WO2015198010A1

WO2015198010A1 - Method for displaying relevant identifiers to a user

Info

Publication number: WO2015198010A1
Application number: PCT/GB2015/051517
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Jeremy Kew
Original assignee: BEST WORLDWIDE Ltd
Current assignee: BEST WORLDWIDE Ltd
Priority date: 2014-06-25
Filing date: 2015-05-22
Publication date: 2015-12-30
Anticipated expiration: 2016-12-25
Also published as: GB201411275D0

Abstract

The present invention comprises a method of providing information to the user. In the present invention, an identifier is made available to the user such that it may be perceived by the user. Having perceived the identifier, the user may search for the identifier based on the mode in which the identifier was perceived. The user sends a request and receives a list of records relating to identifiers which were perceivable at similar times and/or similar locations. From this list, the user is able to select a record corresponding to the perceived identifier,and in response the user may be sent information relating to the selected identifier. The present invention further includes a method of selecting an identifier to be made available at a given time and/or location based on other nearby identifiers. The present invention further includes a method of making an identifier available wherein an identifier is requested and allocated based on other nearby identifiers and the allocated identifier is then made available.

Description

METHOD FOR DISPLAYING RELEVANT IDENTIFIERS TO A USER

Introduction The present invention relates to a method of providing information to a user, a method of selecting an identifier and a method of making an identifier available.

Background of the Invention A great advantage of hypertext marked up documents, as commonly published on the Internet, is that links can be embedded to allow a user to be redirected to more detailed information if desired. There have been many attempts to replicate this functionality in other media such as printed documents, posters, TV programs, etc.. One approach is to include a URI which the user enters into a browser on a computer or smart phone. This is not terribly convenient for the user as the URIs are sensitive to typing errors and tedious to enter if long. Recently QR codes have become common as a solution to this problem.

A QR code is an optical label which is used to store information. A user may use a device with a camera, such as a mobile phone to detect and scan a QR code to obtain the stored information. For example, the stored information may be a URI and a device may automatically direct a web browser to the URI by scanning the QR code from an advert, a magazine, or a billboard etc.. This is beneficial to the user because it is quicker than the user having to type a lengthy URI into a web browser or use an Internet search engine to search for the specific information. However, there are disadvantages with QR codes in that the user may not be able to conveniently and/or safely get close enough to the QR code to scan and identify correctly the QR code.

Other proposed solutions include using URI shortening processes to provide shorter Internet addresses. However, this relies on the user accurately remembering and entering a shortened URI into a web browser to request the correct information. This can lead to errors in the information received by the user when an incorrect URI is entered especially if the user is required to remember the shortened URI for a long period of time before they are able to access the Internet.

A known method of providing information to the user includes transmitting information from one user to another using audio signals. This is known as "chirping". When one user has data or information they wish to send to another user, they use a device to transmit a short burst of audio data which the other user can receive using their own device. The received audio data is recorded on the user's device, such that the received audio data can be used at the time or at a later date to download information to the user's device.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention aims to address the problems of the prior art by providing a method which allows the user to obtain more easily digital information.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a method of providing information to a user is provided, the method comprising: maintaining a database containing a plurality of records, each record containing information data, an identifier data item indicating an identifier and a time and/or a location of disclosure of the identifier; receiving at least one temporal and/or spatial parameter from the user; using the parameter to search for records relating to identifiers that might have been, or might be being, disclosed to the user; generating a list of search results; providing the list of search results to the user; receiving a request from the user to select one or more record from the search results; and providing the information data from the one or more selected records to the user.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of selecting an identifier is provided, the method comprising: maintaining a database containing a plurality of records, each record containing information data, an identifier data item indicating an identifier and a time and/or a location of disclosure of the identifier; receiving a request for an identifier, the request including at least one temporal and/or spatial parameter relating to the mode in which the requested identifier will be made available; searching the database for records having temporal and/or spatial parameters based on the specific temporal and/or spatial parameter relating to the requested identifier, and generating a list of search results; determining the nearest occurrence of each different identifier, and selecting a specific identifier whose nearest occurrence has a temporal and/or spatial parameter which is furthest from the temporal and/or spatial parameter relating to the mode in which the requested identifier will be made available; and storing the specific identifier in a record relating to the requested identifier.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of making an identifier available is provided, the method comprising: sending a request for an identifier, the request including at least one temporal and/or spatial parameter relating to a mode in which the identifier will be made available, wherein the request indicates corresponding data; receiving an identifier via a user device; and making the identifier available using the mode referred to in the request. Brief description of drawings

The present invention is described below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 shows a data supplier creating an account in an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a data model of a data supplier creating an account in an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a data supplier uploading information data to a record in an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a data model of a data supplier uploading information data to a record in an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 shows a data supplier uploading publication data associated with a record and the publication data being stored in the corresponding record in an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a data model of a data supplier uploading publication data associated with a record, and the publication data being stored in the corresponding record in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 shows a data supplier uploading identifier parameters associated with a record, and the identifier parameters being stored in the corresponding record in an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 shows a data model of a data supplier uploading identifier parameters associated with a record, and the identifier parameters being stored in the corresponding record in an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 shows a data supplier uploading an identifier data item associated with a record and the identifier data item being stored in the corresponding record in an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 shows a data model of a data supplier uploading an identifier data item associated with a record, and the identifier data item being stored in the corresponding record in an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 11 shows a user creating an account in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 shows a data model of a user creating an account in an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 13 A shows an example of a record stored in a record database table, the record including information data in accordance with an embodiment of the present embodiment; Figure 13B shows an example wherein an identifier data item and parameter data has been added to the record shown in Figure 13 A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 14 shows an example of geographic locations of identifiers relative to point x. Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention aims to provide a method for easily and efficiently enabling a user to obtain information in digital form, in particular, to easily and accurately obtain a URI in an electronic device. There are several problems with the previous methods used to direct a user to an information source. The user may have to remember the URI, which is tedious to input and sensitive to errors. Alternatively, if the user carries out a search to find the information, the results of the search may be vulnerable to misdirection or manipulation. Furthermore, the user may not be able to enter the URI or conduct the search at the point in time at which they are made aware of the information because it may be too time consuming or inconvenient. However, if searched for later, the user may forget the correct parameters required to carry out the search to find the information, or the user may forget to carry out the search at all.

Using a QR code or a chirp requires the user to have their device e.g. mobile phone, ready and available to receive the initial audio or visual data, which may not always be possible. Even if the user has a device which is available to use, e.g. to scan visual data or record audio data, in some cases, the user still may not be able to successfully record the data. For example, if there is a large amount of background noise disrupting the reception of an audio signal or if an image is too far away to be successfully scanned. Additionally or alternatively, if there is too much relative movement between the device and the data source, the data may not be able to be successfully recorded. In an embodiment of the present invention, a publication is made available to many users. The publication may be, for example, an advertisement or broadcast etc.. The same publication, e.g. the same advertisement, may be used in multiple locations and/or at multiple times and/or via different media. Each publication relates to something specific. For example, the publication may relate to a specific brand of car, or more particularly a type of car. Information relating to the publication can be made available, for example, on a website.

A publication may be made available using visual means and/or audio means. Each publication is made available at a specific time and/or location. The occurrence of a publication at each specific time and/or location is referred to as a publication instance. The publication instance is different for each occurrence of a publication being made available. If the same publication is used at multiple locations, the publication at each location is a different publication instance. If the same publication is used at multiple different times, for example at different times on the radio, each broadcast of the publication is a different publication instance. A data supplier uploads information of interest to an Internet site. Information of interest is made available on such an Internet site, such that the Internet site may be referred to as an information source. The information source is where a user may locate and view information of interest. The information of interest may correspond to a publication which may be being made, or will be made available. The data supplier creates an account and uploads information data relating to the information of interest and/or the information source. The information data is stored in a record of a record database table. The data supplier may supply publication data which corresponds to the publication which may be made available, the publication relating to the same information as the information data. The data supplier may indicate the specific mode by which they want the publication to be made available at a specific time and/or location e.g. on a specific billboard, on television on a specific channel and/or at a specific time, on a radio program on a specific channel and/or at a specific time etc.. As such, the data supplier may indicate the preferred publication instance.

An identifier can be made available in combination with a publication. The identifier may preferably be recognisable as an identifier rather than as an integral part of the publication. The identifier may comprise a short code and/or symbol, and may have a specific colour. The identifier may be simple, e.g. a red star, such that if the user does not have immediate access to a device, they can easily remember the identifier for use at a later date.

The identifier is allocated to a publication instance i.e. an identifier can be allocated to a specific publication being made available via a specific mode at a given time and/or location. However, the identifier is not unique to that publication instance, i.e. the identifier is not unique to the specific time and/or location that the publication is made available. The identifier is not unique to that publication and/or the corresponding information.

An identifier may be allocated to the publication instance based on a proximity rule. The proximity rule limits where multiple occurrences of the same identifier are allowed, e.g. not within a specific spatial range and/or temporal period. Based on the proximity rule, an identifier will not be allocated to a publication instance if other occurrences of the same identifier are too close. This prevents the same identifier being allocated to other nearby publication instances (whether they are the same or different publications) to try to prevent confusion when a user is searching for an identifier. An identifier data item indicating the allocated identifier is stored in the same record as the information data and the publication data to which the allocated identifier corresponds. The identifier is made available such that it may be perceivable by a user in some way. The mode by which the identifier is perceivable is also stored in each record as parameter data. The identifier is perceivable in connection with the publication, so the parameter data stored for the identifier is in accordance with the indication made by the data supplier of the mode by which they want the publication to be made available

Once the identifier has been made available, it may be perceived by a user by whatever mode has been chosen e.g. on a specific billboard, on television on a specific channel and/or at a specific time, on a radio program on a specific channel and/or at a specific time etc.. As such, a user is able to perceive an identifier in connection with a publication, both of which relate to the same information source.

When the user wishes to obtain information relating to a publication they have perceived, they can do so by remembering the identifier, and approximately when and/or how and/or where (i.e. the mode by which) they perceived the corresponding identifier. The user can use an app to search for the identifier based on a user parameter. A user parameter indicates the mode in which, i.e. when and/or how and/or where, the user has perceived the identifier. For example, the user may have seen the identifier near a specific train station, or heard an identifier on a given radio channel at lunchtime. A search can be carried out in the record database table based on the user parameter provided by the user.

The search may find several possible identifiers that fall within the criteria defined by the user parameter and therefore, several possible identifiers which may have been perceived by the user. The results of the search are likely to include identifiers which have been made available at a close proximity to the perceived identifier. Therefore identifiers at a close proximity are preferably different from each other, preferably significantly different, such that when the user is supplied with a list of results of the search including several records, each with an identifier, at a later date based on the user parameter, the perceived identifier is easily distinguishable within the list of results. The results of the search may be provided to the user via a display. As described, the proximity rule is used when allocating an identifier to a publication instance to try to ensure that if multiple identifiers are perceivable within a certain proximity, there are no duplicated identifiers within a given range. In addition to using simple identifiers (to make them easier to remember), the identifiers may be selected to be more easily recognisable from other nearby identifiers (i.e. other identifiers which would be likely to be within the same list of records resulting from a search), such that the user can easily select the perceived identifier.

The identifier, being simple, is easier to remember than a URI and the user will naturally remember where they have been or what they were watching. The search based on the identifier and location is more reliable than a general search because it is limited to a structured database.

In an example, a user having seen a publication, e.g. a billboard advert, which includes an identifier, e.g. a red star, may input a user request including a user parameter e.g. a given area of 1km². The user parameter is used to carry out a search. In this example, four identifiers may have been visible within the defined area. Each identifier may have comprised a different symbol and/or code e.g. the red star, a yellow circle, a purple triangle and a green square. The search results will include these identifiers. The user is provided with the search results on a display which includes all the identifiers within the defined area. The display will include the red star, the yellow circle, the purple triangle and the green square. From the display, the user will only have to recognise the previously perceived identifier (the red star) compared with the 3 other identifiers (the yellow circle, the purple triangle and the green square).

Using a simple identifier should mean that it is obvious to the user which identifier has been perceived, especially compared to the other identifiers which may be displayed to the user as a result of a search. As such the user can more easily determine the relevant identifier. The user is then able to select the previously perceived identifier, and information data corresponding to that identifier can be sent to the user. As such, the user is provided with further information relating to the publication by selecting the corresponding identifier.

The present invention is further described below in more detail with reference to the Figures. In an embodiment information data can be uploaded to an Internet site. The information data is stored in a record in a record database table, the information data corresponding to an information source. A data supplier is a person or business who provides data to be stored in a record of the record database table. The data supplier may create a supplier account 10 as shown in the logical model of Figure 1. The supplier account 10 is created in this step as indicated by the "x". The "x" in Figures 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 is used to indicate the data item added in the step depicted in each Figure.

When a supplier account 10 is created, a row is added in a supplier database table 15. Data relating to each supplier account 10 may be stored in each row. The data supplier may have to provide certain supplier details to register, in order to create a supplier account 10. The supplier details may include, but are not limited to, a username and/or email address and password. Other supplier details which may be required can include first name, surname, age, gender, bank details, etc.. The data supplier may create their supplier account 10 on the Internet site at any time. The data supplier may create the supplier account 10 when they first wish to make information available. Alternatively, the data supplier may create the supplier account 10 at any time before they are ready to make information available. The data supplier may also create their supplier account 10 using a downloadable app, i.e. the data supplier may download an app to a device and create the supplier account 10. An app could be used in any instance instead of an Internet site and vice versa. A data model of the data supplier creating a supplier account 10 is shown in Figure 2. As can be seen, the data supplier adds a row to the supplier database table 15 when they upload the supplier details to create the supplier account 10. After the data supplier has created the supplier account 10, they may upload information data 20 relating to the information source. When the user has information of interest they want to be made available, e.g. via the information source, they are likely to have some form of publication relating to the information of interest. There are many types of publication. For example, different types of publication include a static billboard advert, a radio advert, a television advert etc.. The same publication may be located at multiple locations for example, the same billboard advert on many different billboards. Furthermore, different types of publication may be used for the same publication in that the same publication may be made available via different modes, e.g. in a magazine, on a static billboard, on a dynamic billboard etc.. Each location at which the publication is displayed is a publication instance.

The data supplier may the use the app to upload information data 20 relating to the information source, the information source including information of interest to be made available. The data supplier may also upload publication data 30 corresponding to a publication, wherein the publication also relates to the same information source. The data supplier may choose the type of publication to be used. Furthermore, the data supplier may choose the publication instance i.e. the mode by which the publication is made available, e.g. a specifically located billboard, the timing of a trailer on a specific television channel or a radio program time etc..

In an embodiment and as shown in Figure 3, the data supplier uploads information data 20, and the information data 20 is stored in a record 65. The upload of information data 20 by the data supplier is indicated by node 20 in Figure 3. The dashed-line nodes 25a and 25b in Figure 3 indicate that the data supplier may store information data in a plurality of records, for example if the information data corresponds to a different information sources. As shown in Figure 4, when the information data 20 is stored in a record 65 of a record database table 35, a row is added to the record database table 35. The row contains data items relating to the record 65. The information data 20 uploaded by the data supplier in each record 65 corresponds to information of interest at the information source that the data supplier wants to make available. The data stored in one row, i.e. one record, relates to one information source. In this embodiment, the information data 20 is a URI, which when sent to the user, allows the user to be directed to an Internet site which is the information source. An example of a record database table 35 is shown in Figure 13a, in which the information data 20 has been stored.

The data supplier may also upload publication data 30, relating to the information data 20, to be stored in the same record 65 as shown in Figure 5. The publication data 30 corresponds to the publication. The publication is what is perceived by the user and corresponds to the information of interest at an information source. The publication generally provides some details relating to the information of interest. The publication is perceivable to the user and may make the user aware of the existence of the information of interest and/or the information source. As shown in Figure 6, the publication data is added to the same row, i.e. the same record 65 in the record database table 35.

An identifier is used in combination with the publication so that the user can establish a connection between that publication and the identifier. The user may use their knowledge of this connection to access the information source related to the publication by using an embodiment of the present invention.

In addition to uploading information data 20 and publication data 30 the data supplier may also indicate the mode by which the corresponding publication should be made available. For example, the data supplier may request that the publication is displayed on a billboard on a specific street. The preferred mode of making the identifier available is uploaded by the data supplier and stored in the record 65 as at least one identifier parameter 40 which indicates the temporal and/or spatial parameters of the intended publication instance. Figure 7 shows this step of the embodiment wherein at least one identifier parameter 40 is stored in the record 65. As will be seen in Figure 8, when the identifier parameter 40 is stored in the record database table 35, the identifier parameter 40 can be added to the relevant row in the record database table 35. As previously described, an identifier can be allocated to the publication instance using the proximity rule. Before an identifier is allocated to a record 65, the record database table 35 is searched using the identifier parameter 40 for other records having identifier data items which will be, or are being, made available near the identifier parameters 40 of the present record 65.

In this case, when the corresponding identifier is being allocated to the publication instance, the record database table 35 is searched for other visual identifiers (by searching for identifier data items in the record database table 35) that may be perceived by the user within a certain radius, e.g. within two kilometres, of the specified street. Based on the results of this search, identifiers which have been made available nearby are known and an identifier may be allocated to the record 65 for display with the publication. The identifier may be allocated to the publication instance at any time. For example, the data supplier may request to know the identifier being used when the data is originally uploaded in which case a search may be carried out as soon as enough information is available. Alternatively, the identifier may be allocated later, for example when the publication is being made available and a corresponding identifier is needed, or even later, if an identifier is to be added to a pre-existing publication instance.

The identifier may be added to a publication at any time. In this example, the identifier can be placed on the billboard advert by including it at the time of printing the publication, or by adding it later e.g. using an adhesive. When the identifier is allocated to an individual, specific publication (i.e. a publication instance), the identifier data item 45 corresponding to that identifier is added to the record 65 with the information data 20, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. An example of a record database table 35 is shown in Figure 13b, in which the identifier data item 45 and identifier parameters 40 have been stored in the same record 65 as the information data 20. In this way, an identifier is made to be perceivable by a user, the identifier being different (and preferably, easily distinguishable) from other identifiers used in combination with other publications which may be visible nearby. When the identifier is made available, the record may be checked to compare the identifier parameters 40 and how the identifier is being made available. If there is any discrepancy between the identifier parameter 40 and the actual mode of the identifier being made available, the record 65 can be updated. In the present invention the record database table 35 containing records is maintained. Each record 65 is maintained to store information data 20 relating to each identifier which has been made, is being made, or will be made available. Each record 65 contains the identifier data item 45 relating to an identifier and a time and/or location at which the identifier is perceivable by to a user i.e. an identifier parameter 45. In this way, each identifier is linked to a specific time and/or a specific location at which it is perceivable, as well as corresponding information data 20 uploaded by the data supplier.

The record database table 35 can be maintained by keeping the plurality of records up-to- date. This can be done by checking and updating the information data 20 stored in each record 65 as and when it is required. Each record 65 may remain the same for a specific period of time, after which the record 65 may be updated. Alternatively, each record 65 may be updated any time a change in the record 65 is desired. For example, a record 65 may be updated to include different and/or additional information data 20, publication data 30, identifier parameters 40 and/or identifier data 45. Alternatively, information data 20, parameter data 30, identifier parameters 40 and/or identifier data item 45 may be removed from a record 65. Furthermore, the record 65 may be deleted from the record database table 35, for example by deleting the corresponding row of the record database table 35.

The identifier may otherwise be referred to as a graphic or icon. Each identifier can have a different form. For example, each identifier will have a specific colour (or colours). The identifier may include an alpha-numeric code. The alpha-numeric code may be expressed in base 36, which has the character set 0-9 and A-Z. For example, if the alpha- numeric code has three columns, this gives at least 46,656 possible codes which could be used for an identifier. For example, a three column, base 36 alpha-numeric codes could be AA3, 1 1 1 or ZZZ etc.. Additionally, or alternatively, the identifier may have, or be, a recognisable symbol or an emoji, for example a star, a heart, a treble clef, a musical note, a smiley face, etc. Identifier data item 45 indicating the identifier may be stored in a record 65.

When the identifier data 45 corresponding to an identifier has been stored, and the identifier has been allocated to a display instance, the identifier is made available to a user. A user is a term used to describe a person. A person does not have to be a member of a network for an identifier to be made available to them. Using an identifier with a specific colour and/or code and/or symbol makes the identifier easily identifiable by the user. Therefore, the user can easily determine what the identifier is when it is perceived by the user, the user can distinguish the identifier as separate from its surroundings, the user can easily remember the identifier, and the user can recognise the identifier when compared with other identifiers at a later stage.

Each identifier may be made available by a different mode. The identifier may be made perceptible to the user on or as part of a publication, in which case, the mode of making the identifier available depends on the type of publication. For example, the identifier and publication may be made available to the user visually. This may include the identifier being visible on a billboard and/or poster and/or on some sort of static visual advertisement campaign. Alternatively, the identifier may be visible and/or audible to the user from a television advert, television trailer, a cinema advert or a cinema trailer. The identifier may be audible to the user for example, via radio. The identifier may be perceptible to a user at different events such as sporting events via branding on clothing and/or on advertisement surrounding a pitch for example.

Having perceived the identifier, the user may access a downloadable app which allows them to input a parameter in relation to them (i.e. a user parameter) to determine the available relevant identifiers. The user may download the app to one of their devices. The user is not required to create an account 50 in order to access the app. However, the user may create an account 50 to access the app. Figure 1 1 shows a user creating a user account 50. This is shown in Figure 12 by the addition of a row to the user database table 55. Similarly to when a source creates a new account 10, the user may have to provide certain information such as a username and/or email address, and a password. Other information which may be required can include first name, surname, age, gender, bank details, etc.. When a user creates an account 50, a new row containing information in relation to this user is then added to a user database table 55.

A user can create an account 50 on the app at any time. The user creates an account 50 by registering on the app. The user can do this at a point in time in which they become aware of the available app. Alternatively, they may do this when they perceive an identifier. The user may have an account 50 before the data supplier creates an account 10 and/or before the information of interest, publication and/or identifier is made available. A user can create their account 50 or access the present invention using an Internet site instead of, or in addition to, the app.

When the user perceives an identifier and wishes to use the app, they access the app and input at least one user parameter. The user parameter is received by a server. The record database table 35 is searched to find any records with identifier parameters 40 having locations and/or times which correspond to the user parameter provided. In this way, a temporal and/or spatial parameter defined by the user is used as a basis for the search. As a result of the search, a list of records, which may be a subset of the records stored in the record database table 35, is generated. The subset of records all having times and/or locations corresponding to the spatial and/or temporal parameters provided by the user. The results of the search may be provided to the user. For example, the list of records may be sent to a user device which has a display thereon. In an embodiment, the identifier corresponding to each record in the list of records (i.e. the subject) is displayed to a user as a representation of that record. The identifiers, corresponding to the subset of records, visible to the user on the user device should include the identifier previously perceived by the user external to the user device. From the identifiers provided, the user may select the previously perceived identifier, which they had seen, for example, on an advert.

An indication of the user selection is sent to the server. For example, identifier data item 40, which represents the record selected by the user, is sent to the server. In response, information data 20 relating to the selected identifier (i.e. relating to the identifier data item received by the server) can be obtained from the record database table 35. Information data 20 may then be sent to the user device to provide the user with information data 20 relating to the perceived identifier. In this way, a user can receive information data 20 relating to easily recognisable identifiers around them.

The information data 20 received by the user relates to the information source which relates to that record. The information data 20 may be part of or all the information of interest displayed at the information source. The information data 20 may be metadata about the information source. For example, the information data 20 may be the location, such as a URI, of the information source, such that when the user receives the information data 20, they can use the URI in a web browser to direct them to the information source. The information data 20 may include some or all of the data stored in the relevant record. The information data 20 may include an indication of an association with another record, i.e. the location of information data to be sent to a user from another record. The information data 20 may contain content itself, e.g. a document, audio file, etc. The information data 20 may contain a virtual token which can be used by the user or selectively passed on to other users. The information data 20 may include any combination of these described examples.

From the point of view of the user, they may see an advert relating to a certain offer and want more information. If the advert has an identifier, they simply access the app and insert a user parameter. This can be done at any time, for example several hours after the identifier was seen, when it is more convenient. The app will then display several identifiers which may have been perceivable to the user near that location. From this, the user is provided with the identifier they saw on the advert amongst a group of identifiers, select the appropriate identifier and then receive information relating to that offer. The user parameter includes a temporal and/or spatial aspect. The user parameter may include a specified time and/or location. The user parameter may alternatively or additionally include a range, e.g. a time period either side of the specified time or a radius around the location. The user parameter may include two specific times to define a period. The user parameter may include a specific area defined by the user. The user parameter may include specific ranges of areas and/or times. Ranges of areas and/or times may be automatically selected depending on the input. For example, if a location is defined in a user parameter with no further input, a search may be carried out based on a predetermined radius, e.g.3 km, with the given location at the centre, or if a specific time is given, the search may be carried out based on a predetermined time period before and after the specified time. The user parameter may be a spatial parameter, the spatial parameter being a cell ID. A cell ID is a number used to identify a base transceiver station or a sector of a base transceiver station within a location area code (the location area being the area in which multiple base transceiver stations are grouped). The cell ID may be entered by the user, or may be determined automatically based on the user location. The search may be based on a radius determined in relation to the cell ID, i.e. a specific radius from a base transceiver station or a radius around a sector identified by the cell ID. The user parameter may include a combination of any of the above temporal parameters with any of the above spatial parameters.

The user may indicate that the app can access the present location of the user at the time of the user request such that the user provides their present location at the present time to automatically send the user parameters to the server, rather than having to send the user parameters themselves. This may include a step of receiving a request from the user, sending a request to the user device for a temporal and/or spatial parameter and receiving the parameter from the user device in response to the request.

By providing more information, i.e. a greater number of user parameters, or by specifying a smaller range in terms of area and/or time, the number of identifiers displayed to the user may be decreased, because a more focused search will be carried out in the database. The advert is an example of a publication, and the publication could be any type of disclosure. The publication may be audio and/or visual. An audio publication may be an announcement, a publication via radio, or emitted from a user device. A visual display may be dynamic (e.g. video) and/or static (e.g. a photograph). A static publication may be displayed on a moving object, for example, an advertisement on a side of a bus, or lorry.

In an example in which an identifier is made available on poster lorries and/or buses, a route that is "travelled" by the identifier may be predetermined and/or recorded. Therefore, although the location of the identifier will change depending on the time, the record 65 relating to the identifier can include the location of the identifier at different times such that the record 65 relating to that identifier can be searched for as described above.

If an identifier is shown on the television, or is heard via radio, the user may have to insert a relevant temporal parameter in addition to an indication of a television and/or radio channel respectively. Although specifying the channel is not a necessity, it is likely to reduce the number of identifiers which may have been visible to the user at any given time.

An identifier which is allocated to a specific publication based on the proximity rule may be chosen to be significantly different from the other nearby identifiers. For example, the identifier chosen for a publication can be selected to be a different colour and include a different symbol from all other identifiers used within a given radius. This ensures that the identifier used is significantly different from the surrounding identifiers such that the user can easily recognise and remember the specific identifier.

The identifier parameter 40 may include an input in addition to the at least one temporal and/or spatial aspect. For example, the data source may upload any details they think may be useful in distinguishing the mode by which the identifiers are made available, for example, by including a radio station, a television, a bus number, a licence plate etc.. The identifier parameter 40 may include any details which help identify how the identifier is made available. The user may be able to input a user parameter in addition to a spatial and/or temporal parameter to search the record database table 35. The user may search based on any details they think may be useful in distinguishing how they perceived the identifier.

The data supplier may prefer to create a record 65 including at least one of the information data 20, identifier data item 45 and/or identifier parameters 40 at any time. In the above embodiments, the identifier data item 45 is stored in the record 65 when a corresponding identifier has been allocated to a publication corresponding to that record. In the above embodiment, this is after a search has been carried out based on a mode of making the publication available as preferred by the data supplier. The point at which the identifier data item 45 and/or identifier parameters 40 are stored in the record 65 will depend on the input from the data supplier.

In the above embodiment, the user provides an indication of preferred identifier parameters. As such, the identifier parameter is stored in the record at the same time as the information data 20, and identifier data item 45 is stored in the record 65 subsequently. However, it is not necessary for the data supplier to input the identifier parameter 45 at the same time as the information data 20. The data supplier may alternatively input the identifier parameter 45 before or after the information data 20. In another embodiment, the user may insert a specific identifier parameter limiting at least one temporal and/or spatial parameter of where the identifier will be perceivable. In this embodiment, the identifier parameter 45 may be added before, at the same time as, or after the information data 20. In this embodiment, the identifier data item 40 will be stored in the record 65 after an identifier has been allocated to the record.

In an alternative embodiment, a data supplier may insert a range for an identifier parameter limiting at least one temporal and/or spatial parameter of where the identifier will be perceivable. For example, the data supplier may indicate a given area or a period of time. In this embodiment, the identifier parameter 40 may be stored in the record 65 before, at the same time as, or after the information data 20. In this embodiment, the identifier data item 45 will be stored in the record 65 after the corresponding identifier has been allocated to that record 65. In an alternative embodiment, the data supplier may indicate the identifier to be associated with the record 65. As such, identifier data item 45 corresponding to the selected to the identifier may be inserted to the record 65 before, or at the same time as the information data 20 and/or the identifier parameter 40. In this way, the user may select what identifier is associated with a publication to correspond to information they wish to make available. If an identifier is selected by a user, this may affect the possible placement of the identifier due to the proximity of this identifier for other publications. In a similar way to the proximity search carried out above, locations and/or times at which the indicator is perceivable by a user may be searched for and the identifier corresponding to the present record may be allocated to a specific location and/or time. Alternatively, the data supplier may request that an identifier is used which is unique to that record 65.

Further to this embodiment, the data supplier may request that the identifier is unique to the information source. As such, the same identifier may be applied to multiple publications and/or publication instances. However, the information data 20 and/or the information which the information data 20 corresponds to may or have the same identifier. As such, multiple records may have the same or similar information data 20, with the same identifier data item 45 but with different identifier parameters 40.

The data supplier may upload the information of interest to the Internet to create the information source. The data supplier may modify the information source. Alternatively, the data supplier may not upload the information of interest themselves, they may only upload data to a record 65 corresponding to an information source.

In the above embodiment, the identifiers corresponding to each record are displayed to a user. However, additional data may also be sent to the user and display. For example, an identifier may be displayed with an indication of the publication. The additional data may include any of the data from the relevant list of records. The identifier may be displayed with the information data 20. In this way, the user may not have to select the identifier to obtain the information data 20, they could use the information 20 directly to take them to the information source. The information of interest may be stored with the information data 20 in the record 65 such that it may be sent to the user as part of the display.

In an embodiment, the data supplier may upload the identifier parameters at a similar time to the information data 20 and the publication data 30. The data supplier may upload a specific preferred mode of publication, i.e. including specific identifier parameters 40. Alternatively, the data supplier may choose general parameters, for example an area, radius or time period and a search may be carried out based on those parameters to find a location and/or time suitable for that type of publication. In an embodiment, the publication instances to find by the data supplier may not be possible and a publication instance similar to the preferred mode may be used. An initial search may be carried out to determine the availability of the preferred mode publication instance. In these embodiments, if the publication and identifier are not made available in the exact same way identified by the identifier parameters 40, the record 65 will be updated with the accurate identifier parameters 14 when they are changed, when the publication and/or identifier are made available.

In an alternative embodiment, the data supplier may have a preferred identifier but not a preferred publication instance. Based on the preferred identifier, proximity searches may be carried out on various locations and/or times to find a suitable publications instance for that identifier. After a suitable publication instance has been found, the identifier parameters 40 may be stored in the record 65.

In the above embodiments, the data supplier uploads the publication data 30. However, it is not essential for the data supplier to upload this data to the record 65. If the data supplier has uploaded information data 20 and an exact location and/or time at which the identifier is to be made available, the identifier may be added to whatever publication that location and/or time coincides with. In the present invention, the server may keep track of the number of times that an identifier is selected. In this way, information can be determined relating to the placement and likelihood of selection of individual identifiers at specific times and/or locations. This may be used to determine information on marketing campaigns and the effectiveness of advertising via different medium at different times and locations. As such, the present invention allows the distribution of information to be more easily tracked. For example, an advertiser may wish to know the locations of visible adverts which receive the greatest response to help them choose where to place their future advertisements more effectively.

The example base 36 code given above uses the character set 0-9 and A-Z, however, a base 36 code could alternatively be provided by using the character set 0-9 and a-z. In an embodiment in accordance with any of the above embodiments a larger base code may be provided using a larger set of characters, for example a base 62 code having the character set to 0-9 and A-Z and a-z. For example, if the alpha-numeric code having a base 62 code has three columns, this gives at least 238, 238 possible codes which could be used for an identifier. Using a larger base code means that more variations may be stored if further identifiers are required and also means that there may be a greater difference between different identifiers, allowing the user to more easily recognise one identifier from another.

The same identifier may be used in multiple different records. For example, identifier "ZZZ" in purple may be provided on a billboard at a specific location, and the same identifier "ZZZ" in purple may be provided on a poster fifteen kilometres away. When the user tries to request information using the identifier "ZZZ" in purple they open the app and input the user parameters based on the time given and the user location, the search will find the identifier relevant to the user based on their input parameters.

Multiple identifiers may be used for one piece of information. These may be stored in the database as a record 65 wherein multiple identifiers relate to the same information. Alternatively, a record 65 may be repeated multiple times wherein the only difference is the identifier.

An identifier may be an identifier sequence comprising multiple identifiers, e.g. 3 symbols shown together or in succession, and may be on a repeating cycle. When the user later searches for the identifier, the identifier sequence may be displayed to the user for selection. There could be any number of individual identifiers in an identifier sequence, although a smaller number of identifiers, e.g. two to four, will likely be easier to remember. A combination of different identifiers may be used in an identifier sequence e.g. different symbols and/or alpha-numeric codes with the same colour and/or the same symbol and/or alpha-numeric codes with different colours. The identifiers in an identifier sequence may be made available one after the other, e.g. flashing in turn on a moving visual display or spoken on a radio advert. Alternatively the identifiers of the identifier sequence may be shown together all at once, either in combination dynamically, e.g. all together on a moving visual display, or shown in combination on a static audio display. An identifier sequence may be used to replace an identifier in any of the embodiments.

Each database table may be provided by a different server. Each server may be used to maintain a database table. Alternatively, multiple database tables may be provided using one server. Each database table may be maintained and updated by a variety of different people. Several data suppliers may have access to one database table. Furthermore, several data suppliers may be able to update and maintain a record 65 and/or a data supplier account 10.

The database table may be dynamic. In this case, dynamic means that the database table can be updated at any time. Alternatively the database table may be static such that it is maintained for a given period with no alterations, and updated at pre-specified times or after a pre-specified period.

In an embodiment of the present invention for use in accordance with the above embodiments and variations, a method of selecting an identifier is provided.

In this embodiment, a record database is maintained. The database may be maintained as described for any of the previous embodiments or variations. In this embodiment, a request for an identifier is received. For example, the server receives a request from an entity wishing to use an identifier. The entity is a is a person or business who requests the identifier. The request includes at least one temporal and/or spatial parameter relating to the mode in which the requested identifier will be made available. For example, if the identifier is to be displayed on a billboard, the request may include the location of the billboard on which the identifier will be displayed.

The request may include some form of data. The request may include publication data 30, information data 20 and/or another indication of the record to which the requested identifier will be assigned. The request may include the location of the information data 20, for example, another record or an Internet site which can be used to obtain information data and/or content. The record database table 35 is searched for records having temporal and/or spatial parameters based on the specific temporal and/or spatial parameter provided in the request. The results of the search are used to generate a list of search results, which is a subset of the records stored in the record database table 35. The subset is then used to determine the nearest occurrence of each different identifier to the location that the identifier is to be displayed. A specific identifier is selected which has the nearest occurrence which has a temporal and/or spatial parameter which is furthest from the temporal and/or spatial parameter relating to the mode in which the requested identifier will be made available. This is further described in an example in relation to Figure 14. In this example, the identifier to be displayed is to be displayed at location "x". The circles around the "x" position indicate the radius in kilometres around the location "x" in intervals of 0.5 kilometres. As can be seen, identifier "A" is used three times, less that 0.5 km away, between 1-1.5 km away and between 1.5-2 km away. Identifier "B" is used once, between 0.5 - 1.0 km away. Identifier "C" is used twice, both times between 2.0-2.5 km away. Identifier D is used twice, between 0.5 - 1.0 km away and between 1.5 and 2.0km away. In this example, the request for an identifier to be places at location "x" is received. The record database table 35 searches for all records within a parameter based on the request, for example in this case, for identifiers displayed less than 2.5km away. The search results are used to generate a list of results, including "A", "B", "C" and "D". From the subset, the nearest occurrence of each identifier is then determined. In this case, the nearest occurrence of "A" is less than 0.5 km away, the nearest occurrence of "B" is between 0.5-lkm away, the nearest occurrence of "C" is between 2.0-2.5 km away and the nearest occurrence of "D" is between 0.5-1 km away. Therefore, the identifier which has the nearest occurrence which is furthest from "x" is "C". Therefore, in this example, "C" would be chosen to be used as the identifier in response to this request. An identifier data item 45 corresponding to the selected identifier can then be stored in the record 65 relating to the requested identifier. Data can be sent to the entity to indicate the selected identifier, such that the correct identifier can be made available. The entity may then make the identifier available using the mode referred to in the request and using the identifier received from the server.

The parameter search may be carried out using temporal ranges. For example within 10 minute periods on television on a number of channels, all channels or one channel.

If the request does not include any corresponding data, then after the identifier is allocated, the corresponding data is sent to the server by the entity. The record, containing an identifier data item 45 corresponding to the selected identifier, and the identifier parameter(s), is then updated with information data 20 which links the identifier to an information source. The present invention is described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it is not limited to those embodiments but only the appended claims.

The symbols given as examples of the identifier in the description are not limiting. The identifier may be any symbol, graphic or sound which is perceivable by a user.

Claims

1. A method of providing information to a user, the method comprising:

maintaining a database containing a plurality of records, each record containing information data, an identifier data item indicating an identifier and a time and/or a location of disclosure of the identifier;

receiving at least one temporal and/or spatial parameter from the user;

using the parameter to search for records relating to identifiers that might have been, or might be being, disclosed to the user;

generating a list of search results;

providing the list of search results to the user;

receiving a request from the user to select one or more record from the search results; and

providing the information data from the one or more selected records to the user.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein each of the records included in the list of search results provided to the user indicates an identifier which was perceptible to the user prior to the step of receiving at least one temporal and/or spatial parameter from the user.

3. The method according either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the list of search results are provided to the user via a user device and each of the records contains an identifier data item indicating an identifier which has been, or is being, disclosed external to the user device.

4. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein one of the parameters from the user is a spatial parameter, the spatial parameter being a location, and the search being based on a radius around the location.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein one of the parameters from the user is a spatial parameter, the spatial parameter being a cell ID, and the search being based on a radius determined in relation to the cell ID.

6. The method according to either of claims 4 or 5, wherein the radius is predetermined.

7. The method according to either of claims 4 or 5, wherein the radius is determined by the user.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein one of the parameters from the user is a spatial parameter, the spatial parameter being an area selected by the user.

9. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein one of the parameters from the user is a temporal parameter, the temporal parameter being a specific time, and the search being based on a period of time either side of the specific time.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the period of time is predetermined.

1 1. The method according to claim 9, wherein the period of time is determined by the user.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein one of the parameters from the user is a temporal parameter, the temporal parameter being a period of time determined by the user.

13. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the step of receiving a parameter from a user includes a step of receiving a request from the user, sending a request to the user device for a temporal and/or spatial parameter and receiving the parameter from the user device in response to the request.

14. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the identifier is, or comprises, a specific colour and/or an alpha-numeric code and/or a symbol and the identifier data item indicating the specific colour and/or the alpha-numeric code and/or the symbol is stored in the related record.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the identifier is a specific colour selected from a pre-defined set of colours.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the alpha-numeric code is selected from a pre-defined set of alpha-numeric codes.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the symbols selected from a pre-defined set of symbols.

18 The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the identifier is an identifier sequence comprising multiple identifiers.

19. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the information data is a URL

20. A method of selecting an identifier, the method comprising:

receiving a request for an identifier, the request including at least one temporal and/or spatial parameter relating to the mode in which the requested identifier will be made available;

searching the database for records having temporal and/or spatial parameters based on the specific temporal and/or spatial parameter relating to the requested identifier, and generating a list of search results;

determining the nearest occurrence of each different identifier, and selecting a specific identifier whose nearest occurrence has a temporal and/or spatial parameter which is furthest from the temporal and/or spatial parameter relating to the mode in which the requested identifier will be made available; and

storing the specific identifier in a record relating to the requested identifier.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising disclosing the identifier.

22. The method according to claims 20 or 21, wherein the request indicates the location of the information data relating to the request.

23. The method according to claims 20 or 21, wherein the request includes information data to store in the database.

24. A method of making an identifier available, the method comprising:

sending a request for an identifier, the request including at least one temporal and/or spatial parameter relating to a mode in which the identifier will be made available, wherein the request indicates corresponding data;

receiving an identifier via a user device; and

making the identifier available using the mode referred to in the request.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein receiving an identifier involves the method of selecting an identifier in claim 20.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the request may include the corresponding information data.

27. The method according to claim 24, wherein the request indicates the location of the corresponding information data relating to the request.

28. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein the identifier is made available external to the user device.