Method for real time distribution of dealership generated data and media originating from a retail environment

Abstract

A system for real time distribution of data and media is disclosed. The system may include a processor that executes instructions to authenticate an employee into an application based on login information received for the employee. The processor may enable the employee to access the application if the employee is authenticated. Once the employee is logged in, the processor may receive media content and information associated with a customer and may transmit the media content and the information to a device of a manager for approval. After the media content and the information are transmitting to the device of the manager, the processor may receive the approval of the media content and the information from the device of the manager. The processor may then proceed to interrupt currently displayed media content on a display device to display video content including the media content and the information associated with the customer.

I claim: 
     
       1. A system for real time distribution of data and media, comprising:
 a memory that stores instructions; 
 a processor that executes the instructions to perform operations, the operations comprising:
 authenticating an employee into an application based on login information received for the employee; 
 enabling the employee to access the application if the employee is in response to the employee being authenticated based on the login information received for the employee; 
 receiving from the employee, via the application, media content and information associated with a customer; 
 transmitting the media content and the information associated with the customer to a device of a manager for approval; 
 receiving the approval of the media content and the information associated with the customer from the device of the manager; and 
 interrupting currently displayed media content on a display device to display video content including the media content and the information associated with the customer; and 
 following the interruption of the currently displayed media content, displaying on the display device the video content including the media content and the information associated with the customer; 
 
 wherein the media content and the information associated with the customer comprise a digital photograph of the customer taken by the employee during a point of sale transaction with the customer, and further comprise an audio message recorded by the employee regarding the point of sale transaction with the customer; and 
 wherein the operations further comprise playing the audio message over one or more speakers during at least a portion of the display of the video content including the media content and the information associated with the customer. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise transmitting the media content and the information associated with the customer to a communications network, a digital signage network, a social network, a dealership management system, and email servers when the approval is made. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise displaying the media content and the information associated with the customer on a social media webpage of a dealership associated with the employee. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise comparing the media content and the information associated with the customer with previously stored information associated with the customer. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4 , wherein the operations further comprise replacing the previously stored information with the media content and the information associated with the customer if the comparing of the media content and the information associated with the customer indicates that the previously stored information does not equal the media content and the information associated with the customer. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise transmitting an electronic mail message to the customer that includes the media content and the information associated with the customer, wherein the electronic mail message includes a link to enable the customer to post the media content and the information associated with the customer on a social media webpage associated with the customer. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise transmitting an initial alert to notify the employee of a customer arrival date and customer appointment information when the customer sets an appointment. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the operations further comprise transmitting an additional alert to the employee on a date of the appointment. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the media content and the information associated with the customer further comprise one or more of a digital photograph of a product associated with the customer, a customer name, a customer electronic mail address, and information associated with the product. 
     
     
       10. A method for real time distribution of media and data, comprising:
 authenticating an employee into an application based on login information received for the employee; 
 enabling the employee to access the application if the employee is in response to the employee being authenticated based on the login information received for the employee; 
 receiving from the employee, via the application, media content and information associated with a customer; 
 transmitting the media content and the information associated with the customer to a device of a manager for approval; 
 receiving the approval of the media content and the information associated with the customer from the device of the manager; and 
 interrupting, by utilizing instructions from memory and executed by a processor, currently displayed media content on a display device to display video content including the media content and the information associated with the customer; and 
 following the interruption of the currently displayed media content, displaying on the display device the video content including the media content and the information associated with the customer; 
 wherein the media content and the information associated with the customer comprise a digital photograph of the customer taken by the employee during a point of sale transaction with the customer, and further comprise an audio message recorded by the employee regarding the point of sale transaction with the customer; and 
 wherein the method further comprises playing the audio message over one or more speakers during at least a portion of the display of the video content including the media content and the information associated with the customer. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising displaying the media content and the information associated with the customer on a social media webpage of a dealership associated with the employee. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising comparing the media content and the information associated with the customer with previously stored information associated with the customer. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising replacing the previously stored information with the media content and the information associated with the customer if the comparing of the media content and the information associated with the customer indicates that the previously stored information does not equal the media content and the information associated with the customer. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising transmitting an initial alert to notify the employee of a customer arrival date and customer appointment information when the customer sets an appointment. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising transmitting an electronic mail message to the customer that includes the media content and the information associated with the customer, wherein the electronic mail message includes a link to enable the customer to post the media content and the information associated with the customer on a social media webpage associated with the customer. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising triggering previously displayed content to be played again on the display device. 
     
     
       17. A computer-readable device comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
 authenticating an employee into an application based on login information received for the employee; 
 enabling the employee to access the application if the employee is in response to the employee being authenticated based on the login information received for the employee; 
 receiving from the employee, via the application, media content and information associated with a customer; 
 transmitting the media content and the information associated with the customer to a device of a manager for approval; 
 receiving the approval of the media content and the information associated with the customer from the device of the manager; and 
 interrupting currently displayed media content on a display device to display video content including the media content and the information associated with the customer; and 
 following the interruption of the currently displayed media content, displaying on the display device the video content including the media content and the information associated with the customer; 
 wherein the media content and the information associated with the customer comprise a digital photograph of the customer taken by the employee during a point of sale transaction with the customer, and further comprise an audio message recorded by the employee regarding the point of sale transaction with the customer; and 
 wherein the instructions further cause the processor to perform operations comprising playing the audio message over one or more speakers during at least a portion of the display of the video content including the media content and the information associated with the customer. 
 
     
     
       18. The computer-readable device of  claim 17 , wherein the media content and the information associated with the customer further comprise one or more of a digital photograph of a product associated with the customer, a customer name, a customer electronic mail address, and information associated with the product. 
     
     
       19. A system for real time distribution of data and media, comprising:
 a memory that stores instructions; 
 a processor that executes the instructions to perform operations, the operations comprising:
 authenticating an employee into an application based on login information received for the employee; 
 enabling the employee to access the application if the employee is in response to the employee being authenticated based on the login information received for the employee; 
 receiving from the employee, via the application, media content and information associated with a customer; 
 transmitting the media content and the information associated with the customer to a device of a manager for approval; 
 receiving the approval of the media content and the information associated with the customer from the device of the manager; and 
 interrupting currently displayed media content on a display device to display video content including the media content and the information associated with the customer; 
 following the interruption of the currently displayed media content, displaying on the display device the video content including the media content and the information associated with the customer; 
 receiving an indication that a second customer has arrived at a dealership associated with the employee; 
 determining, based on information associated with the second customer, that the second customer has a family member with an upcoming special occasion; 
 requesting from the employee an indication regarding whether the family member is also at the dealership; 
 in response to the indication that the family member is also at the dealership, prompting the employee to provide, via the application, a digital photograph of the family member and a message regarding the upcoming special occasion; 
 receiving, via the application, the digital photograph of the family member and the message regarding the upcoming special occasion; 
 transmitting the digital photograph of the family member and the message regarding the upcoming special occasion to the device of the manager for approval; 
 receiving the approval of the digital photograph of the family member and the message regarding the upcoming special occasion from the device of the manager; and 
 interrupting currently displayed media content on the display device to display the digital photograph of the family member and the message regarding the upcoming special occasion; and 
 following the interruption of the currently displayed media content, displaying on the display device the digital photograph of the family member and the message regarding the upcoming special occasion. 
 
 
     
     
       20. A system for real time distribution of data and media, comprising:
 a memory that stores instructions;   a processor that executes the instructions to perform operations, the operations comprising:
 authenticating an employee into an application based on login information received for the employee; 
 enabling the employee to access the application in response to the employee being authenticated based on the login information received for the employee; 
 receiving from the employee, via the application, media content and information associated with a customer; 
 interrupting currently displayed media content on a display device to display video content including the media content and the information associated with the customer; 
 following the interruption of the currently displayed media content, displaying on the display device the video content including the media content and the information associated with the customer; 
 wherein the media content and the information associated with the customer comprise a digital photograph of the customer taken by the employee during a point of sale transaction with the customer, and further comprise an audio message regarding the point of sale transaction with the customer; and 
 wherein the operations further comprise playing the audio message over one or more speakers during at least a portion of the display of the video content including the media content and the information associated with the customer. 
   
     
     
       21. The system of claim 20, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting the media content and the information associated with the customer to a communications network, a digital signage network, a social network, a dealership management system, or email server. 
     
     
       22. The system of claim 20, wherein the operations further comprise displaying the media content and the information associated with the customer on a social media webpage of a dealership associated with the employee. 
     
     
       23. The system of claim 20, wherein the operations further comprise comparing the media content and the information associated with the customer with previously stored information associated with the customer. 
     
     
       24. The system of claim 23, wherein the operations further comprise replacing the previously stored information with the media content and the information associated with the customer if the comparing of the media content and the information associated with the customer indicates that the previously stored information does not equal the media content and the information associated with the customer. 
     
     
       25. The system of claim 20, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting an electronic mail message to the customer that includes the media content and the information associated with the customer, wherein the electronic mail message includes a link to enable the customer to post the media content and the information associated with the customer on a social media webpage associated with the customer. 
     
     
       26. The system of claim 20, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting an initial alert to notify the employee of a customer arrival date and customer appointment information when the customer sets an appointment. 
     
     
       27. The system of claim 26, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting an additional alert to the employee on a date of the appointment. 
     
     
       28. The system of claim 20, wherein the media content and the information associated with the customer further comprise one or more of a digital photograph of a product associated with the customer, a customer name, a customer electronic mail address, or information associated with the product. 
     
     
       29. A system for real time distribution of data and media, comprising:
 a memory that stores instructions;   a processor that executes the instructions to perform operations, the operations comprising:
 authenticating an employee into an application based on login information received for the employee; 
 enabling the employee to access the application in response to the employee being authenticated based on the login information received for the employee; 
 receiving from the employee, via the application, captured media content and information associated with a customer in a point of sale transaction involving the employee, wherein the captured media content comprises a digital photograph of the customer taken by the employee, and wherein the information associated with the customer includes at least one of information identifying the customer or information descriptive of the point of sale transaction; 
 generating media content, wherein the generated media content incorporates the captured media content and the information associated with the customer within a theme selected by the employee, via the application, or determined from the information associated with the customer; 
 interrupting currently displayed media content on a display device to display video content including the generated media content; and 
 following the interruption of the currently displayed media content, displaying on the display device the video content including the generated media content. 
   
     
     
       30. The system of claim 29, wherein the captured media content includes an audio message captured by the employee. 
     
     
       31. The system of claim 29, wherein the theme includes an audio message. 
     
     
       32. The system of claim 29, wherein the operations further comprise presenting to the employee, via the application, a plurality of themes from which to generate the generated media content. 
     
     
       33. The system of claim 32, wherein presenting the plurality of themes comprises presenting to the employee, via the application, a plurality of background themes onto which the captured media content and information associated with the customer may be incorporated to generate the generated media content. 
     
     
       34. The system of claim 32, wherein presenting the plurality of themes comprises presenting to the employee, via the application, a plurality of event themes from which to generate the generated media content. 
     
     
       35. The system of claim 29, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting the generated media content to at least one of a communications network, a digital signage network, a social network, a dealership management system, or email server. 
     
     
       36. The system of claim 29, wherein the operations further comprise displaying the generated media content on a social media webpage of a dealership associated with the employee. 
     
     
       37. The system of claim 29, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting an initial alert to notify the employee of a customer arrival date and customer appointment information when the customer sets an appointment. 
     
     
       38. The system of claim 37, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting an additional alert to the employee on a date of the appointment. 
     
     
       39. A system for real time distribution of data and media, comprising:
 a memory that stores instructions;   a processor that executes the instructions to perform operations, the operations comprising:
 authenticating an employee into an application based on login information received for the employee; 
 enabling the employee to access the application in response to the employee being authenticated based on the login information received for the employee; 
 receiving from the employee, via the application, captured media content and information associated with a customer in a point of sale transaction involving the employee, wherein the captured media content comprises a digital photograph captured by the employee including a product associated with the point of sale transaction, and wherein the information associated with the customer includes information identifying the customer and information descriptive of the point of sale transaction; 
 generating generated media content that incorporates the captured media content and the information associated with the customer; 
 interrupting currently displayed media content on a display device to display video content including the generated media content; and 
 following the interruption of the currently displayed media content, displaying on the display device the video content including the generated media content. 
   
     
     
       40. The system of claim 39, wherein the captured media content includes an audio message captured by the employee. 
     
     
       41. The system of claim 39, wherein the operations further comprise presenting to the employee, via the application, a plurality of themes from which to generate the generated media content and receiving from the employee, via the application, a selected theme. 
     
     
       42. The system of claim 41, wherein presenting the plurality of themes comprises presenting to the employee, via the application, a plurality of background themes onto which the captured media content and information associated with the customer may be incorporated to generate the generated media content. 
     
     
       43. The system of claim 41, wherein generating the generated media content comprises incorporating an audio message specified by a selected theme. 
     
     
       44. The system of claim 41, wherein presenting the plurality of themes comprises presenting to the employee, via the application, a plurality of event themes from which to generate the generated media content. 
     
     
       45. The system of claim 39, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting the generated media content to at least one of a communications network, selected from a digital signage network, a social network, a dealership management system, or email server. 
     
     
       46. The system of claim 39, wherein the operations further comprise displaying the generated media content on a social media webpage of a dealership associated with the employee. 
     
     
       47. The system of claim 39, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting an initial alert to notify the employee of a customer arrival date and customer appointment information when the customer sets an appointment. 
     
     
       48. The system of claim 39, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting an additional alert to the employee on a date of the appointment. 
     
     
       49. A system for real time distribution of data and media, comprising:
 a memory that stores instructions;   a processor that executes the instructions to perform operations, the operations comprising:
 authenticating an employee into an application based on login information received for the employee; 
 enabling the employee to access the application in response to the employee being authenticated based on the login information received for the employee; 
 receiving from the employee, via the application, media content and information associated with a customer; 
 interrupting currently displayed media content on a display device to display video content including the media content and the information associated with the customer; 
 following the interruption of the currently displayed media content, displaying on the display device the video content including the media content and the information associated with the customer; 
 wherein the media content and the information associated with the customer comprise a digital photograph of the customer taken by the employee during a point of sale transaction with the customer, and further comprise an audio message recorded by the employee regarding the point of sale transaction with the customer; and 
 wherein the operations further comprise playing the audio message over one or more speakers during at least a portion of the display of the video content including the media content and the information associated with the customer.