AU2002100238A4 - A method of scheduling advertising - Google Patents

Description

1 A Method of Scheduling Advertising Field of the Invention The invention broadly relates to a method and system for publishing information over the Internet. In one aspect it relates to the scheduling advertising over a computer network. The invention also relates particularly but not exclusively to a method of transferring advertising information to nominated advertising destinations.

Background to the Invention The use of portals on the Internet is growing rapidly. Portals tend to be a convenient manner of displaying information in that they allow users to post their information to a centrally accessible area for compilation with other similar types of information. Others can then access the information by searching and retrieving the information from the portal. These portals are particularly popular with online listing services in the real estate industry. Such services allow subscribing real estate brokers to list their properties with the website while prospective buyers are given the functionality to search for properties. This provides the real estate agents with a potentially wide audience through a single access point provided to vendors.

The apparent advantages of utilising a portal for the listing of information has seen the number and size of individual portals on the Internet grow almost exponentially. The information contained on the portals currently accessible has grown far beyond real estate information into a wide range of items and services.

There are however problems with the existing operation and format of currently available portals. Typically, they require information to be entered in a portal specific format. Once on the portal, the information has little, if any, use for any other purpose.

2 The users information is placed on the portal to be accessible to users accessing the portal. If a user has placed their information on a portal and they wish to use it at another location, either on the Internet or elsewhere, there is no currently mechanism to allow for utilisation of that information. These existing portals certainly fail to provide the required flexibility where a particular user can transfer their information to other sources. Sites of the Internet, whether they be portals or otherwise, only provide for entry of information into their particular site. There is typically no provision for information available at one location to be used efficiently and easily at another location.

If an advertisement or information is to be placed over the Internet, the prior art provides for that information to be entered into an Internet site associated with an advertising provider or for an advertisement to be created distinctly on software specifically for creating advertisements (Internet or non-internet enabled), before being forwarded to a non-Web destination such as a newspaper. Each time the advertiser wishes to advertise an item they must enter the advertising site or advertisement creation software and effectively write the advertisement or set of advertisements. These existing advertising mechanisms fail to utilise the information existing on the Internet, they provide stand-alone interfaces that merely mechanise what has previously been done manually by advertising agencies.

This discussion of the background to the invention herein is included to explain the context of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims.

Summary of the Invention In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of scheduling publication of items located on a computer network, including the steps of nominating one or more of the items located on the computer network to be published; nominating one or types of information relating to the nominated item(s); Document2O 3 nominating one or more destinations for publication; transferring information as to the nominated item(s) and their nominated types of information to a computing device associated with the nominated destination(s); wherein upon receipt of the information, each destination arranges for a listing or advertisement of the nominated item(s), including the nominated type of information, to appear at the destination(s).

The invention is operable with any suitable portal or internet/web listing. The invention provides the advantage in that a user may utilise their information as already listed on the Internet. This provides a single resource from which the user can schedule and commission their advertising.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is method of scheduling the distribution of information relating to items over a computer network, including the steps of: registering item information pertaining to one or more items with a central management platform accessible via the computer network, the item information being information pertaining to one or more of the items; nominating one or more of the items to be listed; nominating one or more destinations where a user wishes the listing to appear; and transferring the item information corresponding to the nominated items from the central management platform to a computer associated with the nominated destinations; wherein upon receipt of the item information, each destination arranges for a listing or advertisement of the nominated items to appear at the destination(s).

The information corresponding to the nominated item(s) can be transferred to the nominated destination(s) in any suitable manner or at any suitable time. In one particular form of the invention, the information is transferred automatically once the item(s) and destination(s) have been nominated.

4 Preferably, one or more of the destinations automatically place the item information into a format suitable for presentation as a list or advertisement, this can be done by utilising specific automatically adopted style templates. The user may also be provided with the option to modify and/or verify one or more properties of the item.

In one form of the invention, the user is provided with the option to modify one or more of the properties of the list or advertisement including: size; any header; copy or text; and artwork The user may also nominate one or more dates when the advertisement will be placed. The invention also optionally allows the user to nominate positioning of the listing at the destination. For example, the user can specify that they want an advertisement to appear on page 3 at the destination.

In an optional form of the invention, the invention has a payment module allowing for payment of the advertising on-line. In this instance, the user is prompted for payment before transfer of the item information to the computer associated with the nominated advertising destination(s).

The advertising destinations may be in any suitable medium. Suitable mediums include any one of the following mediums: internet; print; radio; and television.

In a still further form of the invention, after arrangement of the advertising/item at the destination, the destination either confirms acceptance of the item or notifies the user that the item has not been successfully placed. This provides the user with up to date information about the status of the items thereby allowing them to keep a check on the items placed. The user may be notified that the item has been successfully or unsuccessfully placed. In addition to notifying the user as to whether the item has been successfully placed, the user may also be notified for the reasons where there has been an unsuccessful placement.

The central management platform provided with the second aspect of the present invention may be any suitable platform or portal located on the Internet.

In a preferred form, the central management platform is an Internet portal including a listing of items from a plurality of users.

The item information may be any suitable type of information about the items to be distributed. In one form, the item information is an existing Internet listing or advertisement. In a still further form of the invention, the item information is automatically converted (from an internet advertisement) into a print-ready advertisement.

The present invention may also utilise a management interface that allows an authorised person to have overall control over the placement of advertisements.

In one form, before transferring information corresponding to the nominated item(s) from the portal/management platform to a computer associated with the nominated destination(s), a suitably authorised user accesses the portal/management platform and confirms the transfer of information.

In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for scheduling the advertising, distribution and/or listing of items over a computer network, including: a central management platform containing item information pertaining to one or more of the items: means for nominating one or more of the items to be advertised, listed or distributed; means for nominating one or more destinations where the user wishes the item information to appear and 6 means for automatically transferring the item information corresponding to the nominated item(s) from the central management platform to a computing device associated with the nominated destination(s); wherein upon receipt of the item information, each destination(s) arranges for an advertisement of the nominated items to appear at the advertising destination(s).

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an Internet portal located on a computer network, including: a list consisting of a plurality of items; means for nominating one or more of the item to be listed or advertised; means for nominating one or more destinations where the user wishes an advertisement or listing to appear; and means for automatically transferring the item information corresponding to the nominated items(s) from the portal to a computing device associated with the nominated destination(s); wherein upon receipt of the item information, each destination(s) arranges for an advertisement or listing of the nominated items to appear at the destination(s). In a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of scheduling advertising or listings relating to items listed on a portal, including the steps of: nominating one or more of the items listed on the portal to be advertised or listed; nominating one or more destinations where the nominated item(s) will appear; transferring information corresponding to the nominated item(s) from the portal to a computing device associated with the nominated destination(s); wherein upon receipt of the information, each destination arranges for a listing of the nominated item(s) to appear at the destination.

In a sixth aspect, there is provided a method of scheduling advertising or listings relating to items listed on a portal, including the steps of: nominating one or more of the items listed on the portal to be advertised or listed; Documen2O 7 nominating one or more destinations where the nominated item(s) will appear; converting information corresponding to the nominated item(s) into a print-ready format; transferring information corresponding to the nominated item(s) from the portal to a computing device associated with the nominated destination(s); wherein upon receipt of the information, each destination arranges for a listing of the nominated item(s) to appear at the destination(s), at least one of the destinations being a print medium.

Brief Description of Drawings The invention will hereinafter be described in greater detail by reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate an example form of the invention. It is to be understood that the particularity of the drawings does not supersede the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings: Figures 1 and 2 are screen captures illustrating the selection of a item to advertise according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a screen capture illustrating an interface where a user is provided with the opportunity to nominate an advertising destination according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a screen capture illustrating a process according to an aspect of the present invention where the user arranges for payment of an advertisement.

Figure 5 is a screen capture of an embodiment of the present invention where the item information has been transferred to the nominated advertising destinations.

Figure 6 is a screen capture of an embodiment of the present invention where a user has the option to edit the contents, size, artwork of an advertisement/item.

Document2O Figure 7 is a screen capture of an embodiment of the present invention where a user has an option to either edit an advertisement or create a new advertisement.

Figure 8 is a screen capture of an embodiment of the present invention where the user has nominated the item(s) to be advertised and the advertising destination(s).

Figure 9 is a screen capture of an embodiment of the present invention where the user is able to nominate one or more dates when the advertisement will be placed.

Detailed Description The present invention provides for the user who wishes to schedule publication of items including advertising, news, marketing events and parts of an information item. The present invention enables selection of a item (or a set of information) and transfer of information pertaining to that item to allow scheduling or booking of an advertisement or information item for placement at a variety of destinations including Internet sites, email, print and television. The present invention has an advantage in that it allows a user to manage their advertising by utilising previously available information from an on-line portal.

The invention is also sufficiently flexible in that it allows for "on-line" payment of each requested advertisement.

The present invention provides the ability to transform an existing Internet listing or advertisement into a print-ready advertisement. For example, when an Internet listing has been created on the internet (for example, for a portal or websitesuch as is the case with manyreal estate sales or leases), the present invention utilises this listing and allows a user to nominate the listing whereby information pertaining to the listing is subsequently transferred to one or more user nominated destinations.

9 Any suitable item can be listed on a computer network (as a portal, Web site or a web information management area) including items such as business and people profiles, properties, livestock, machinery, crop cereals, chemicals and other merchandise, news and events. Information pertaining to these items can be uploaded onto the computer network in any suitable manner.

Users who have uploaded their information onto the computer network listing can then use the present invention to nominate the items they wish to advertise or list. Once the user has selected the item they wish to advertise or list, they can then select one or more destinations at which they wish information pertaining to their item to appear. In one embodiment of the invention, it appears as an advertisement.These destinations can either be on the Internet (such as an Internet web site) or in any other media such as print, television or radio. This nomination process can be done in any suitable manner, the inventors have found that a suitable mechanism is having a "click" on a box beside each advertising destination and/or item to signify nomination. This allows the user to nominate their items by clicking, they can then click one or more destinations to arrange for publication of the item.

Screen captures illustrating the selection of a item to be advertised are illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The invention as illustrated in these Figures consists of a portal having listings falling within a range of categories including properties, livestock, news and events. To advertise a item listed under one of these categories, the user selects the advertising link on the task bar. The user is then requested to select the category corresponding to the item. As shown in Figure 1, the categories available include directory items, property, livestock and news release. When the user selects one of these categories they are then presented with a list of items in that category to browse. A list of items (being properties) falling within the property category is shown in Figure 2. If the user is unable to find the item, they wish to advertise they may use a search interface to search within the categories presented. The user may also proceed to create a listing for that item, upon completion of the listing, the user will be delivered the destination selection screen for that item.

A screen capture of an interface where the user nominates one or more advertising destinations is shown in Figure 3. This figure illustrates a table having columns that list the advertising location together with the cost of the advertising and a profile of the destinations. Using this interface, the user is able to click on the advertising destinations to signify their nomination. When the user has completed their nomination, they may then save the schedule indicating that they wish that information to be transferred to a computer associated to the advertising destination.

The user may also select their required publication date to signify when the advertisement will appear at the advertising destination. This is particularly important where the advertisement is in a print format. Again, this can be done via a variety of mechanisms including through the use of a drop-down box featuring a number of options or alternatively via free-text entry of the dates.

Where a destination is nominated, it is also possible, in optional embodiments of the invention, to select a particular location at a destination for the list or advertisement to appear. The user may also be prompted for payment before the process can proceed. Where the user wishes to defer payment, they may at least provide some indication that they are willing to be bound by and accordingly pay for the advertisement(s) arranged. A screen capture illustrating payment for the advertisement(s) arrange is illustrated in Figure 4. In this instance, the user has an account with the portal that facilitates electronic payment. Information concerning the item to be advertised can then be sent to a computer associated with the advertising destination so that the advertising can be arranged from that end.

Each advertising destination may optionally have further requirements to be fulfilled by the user before information pertaining to the item is forwarded to the destination. The present invention may also transform a listing that has been listing on an Internet site or portal into an advertisement that is a suitable format for a print advertisement. This can be done in several operations. For example, after nominating the item(s) and advertising destination(s), the user is given the option to choose the advertisement/item size, pre-determined template style or not, modify the heading, copy/text and artwork before 11 continuing. In an embodiment of the invention, this modification is done automatically via predetermined style templates.

An optional embodiment of the invention provides the facility whereby the user may specify the design of an advertisement. A screen capture of an interface of the present invention that provides for this is illustrated in Figure 6. As illustrated, the user is provided with a number of tools allowing them to edit the style, size and contents of the advertisement, if necessary, the user may create a completely new advertisement (as shown in Figure Where the information to appear on the advertisement and the design of the advertisement has been modified the user is then presented with a message stating that these modifications have been effected (as shown in Figure 8).

A user may also upload images directly from any nominated source for use in the advertisement. This allows a user to combine information currently available on the portal with other information, including images, which are stored at another location on the Internet or the user's hard-drive.

An interface presented to the user may also provide the user with an up-to-date schedule of the advertising/distributed items that have been scheduled via the present invention. This allows the user to keep track of their distribution effectively and efficiently via their on-line portal, web-site or on-line management area. An example screen capture of a schedule list advertising placed by a user is shown in Figure 9.

The present invention provides a further optional enhancement where suitably authorised users are provided with a management interface at the destination end. The management interface provides control over whether an item will be published. For example, In order for the advertisement to be arranged, the advertisement may be confirmed through the management interface. A user who has viewed the nominated items(s)via the management interface -can then more easily advise the user whether their advertisement/item has been accepted at the destination. Where the advertisement is rejected then a further 12 optional embodiment of invention provides that the user will be informed as to the basis of rejection.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a method whereby internet based listings (from a portal for example) are nominated to allow transfer of internet based information into a print-ready form.

This allows a user to select their items from the Internet and effectively place advertisements in non-internet forms of media such as newspapers.

A person skilled in the art will readily understand that the present invention, while being particular applicable to advertising, allows for non-advertising information to be distributed over the Internet. The present invention has the advantage of enabling various parts of an item of information (available on the internet) to be posted to various destinations nominated by a user. For example, an itemised description of a lot of animals for sale may elect to send a bank the size and quality, number of the lot and estimated sale value for finance purposes while a processor buyer of the animals might require the breed, age, size, fat score and weight and the Vendor Declaration authority signed by the vendor. This type of information can be conveniently and efficiently transferred and publishing using the present invention.

It is to be understood that various alterations, additions and/or modifications may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the ambit of the invention.

Claims (4)

1. A method of scheduling publication of items located on a computer network, including the steps of nominating one or more of the items located on the computer network to be published; nominating one or more types of information relating to the nominated item(s); nominating one or more destinations for publication; transferring information as to nominated item(s) and their nominated types of information to a computing device associated with the nominated destination(s); wherein upon receipt of the information, each destination arranges for a listing or advertisement of the nominated item(s), including the nominated type of information, to appear at the destination(s).

2. A method of scheduling the distribution of information relating to items over a computer network, including the steps of: registering item information pertaining to one or more items with a central management platform accessible via the computer network, the item information being information pertaining to one or more of the items; nominating one or more of the items to be listed; nominating one or more destinations where a user wishes the listing to appear; and transferring the item information corresponding to the nominated items from the central management platform to a computer associated with the nominated destinations; wherein upon receipt of the item information, each destination arranges for a listing or advertisement of the nominated items to appear at the destination(s).

3. A system for scheduling the advertising, distribution and/or listing of items over a computer network, including: Document21 14 a central management platform containing item information pertaining to one or more of the items; means for nominating one or more of the items to be advertised, listed or distributed; means for nominating one or more destinations where the user wishes the item information to appear and means for automatically transferring the item information corresponding to the nominated item(s) from the central management platform to a computing device associated with the nominated destination(s); wherein upon receipt of the item information, each destination(s) arranges for a n advertisement of the nominated items to appear at the advertising destination(s).

4. An Internet portal located on a computer network, including: a list consisting of a plurality of items; means for nominating one or more of the item to be advertised or listed; means for nominating one or more destinations where the user wishes an advertisement or listing to appear; and means for automatically transferring the item information corresponding to the nominated items(s) from the portal to a computing device associated with the nominated destination(s); wherein upon receipt of the item information, each destination(s) arranges for an advertisement or listing of the nominated items to appear at the destination(s). A method of scheduling advertising or listings relating to items listed on a portal, including the steps of: nominating one or more of the items listed on the portal to be advertised or listed; nominating one or more destinations where the nominated item(s) will appear; converting information corresponding to the nominated item(s) into a print-ready format; Document12l transferring information corresponding to the nominated item(s) from the portal to a computing device associated with the nominated destination(s); wherein upon receipt of the information, each destination arranges for a listing of the nominated item(s) to appear at the destination(s), at least one of the destinations being a print medium. Dated 28 March 2002 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for NewBrain Technologies Pty Limited Document1