2000, which for the purposes of the present invention, may be increased where required to give an adequate definition of a sponsor's or hirer's logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material.
In yet a further preferred embodiment of the indention, the "wait ε-ymbσl graphic- may for the whole or pe.rt of the waiting period expand to fill the whole or a. portion of the screen, enabling it to be replaced by the display of other advertising material related to the "wait symbol graphic" sponsors or hirer's.
By these means the waiting time during operating system or software application processing may be used to show images such as television commercials or other promotional imagery, providing some diversion and measure of surprising interest during those periods of enforced idleness for the computer user and thus providing frequent and focussed exposure of logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material of "wait symbol graphic" sponsors or hirers.
In yet a further embodiment of the invention as illustrated in figure 4, a "wait symbol graphic" 20 embedded in the operating system or a software application may continue to be displayed during a waiting time period. In this embodiment the display of the "wait symbol graphic" triggers one or more separate display areas 21 on the computer's display screen for the display of any of the types of promotional or advertorial material described abo,re. Such displays may remain at least for the duration of the "wait symbol graphic" display, but may be -.tϊnc.ed as an option by the user if required to more fully ascertain the content of such displays or explore any links or attached display pages for example. This option may be exercised as a non-limiting example by double clicking on a "wait symbol graphic" where this has been so programmed for this purpose, or within the separate display itself.
The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications and variations, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A wait symbol promotional system wherein wait symbol graphics for display on a computer screen during an operating system or software application processing delay are adapted by said operating system or software application developer or others for the purposes of promoting third party products or services for gain.
2. The promotional system of claim 1 wherein said wait symbol graphic is in the form of a logo.
3. The promotional system of claim 1 wherein said wait symbol graphic is in the form of a trademark.
4. The promotional system of claim 1 wherein said wait symbol graphic is in the form of a slogan. 5. The promotional system of claim 1 wherein said wait symbol graphic is in the form of indicia associated with an organization.
6. The promotional system of any claim 1-5 wherein said organization is a sponsor of said wait symbol graphic for a consideration. , The promotional system of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said wait symbol graphic is incorporated in the code of the operating system or software application in tailed on a computer.
8. The promotional system of claim 7 wherein said wait symbol graphic persists unchanged for the life of said operating system or said software application.
9. The promotional system of claim 7 wherein said wait symbol graphic changes cyclically with predetermined states of said operating system or said software application.
10. The promotional system of claim 7 wherein the display of said wait symbol graphic is static. 11. The promotional system of claim 7 wherein the display of said wait symbol graphic is dynamic,
12. The promotional system of claim X wherein television or other images are displayed in place of, or in addition to said wait symbol graphic for at least a part of the duration of said operating system or said software application processing delay or as . accessed by the computer user.
13. The promotional system of any preceding claim wherein said wait symbol graphic or the display of said television or other images is adapted by an operating system developer or software application developer or distributor of said operating system or said software application for the benefit of a sponsor or hirer for a consideration.
14. A method for the promotion of a sponsor's logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material or advertising material, said method including the steps of:-
(a) representing said logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material as computer code defining an array of pixels so as to form an image for display on a computer screen,
(b) incorporating said code in the software of a computer operating system or in a computer software application, (c) utilizing said code for display on a computer screen at such times as an operating system or software application would display a wait symbol.
15. A method of deriving revenue from advertising, said method including the steps of:
(a) making available, for a consideration, the e-.ist.ing wait, busy, working or loading symbol graphic space of a computer operating system or software application to ' display the logos. trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material of an organization ; b) structuring said wait, busy, working or loading symbol graphic of said computer operating system or software application to incorporate said logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or informational material specific to the preferences of said organization.
16. A method of subsidizing the cost of a computer operating system or software application to an end user, said method including the steps of:
(a} incorporating the logos, trade marks, slogans, products, services, identifying indicia, advertising or in ormational material of a sponsor or hirer into the wait symbol graphic system of said operating system or said software application; (b) defraying the cost, at least in part, of the development of said operating system or said software application through paid sponsorship by ..aid sponsors or hirers? (c) making said operating system or software application available freely or at reduced cost to said end users.
17. A wait symbol promotional system wherein wait symbol graphics or waiting time for display on a computer screen during an operating system or software application processing delay are adapted by said operating system or software application developer or others for the purposes of promoting third party products or services for gain,.
18. The promotional system of claim 17 ivherein said wait symbol graphic is in the form of a logo.
19. The promotional system of claim 17 wherein said wait symbol graphic is in the form of a trademark.
20. The promotional system of claim 17 wherein said wait symbol graphic is in the form of a slogan.
21. The promotional system of claim 17 wherein said wait symbol graphic is in the form of indicia associated with an organization,
22. The promotional system of any claim 17-21 wherein said organisation is a sponsor of said wai symbol graphic for a consideration.
23. The promotional system of any one of claims 17 to 22 wherein said wait symbol graphic is incorporated in the code of the operating system or software application installed on a computer. 24. The promotional system of claim 23 wherein said wait symbol graphic persists unchanged for the life of said operating system or said software application.
25. The promotional system of claim 23 wherein said wait symbol graphic changes cyclically with predetermined states of said operating system or said software application.
26. The promotional system of claim 23 itfherein the display of said wait symbol graphic is static.
27. The promotional system of claim 23 wherein the display of said wait symbol graphic is dynamic.
28. The promotional system of claim 17 wherein television or other images are displayed in place of said wait symbol graphic for at least a part of the duration of said operating system or said software application processing delay or as accessed by the computer user.
2?. The promotional system of any preceding claim wherein said wait symbol graphic or the dis la of said television or other images is adapted by an operating system developer or software application developer or distributor of said operating system or said software application for the benefit of a sponsor or hirer for a consideration. 30. A method for the utilization of the waiting time r incurred on a computer during operating system or software application processing delays where said processing delays comprise a period of enforced user idleness; said method including the steps of: (a) providing promotional imagery on at least a ' portion of a display screen of said computer.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein said promotional imagery replaces a wait symbol graphic.
32. The method of claim 30 wherein said promotional imagery) is displayed in addition to a wait symbol graphic.
33. The method of any one of claims 30 to 32 wherein said promotional imagery includes logos of corporate sponsors. 34. The method of any one of claims 30 to 32 wherein said promotional imagery includes trade marks of corporate sponsors,.
35. The method of any one of claims 30 to 32 wherein said promotional imagery includes slogans of corporate sponsors. "36. The method of any one of claims 30 to 32 wherein : said promotional imagery includes advertorial information of corporate sponsor products. 37". The method of any one of claims 30 to 32 wherein said promotional imagery includes advertorial information of corporate sponsor services. 38. The method of any one of claims 30 to 37 wherein said promotional imagery is adapted by an operating system developer for the benefit of a sponsor for a consideration. 39. The method of any one of claims 30 to 37 wherein said promotional imagery is adapted by a software application developer for the benefit of a sponsor or a consideration ,
PCT/AU2004/000116 2003-02-03 2004-02-03 Wait symbol promotional system WO2004070688A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003900466A AU2003900466A0 (en) 2003-02-03 2003-02-03 Wait symbol promotional system
AU2003900466 2003-02-03
AU2003900501 2003-02-05
AU2003900501A AU2003900501A0 (en) 2003-02-05 2003-02-05 Wait symbol promotional system

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WO2010112591A1 (en) * 2009-04-02 2010-10-07 Koninklijke Kpn N.V. Playing out interludes based on predicted duration of channel-switching delay or of invoked pause

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EP2237549A1 (en) * 2009-04-02 2010-10-06 Koninklijke KPN N.V. Playing out interludes when switching IPTV channels
WO2010112591A1 (en) * 2009-04-02 2010-10-07 Koninklijke Kpn N.V. Playing out interludes based on predicted duration of channel-switching delay or of invoked pause
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