WO2000075842A2

WO2000075842A2 - Methods and systems for electronically storing an electronic offering via a communication network

Info

Publication number: WO2000075842A2
Application number: PCT/US2000/015766
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sean G. Lucey
Original assignee: Myfolder.Com, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-06-09
Filing date: 2000-06-09
Publication date: 2000-12-14
Also published as: WO2000075842A8; AU5473900A

Abstract

Method and systems may be used to mediate between the offeror of an electronic offering and an end user. Such a method may include the steps of: obtaining an end user profile; formulating and transmitting a first query based on the profile to the electronic source to request several first electronic offerings responsive to the first query; comparing the first electronic offerings to the profile and selecting one of the first electronic offerings for transmission to the end user; presenting the selected first electronic offering to the end user; determining whether the end user opened or dragged and stored the selected electronic offering; and formulating and transmitting a second query to the electronic source to request several second electronic offerings responsive to the second query, if the end user opened or dragged and stored the selected first electronic offering. Alternatively, a method for electronically storing an electronic offering received from an electronic source may include the steps of: accessing the electronic source and receiving a first electronic offering; selecting the first electronic offering from the first electronic offering; electronically storing the first electronic offering from the electronic source; and electronically storing contextual information relating to the selected electronic offering.

Description

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ELECTRONICALLY STORING AN ELECTRONIC OFFERING VIA A COMMUNICATION NETWORK

S. Griffin Lucey BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent

Application No. 60/138,295, filed June 9, 1999, which is incorporated herein by reference. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to methods and systems mediating between the offeror of an electronic offering and an end user. In particular, the invention relates to methods and systems for electronically storing an electronic offering received from an electronic source. Description of Related Art

The on-line world has evolved from a fragmented collection of proprietary (mostly text-driven) dial-up services to the open, standard-driven Internet (e.g.. a world-wide interactive computer network), and the Internet or World Wide Web has created a new global marketplace. Enabled by key technologies and open standards including TCP/IP and HTML, and inspired by the drive to communicate, navigate, interact, and transact, as widely and as efficiently as possible, the Internet has already changed the ways in which people work, play, and communicate. It has altered how people retrieve information, accelerated the rate at which people consume it, and even redefined its form and content.

To hasten the arrival of the tidal wave of on-line buying and selling that analysts predict, people must first be equipped and comfortable with the tools and technologies that they need to access the electronic marketplace. Despite its impressive growth, on-line computing has so far delivered on only a part of its promise. The Internet has yet to mature as a market and a medium. Thousands of commercial and non-commercial web sites offer a staggering array of content, and on-line vendors offer any number of products and services for on-line browsing and purchasing. The inconsistency of site quality, the uncertainty of user security and privacy, the inconvenience of data entry and the tedium of complex browser and plug-in software management make for a very uneven and unsatisfactory experience. The majority of today's consumers still are more likely to purchase any product through established distribution channels than they are via the Internet. They are not yet sufficiently comfortable with their on-line experience to overcome perceived risks to security and privacy. Nor are they sufficiently informed or adequately equipped to overcome the various obstacles to getting the most from their time on-line. Today's mechanisms for web-delivered interactive media and online commerce too often obstruct interaction and transaction by introducing complexity and danger into a process that has to be simple and secure to fully succeed. Innumerable proprietary, site-specific solutions to the problems of commerce and privacy create a situation in which consumers must entrust their information to unverified parties, thus exposing themselves to the risk of fraudulent appropriation of personal data. In doing so, they may lose their rights and consumer leverage, which is derived only from real control over the access, use, and distribution of their personal information.

Further, the way accounts are maintained too often depends on accessing services using the same hardware and software from the same location as when the account was initiated. If a consumer upgrades his or her system, browser, or bookmark file, they may lose "cookies," bookmarks or passwords, they must reestablish their account from scratch, potentially losing information or even usage credit in the process.

Ideas for Internet tools and sites are rampant; however, executable strategies that may turn these ideas into profitable businesses are not. The brief history of the commercial Internet starts with the belief that consumers would pay for Internet- delivered content the way they paid for newspapers and magazines and other printed media. However, subscription-based content did not draw out end user revenue. People, who are willing to pay for content in the form of a newspaper or magazine, have proved unwilling to pay for that same information delivered via the Internet. Today, advertising pays the toll for the Internet's content. Advertising is in danger of running out of steam because it is difficult to direct and measure. A major problem with the current web advertising model is that advertisers may not buy ad placements directly targeted to specific people, they may only buy ads targeted through particular sites or to specific machines. For example, an advertiser buying placements through a search engine may regard a search for the word "car" as a possible target for an automobile ad. However, the advertiser does not know whether the viewer is a qualified consumer, who might actually buy a car or a student writing a report for their school project. As alternate Internet devices become ubiquitous, much of the functionality now supplied by the PC may have disappeared. Most of these devices may supply a connection to the Internet or other networks, acting as a dumb terminal without disk capacity or productivity tools. Thus, this trend presents an opportunity for emerging services to supply the lost functionality supplanted by the introduction of such devices into the Internet marketplace.

The adoption of set-top Internet boxes in the home is projected to grow exponentially within the next five years. The set-top box enables the convergence of entertainment media, such as cable, Direct Broadcast Satellite, video on demand, HDTV and other media rich environments with the Internet. WebTV has already created such an environment, allowing the user to access information, sound bites and other media while viewing a favorite television program or storing programming online or offline for later viewing.

Network Computers (NCs) have been growing in popularity in the business world as a cheaper alternative to personal computers. NCs allow businesses to provide access to necessary company information and applications, as well as to the

Internet, from a central server without the extra costs associated with keeping up individual computers.

Internet enabled kiosks have the potential to change our relationship with computers in the way that ATM machines revolutionized the way we bank. As public infrastructure matures to allow access to data from various public spaces, dependence upon portable computing devices may decline. In recent years, kiosks have appeared in airports, hotels, copy shops, and even highway rest stops. Although kiosk growth has not been as substantial as that of set-top boxes or network computers, it creates the new opportunities for accessing private information via public multi-user platforms.

In the rush to accumulate services, search engines have neglected their core service. While search engines are a logical precursor to portal sites, on-line services, most notably in the form of America On-line (AOL), have also attempted to leverage their position as known content providers into the portal space. Trusted as a provider of proprietary services already and serving as the default page for their

Internet access, on-line services also have a significant number of members who would use their portal page as a natural extension to their existing member privileges. AOL's service presently claims more than 27 million unique users. Many of those users run Internet browsers which are preprogrammed to go to AOL.com upon logging into the Internet.

While the top six or seven portals are struggling to gain top market share as the premier portal, smaller, more focused niche sites have also been compiling services to create mini portals - dubbed both hubs and "verti-ports." These hubs are aiming to be the number one destination sites for their specific target audiences. Examples such as iVillage and MedScape have built up targeted audiences around specific interests, and offer more value in the way of focused content and services. Though these smaller players do not command the market share of major portals such as Yahoo!® or Excite®, they are attempting to serve as a portal for their main market niche (e.g.. iVillage for women on-line and MedScape for physicians). Players in the portal market have a unique love-hate relationship. The same companies that are competing on one level also find themselves in the unfamiliar position of having to collaborate on another level. Money is generated largely through advertising deals, for which portals must compete to produce the largest amount of user traffic. In order to drive that traffic to their own sites, portals must collaborate with each other in the form of advertising and other deals. As the key players in each niche fight to offer the various content and services which have become the trademark of portal sites, the distinguishing characteristics of any site over another become barely recognizable. The rush to become a highly trafficked portal site is most directly a result of the increasing pressure to attract and retain advertising dollars. The "stickiness" of a site is measured not by how many unique users have visited the site, but by the length of time that any one visitor spends in that environment. Advertisers benefit greatly from a user's prolonged exposure to their messages. If users remain at a site for an extended time, they see more banners, are presented with more options to purchase from sponsors, and generally increase the overall value of the site in the eyes of advertisers and commerce partners.

The main restriction that portal sites encounter is user turnover. Part of the inherent appeal of the Internet is the ability to jump from site to site and discover other rich sources of information. Thus, the limitation of any portal is that, while it struggles to maintain value for its advertisers by keeping users within the site for a higher impression count, it still must provide its users with value. It accomplishes this by acting as a gateway, through which users eventually pass into the Internet, discarding the portal and its advertisers' messages.

This main function of the portal then may be in direct conflict with the portal's revenue stream, because it only may increase advertising value and revenue if it guarantees a large volume of traffic and an increasing portion of that traffic results in clickthroughs. Conversely, if banners are found to be effective, they may lead more people off the portal site, decreasing audience reach and advertising value. As such, portal sites are caught in a paradox, adding value by keeping users in, but succeeding in pushing them out through the effective use of those banners that support the site.

The growth of Internet companies over the past few years has been phenomenal. The greatest successes such as search engines and free e-mail systems have solved real problems and met with huge demand. However, the biggest problem, which even hyper-growth companies have yet to solve, is how to get paid for their services. If a way is found to solve key consumer problems and generate revenue from multiple sources, the business prospects of a web venture may improve greatly. If these important problems are solved and if revenue may be generated by executing a plan that takes advantage of converging technologies, tremendous opportunities may be gained.

Fig. 12 is a schematic depicting a known system for receiving electronic offerings. An electronic offering may include an electronic banner, an electronic coupon, an electronic rebate, an electronic option, and the like, and combinations thereof. An end user may initiate a request for content (e.g.. a newspaper article or travel destination information) from his or her computer 120. A content source, such as a publisher web site 122, may query its cookie database 124 to determine whether the user has visited publisher web site 122 before and to determine what information is available concerning the user. "Cookies" are bits of information about the user or end user computer 120 that are available as a result of previous visits to a web site. Cookies may be initiated by the web site and a connection is created if the browser of the end user computer accepts it.

Publisher web site 122 formulates a request for an electronic offering, such as an ad, and transmits it to an ad network 126. Based on the information contained in the ad request, ad network 126 will search a network aggregated database 128 to select an appropriate ad or ads. Ad network 126 then replies to publisher web site

122 with the selected ad or ads. Publisher web site 122 replies to end user computer 120 with the requested content accompanied by the ad or ads supplied by ad network 126.

In this system, publisher web site 122 may track the user's visits and content requests by means of cookie data base 124. Although publisher web site 122 may provide user information along with its ad request, ad network 126 may have additional data on the user and may use this additional data to refine its ad search and selection. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, a need has arisen to integrate disparate elements of today's network computing applications to improve the on-line experience for its users. It is a feature of this invention that it rewards advertisers and the like with revenues generated through its multi-channel distribution strategy. Further a need has arisen to streamline network user's on and off-line computing activities via network tools and services, and web advertisers' need to deliver demographically granular media messages to highly targeted audiences.

A need also has arisen to provide a much-needed basic layer of infrastructure between the desktop and the Web. By providing this layer, the first fully measurable

Internet user base or audience may be captured, and an audience and its behaviors may be tracked both on and off the Internet.

A further need has arisen to obtain a comprehensive, census-based clickstream media measurement database. This allows advertisers and agencies to maximize the value of their growing on-line advertising investments through increasingly precise targeting and one-to-one marketing. Web-based content publishers then may provide advertisers with the kind of research information that justifies higher rates for their brand promotions, and which enable competitiveness with other, higher volume (but less target-able) mainstream media, such as newspaper, magazines, and television.

In addition, a need has arisen to steward this valuable information about consumer on-line activity and thereby to protect them from unwanted promotions in categories of no interest to them. This also allows users to control the levels of web services access they give to their family members. It is a feature of the present invention that it may broker on its users' behalf the best prices and terms for the various offers provided to them through a computer network, and in effect, tune and make more efficient their on-line activities through advanced service personalization and customization.

Moreover, a need has arisen for a safe place to keep important information while still being able to access it from any location. The invention provides a trusted third party, or infomediary, that may be depended upon to securely and reliably streamline and manage on-line transactions of all kinds, again from any location. It is a feature of this invention that by incrementally developing a trust relationship with consumers through the introduction of increasingly high levels of consumer service and functionality, the present invention may generate advertising revenue and create a user database. With the introduction of secure transaction tools, unified subscription management functionality, and digital couponing, the present invention may generate not only advertising revenue, but also transaction commissions. Approved vendor positioning payments for key real estate within the network and at the desktop also may be generated.

It is a feature of the invention that by the addition of transaction tracking to web site usage data, the final metric to web usage measurement may be added, ultimately allowing advertisers to track actual Return on Investment (ROI) for their respective ad campaigns. The value of information, which may connect the effectiveness of given advertising/ marketing campaigns to actual consumer purchasing behavior, is extremely high. It is a further feature of this invention that it may capture information, and it may be able to process and disseminate it, ultimately calculating and distributing proportionate co-marketing payments amongst multiple parties. It is an advantage that the invention may be positioned to profitably broker access to that user base to advertisers, publishers, on-line vendors, direct marketers, and market research/ ratings firms.

The emergence of an integrated buying and selling environment for consumers, retailers and advertisers may lead to greater efficiencies in the market itself. As a result, services and products may be offered in combinations and on terms that may vary according to the user profiles of individuals and groups.

Customized content feeds, pre-filtered for individual user relevance and accompanied by targeted, individualized advertisements for customized services, may be common to users of the claimed invention. In addition, special personalized offers from financial institutions and premium programming providers, along with highly specialized, often agent-based services also may be offered. By working with the sophisticated creators and vendors of such second and third level interactive offerings, the present invention may powerfully aggregate, target, and deliver highly individualized service packages precisely tailored to the preferences and interests of its constituent user groups. Further, it may continue to generate revenue from its third party service providers, advertisers, direct marketers and strategic partners.

Consumers may always need to switch from system to system, from portal to portal and from vendor to vendor as their needs and competitive offerings change, yet they need not abandon ready access to their personal information or customized services that truly enhance the overall value of their time spent on and off-line.

Duplication, relocation and synchronization of primary critical, personal information from the local hard drive of any system to a trusted, secure location on the Internet, may reduce or eliminate the problems inherent in current desktop-centric solutions. By placing a trusted third party between users, advertisers and vendors, the invention equips users to conduct their on-line activities on terms they define, thereby giving them safety, traction and leverage in the on-line marketplace. By taking on the role of the trusted third party, the invention makes it easy and safe for consumers to use the Web freely, confident that their information, their accounts, and their relationships are administered properly according to their own, user- defined criteria. The hassle, danger, and inconsistency of the current on-line experience may be replaced with secure access to a personal on-line home base accessible from any location.

By aiding users in their mastery of the on-line experience, and acting as a jumping-off point and companion during all on-line navigation and transaction, the present invention provides both a secure home base and an array of personalized, agent-based transaction, navigation, filtering and communications services. It may target advertising and direct marketing with unparalleled efficiency, and using their collective, comprehensive usage data as leverage, continuously improve the terms and basis of consumers' on-line relationships with vendors, advertisers and media providers. In an embodiment, the invention is a method for mediating between the offeror of an electronic offering and an end user. The method comprises the steps of obtaining an end user profile; formulating and transmitting a first query based on the profile to the electronic source to request at least one first electronic offering responsive to the first query; comparing the at least one first electronic offering to the profile and selecting at least one of the at least one first electronic offering for transmission to the end user; presenting the at least one electronic offering to the end user; determining whether the end user accesses the at least one electronic offering; and formulating and transmitting a second query to the electronic source to request at least one second electronic offering responsive to the second query, if the end user accesses the at least one first electronic offering. Accessing an electronic offering may include opening the offering right-mouse clicking or dragging and storing the electronic offering.

In another embodiment, the invention is a method for electronically storing an electronic offering received from an electronic source. The method comprises the steps of accessing the electronic source and receiving at least one first electronic offering; selecting at least one first electronic offering from the at least one first electronic offering; electronically storing the at least one first electronic offering from the electronic source; and electronically storing contextual information relating to the selected electronic offering.

In yet another embodiment, the invention is a system for mediating between the offeror of an electronic offering and an end user. The system comprises an end user profile; means for formulating and transmitting a first query based on the profile to the electronic source to request at least one first electronic offering responsive to the first query; means for comparing the at least one electronic offering to the profile and selecting at least one of the at least one first electronic offering for transmission to the end user; means for presenting the at least one electronic offering to the end user; means for determining whether the end user accesses the at least one electronic offering; and means for formulating and transmitting a second query to the electronic source to request at least one second electronic offering responsive to the second query, if the end user accesses the at least one first electronic offering.

In still another embodiment, the invention is a system for storing an electronic offering from an electronic source. The system comprises a first graphical user interface comprising at least one electronic offering within an electronic source; a second graphical user interface comprising a memory that is separate from the electronic source; a conduit to transfer the first graphical user interface to the memory of the second graphical user interface; and means for retrieving and retaining contextual information concerning an end user's accessing of the first graphical user interface for transfer via the conduit to the memory of the second graphical user interface.

The invention becomes more and more desirable as the trend toward set-top boxes and the like continues. Set-top boxes lack the hard drives necessary to easily store or share information received via web television. The present invention provides a virtual operating system, and distributed file repository which may become the first and last stop for all users accessing the Internet through a set-top device.

While portal sites are busy attempting to find ways to keep their users inside their site, the present invention provides open tools allowing users to freely navigate through the Web. The present invention works in conjunction with the user's browser, providing productivity tools valuable regardless of site location. This invention is able to accomplish this because it accompanies users as they move, and in doing so becomes the ultimate "sticky" platform.

An important difference between the portal paradigm and the paradigm of the present invention is that, while portals aggregate content and services, the present invention aggregates tools to help users communicate, collaborate, navigate content and conduct commerce. The tools are what give the methods and systems of the present invention freedom from the boundaries to which portal sites are constricted. The invention may not lose revenue because it remains open throughout the browsing experience, allowing users to view content related ad banners on the advertising "Billboard" panel, as well as conduct various transactions with their eWallets.

Other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent to persons skilled in the art by the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be more readily understood with reference to the following drawings in which:

Fig. 1 depicts a general distributed, PC-based computing system; Fig. 2 is a flow chart depicting the steps in the transmission of a banner and its selection or storage;

Fig. 3 is a schematic depiction of the interaction between the interface, the user and the ad networks;

Fig. 4 is a computer screen image showing the dragging of a banner into a storage folder;

Fig. 5 is a flow chart depicting the user's request and receipt of an electronic offering and the possible update of the electronic offering;

Fig. 6 is a flow chart depicting the user's viewing of stored electronic offerings;

Fig. 7 is a flow chart depicting the user's receipt of an electronic offering enabled through a trusted third party (T3P) system;

Fig. 8 is a schematic of a system for electronically receiving and storing an electronic offering via a communication network;

Fig. 9 is a schematic of the end user's computer component of a system according to

Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a schematic of the ad network component of a system according to Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a schematic of a system for electronically receiving and storing an electronic offering via a communication network showing the storage and retrieval interconnections; and

Fig. 12 is a schematic depicting a known system for receiving electronic offerings. DET AILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The environment in which the present invention is used encompasses general distributed computing system, wherein general purpose computers, workstations, or personal computers are connected via communication links of various types, in a client-server arrangement. Programs and data, many in the form of objects, are made available by various members of the system for execution and access by other members of the system. Some of the elements of a general purpose workstation computer are shown in Fig. 1, wherein processor 101 is shown, having input/output ("I/O") section 102, central processing unit ("CPU") 103, and memory section 104. I/O section 102 may be connected to keyboard 105, display unit 106, disk storage unit 109, and CD-ROM drive unit 107. CD-ROM unit 107 may read a CD-ROM medium 108, which typically contains programs and data 110. Processor 101 may be connected to the Internet via connection 120.

Referring to Fig. 2, a flow chart depicts the steps in the transmission of a banner and its selection or storage. In step 20, an interface may transmit an anonymous profile to an ad network. In step 21, the ad network selects and transmits an appropriate banner to the user. This selection is made based on the psychographic information contained in the profile. Referring to step 22, if the user fails to select or save the banner, that "no" decision is transmitted to the interface in order to update the user's profile. If, however, the user selects or saves the banner, that information is relayed to the interface and/or the ad network in steps 23 and 24. This selection or save decision may result in the interface updating the user's profile and the ad network refining or updating the banner. Step 21 then may be repeated and the refined or updated banner may be transmitted by the ad network to the user. As indicated in step 25, the user may save the banner and open it later or access it immediately. If the banner is opened (step 26), the selection decision is transmitted to the ad network and to the interface. If the banner is not selected, the user may delete it (step 27) or it may expire (step 28). If the banner is saved, but not selected, that information is transmitted to the interface in order to update the profile a. Method Performed by an Interface

A method for mediating between the offeror of an electronic offering and an end user may include the steps of: obtaining an end user profile; formulating and transmitting a first query based on the profile to the electronic source to request at least one first electronic offering responsive to the first query; comparing the at least one first electronic offering to the profile and selecting at least one of the at least one first electronic offering for transmission to the end user; presenting the at least one electronic offering to the end user; determining whether the end user accesses the at least one electronic offering; and formulating and transmitting a second query to the electronic source to request at least one second electronic offering responsive to the second query, if the end user accesses the at least one first electronic offering. The electronic source may be selected from the group consisting of a web page, an Internet enabled application, and a computer enabled application. Computer enabled applications may include applications on a portable hand-held data organizer, a digital telephone, or the like.

Referring to Fig. 3, a user 30 interacts with the Internet by means of an interface 32. Interface 32 may send a user profile to ad networks 34a-c. Banners or other electronic offerings may be returned by ad networks 34a-c to interface 32. Interface 32 then may further screen the banners or electronic offerings returned by ad networks 34a-c. Interface 32 may forward one or more of the returned electronic offerings to user 30.

The at least one first electronic offering may be selected from the group consisting of an electronic banner, an electronic coupon, an electronic rebate, and electronic purchase option, and the like, and combinations thereof. The electronic source is a sponsor of the at least one electronic offering. The source may be an information broker. The end user may access the at least one first electronic offering by opening the at least one first electronic offering. Alternatively, the end user may access the at least one first electronic offering by storing the at least one first electronic offering. Further, the electronic source, e_^g., the advertiser or the designee of the advertiser, may be informed that the at least one first electronic offering has been stored.

The profile used in this method may then be updated, e_^ ., modified or otherwise amended to be more current, complete, or accurate. Further, updating may involve the replacement of the entire profile with a new profile. Moreover, the profile may be updated by obtaining contextual information concerning the end user's accessing of the at least one first electronic offering. The second query then is formulated based on the updated profile. The at least one first electronic offering may be modified to foπn the at least one second electronic offering responsive to the second query. Alternatively, the at least one first electronic offering may be replaced with at least one second electronic offering that is responsive to the second query.

The end user profile may be selected from the _. group consisting of establishing a profile from contextual information concerning the end user's access to a computer network; retrieving an end user profile previously established by the end user's previous computer network activities; and retrieving an end user profile defined by a plurality of preferences selected by the end user. For example, a new end user or an end user using a new computer may be assigned a generic profile based on limited data, such as geographic location of the end user, the nature of the search, whether the end user's e-mail address is a corporate address or a personal account, and the like. Preferably, the end user profile consists of non-identifying information concerning the end user, e., information which does not identify the end user by name or with equal specificity. Such a profile may be anonymous, omitting the end user's name, home address, and the like. Profiles may be created which rely solely on information concerning the Internet activity of the end user.

For example, the end user's appliance may generate and transmit a "clickstream" signal identifying the end user's path across the Internet to a particular web site, to other electronic sources, and/or to other electronic offerings.

b. Method Performed by an End User A method for electronically storing an electronic offering received from an electronic source may comprise the steps of: accessing the electronic source and receiving at least one first electronic offering; selecting at least one first electronic offering from the at least one first electronic offering; electronically storing the at least one first electronic offering from the electronic source; and electronically storing contextual information relating to the selected electronic offering. Again, the at least one electronic offering may be selected from the group consisting of an electronic banner, an electronic coupon, an electronic rebate, and electronic purchase option, and the like. Similarly, the electronic source may be selected from the group consisting of a web page, an Internet enabled application, and a computer enabled application. Computer enabled applications may include applications on a portable hand-held data organizer, a digital telephone, or the like.

The step of selecting the at least one electronic offering, further may comprise using an interface device to select the at least one first electronic offering. Such an interface device may be selected from the group consisting of a cursor key, a mouse, a track ball, a touchscreen, a jog-dial, a voice command interface device, a key pad, and the like. Further, the keypad may be a numerical keypad, an alphabetic keypad, or an alpha-numeric keypad.

In addition, the step of storing the at least one first electronic offering may comprise the steps of: dragging the at least one first electronic offering to a dropping area, wherein the dropping area is off of the electronic source, e *., web page; and dropping the at least one first electronic offering in the dropping area. This dropping area may include a low or high priority folder established by the end user or on the end user's appliance. In Fig. 4, a computer screen image 40 is shown, in which a banner 42 is dragged into a storage folder 44. Storage folder 44 may be a Banner

Offering Coupon Clipboard System, which runs locally, but stores banners and other electronic offerings on-line. Moreover, the method may comprise the step of removing the electronic offering from the dropping area after a period of time, wherein the period of time is determined by the user or by the electronic source. For example, an advertiser or the designee of the advertiser may establish an expiration date of the electronic offering.

The step of electronically storing contextual information relating to the electronic offering, may comprise electronically storing a date, on which the end user selected the at least one first electronic offering. Further, the step of electronically storing contextual information relating to the electronic offering, may comprise electronically storing an identification, e_^g., the URL or name, of the electronic source of the electronic offering or storing an electronic reference to the source of the at least one first electronic offering, or both. For example, the step of electronically storing the at least one first electronic offering from the electronic source, may comprise the additional steps of: electronically storing an address of the electronic source; electronically storing a link embedded within the at least one first electronic offering; electronically storing an expiration date of the at least one first electronic offering; and electronically storing a date, on which the end user selected the at least one first electronic offering. In a preferred embodiment, the step of electronically storing contextual information relating to the selected electronic offering, may comprise electronically storing the contextual information in an appliance selected from the group consisting of a computer, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a set-top or Web-TV appliance, or another device (e.g.. a digital device) or appliance adapted to store and present information.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart depicting the user's request and receipt of an electronic offering and the possible update of the electronic offering. This figure, together with Figs. 6 and 7, show various progressions of the steps (e.g.. the work flow) involved in making requests for electronic offerings, viewing stored electronic offerings, and receiving electronic offerings. In Fig. 5, an end user 50 initiates a request (step 52) for a web page from a content publisher 150. Publisher 150 grabs the request (step 152) and any cookie that it may associate with the request and passes the cookie and the request (step 154) to an ad network 250.

Ad network 250 checks the cookie against its database (step 252) and updates the page (e.g., publisher 150) and profile information on its database (step 254). Ad network 250 then selects and sends an appropriate ad or ads (step 256) to publisher 150. Publisher 150 couples the ad or ads with the requested content and displays the content with the ad to the user (step 156).

End user 50 receives a display of the requested content with the selected ad or ads (step 54). If the user stores the ad for later retrieval and selection, a trusted third party (T3P) system 350 may request a profile update (step 56). In such a profile update, end user 50 queries T3P 350, and T3P 350 provides profile information (step 356) to end user 50 for transfer to ad network 250 or directly to publisher 250 (connection C-C and step 356). Ad network 250 then repeats steps 252 through 256. However, instead of returning the selected ad or ads to publisher

150, ad network updates the ad or ads directly to end user 50 (connection A-A and step 58). If a stored ad or ads expire(s) (i.e., if they are time limited), end user deletes the ad or ads and notifies publisher 250 (connection B-B and step 59). Publisher 250 may update the ad or ads or remove end user 50 from its database (step 258).

T3P 350 collects all cookie information from publisher 250 (step 352) and synchronizes this information in the profile of end user 50 (step 354). In addition, if end user 50 stores an ad or ads (step 56), stores an updated ad or ads(step 58), or deletes an ad or ads (step 59), T3P 350 updates changes in the profile of end user 50 (connection D-D and step 358).

Fig. 6 is a flow chart depicting the user's viewing of stored electronic offereings. A user may initiate the viewing of a previously stored ad or ads (step 61) by means of various interface devices, including a cursor key, a mouse, a track ball, a key pad, a touchscreen, a jog dial, a voice command system, and the like. In step 61, the first or original ad or electronic offering is displayed. This step corresponds to step 54 in Fig. 5. The end user then inquires whether the ad or offering has been updated (step 63). See steps 56, 58, and 258 in Fig. 5. If the ad or offering has not been updated, the user adds one count to its local impression count (step 65). If the ad or offering has been updated, the updated ad is displayed beside the original ad for the end user's review (step 67). After this display, the user adds one count to its local impression count (step 69). Upon completion of the review of the first or original add, the end user may proceed to review other stored ads.

Fig. 7 is a flow chart depicting the user's receipt of an electronic offering enabled through a trusted third party (T3P) system. As noted above, the user selects a web page from a server enabled with the T3P system (step 70). The server then requests a user profile from the T3P system (step 71). A T3P profile database is searched with any associated cookie to locate the profile (step 72). If the profile is found (step 73), the T3P system returns the profile or a portion of the profile to the T3P enabled server and an ad or ads are selected or modified based on the profile (step 74).

The ad or ads then are sent to the server for delivery with the requested web page (e.g., content) to the user (step 75). The user may select or ignore the ad or ads (step 76). If the user selects the ad or ads, that selection may be factored into the user's profile (step 77) and the user may request an update of the ad or ads (step 78). Step 76 then may be repeated with respect to the updated ad or ads, and any further updates. However, if the user does not select the ad or ads, consideration and tracking of that ad or ads may end (step 79).

Alternatively, if no profile is found in step 73, the T3P system may create a new user profile (step 74'). This newly created profile may be promptly updated to include information concerning the currently requested web page (step 75') and any ad selected based on the newly created profile (step 76'). The requested web page and ad or ads are returned to the user, but the server request for a profile is reinitiated (step 71) to utilize the newly created profile.

c. System for Use by an Interface

In a system for mediating between the offeror of an electronic offering and an end user, the system may comprise an end user profile; means for formulating and transmitting a first query based on the profile to the electronic source to request at least one first electronic offering responsive to the first query; means for comparing the at least one electronic offering to the profile and selecting at least one of the at least one first electronic offering for transmission to the end user; means for presenting the at least one electronic offering to the end user; means for determining whether the end user accesses the at least one electronic offering; and means for formulating and transmitting a second query to the electronic source to request at least one second electronic offering responsive to the second query, if the end user accesses the at least one first electronic offering. The elecfronic source may be selected from the group consisting of a web page, an Internet enabled application, and a computer enabled application. Computer enabled applications may include applications on a portable hand-held data organizer, a digital telephone, or the like. The end user may access the at least one first electronic offering by opening the at least one first electronic offering. Alternatively, the end user may access the at least one first electronic offering by storing the at least one first electronic offering. The at least one first electronic offering may be stored by dragging the at least one first electronic offering to a dropping area, wherein the dropping area is off of the electronic source, e_^g., web page; and dropping the at least one first electronic offering in the dropping area. This dropping area may include a low or high priority folder established by the end user or on the end user's appliance. The system may include a transmission device for notifying the electronic source that the at least one first electronic offering has been stored. The end user's profile may then be updated, e_^ ., modified or otherwise amended to be more current, complete, or accurate. Further, updating may involve the replacement of the entire profile with a new profile. Moreover, the profile may be updated by obtaining contextual information concerning the end user's accessing of the at least one first electronic offering. The second query then is formulated based on the updated profile. The at least one first electronic offering may be modified to form the at least one second electronic offering responsive to the second query. Alternatively, the at least one first electronic offering may be replaced with at least one second elecfronic offering that is responsive to the second query.

The end user profile may be selected from the group consisting of establishing a profile from contextual information concerning the end user's access to a computer network; retrieving an end user profile previously established by the end user's previous computer network activities; and retrieving an end user profile defined by a plurality of preferences selected by the end user. For example, a new end user or an end user using a new computer may be assigned a generic profile based on limited data, such as geographic location of the end used, the nature of the search, whether the end user's e-mail address is a corporate address or a personal account, and the like. Preferably, the end user profile consists of non-identifying information concerning the end user, e., information which does not identify the end user by name or with equal specificity. Such a profile may be anonymous, omitting the end user's name, home address, and the like. Profiles may be created which rely solely on information concerning the Internet activity of the end user. For example, the end user's appliance may generate and transmit a "clickstream" signal identifying the end user's path across the Internet to a particular web site, to other electronic sources, and/or to other electronic offerings. Fig. 8 is a schematic of a system for electronically receiving and storing an electronic offering via a communication network. Fig. 8 details the components within a system, which interact to securely exchange profile information, cookies, and electronic offerings using, for example, either a secure TCP/IP socket connection or HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol.). A user 80 may represent a computer, such as a personal computer (PC); a cellular telephone; a personal digital assistant, or another digital device or appliance adapted to link with a network and to store and present information. User 80 may be linked to the Internet 81. The Internet 81 may be linked directly to a T3P Central Server via a HTTP line. The T3P Central Server may include a T3P secure server 83, which is linked to a T3P database 84. T3P database 84 comprises a secure database of user profiles. The

Internet 81 also may be linked to at least one publisher via a HTTP line. The at least one publisher includes at least one web server 85, which is connected to at least one cookie database 86.

The Internet 81 is further linked to at least one ad network. The at least one ad network comprises at least one web server 87, a T3P profile engine 88, and a database engine 89. T3P profile engine 88 is in direct secure contact with T3P secure server 83. Thus, T3P profile engine 88 may exchange profile information with T3P secure server 83, including information secure profile data contained in T3P database 84. Data obtained by T3P profile engine 88 is used to drive the electronic offering searches of database engine 89.

Thus, for example, user 80 may transmit an inquiry via the Internet 81 to a publisher. The publisher may request an ad or ads via the Internet 81 from an ad network. T3P profile engine 88 may contact T3P secure server 83 via a secure socket connection and obtain profile information in order to select an appropriate ad or ads for user 80. The ad network then may transmit the ad or ads via the Internet

81 to the publisher. Finally the publisher couples the requested data and the ad or ads and returns them to user 80 via the Internet 81. With the exception of the transmissions exchanged between T3P secure server 83 and T3P profile engine 88, the other transmissions and exchanges of information may occur via HTTP lines. Fig. 9 is a schematic of the end user's computer component of a system according to Fig. 8. As noted above, although this component is referred to as a computer, various types of appliance, adapted to be connected to the Internet may be used. This component may include a browser 90, which may link to the publisher or to the ad network via the Internet. Browser 90 is linked with a cookies database 92, and cookies database 92 is linked to a T3P local engine 94. Via T3P local engine

94, the end user computer may transmit updated profile information to T3P secure server 83 of Fig. 8 (connection A). Moreover, T3P local engine 93 includes ports through which it may obtain information from other venues, such as laptops, cellular telephones, settop appliances, remote stations, and the like (connection B). Finally, T3P local engine 94 is connected to a T3P local banner/offering/coupon clipboard database (BOCCD) 96. Electronic offerings may be stored by an end user in clipboard database 96. Such elecfronic offerings may be accessed by the end user, and information concerning the access of these offerings may sent via connection A to T3P secure server 83 or to the ad network via the Internet 81. Fig. 10 is a schematic of the ad network component of a system according to Fig. 8. A publisher 100 transmits a request via the Internet to the ad network. The ad network may include a plurality of web servers lOOa-d, which are interconnected via transmission lines 102. Each of web servers lOOa-d is connected via transmission lines 102 to a T3P profile engine 103 and a database engine 104.

Further T3P database engine 103 and database engine 104 are interconnected by transmission lines 102.

As discussed above with respect to Fig. 8, T3P profile engine 103 may contact a T3P secure server via a secure socket connection 106 and obtain profile information in order to select an appropriate ad or ads in response to a request for publisher 100. T3P profile engine may transmit this profile information over transmission lines 102 to database engine 104. Database engine 104 is a search engine, which may search an advertising database 105 to retrieve electronic offerings, appropriate for the transmitted profiles. Fig. 11 is a schematic of a system for electronically receiving and storing an electronic offering via a communication network showing the storage and retrieval interconnections. A user appliance 110 may access a stored browser cookies in a database 110' when transmitting onto the Internet and may locally store and retrieve electronic offerings from a clipboard database 110". User 110 may transmit requests for content via a T3P system 112, as described above. T3P system 112 may access user preferences, profiles, and cookies in a secure database 112" and stored network offerings in a separate database 112'. Thus, T3P system 112 may augment electronic offerings returned by an ad network 114 with electronic offerings drawn from network stored offerings database 112'. Requests for content then may be augmented with user profile information by T3P system 112 and transmitted to ad network 114. Ad network 114 may access an aggregated cookie profiles database 114', and using information drawn from that database and received from T3P system 112, ad network 114 may search an ad inventory database 114" to retrieve suitable electronic offerings to return to T3P system 112. Finally, the content request of user 110 is transmitted to a publisher 116. Publisher 116 accesses a content database 116" to fulfill the content request. Publisher 116 also may access its cookie database 116' to determine whether it recognizes user 110 and to assign a cookie, if appropriate. The content is then returned to user 110 via ad network 114 and T3P system 112. As noted above, at ad network 114, electronic offerings may be coupled with the content, and at T3P system 112, network offerings may be stored in network offerings database 112'. User 110 may then select the electronic offerings, delete the elecfronic offerings or store them locally on clipboard 110'.

d. System for Use by an End User

In a system for storing an electronic offering from an electronic source, the system may comprise a first graphical user interface comprising at least one electronic offering within an electronic source; a second graphical user interface comprising a memory that is separate from the electronic source; a conduit to transfer the first graphical user interface to the memory of the second graphical user interface; and means for retrieving and retaining contextual information concerning an end user's accessing of the first graphical user interface for transfer via the conduit to the memory of the second graphical user interface. The first graphical user interface may be an electronic offering, such as an electronic banner, an electronic coupon, an electronic rebate, and electronic purchase option, and the like. For example, the first graphical user interface may be an advertisement. The system may further comprise means for replacing the first graphical interface with an updated first graphical user interface in the memory of the second graphical user interface. The system also may comprise means for deleting the first graphical user interface from the memory of the second graphical user interface or means for deleting the first graphical user interface after a predetermined period of time.

The conduit may comprise an interface device for selecting the first graphical user interface, dragging the first graphical user interface to the second graphical user interface, and dropping the first graphical user interface in the memory of the second graphical user interface. Alternatively, the first graphical interface may be dragged to a dropping area, wherein it may be placed in a dropping area. This dropping area may include a low or high priority folder established by the end user or on the end user's appliance. Such an interface device may be selected from the group consisting of a cursor key, a mouse, a track ball, a touchscreen, a jog-dial, a voice command interface device, a key pad, and the like. Further, the keypad may be a numerical keypad, an alphabetic keypad, or an alpha-numeric keypad.

Moreover, the method may comprise the step of removing the electronic offering from the dropping area after a period of time, wherein the period of time is determined by the user or by the electronic source. For example, an advertiser or the designee of the advertiser may establish an expiration date of the electronic offering.

In a preferred embodiment, the step of electronically storing contextual information relating to the selected electronic offering, may comprise electronically storing the contextual information in an appliance selected from the group consisting of a computer, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a set-top or Web-TV appliance, or another device (e.g., a digital device) or appliance adapted to store and present information. The contextual information may comprise a URL for a web page, from which the first graphical user interface was provided. Further, this contextual information may comprise a link or links stored within the first graphical user interface. Moreover, the contextual information may comprise a combination of these elements, and may further comprise a date on which the first graphical user interface moved to the second graphical user interface.

The invention is premised on the proposition that valuable network tools to end users may be exchanged for access to their individual demographic and psychographic profiles, which are captured from the "clickstreams" generated as they navigate the Internet. Psychographic characteristics are determined by the personal interest information or preferences of a user. Such information or preferences are gathered either by requesting information from users or by observing their activities in an on-line environment. For example, a web site may ask users to list the other web sites that they visit most often or an Internet Service Provider (ISP) (e.g., AOL) may simply record and analyze the overall history of all web sites visited by a user. The ISP then may use this data to help create a profile for that user. A set of tools is provided that greatly enhance their overall Internet experience. The invention may maintain an agent for each user via client software called tailored client software, which may act as an extension of their web browser.

From tailored client software, an Internet user may perform many valuable network tasks. For example, instead of transferring files as enclosures using an e-mail application, the user simply clicks on a file folder, hits a pull-down menu, and instantly send the file to its destination by using a browser extension. File transfer also is enhanced with tools including automatic zip and unzip functions, automatic encryption and authentication.

The unifying web-based element is the tailored network. This network enables a user to easily post files, bookmarks, e-mail settings, passwords, calendars and directories to a central storage facility operated by the network, making them accessible from any Internet-connected computer. The network makes a user's location and platform irrelevant, thereby turning today's Internet model inside-out. By providing means of accessing each user's files, utilities, and network settings from any location, the network equips users to be productive and within reach of their important personal information from wherever they sign on. The elements driving the need for effective network computing are growing rapidly. Using this network, a user may sign on to the Internet and gain access to all their posted files and communication settings through any browser. Further, users who collaborate may share files through the network, allowing multiple users access to shared documents. The network may use enhanced file management protocols to speedily transfer and secure those files as it manages and synchronizes them. Best of all, as network elements converge, more and more people may be using thinner and thinner PCs. Appliances, set-tops, NCs, palmtops, public kiosks, and other devices may be available everywhere. The missing link may be seamless access to the user's files. The network may always be there no matter what platform or Operating System one happens to be using at the moment. Additional tools from the invention may allow the majority of user settings to be centralized as well. These include bookmarks (always difficult to synchronize between machines) address books, directories, e-mail, files and more.

The payoff portion of the present invention calls for revenue resulting from the network's vending of both individual and aggregated demographic and psychographic profiles, which the networks may capture down to the individual user clickstream. The numerous invention presents options enabled by its ability to maintain an agent active per user, instead of per machine. With tailored client software active on a user's platform, web advertisers may receive highly informative targeted information about user demographics, web usage activity and buying patterns. With tailored software active for individual users instead of machines, the network may know the web portage of each and every user. The true value of the invention may lie in appropriately mining, applying and marketing this information to the benefit of the network users, advertisers, content providers, partners and investors.

Perhaps the best way to view the invention and the tailored network is as an individual's network utility. Like our other utilities (e.g., electric, gas, telephone) the network may be relied upon to be available on demand whenever it is wanted. The network may sometimes be metered, value-added service, and sometimes a free service, but it may always be relied upon and eventually, like most utilities after time, it may become indispensable. By establishing a critical file and communications management position between the desktop and the Internet, the network and tailored client software help users manage their increasingly mobile, networked computing environments, the network and tailored client software provide continuity, consistency and security in an environment too often devoid of all three.

The desktop tailored client software includes a tightly integrated, modular and extensible software toolset that comprises an extremely powerful communications and information management console for users. The tailored client software allows users to manage their files and their on-line communications, navigation and transaction activities directly from any desktop by means of intuitive, task-specific tools designed to support a variety of user interactions. Tailored client software provides quick access to e-mail, instant messaging, pager messages, voice mail, faxes, files, bookmarks and more. Through the creation of a service-based trust relationship with consumers, delivered via the network and tailored client software, the invention may develop a unique, highly targeted channels for the distribution of content, services, direct marketing and advertising. Over time, the same toolset consumers use to manage files and communications may become a platform and catalyst for increasingly numerous and diverse forms of on-line commerce.

The tailored client software enables one-click, secure file exchange and access at the OS-level for any computer linked to the Internet. By simplifying the otherwise cumbersome process of file transfer and file sharing through the integration of desktop software functionality with web-enabled remote storage, the network's integrated solution markedly improves a primary aspect of the computing and Internet experience.

The tailored network leverages the Internet to improve and expand the power available to users at the desktop. The network's One-Click File Exchange capability may be used in one of two ways. First, Windows 95/NT users, by "right clicking" on any file on their system, produce a menu that allows them to send that file directly to any number of other Internet or users. By right clicking on any file, users may "send" a file to either: a) their personal on-line storage; b) to a folder shared among several users; or c) directly to the attention of another person, complete with notification of delivery and receipt. The client software also supports the use of folders that are transparently linked to the network. This allows users to send files securely to anyone on the Internet simply by dragging and dropping them onto a shortcut to the folder (an icon on the desktop that is linked to the user's virtual folder.) The network then provides easy access to these remote files from anywhere on the Internet, making that file available to any other user to whom the owner has granted access to that same shortcut. In both One-Click and Drag and Drop File Exchange, the file may automatically be encrypted and compressed, then transferred, or queued for batch transfer, to a secure file server, where they may be retrieved using the client software, or any web browser, given the appropriate passwords. The tailored network assures both the sender and the recipient that their files are delivered uncorrupted and complete, with privacy and security intact. Robust software, transport independence and cross-platform architecture make tedious resends unnecessary. Senders receive confirmation that their files have been successfully transferred, and recipients are informed that new documents are ready for retrieval.

Tailored client software is an ad-bearing desktop software application that integrates portable file management and web navigation in its first release. It builds upon the basic principles of personal security, portability, and customization of the distributed desktop and Internet-enabled computing experience provided by the network. Through tailored client software, users may readily place and remove files from their tailored network directories, using file management conventions that are already familiar to them. Files may be shared among selected groups, and the benefits of distributed computing may be enjoyed directly from the desktop. By providing a floating repository for information that users want to save or re-locate to another desktop when they use the Web, tailored client software equips consumers to capture and remotely store web content, bookmarks and files. Originating from and utilizing the network itself, tailored client software is browser and system independent. It makes captured information accessible to users from any system using any browser. Network users may receive targeted advertising based upon profiles compiled from their web usage and demographics through the ad-serving element of the tailored client software. By providing publishers and advertisers with a highly targeted channel to the detailed psychographic and demographic of the network's subscriber base, the invention may broker access to desirable user segments. The network also may act on its members' behalf by protecting their on-line privacy and their control over access to web content, thereby increasing their and the network's leverage with on-line advertisers and publishers.

Users may never lose track of where they have been on-line, or be denied site access (even if they change systems or browsers) when they maintain a single, master name account at the network. Additionally, the functionality of network and tailored client software equip primary users to control the web access of other family members, while keeping personal navigation histories and account passwords private and secure. The corollary to individual user control is that separate network accounts may enable marketers and publishers to reach specific users rather than only specific browsers, bringing one-to-one consumer relationships that much closer for network content, advertising, and commerce partners.

The network takes advantage of the demand for privacy standards by including within tailored client software the ability to manage the dissemination of personal usage data on a user-by-user basis. Through the network, members may be able to control their privacy preferences, and the network may, on the users' behalf, broker access to personal data on a standardized, government approved basis.

Having provided its users with a secure location for their personal information, in the form of files, e-mail, bookmarks, contact data, calendars, privacy profiles and certificates, the network may have established a true virtual desktop for its users. The network, acting as the repository for critical information, becomes a trusted agent relied on by consumers in their increasingly sophisticated use of the Internet. The investment that members may have made in the network is in the form of their own most valuable intellectual property, and may represent a total profile of their on-line-enabled activities including transactions, interactions and navigation. This information may be securely held by the network in anonymous, aggregated form, meaning that even the network may not know any more about individual activities than its members specifically choose to share with the service. The network may make use of this aggregated data to provide its user base with intelligent agent-driven services. The first example of this functionality may take the form of content "pushed" to consumers based on their usage profiles. By predicting relevancy of content and service offers to consumers based on their aggregated behavior data, the network may deliver destination suggestions during their on-line navigation through tailored client software.

Currently, advertising plays the same role on-line as it does in print and television, acting as a financial scorekeeper in the battle to determine which publishers or content-providers best meet the needs and desires of the market. In 1997, companies spent just under $1 billion advertising on-line. The Internet Advertising Bureau predicts that on-line advertising revenues may reach $2 billion in 1998, and analysts predict between $3 and $5 billion in overall Internet advertising revenues by the year 2000.

Search Engine Statistics

Source: Mar. 1998 Company reports, Volpe Brown Whelan & Co. See References. In 1997, Yahoo!® generated $67.4 million in revenue and has achieved a market capitalization of approximately $5 billion. Current market capitalization is closer to $10 billion. This may be just the tip of the iceberg. Once an on-line ad dollar's allocation may be dynamically adjusted and its efficiency measured, these figures may grow geometrically.

Average portal sites, such as Excite®, only sell about 15% of their advertising inventory. This indicates that simply generating a large amount of traffic is not sufficient for generating advertising revenue. Internet advertising models may continue to have more in common with those of print and television until advertisers may determine the actual value of each dollar allocated to on-line advertising. This shift towards something more closely resembling direct marketing may require a level of accountability and tracking which the invention is specifically designed to deliver to advertisers.

One extremely valuable benefit of banner advertising is the potential to target individuals with offers in a relevant context. The first attempt to do this came in the form of relating advertisements to keyword searches on search engines. This enabled advertisers to deliver messages of direct interest to the user, improving the probability of a banner impression resulting in a clickthrough. As the Internet matures and sites adopt a greater degree of personalization by accumulating personal preferences and data from their users, advertisers are increasingly presented with the ability to reach consumers with highly tailored messages. Armed with a number of selected hobbies and interests, advertisers now may target based on a user's general profile. The Internet's potential capacity to allow for such individualized messages makes it a highly unique medium.

While banners present advertisers with the ability to better target consumers, there is a continuing effort to develop improved methods of consumer targeting on the Internet. Recent reports indicate that direct Internet mailings may achieve higher clickthrough rates than banner advertisements. A method does not yet exist to enable advertisers that level of personalization in delivering banners.

Individual privacy is a serious issue in the attempt to provide advertisers with demographic information on Internet users. Current sites have been under fire for failing to detail how certain information is used. According to a Federal Trade

Commission study done in May of 1998, out of 85% of sites that collect user information, only 14% posted a notice saying they did so. Privacy is so vital that the mere possibility of a privacy breach is sufficient enough to keep current non-users from connecting to the Internet. Fifty-two percent of non-users would be more likely to use the Net if privacy would be better protected, while 38 percent listed they would go on-line if they had more control over marketing messages.

Many sites have a limited ability to supply advertisers with anonymous information about their users. They may offer advertisers targeting based only on interests that users have selected in their profiles and by the keywords which users enter when searching for any desired information. The invention expands on this superficial data to offer a more in depth profile of habits and personal choices. The network's position as a navigational and communication companion enables it to offer information based on user buying patterns and frequently requested content or web sites. This information may then be compiled into an anonymous user profile, allowing advertisers to better hone their targeting efforts while preserving the user's privacy as well.

The invention may employ privacy policies in accordance with the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) Platform for Privacy Preferences (P3P) initiative or a similar industry standard. P3P may allow web sites to outline their privacy practices while users are enabled to set preferences which allow them to control their private information. As a trusted third party, the invention does not disclose personal information about its members to any unauthorized parties.

Providing advertisers with the ability to offer users customized and valuable messages enables the invention to bring about a change in users' perceptions about banner advertisements. Studies show that banners are viewed as being necessary in order to support a free web. Only 7% of surfers surveyed found banner ads irritating. The invention seeks to reposition banners in the user's mind, having them seen not as tolerable intrusions necessary for other free services, but instead as useful and desired discounts and savings included along with other offerings.

Being a companion of sorts through a user's Internet experiences, the invention may offer true value to its users in the form of relevant electronic discounts and coupons available for download and redeemable at a user's favorite store. Seventy-five percent of Americans were reported to use coupons habitually. Another study stated that Internet users spending at least 30 minutes on-line per week felt that the ability to clip electronic coupons would supplant their use of paper-based versions.

The invention builds off its prior experience with electronic couponing and incorporates it into a viable part of the claimed systems and methods. Through its anonymous user profiles, the invention provides relevant offers without compromising user identities. This represents a distinct advantage over the present top five interactive coupon systems, as one of the largest impediments to these systems is the user's hesitation in providing the site with prerequisite personal information. In a recent study, the vast majority of Internet users surveyed have refused to provide information to a site, while a significant percentage of those who do provide information have given false information at one time or another.

The consumer market is by far the most widely measured audience on the

Internet. Sixty-six percent of Internet use is reportedly for personal reasons - with

51 % of users accessing primarily from the home and 37% accessing from both the home and work. Further, the general trend in both was toward an increase in home usage.

This data shows that consumers are increasingly attempting to locate and collect data for their own personal use. In doing so, consumers are in great need of tools aimed at consolidating and facilitating this process. The tailored network may provide a context for these tools, allowing users to choose the best applications from a variety of open standard API-compliant vendors as well as consolidating all those tools into a single point of reference.

Further, a significant amount of web users access the Internet from both their home and office. As a result of this trend, the universally available and personalized tool set and an information storage service would be valuable to the consumer market in both the productivity it provides as well as the accessibility it affords.

Business users make up at least 34% of all web users, resulting in a total of

32 million business users worldwide. These 32 million users are classified as

"active business users", which does not take into account those surfers accessing the Web for occasional research or information exchange. Office users also spend longer periods of time on-line per month, totaling 10.2 days in comparison to the 8.4 days home users spend on-line, due in part to free access to Tl lines.

Seventy-three percent of adults access the Internet from home, as opposed to the 43% who access it from work. However, 69% of home users admit to going online for some work-related purposes, while 53% say that the majority of their use is for work.

Where Do Users Go On-line?

The significant number of home users accessing the Internet for work-related purposes is very possibly related to the large amount of home businesses - comprising 1/5 of all Internet households. This, in addition to the increasing number of remote access users, suggests that more people are conducting business while away from their traditional office environments.

With large numbers of both home and business users accessing the Internet for work-related purposes, it is important that crucial business-related information is readily available from anywhere. The network bridges the gap between locations and allows business users the freedom of compiling information and conducting business transactions independent of office surroundings. As such, the network becomes the perfect productivity suite for the individual business user. The network also provides business corporations with valuable benefits. As network computers begin to overtake PCs at the workplace, corporations may find themselves dealing with employee complaints due to the lack of hard disk space.

Although the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, foregoing description and example are intended to be merely

exemplary of the invention. The true scope and spirit of the invention is not intended to be limited by the foregoing description and example, but instead is intended to be commensurate with the scope of the following claims. Variations and modifications on the elements of the claimed invention may be apparent to persons skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMS I claim:

1. A method for mediating between the offeror of an electronic offering and an end user, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining an end user profile; formulating and transmitting a first query based on said profile to said electronic source to request at least one first electronic offering responsive to said first query; comparing said at least one first electronic offering to said profile and selecting at least one of said at least one first elecfronic offering for transmission to said end user; presenting said at least one electronic offering to said end user; determining whether said end user accesses said at least one electronic offering; and formulating and transmitting a second query to said electronic source to request at least one second electronic offering responsive to said second query, if said end user accesses said at least one first electronic offering.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said electronic source is selected from the group consisting of a web page, an Internet enabled application, and a computer enabled application.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one first electronic offering is selected from the group consisting of an electronic banner, an electronic coupon, an elecfronic rebate, an electronic option, and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said end user accesses said at least one first electronic offering by opening said at least one first elecfronic offering.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said end user accesses said at least one first electronic offering by storing said at least one first elecfronic offering.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of: notifying said elecfronic source that said at least one first electronic offering has been stored.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: updating said profile.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said second query is formulated based on said updated profile.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said at least one first elecfronic offering is modified to form said at least one second electronic offering responsive to said second query.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said at least one first elecfronic offering is replaced with at least one second electronic offering that is responsive to said second query.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said step of updating said profile further comprises obtaining contextual information concerning said end user's accessing of said at least one first electronic offering.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of obtaining said end user profile is selected from the group consisting of establishing a profile from contextual information concerning said end user's access to a computer network; retrieving an end user profile previously established by said end user's previous computer network activities; and retrieving an end user profile defined by a plurality of preferences selected by said end user.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said end user profile consists of non- identifying information concerning said end user.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said source is a sponsor of said at least one electronic offering.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said source is an information broker.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said profile is anonymous.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said profile comprises information on Internet activity of said user.

18. A method for electronically storing an electronic offering received from an electronic source, said method comprising the steps of: accessing said electronic source and receiving at least one first electronic offering; selecting at least one first elecfronic offering from said at least one first electronic offering; electronically storing said at least one first electronic offering from said electronic source; and electronically storing contextual information relating to said selected electronic offering.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said at least one electronic offering is selected from the group consisting of an electronic banner, an electronic coupon, an electronic rebate, an electronic option, and combinations thereof.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said electronic source is selected from the group consisting of a web page, an Internet enabled application, and a computer enabled application.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of selecting said at least one electronic offering, further comprises: using an interface device to select said at least one first electronic offering.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein said interface device is selected from the group consisting of a cursor key, a mouse, a frack ball, a key pad, a touchscreen, a jog dial, and a voice command system.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of storing said at least one first electronic offering, comprises: dragging said at least one first elecfronic offering to a dropping area, wherein said dropping area is off of said web page; and dropping said at least one first elecfronic offering in said dropping area.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprises: removing said electronic offering from said dropping area after a period of time, wherein said period of time is determined by said user.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of electronically storing contextual information relating to said elecfronic offering, further comprises: electronically storing a date, on which said end user selected said at least one first electronic offering.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of electronically storing contextual information relating to said electronic offering, further comprises: electronically storing an identification of said elecfronic source of said electronic offering.

27. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of electronically storing context information relating to said electronic offering, further comprises: storing an electronic reference to said source of said at least one first electronic offering

28. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of electronically storing said at least one first electronic offering from said electronic source, further comprises: electronically storing an address of said electronic source; electronically storing a link embedded within said at least one first electronic offering; electronically storing an expiration date of said at least one first electronic offering; and electronically storing a date, on which said end user selected said at least one first electronic offering.

29. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of electronically storing contextual information relating to said selected elecfronic offering, further comprises: electronically storing said contextual information in an appliance selected from the group consisting of a computer, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, web television, or another digital device adapted to store and present information.

30. A system for mediating between the offeror of an elecfronic offering and an end user, said system comprising: an end user profile; means for formulating and transmitting a first query based on said profile to said elecfronic source to request at least one first electronic offering responsive to said first query; means for comparing said at least one electronic offering to said profile and selecting at least one of said at least one first elecfronic offering for transmission to said end user; means for presenting said at least one electronic offering to said end user; means for determining whether said end user accesses said at least one electronic offering; and means for formulating and transmitting a second query to said electronic source to request at least one second electronic offering responsive to said second query, if said end user accesses said at least one first electronic offering.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein said electronic source is selected from the group consisting of a web page, an Internet enabled application, and a computer enabled application.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein said at least one first elecfronic offering is selected from the group consisting of an elecfronic banner and an electronic coupon.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein said end user accesses said at least one first elecfronic offering by opening said at least one first electronic offering.

34. The system of claim 30, wherein said end user accesses said at least one first electronic offering by storing said at least one first elecfronic offering.

35. The system of claim 34, further comprising means for notifying said electronic source that said at least one first electronic offering has been stored.

36. The system of claim 30, further comprising means for updating said profile.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein said second query is formulated based on said updated profile.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein said at least one first electronic offering is modified to form said at least one second electronic offering responsive to said second query.

39. The system of claim 37, wherein said at least one first electronic offering is replaced with at least one second electronic offering that is responsive to said second query.

40. The system of claim 36, wherein means for updating said profile further comprises means for obtaining contextual information concerning said end user's accessing of said at least one first electronic offering.

41. The system of claim 30, wherein said end user profile is selected from the group consisting a profile established from contextual information concerning said end user's access to a computer network; an end user profile previously established by said end user's previous computer network activities; and an end user profile defined by a plurality of preferences selected by said end user.

42. The system of claim 30, wherein said end user profile consists of non- identifying information concerning said end user.

43. The system of claim 30, wherein said source is a sponsor of said at least one electronic offering.

44. The system of claim 30, wherein said source is an information broker.

45. The system of claim 30, wherein said profile is anonymous.

46. The system of claim 30, wherein said profile comprises information on Internet activity of said user.

47. A system for storing an elecfronic offering from an electronic source, said system comprising: a first graphical user interface comprising at least one electronic offering within an electronic source; a second graphical user interface comprising a memory that is separate from said electronic source; a conduit to fransfer said first graphical user interface to said memory of said second graphical user interface; and means for retrieving and retaining contextual information concerning an end user's accessing of said first graphical user interface for fransfer via said conduit to said memory of said second graphical user interface.

48. The system of claim 47, further comprising means for replacing said first graphical interface with an updated first graphical user interface in said memory of said second graphical user interface.

49. The system of claim 47, wherein said conduit: an interface device for selecting said first graphical user interface, dragging said first graphical user interface to said second graphical user interface, and dropping said first graphical user interface in said memory of said second graphical user interface.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein said interface device is selected from the group consisting of a cursor key, a mouse, a track ball, a key pad, a touchscreen, a jog dial, and a voice command system.

51. The system of claim 47, wherein said first graphical user interface is an advertisement.

52. The system of claim 47, further comprising means for deleting said first graphical user interface form said memory of said second graphical user interface.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein said means for deleting removes said first graphical user interface after a predetermined period of time.

54. The system of claim 47, wherein said context information comprises a URL for a web page, from which said first graphical user interface was provided.

55. The system of claim 47, wherein said context information comprises a link stored within said first graphical user interface. 58. The system of claim 47, wherein said context information comprises: a URL for a web page, from which said first graphical user interface was provided; a link stored within said first graphical user interface; and a date on which said first graphical user interface moved to said second graphical user interface.