AU2006202098A1 - Distributing Promotional and Advertising Material Based Upon Internet Usage - Google Patents

Description

18- 5-06; 5:54AM;middletons ;+613 9205 2055 6/ 37 P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

Invention Title: Distributing Promotional and Advertising Material Based Upon Internet Usage The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 18- 5-06; 5:54AM;mniddletons ,+613 9205 2055 7/ 37 Va 0 O WO 01/15196 PCT/USOO/231oI DISTRIBUTING PROMOTIONAL AND ADVERTISING MATERIAL BASED UPON -INTERNET USAGE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to electronic commerce and more particularly, to a method 00 for sending promotional material based upon consumer movement within a web site.

0 0 1BACKGROUND Cl The Internet connects thousands of computers world wide through well known o 10 protocols, for example, Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)fTnternet Protocol into a O vast network. A computer needs a unique Internet Protocol (IP) address to communicate once connected to the Internet. Information on the Internet is stored world wide as computer files, mostly written in the Hypertext Mark Up Language The collection of all such publicly available computer files is known as the World Wide Web

(WWW).

The WWW is a multimedia-enabled hypertext system used for navigating the Internet and is made up of hundreds of thousands of web pages with images, text arid video files, which can be displayed on a computer monitor. Each web page can have.

connections to other pages, which may be located on any computer connected to the Internet.

The WWW is based on the concept of hypertext, where connections from parts of text to other documents can be hidden behind words and phrases. The connections to hypertexts are referred to as hypertext links and they allow users to read documents in any order desired.

The WWW also uses hypermedia that connects links to pictures, sounds and any other data files, which can be stored on a computer. Conventionally, hypermedia connects data files regardless of their format.

A typical Internet user uses a client program called a "Web Browser" to connect to the Internet. A user can connect to the Internet via a proprietary network, such as America Online or CompuServe, or via an Internet Service Provider, Earthlink.

A Web Browser may run on any computer connected to the Internet. Currently various browsers are available of which two prominent browsers are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer 1 COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 18- 5-06" 5:54AM;middletons 1+613 9205 2055 37

O

C -The Web Browser receives and sends requests to a web server and acquires infornation from the WWW. A web server is a program that, upon receipt of a request, sends the requested document to the requesting user.

A standard naming convention known as Uniform Resource Locator has been adopted to represent hyprmendia links and links to network services. Most files or service can be represented with a UR-L. IRLs enable Web Browsers to go directly to any Sfile held on any WWW server. A URL typically consists of three parts: the transfer format o (the protocol type), the host name ofthe machine which holds the file (WWW server O name) and the path name to the file.

Information from the WWW is accessed using well-known protocols, including the O Hypertext Transport Protocol the Wide Area Information Service ("WAIS") NC and the File Transport Protocol over TCP/IP protocol. The transfer foriat for standard WWW pages is Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

The Internet is also integrated with television, smart phones and other electronic devices, making electronic commerce a viable option for thousands of consumers and businesses alike. In a typical electronic commerce transaction, a consumer visits the web site of a sellcr, views an electronic image of a product or witnesses a product demonstration via a vidco/audio stream and may purchase a product or services by using a credit or debit card.

A consumer using a consumer's computer can execute Web Browser software to communicate with computer systems known as web servers. A Web Browser S communicates with a web server by establishing a connection between the consumer's computer and the web server. Connection to a web server may allow the consumer to browse or visit one or more web sites and request to access information available thereon.

Typically, when a consumer browses a web site, the web server automatically logs connection or environment specific information in association with information that defines the consumer's browsing activities. For example, many web servers automatically generate a log file that includes the IP address of the consumer's computer in correspondence with a list of web sites (or web pages) visited by the consumer. Other connection or environment specific information can include information about the operating system, the browser, the plug-ins, te. Unfortunately, connection specific information, such as the IP address, cannot be used independently to uniquely identify.the consumer or the consumer's electronic email address.- -2- M.7729 WO 77 889 v AMENDED

SHEE'

Y~ V COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 18- 5-08; 5:54AMguiddlgtons;+i92505 #9,3 G/ 37 Va 0 0 ci 00 0 ci 0 ci Va 0 0 ci OQ23If With the increasing popularity of tho hnernct, electrenic, Mail ("email") has b~come a popular way to communicate. Emtail allows users to send text, picturcs, video anid audio recordings to a recipient or to a goup of recipients.

Typically, a Uer will create an email message using an email program running on a computer that is or can be connected to a network of computers. The email mnesage can include text, recorded and live video, auidio files image fles and emnbedded web-site linkis, *Email meassage-s also include sender~s e~mail address. A user electronically transmits email messages to a recipient or a group of recipients. The recipicnt(s)-can read and reply to emnail messages using an email prognun running on a computer.

10 The Internet is conaonly used to~send and receive email messages from anywhere in the world. Evey user has x uniqeo email addr=s. The genera form of an email address is given as: WLrr@Zornin. corn. Domain is. defined as the domain name service rhat implements; the protocol used for email n=nsfer. The prtocol used for m.7729 Wa 772011 vi AMENDED SHEET COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 18- 5-08; 5;4AM;middletons ;+613 9205 2055 10/ 37 Cl WO 01/15196 PCT/USOo23101 electronic mail on the Internet is called the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol ("SMTP"), where a user invokes SMTP to send an email.

Retailers and business entities today can conduct large-scale business in the electronic commerce environment and communicate with thousands of consumers via email messages. Advertising materials to consumers can also be sent via email messages 00 that can contain text, images, video clips and web site addresses.

0 Currently, consumers receive electronic advertising material either as a part of a ci Omass email transmission ("email blast"). or when a consumer provides an individual ci IN profile. Both the foregoing options have limitations. Mass email blasts may not cdnsider what an individual consumer desires or prefers. Furthermore, getting consumers to.

Cprovide individual profiles is difficult because consumers may not willingly provide personal information.

Hence, what is needed is a method and system that efficiently and intelligently transmis advertising/promotional material by tracking individual user preferences.

SUMMARY

The present invention addresses the foregoing by providing a method fir electronically sending promotional material based upon consumer preferences. A unique identifier is assigned to a consumer electronic mail address and an electronic mail is sent to the consumer, wherein the electronic mail includes a plurality of embedded Internet web sites. Thereafter. the consumer accesses the plurality of embedded Internet web sites, and consumer user movement within the plurality of the *accessed embedded Internet web sites is tracked.

Consumer movement within the web site is stored in a log file and the log file data is used to generate a master database, wherein the master database comprises of a plurality of segments including an electronic look up segment, consumer information segment, promotional material segment. URL segment, credit card segent and purchase information segment The master database is queried to obtain user tastes and preferences.

Based upon the query results, promotional material is sent to the consumer.

In another aspect of the invention, consumer credit card information is acquired and consumer's movement within a web site is tracked by storing consumer's IP address corresponding to consumer's credit card information in a log file. Data stored in the log file is used to genrate a master database, wherein the master database comprises of a 3 COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 18- 5-06; 5:54AM;rmiddletors ;+613 9205 2055" 11/ 37 0 0 WO 0315196 PCTUS00/2310I plurality of segments including an electronic look up sttment. consumer information segmelt, promotional material segment, URL segment. credit card segment and purchase I> informaion segment. The master database is queried to obtain user tastes and preferences.

Based upon the query results, promotional material is sent to the consumer.

00 5 The present invention has the advantage over existing systems because it allows sellers to target potential customers effectively by using intelligent information regarding -consumer tastes and preferences, obtained efficiently by analyzing consumer movement within a web site.

klN) This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of -the invention may be O 10 understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the invention can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof in connection with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure I is block diagram of a computing system with a computer connected to the Internet to carry out the inventive technique.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the architecture of the computing system of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a network topology to carry out the inventive technique.

Figure 4 is a topology of a network for electronic mail transfer.

Figure 5 is a basic. flow chart showing computer executable process steps for sending promotional material io consumers.

Figure 6A is a topology of a network to implement process steps of Figure Figure 6B is an exampte of an electronic mail sent to a consumer according to one aspect of the present inventive technique.

Figure 6C shows an example of a seller's web site, Figure 7A is an example of a log file generated to track consumer movement within a web site with a unique identifier tagged to consumer email address, according to one aspect of the present inventive technique.

Figure 7B is an example of a log file generated to track consumer movement within a web site using credit card information according to one aspect of the present inventive technique.

4 COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 18- 5-06; 5:54AM;middletcrs ;+613 9205 2055 12/ 37

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O WO 01/15196 PCT/US00i23101 Figure 8 is a detailed flow diagram showing computer executable process steps to create i master database according to one aspect of the present invention.

I> Figure.9 is an example of a master database according to one aspect of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a flow diagram showing computer executable process steps to create a o0 URL segment of the master database.

Figure 11 is a flow diagram showing computer executable process steps for Csending promotional material based upon consumer credit card informatioM cUse of the same reference symbols in different figures indicates similar or identical O 10 items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a computing system for executing computer executable process steps according to the present invention, which includes a host computer 10, a monitor 11., and a printer 12. Monitor 11 may be a CRT type, a LCD type, or any other type of color or monochrome display. Printer 12 may be any type of printer such as an inkiet printer, laser printer, thermal printer, dot matrix. o.r the like for 6rintiw Interneet documents. Also provided with computer 10 is a keyboard 13 for entering text data and user commands, and a pointing device 14 for processing objects displayed on monitor 11.

Computer 10 includes a computer-readable memory medium such as a rotating disk for storing readable data. Besides other programs, disk 15 stores email programs, log files for tracking user movement within a web site- application programs including web browsers by which computer 10 connects to the Interet. accesses web pages. stores files on disk 15, displays data in those web pages on monitor 11. and print data on printer 12.

Computer 10 can also accegs a computer-readable floppy disk storing data files, application program files- and computer executable process steps embodying the present invention or the like via a floppy disk drive 16, A CD-ROM interface (not shown) may also be provided with computer 10 to access application program files and data files stored on a CD-ROM.

A modem, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) connection or the like also provides computer 10 with an Internet connection 17 to the World Wide Web (WWW). The Internet connection 17 allows computer 10 to download device drivers, data COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 m 18- 5-06; 5:54AM;mddletcns ;+613 9205 2055 13/ 37 0 WOO1/15196 PCT/USOO/23101 files, image files, log files, application program files arid computer-executable process steps embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the internal functional architecture of computer 10- As shown in Fig. 2, computer 10 includes a CPU 201 for executing c6mputer-executable process steps and interfaces with a computer bus 209. Also shown in 00 Figure 2 are a printer interface 202, a WWW interface 203, a display device interface 204, a keyboard interface 205, a pointing device interface 206 and disk 0 As described above, disk 15 stores operating system program files, application program files, web browsers. log files and device drivers. Some of these files are stored on INO 10 disk 15 using an installation program. For example. CPU 201 executes computer- Oexecutable process steps of an installation program so that CPU 201 can properly execute the application program.

A random access main memory 207. also interfaces to computer bus 209 to provide CPU 201 with access to memory storage. When executing stored computerexecutable process steps from disk 15 (or other storage media suh as floppy disk 16 or WWW connection 17), CPU 201 stores -and executes the process steps out of RAM 207.

Read only memory 208 is provided t6 store invariant instmction sequenccs such as start-up instruction sequences or basic input/output operating system (BIOS) sequences for operation of keyboard 13.

Figure 3 shows a topology of a computer network with computers similar to computer 10. connected to the Internet. For illustration purposes, only three computers

X.

Y and Z are shown connected to the Internet 302 via Web Interface 203 through a gateway 301. where gateway 301 can interface N number of computers. Web interface 203 may be a modem: network interface card or a unit for providing connectivity to other computer systems over a network using protocols such as X.25,. Ethernet or TCP/IP. or any device that allows directly or indirectly, computer-to- computer communications.

It is noteworthy that the invention is not limited to a particular number of computers Any number of computers that can be connected to the Internet 302 or a network may be used.

Figure 3 further shows a second gateway 303 that connects a network of web servers 304 and 305 to the Internet 302. Web servers 304 and 305 may b6 connected with each other over a computer network. Web servers 304 and 305 can provide content to a 6 COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 ;+613 9205 2055 14/ 37 18- 5-06; 5;54AM;iddletons 0 0 W 00/15196 PCT/USOO/23101 Cuser from database 306 and 307. Also shown in Figure 3 is a client side web server 308 that can be provided by an Internet service provider.

SFigure 4 shows the topology of a network that allows sending emails to consumers using computer 10, or a similar computer that can be connected to a network and/or the Internet, In Figure 4, computer 10 is connected to a mail server 402 via a communication 00 server 401. Mail server 402 is connected to other computer networks including the O Internet 302. Mail server 402 receives email messages with advertising and promotional o materials and causes email messages to be sent to consumers with an email address.

-0 Tracking consumer movement within a website: Figure 5 is a flow diagram showing computer executable process steps according to C'i the present invention for tracking consumer movement within a web site. Generally, the Figure 5 process steps include acquiring a plurality of consumer email addresses, applying a unique identifier to each acquired email address, sending emails with a web site address to a consumer having a unique email identifier, initiating a web site by the consumer in response to the sent email, tracking conisumer movement within the website, creating a consumer profile based upon the consumer s movement within the web site, and sending promotional material based upon the consumner's profile.

More particularly, flow begins at step S501, in which a consumrner's email address is acquired. The email address may be. acquired at a retail store where a customer purchases merchandise ("Point of Sale"). Furthermore, email addresses may be solicited from Internet users visiting a particular web site. acquired from other businesses and databases etc.

In step S502, the acquired email address is stored in a computer system similar to computer 10 connected to the Internet 302.

Figure 6A shows a topology of a computer network to implement process steps of Figure 5. Figure 6A shows a computer 600 similar to computer 10, and connected to the Internet and having a seller's web site. Also shown in Figure 6A is a log file 601, an email database 604 that stores emails acquired in step S501, an extraction program 602 and a report generating module 603 stored on computer 600 or at different computers connected to the Internet. The foregoing file, database, program and modules can be interlinked as separate modules located at different computers connected to the Internet, or can be combined into one single program. Figure 6A further shows a Consumer M with computer 10 or a computer similar to computer 10 connected to the Internet 302.

7 COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 18- 5-06" 5:4AM-Imddletons ;+S13 9205 2055 15/ 37 O PTIS 001/23101 SS iWJS 25 JUL 2001 SIn step S503, the acquired email address is provided with a unique identifier. The unique identifier can be information related to the consumer, or a random alphanumeic character. The unique identifier does not affect the consumer's ability to receive and send _email.

In step S504, an email blast with the seller's web site address is sent to consumers 00 whose email addresses have a unique identifier. Figure 6B shows an example of an email 604A sent to Consumer M with the email address "consumerm@dgo.com." The email has San einbedded URL 606, http://www.mnstorc.com?XXXX sent by Retail Store 605. The 0'q web page associated with URL 606 can include links to other web pages located on ID 10 different web servers. In the example of Figure 6B, "XXXX" after the is the unique identifier assigned to the email address of consumer M. It is noteworthy that the unique identifier is not limited to any particular set of alphanumeric characters.

In step S505, Consumer M accesses the web site corresponding to URL 606 either by clicking on URL 606 by pointing device 14, or by typing the URL 606 address by keyboard 13.

Figure 6C shows a typical web site 611 displayed on monitor screen 11, in a web browser 607 on Co tsurm r M's comput.r s;miar to compatcr 10. Figre 6C aso hwIs; various mdules in web site 6 11, for example a products module 608 that allows Consumer M to view products or provide infbrmation garding prducts,. purchasing module 609 that allows Consumer M to purhase any products on-line and.a contact module 610 that allows Consumer M to contact th retail store. Other modules can be S added to web site 611. The foregoing modules can be located on different computers connected to the Internet.

In step S506, web server 600 logs the URL address with a unique identifier and a corresponding IP address for Consumer M's computer, tracks Consumer M's movement within web site 611 and stores all the data associated with Consumer M;s IP address in a log file. Consumer M's movement is tracked by first identifying the IP address with a unique identifier, and thereafter, the IP address is tracked when Consumer M visits the various links within web site 611.

Figure 7A shows an exampe of a log fie 700 with an IP address 701, an email unique identifier 703 and the date and time of Consumer M's visit 702 to the web site that provides the duration of the visit, Information logged can include all the web page AMEINDED

SHEET

COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 IS- 5-081, 5:4AM;iddletons ;+613 9205 2055 16/ 37 addresses of the web sites that Consumer Mi visits, wherein the web sites include web pages located on a plurality of web servers, duration of the visits, and product purchased.

In step 5507, extraction module 602 extracts infomnnation corresponding to the IP address 701. with a unique identifier 703. Information from the log file 700 can be extracted in real time while Consumer M is on-line or at any predetenrmined time interval.

00 In step $508. report-generating module 603 generates a report based upon Consumer M's movement within web sit 611. Factors considered in creating the report include the type of modules visited, whether the user visited the clothing module, wine module or other product modules, duration of the visit and if the user purchased any item duiing the visit. Figure 8 describes detail process steps to create a master database for o generating such a report, as provided below.

In step 5509, a second email is sent to Consumer M based upon Consumer M's tastes nd preferences determined by analyzing Consumer M's movement within web site 611.

Creating a masteratabase bas d mn a consumes movement within a web site: Figure 8 desctibes proces steps to create a mastor database based upon consumer movement vithin a wb sit T mSc: daacw2se rroid; >forimat riri fzgz iin consumer choices and preferences.

In step 5801, extraction module 602 acquires log file 601.

In step S802, extraction module 602 extract's consumer movement information within a web site tracked by a consumer's unique identification number and recorded in log iloe 601 In step S803, a master database is created based upon the extracted information. Figure 9 shows a typical database 900 that can be created from the extracted consumer information. Pigure 9 shows an email look up segment 901 that has email addresses and corresponding unique identifitation numbers for all consumers with tagged email addresses. A user information sagmeant 902 includes details regarding consumer background including consumer identification number, telephone number, address, referral type, date the record was created, date consumer identification was deactivated and reason for deactivation and key codes corresponding to keywords associated with web sites that the consumer has visited.

Figure 9 also shows a promotion segment 903 that includes information regarding promotional material sent to consumetrs The promotion segment 903 includes consumer 69- !AMEOEO. n~ M-47n We 9 fl7lkyt Avrvri COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 18- 5-06; 5:54AM;middletons -1+613 9205 2055 17/ 37

O

0 l WO 01/15196 PCT/USOO/23101 ct identification number, promotion identification number, date a particular promotion was sent, date the promotion was visited by the consumer, amount of time spent at the web site while visiting the promotion and any specific areas the consumer visited and key codes associated with key words corresponding to defined URLs.

Figure 9 further shows apurchasing segment 904 that provides transaction details 00 0 when a consumer purchases products while at a web site that may be located at any web 0 server. Purchasing module 904 includes information regarding consumer identification O number, a promotion identification number, date of purchase, product name, product type, sO product identification code. cost and quantity purchased- Also shown in Figure 9 are a URL segment 905, a referral segment 906 and a credit l card segment 907. URL segment 905 includes URL addresses, keywords corresponding to URL addresses and key codes associated with the keywords.

Figure 10 describes process steps for developing URL segment 905. Step S1001 obtains URL addresses with corresponding keywords. There are various ways to obtain URL addresses with keywords. For example, a seller could provide a list of URLs with associated keywords, or web sites associated with particular URLs can be manualy visited and analyzed for determining keywords, or an automa tic inLzernl[ crawler mec;tnism may be used to automatically obtain web sites associated with particular URL's and then analyzed for keywords.

In step S1002, assign unique key codes to keywords obtained in step S1O001. For example, a single numeric key code can be assigned to a group of keywords in the website with a URL address. The key code assigned in URL.segment 905. as shown in Figure 9 is also a data field in promotion segment 903.

Referral segment 906 includes information regarding consumer identification numbers, referral source identification information and the dates the consumers are referred.

Credit card segment 907 includes information regarding credit card type, date of purchase, amount spent and merchandise or services bought, Figure 11 describes in detail how Credit Card segment 907 is populated and utilized according to the present invention.

In step S804, master database 900 is queried to generate a user profile for sending promotional material. Various query options can be used to gather consumer information.

For example, information regarding consumers that have purchased a product may be obtained.from purchasing module 904. Information regarding consumers that have spent a COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 18- 5-06; 5:54AM;middletons ;+813 9205 2055 18/ 37 V0 0 WO 01/15196 PCTIUSOW23101 minimum amount of time at the web site can be obtained from promotion segment 903.

SKeyword search can be performed by using key codes after acquiring key codes from URL segment 905 and then conducting a search in promotion segment 903, Hence master -l database 900 may be queried in different ways to obtain information regarding consumer taste, habit and preferences. Master database 900 can also be used to deactivate consumers 00 who do not respond to any promotional materials or do not purchase any itemr, or have an invalid email address or if removal is requested by the consumer.

,In step S805, promotional material is sent to consumers based upon consumer preferences obtained after querying master database 900.

V0 o 10 Credit card segment: O Figure I I shows computer executable process steps for tracking consumer movement within a seller's web site based upon user credit card information.

In step S 1101. acquire consumer credit card information including consumer name and address. This information may be acquired when a consumer visits a seller's web site and purchases any item including merchandise or services. The consumer provides a credit card number, consumer name and consumer address. If the consumer provides an email address, then p rocess steps of Fiure 5 can be- annicd to send Promoti .al matealvsqt In sLep S 1102, tr-ack consumer movement after consumer has purchased an item from seller's website with a credit card. Consumer's movement is tracked by tracking consumer's IP address linked to Consumer's credit card informnation, and storing consumer movement in a log file similar to -the log file shown in Figure 7B. The log file shown in figure 7B includes consumer's IP address 704, date and time of consumer visit 705. credit card number 706, credit card type 707, product number 708, quantity purchased 709. cost 710 and product description 711.

In step S 1103, generate consumer profile using credit card segment 907, similar to process step S508 of Figure 5 and step 804 of Figure 8.

In step S 1104, send promotional material to consumer. Promotional material may be send electronically if email.address was acquired in step S 1101 or via regular mail since the street address was acquired in step SI 101.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, these embodiments are illustrative only and not limiting. Many other applications and embodiments of the present invention will be apparent in light of this disclosure and the following claims.

11 COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17

Claims (24)

18- 5-06; 5:54AMImiddletons ;+613 9205 2055 19/ 37 o TU.S 00/23101 CLAMS ZUS25 JUL 2001 CLAIMS 1. A method for electronically profiling consumer interests, the method comprising: I> embedding a unique identifier within a web site address, the unique identifier uniquely identifying a consumer, O including the web site address in an electronic mail message forwarded to a 0 consumer's computer, wherein the web site address provides access to one or more web C sites; Sestablishing a connection between the consumer's computer and the one or more web sites, in response to a consumer receiving the electronic mail message; 0 receiving a consumer request to access the one or more web sites, wherein the consumer request includes the web site address in the electronic mail message; parsing the web site address in the consumer request to find the unique idettifier; and tracking the consumer's movement within the.one or more web sites by associating the unique identifier with information that defines consumer activity within said one or more web sites. 2. The method of Claim I, wherein the act of tracking the consumer's movement within said one or more web sitb comprises: storing in a log file the unique identifier in association with the information that' defines consumer activity; and extracting the information that defines consumer activity based on its assodiatioa with the unique identifier to track consumer movement. 3. The method of Claim. 1, whereinthe act of associating the unique identifier with infomnation that defines consumer activity comprises; identifying an IP address used for establishing the connection between the consumer's computer and the one or more web sites, wherein the IP address is automatically logged in correspondence with the information that defines consumer activity; and M.n wo 12- M-772 WOEr AMNDE vi AMENDED SHEET COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 ,+613 9205 2055 20/ 37 18- 5-08; 5;4AM-middletors associating the unique identifier with the IP addres such that the information tLat defines cinsumer activity can be extracted based on the association between the IP address and the unique identifier. 4. The method of Claim 1, wherein the act of associating the unique identifier with 00 information that defines consumer activity comprises: identifying connection or environment specific information related to the 0 established connection between the consumer's computer and the one or more web sites, wherein the connection specific informatiun is automatically logged in correspondence with the information that defincs consumer activity; and O associatiag the unique identifier with the connection specific inforrnation such that infornation that defines consumer activity can be extracted based on the association between th- connection specific information and the unique identifier. 5. The method according to Claim 1, wherein the unique identifier identifies a consumer's electronic mail address. The nrvthod occording to Caim i, wherein the one or more web sites irncude a plurality of links to other web pages that can be located at a plurality of web servers. 7- The method according to Claim 6, wherein the plurality of links to other web pages includes a link to a web page from where the consumer can purchase merchandise. M.77f Wo 2- 780M V1 PIMENDEO SiEE COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 18- 5-06; 5:54AMmiddletons 18- -06 5:4AMrnidlcons+813 0205 2055 21/ 37 IND o PUMLSO0/2310-1 ~W~4~2 25JUL 2001 3. The method according to Claim 6, whercin the plurality of links to other -web pasts includes a link to a web page from where the consumer can electronically view. imiages of *merchandise. 9, The method according to Claim 6, whereinr the plurality of links to. other web pages ocincludes aL link to a web page fromn where the corisumer may elctronically contact a seller 0 The method according to Claimn 1, wherein intnnnngtion. about the consurner'; mnovement within the one or more web sites is stored iin a' log filk.F O 11. The method according to Claim to, whcreihi the log file includes the nddrusse of the OrIc or m11re web sites. 12. "The method of Claim 1 0, wherein the log file includes information regarding number of times-the consurner accesses; a particular web site. 13- Tlh- ni- n of Claim 10, whiercin the fog[? iitsuncjarztir 14. The method according to Claim 10, wherein the log file includes duration of the consumer's vist to a parlticilar. web site. The nichod according to Claim 10, fbrter compri sing: developing a consumer master database based upon the log file;, queryng the master database- and determining consiumer preferences, 16. The method according to Clqirn 15, wherein the master database includes a plurality of segrndnt including$ an email look up segment that includes a listing of a plurality of consumer electronic mail addresses with corresponding unique identifiers. M-7?ZtWQ -3 AMENDEDSNT COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 18- 5-06; 5:54AM-middletons ;+613 9205 2055 22/ 37 ,0 23101 O 25 3JUL 2001 S17. The method according to Claim 15, wherein the master database includes a C consumer information segment that contains consumer related information. S18. The method according to Claim 15, wherein the master database includes a promotional material segment that includes information regarding promotional materials. 00 g

19. The method according to Claim 15, wherein the master database includes a purchasing segment that includes information regarding purchases made by the consumers. ci I 10 .20. The methodaccording to Claim 15, wherein the master database includes a URL segment that include a plurality of URLs with correponding keywords and plurality of i keycodes associated with the keywords.

21. The method according to Claim 15, wherein the master database includes a.eedit card segment that includes consumer credit card number, date and amount of purchase by contsumer. elecronically profiling consumer interests, the process comprising: embedding a unique identifier within a web site address, the unique identifier uniquely identifying a consumer; including the web site address in an electronic mail mesage forwarded to a consumer's computer, wherein the web site address provides access to one or more web sites; establishing a connection between the consumer's computer and the one or more web sites, in response to a consumer receiving the electronic mail message; receiving a consumer request to access the one or more web sites, wherein the consumer request includes the web site address in the electronic mail message; parsing the web site address to find the unique identifier, and tracking the consumer's movement within the one or more web sites by associating the unique identifier with information that defines consumer activity within said one or more web sites. M-rr7M -14- SAMENDED SFFr COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 18- 5-06; 5:54AM;middletncrs ;+813 9205 2055 23/ 37 IND :r 0023101

23. The computer executable process of Claim 22, wherein the act of tracking consumer movement within said one or more wcb sites comprises: storing in a log file the unique identifier in association with the information that defines consumer activity within said one or more web Sites; s6arching the log file for the unique identifier and 00 extracting the information that defines consumer activity based on its association 0\ with the unique identifier to track consumer movement,

24. The computer executable process of Claim 22, wherein. the act ot asociating the unique identifier with information that defines consumer activity comprises:. identifying an IP address used for establishing the connection between the consumer's computer and the one or mnor web sites, wherein the IP.address is automaticaly logged in correspondence with the infbormatioa that defines consumer activity and associating the unique identifier with the IP address such that the infomation that defines consumer actiity can be extracted based on the association between the IP address and tht uiqw idnticr. The computer executable process of Claim 22, wherein the act of associating the unique identifier with infornation that defia consumer activity comprises: idemifying connection spfcific infonnation related to the established connection between the consumer's computer and the one or more web sites, wherein the connection specific information is aluomatically logged in coir spodcnce with the information that defines constumer activity; and associating the unique identifier with the connection specific information such that data that defines consumer activity can be extracted based on the asociation between the IP address and the unique identifier.

26. Computer executable process steps according to Claim 22, wherein the unique identifier identifies a consumer's electronic mail address, M.lnwo AMENDED SHEET COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 18- 5-06; 5:54AM;middletos 1+613 9205 2055 24/ 37 O N N -d i l

27. Computer executable process steps according to Claim 22, wherein the one or more web sites include a plurality of links to other web pages that caii be located at a pluralityof web servers.

28. Computer executable process steps according to Claim 27, wherein the plurality of o Links to other web pages located at a plurality of web servers includes a link to a web page from where the consumer can purchase raerchandise O

29. Computer executable process steps according to Claim 27, wherein the plurality of links to other web pages includes a link to a web page from where the consumer can O electronically view inages of merchandise. Computer executable prpcess steps according to Claim 27. wherein the plurality of links to other web pages includes a link to a web page frori where the consumer may electronically contact a seller. a:LotM tne con~Snumer:s mloverCrt kirthitn ot Cor noxC >b sits i stored in a lcg fie. :r I M-TfVl Mv 7m2- COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 18- 5-061, 5;4AM,-iddetns ;+613 9205 2055 25/ 37 I"-

32. Computer executable process steps according to Claim according to 31, wherein the log file includes the addresses of the one or more web sites, S33. Computer executable process steps according to Claim 31, wherein the log file includes information regarding number of times the consumer accesses a particular web 00 site. 0

34. Computer executable process steps according to Claim 31, wherein the log file includes information regarding any purchase the consumer makes while visiting the one or NO 10 more web site. *Computer executable process steps according to Claim 31, wherein the log file includes the duration of the consumer's visit to a particular web site,

36.. Computer executable process steps according to Claim 31, further comprising: developing a consumer master database based upon the log file; atem:runizg onsmut preferces.

37. Computer executable process steps according to Claim 36, wherein the master database includes a plurality of asgments including an email look up segment that includes a listing of a plurality of consumer electronic mil addresses with coesponding unique identifiers.

38. Computer executable process steps accoTding t Claim 36, wherein the master database includes a consumer information segment that contains consumer related information.

39. Computer executable process stops according to Claim 36, wherein the master database includes a promotional material segment that includes information regarding promotional materials. AMENDED SHEET T n m n I AMENDED SHEET COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 18- 5-06-1 S;S4AMmmddetns ;+613 9205 2055 26/ 37 Coriputer executable process steps according to Claim 36, wherein the master database includes a purchasing segment that includes information regarding purchases made by the consumers.

41. Computer executable process steps according to Claim 36, wherein the master 00 database includes a URL segment for storing plurality of keywords associated with plurality ofURLs, and the plurality of key codes associated with plurality of keywords. C N I 42. Computer executable process steps according to Claim 36, wherein the master O 10 database includes a credit card segment that includes consumer credit card number, date O and amount of purchase by consumer,

43. The method of Claim 1, wherein the unique identifier is a consuer's credit card information.

44. The computer executable process of Claim 22, wherein the unique identifier is a A method for electronically profiling consumer interests, the method comprising; receiving a consumer request to access one or more web sites implemented on at least a first computer, wherein the consumer request includes a web site address forwarded S to a consumer in an electronic mail message with a unique identifier embedded in the web site address for uniquely identifying the consumer; parsing the web site address to find the unique identifier; and logging -he unique identifier in one or more log files in association with information that defines consumer activity within said one or more web sites.

46. .The method of Claim 45, further comprising: extracting the information that defines consumer activity based on its association with the unique identifier to track consumer movement. M-7 ewo -17- D0 VI"*7 COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17 18- 5-06; 5:54AM;middletons ,+613 9205 2055 27/ 27 O o fCIte nnt~ £IB

47. The method of Claim 45, wherein the consumer request is reEvJeFthrough E connection established between the consumer's computer and the one or more web sites, the method ftrther comprising: identifying connection or environment specific information related to the established connection between the consumer's computer and the one or more web sites, 00 wherein thc connection specific information is automatically logged in correspondence Swith the information that defines consumer activity; and o associating the unique identifier with the connection or envirornmen specific information such that information that definmes consumer activity canbe extracted based on N 10 the association between the connection or environment specific information and the unique identifer.

48. The method of Claim 47, wherein the connection or environment specific information rtlates to IP address of the consumer's computer.

49. The method of Claim 47, wherein the unique idencifier riates to credit card The method of Claim 47, wherein the unique identifier relates to electronic.mail address of the consumer.

51. The method of Claim 47, wherein the connection or environment specific information relates to an operatig system executing on the consumer's computer.

52. The method of Claim 45, wherein the-one or more log files are stored.on at least the first computer and a second computer, the method fu-ther comprising: forwarding the unique identifier to the second computer, in response to the consumer interacting with a web site implemented on the first computer to access information available on the second computer. Z w77.-17a- 779M00 vI 4 COMS ID No: SBMI-03620044 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2006-05-17