Methods and Systems for Connecting Physical Objects to Digital Communications

Abstract

Disclosed is a system which uses a unique code, for example a QR code, on a physical product. The code is conveniently readable, for example by a smartphone or tablet, and connects the reader to a specific network address. Dynamically variable content is provided at the network address, which may be provided by the product vendor or manufacturer, by the purchaser, or by other parties. The content may vary depending upon which party is accessing the code.

1 . A system adapted to provide a connection from a physical object to a network communication, including at least one physical object with an associated code, at least one portable computing device adapted to read the code and adapted to connect to a network location, and a server associated with the network location,
 wherein the code, when read by the computing device, defines a link to a network location, to which location the computing device is adapted to connect; the server including a communication defined for the code, so that the communication is provided to the computing device by the server.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more viewer groups are defined for each associated code, a plurality of communications are provided, and wherein communication provided to each specific viewer is dependent upon whether or not that viewer is a member of member of one or more of said groups, and optionally additional parameters selected from one or more of the location of the device, the proximity of the device to a defined location, the time and/or date, previous access or registration of the device or user, username and password or other authentication. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 2 , wherein the object is a portable item, the code is readable on the object, and the code allows access to information including information specific to the item. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the item is a one or more of a fashion item, collectable, art object, limited edition or other specialised item, and the code allows access to information to assist in authenticating the item. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein an owner or other authorised person may add additional material to the server, so as to personalise or augment the information specific to the item, and to optionally make selected material and/communications only available to members of defined groups. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the code is associated with a fixed physical location, and the code further allows access to a means to communicate with a party or to receive a communication relating to that location. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the code allows access to one or more games either randomly presented or preselected. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the coded physical object allows one or more of access to specific content, access to specific products, access to specific locations, and delivery of user directed content. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the item is a sticker or a promotional object. 
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the code provides access to material specific to a celebrity, team, sportsperson, musician, actor, band or other specific person or persons. 
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 15 , wherein the item is a promotional item or licensed item associated with a person or group, and accessing the code provides access to one or more of specific events, video, audio, images, experiences, communication opportunities, social media groups or other fan related items or activities. 
     
     
         17 . In a system including at least one physical object with an associated code, at least one portable computing device adapted to read the code and adapted to connect to a network location, and a server associated with the network location, the method including at least the steps of:
 (a) At a server, receiving a request from a portable device, the request being generated by said code;   (b) determining whether the device is a member of one or more predefined groups;   (c) In response to the determination, providing a communication and/or access to material, wherein the content of the communication and/or access to material provided is conditional upon said determination.   
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein one or more additional parameters are defined which determine the communication which is provided, selected from the group comprising the location of the device, the proximity of the device to a defined location, the time and/or date, previous access or registration of the device or user, username and password or other authentication. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the object is a portable item, the code is readable on the object, and the code allows access to information including information specific to the item. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the code provides access to material specific to a celebrity, team, sportsperson, musician, actor, band or other specific person or persons. 
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 30 , wherein the item is a promotional item or licensed item associated with a person or group, and accessing the code provides access to one or more of specific events, video, audio, images, experiences, communication opportunities, social media groups or other fan related items or activities. 
     
     
         32 . A method to provide a connection from a physical object to a network communication, including:
 providing a physical item with an associated code, and   reading the code with a user device,   wherein when the code is read, the user device in connected to a defined network location associated with the code, that network location defining a server including a communication defined for the code, so that the communication is provided to the user device by the server.   
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 32  further including the steps, at a server, of:
 determining whether the device is a member of one or more predefined groups; 
 In response to the determination, providing a communication and/or access to material, wherein the content of the communication and/or access to material provided is conditional upon said determination. 
 
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 34 , wherein
 one or more additional parameters are defined which determine the communication which is provided, selected from the group comprising one or more of the locations of the device, the proximity of the device to a defined location, the time and/or date, previous access or registration of the device or user, username and password or other authentication.   
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A system according to  claim 19 , wherein the code provides access to material specific to a celebrity, team, sportsperson, musician, actor, band or other specific person or persons, and wherein the item is a promotional item or licensed item associate with a person or group, and accessing the code provides access to one or more specific events, video, audio, images, experiences, communication opportunities, social media groups or other fan related items or activities. 
     
     
         45 . (canceled)