BE1013899A6 - METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING TARGETED INVITATIONS BY ELECTRONIC MEANS TO PARTICIPATE IN MARKET STUDIES BASED ON OBSERVED PURCHASING BEHAVIOR. - Google Patents

Abstract

A method, system and computer program for issuing targeted invitations to participate in market research are disclosed. A market research server associated with a first identifier corresponding to a consumer with a second identifier associated with consumer purchase history information. The market research server also associates with the second identifier a targeted invitation to participate in a study. The invitation is targeted based on consumer purchase history information and includes contact information used by the consumer to participate in market research and an incentive to induce the consumer to participate in market research . The market research server delivers the targeted invention to participate in the study to a remote computer associated with the first identifier. The first identifier can for example be a loyalty card number, a cookie, an email address or not. A host computer targets inventions to consumers based on consumer purchase history information.

Description

Method and system for electronically providing targeted invitations to participate in market research based on observed buying behavior

A method, system and computer program for issuing targeted invitations to participate in market research are disclosed. A market research server associates a first identifier corresponding to a consumer with a second identifier associated with consumer purchase history information. The market research server also associates with the second identifier a targeted invitation to participate in a study. The invitation is targeted based on consumer purchase history information and includes contact information used by the consumer to participate in market research and an incentive to induce the consumer to participate in market research . The market research server delivers the targeted invitation to participate in the study to a remote computer associated with the first identifier. The first identifier can for example be a loyalty card number, a cookie, an e-mail address or a name. A host computer targets invitations to consumers based on consumer purchase history information. When the invitations have been issued, the host computer uses updated purchase history information to determine the effect of consumers' participation in market research on their observed buying habits.

Figure 1.

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ELECTRONICALLY PROVIDING TARGETED INVITATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN MARKET STUDIES BASED ON PURCHASING BEHAVIOR

OBSERVED REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS This request claims the benefit and the priority of the provisional request US serial number 60/188 172 (proxy indicator number 7791-0110-25 PROV, filed March 10, 2000), which is incorporated here for reference. The present application relates to technologies described in one or more of the US patent applications serial number 09/226 174, 09/472 069, 09/472 197 and 09/526 535 (proxy indicator number 7791- 0109-25, filed March 16, 2000) and U.S. Interim Application Serial No. 60/188 176 (agent indicator number 7791-0108-25 PROV, filed March 10, 2000), which are each incorporated herein at reference title).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the use of a computer system and more particularly to the use of a computer system in order to invite consumers to participate in market studies based on the observed purchasing behavior of consumers. . Examples of market research include questionnaires, surveys on possible packaging models, surveys on possible products, provision of opinions, advertising test and concept test / and / or participation Internet chat sessions, discussion groups, chat rooms and target groups.

Background presentation

Market research is used by advertisers, manufacturers, retailers and consumer groups, as well as other individuals, groups and organizations, to obtain information about consumer psychology and trends. Information from market research is used to increase sales and to provide consumers with products that are more likely to be well received by the public. A common form of market research involves sending large-scale letters, emails and telephone calls to randomly selected consumers. These consumers are invited to participate in studies, answer questionnaires and attend personal interviews with people studying the market and other entities that conduct market research. Thus, these market studies are conducted randomly or almost randomly. As a result, many of the consumers invited to participate in market research may have little or no knowledge of the subject studied in the context of market research. As a result, many of the consumers who participate in market research provide no help because they do not use or purchase the products that are the subject of the study. In addition, many consumers are annoyed by invitations, which are often in the form of "discarded mail", because the subject of market research is not related to the behavior and buying habits of the consumer. consumer. In addition, the supposed behavior of a consumer is not necessarily identical to their actual behavior. For example, information provided by consumers may not be a good basis for targeting invitations to participate in studies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to target invitations to participate in studies on specific consumers, on the basis of observed purchase histories of consumers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new method and a new system for delivering to consumers, on their computers, targeted invitations to participate in a study.

These and other objects are achieved by proposing a new process, a new system and a new product consisting of a computer program aimed at issuing targeted invitations to participate in a study. The method on which the system and the product consisting of a computer program are based comprises the steps of associating a first identifier which corresponds to a consumer and a second identifier associated with information on the consumer's purchase history. The purchase history information includes information relating to at least one observed purchase of an item purchased by the consumer. A targeted invitation to participate in a study associated with the second identifier is received. The invitation is targeted based on consumer purchase history information and includes contact information, which will be used by the consumer to participate in market research, and an incentive to get the consumer to participate to market research. The targeted invitation to participate in the study is then delivered to a remote computer associated with the first identifier. The first identifier is preferably a unique alphanumeric string which is associated with the consumer, for example a loyalty card number, an e-mail address, a name or an identification "cookie".

Thus, the present invention advantageously targets invitations to participate in a study based on the observed behavior of consumers rather than on the basis of the supposed behavior of consumers. In addition, the present invention can use a computer network such as the Internet to deliver targeted information by electronic means to participate in a study to consumers, without having to use a shop printer.

In another aspect of the invention, a list of consumer identifiers that correspond to consumers and targeted invitations to participate in a study are kept in memory. Each of the consumer identifiers is associated with at least one of the targeted invitations to participate in a study. One of the consumer identifiers is received from a remote computer and one of the targeted invitations to participate in a study is selected to be delivered to the remote computer, and on this basis, a targeted invitation to participate in a study is associated with the consumer identifier received from the remote computer. The targeted invitation to participate in a study which has been selected is then delivered to the computer already. In this way, targeted invitations to participate in a consumer study can be delivered electronically to their computer.

In another aspect of the present invention, consumer purchase history information is stored in memory. Targeted invitations to participate in a study are selected to be delivered to consumers on their remote computer based on corresponding consumer purchase history information. Targeted invitations to participate in a study include contact information that will be used by consumers to participate in market research, and an incentive to get consumers to participate in market research. Each consumer identifier is associated with the corresponding targeted invitation to participate in a study which is selected to be delivered to the corresponding consumer. In one embodiment, the purchase history information is updated and the effect of consumer participation in market research is analyzed based on the updated purchase history information. Therefore, once a consumer has participated in market research, the effects of their participation can be monitored based on their observed buying behavior.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and many of its additional advantages can easily be appreciated more fully by understanding it better with reference to the detailed description which follows, which will be examined in association with the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a computer system for storing consumer purchase history in memory, according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2A is a table of purchase histories making it possible to associate consumer identifiers (CID) with the purchase histories of consumers, according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2B is a table of purchase history criteria making it possible to associate purchase history criteria with invitations to participate in a study, targeted at consumers whose purchase history meets the corresponding criteria purchase history, according to one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2C is a table of invitations to participate in a study, which is used to associate CIDs with targeted invitations to participate in a study, according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2D is a table of consumer identifications making it possible to associate different forms of consumer identification information, according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a system which is used to conduct market studies on a computer network such as the Internet, according to an embodiment of the invention; Figures 4A and 4B are examples of invitations to participate in market research; FIG. 5A is a flow diagram describing a process for targeting invitations to participate in a study based on the purchasing history of consumers, according to one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5B is a flow diagram describing a process for associating targeted invitations to participate in a study with consumer identification information, according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5C is a flow diagram describing a process aimed at delivering a targeted invitation to a consumer to participate in a study, according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 6 is a flow diagram describing a process aimed at carrying out a market study and at analyzing the effects of the market study on consumers, according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a computer system programmed to execute one or more of the particular features of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS If we now refer to the drawings, in which identical reference numerals designate in all the different views identical or corresponding parts, and more particularly in FIG. 1 of these drawings, we see there represented a computer system. aimed at delivering targeted advertising to consumers. The system of FIG. 1 comprises a host computer 101, a global purchasing database 103, one or more retail stores 105, a computer 107 of purchasing data, a local purchasing database 109, a store controller 111, a store database 113 and one or more points of sale 115 which each include a printer 117, a terminal 119 and a scanner 121.

The host computer 101 is made up of any workstation, server or other suitable device, for example the computer system 701 of FIG. 7, which allows the communication with the computer 107 of purchasing data and the storage and retrieving information from the global purchasing database 103. the host computer 101 communicates with the purchasing data computer 107 using any appropriate protocol and can consist, for example, of the computer system 701 in FIG. 7.

The global purchasing database 103 is a file which includes records containing information making it possible to issue targeted invitations to participate in a study. This information includes information about each purchase made by a consumer in the retail store 105. Without being limited to the supply management unit ("shelf keeping unit" - SKU), this information can include for example the brand, the size, weight, price, date and time of purchase, and a consumer identifier (CID) which identifies the consumer who made the purchase. In one embodiment, portions of this information are obtained from the bar code provided on the items purchased and which is scanned by the scanner 121 during a transaction. These bar codes can contain UPC, JAN and EAN information. Records contained in the global purchasing database 103 contain fields as well as a set of search, sorting, recombination and other database functions. The global purchasing database 103 can be implemented in the form of two or more databases if desired, and can be made up of an aggregate of several databases storing consumer purchasing data obtained from various sources such as the Internet, grocery stores, hardware stores, pet supply stores, video vendors and restaurants. One or more of US Patents 5,832,457; 5,649,114; 5,430,644 and 5,592,560 describe techniques for collecting consumer purchase history information and for storing this information in databases such as, for example, the global purchase database 103 and the database store data 113. US patents 5,832,457; 5,649,114; 5,430,644 and 5,592,560 are incorporated herein for reference. In addition, techniques for collecting consumer purchasing information and storing this information in databases, such as the global purchasing database 103 and the store database 113 are described in d other patents owned by Catalina Marketing and / or Catalina Marketing International. Each patent owned by Catalina Marketing and / or Catalina Marketing International is incorporated here for reference.

Retail store 105 is generically referred to as a retail location and is a place where goods are kept for retail sale to consumers. As noted above, many retail stores 105 can be linked to the host computer 101.

The purchasing data computer 107 may consist of the computer system 701 of FIG. 7, for example, or of any other PC, workstation, server or suitable device for communication with the host computer 101, to keep and retrieving information from the local purchase database 109, to monitor the transmission of data between the terminal 119 and the store controller 111 (i.e., transaction data) and to order the printer 117.

The local purchasing database 109 is a file which includes records containing information making it possible to issue targeted invitations to participate in a study according to the present invention. The records contained in the local purchasing database 109 contain fields making it possible to associate the bar codes with products present in the retail store 105 (for example by using the UPC, JAN and / or EAN codes). The local purchase database 109 also includes operations for searching, sorting, recombining and other database functions. If desired, the local purchase database 109 can be implemented in the form of two or more databases. Periodically (for example daily), the information on sales transactions kept in the local purchasing database 109 is retrieved by the computer 107 from purchasing data and sent to the host computer 101 which uses the information to update the purchase history information stored in the global purchase database 103.

The store controller 111 consists of any computer or device allowing communication with the terminal 119 and the use of the information stored in the store database 113 to execute point of sale transactions ("point of sale" - POS). ) 115. A description of a store controller 111 can be found for example in US patent 5,173,851.

The store database 113 is a file which includes records containing information for performing point of sale transactions 115 by scanning the bar code printed on purchased items. The records present in the store database 113 contain fields making it possible to associate the bar codes with corresponding products and prices. The store database 113 also includes search, sort, recombine and other database functions and, if desired, can be implemented as two or more databases. data.

The retail store 105 comprises one or more points of sale 115. Each point of sale 115 preferably comprises a corresponding printer 117, a terminal 119 and a scanner 121. The printer 117 receives printing instructions from the computer of purchase data 107. In one embodiment of the present invention, targeted invitations to participate in a study are printed by the printer 117 in response to receipt of commands from the purchase data computer 107. The terminal 119 can be implemented in the form of a standard cash register and may include, for example, a screen, a credit card reader and a numeric keypad. The terminal 119 communicates with the store controller 111 and with the scanner 121. The scanner 121 can be represented by any conventional scanning device making it possible to read information relating to products, such as an article code (for example UPC, EAN or JAN), from the barcode or other marks made on the product. This information read by the scanner 121 is transmitted to the store controller 111 via the terminal 119. The store controller 111 uses the scanned information and the information kept in the store database 113 to determine the information relating to the transaction. , for example the SKU, the price, the quantity, the date and the time of the transaction.

If there are several points of sale 115 in the retail store 105, each terminal 119 will preferably be arranged in a loop relative to the store controller 111. The purchasing data computer 107 is located upstream of the store controller 111 in the loop, so that the information transmitted by the terminals 119 to the store controller is monitored by the purchasing data computer 107.

It should be understood that the system of FIG. 1 is presented only by way of example, because many variants which can be made to the specific hardware and software used to implement the present invention will readily appear to the mind. a skilled person. For example, the functionality of the purchasing data computer 107 and the store controller 111 can be combined into a single device. These and other implementations of the retail computer system are described in more detail in one or more of US Patents 4,723,212; 4,910,672; 5,173,851; 5,512,868 and 6,026,370, each of which is incorporated herein for reference. To carry out these modifications as well as other modifications, a simple computer can be programmed (for example the computer system 701 of FIG. 7J so that it performs the particular functionalities of two or more among all the devices represented in FIG. 1. On the other hand, two or more programmed computers can replace any of the devices shown in Figure 1. If desired, the principles and advantages of distributed processing, for example redundancy and replication, can also be implemented. implemented, for example to increase the robustness and performance of the system.

The present invention relates to information about different consumers who shop in retail store 105, such as purchase histories of these consumers, targeted invitations to participate in surveys, and consumer identification information. This information is stored in one or more memories, for example a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk and / or a RAM. One or more databases, for example the global purchasing database 103 and the store database 113, can store the information used to implement the present invention. The databases are organized using data structures (for example records, tables, matrices, fields, graphics, trees and / or lists) contained in one or more memories, for example the memories whose list is given above, or for example any of the storage devices in the list of which is given later in the description of FIG. 7.

! FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D describe data structures used for the realization of a system providing targeted invitations to participate in a study in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Data structures are described in a relational format using tables in which the information kept in a 1 column (i.e. a field) of a table is associated or linked to information kept in the same row (i.e. a record) which crosses the other column or columns of the table. These data structures are used by the host computer 101 and / or by the purchasing data computer 107 to deliver invitations to consumers to participate in a study in accordance with the present invention. The data structures represented in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are kept in the global purchasing database 103, in the local purchasing database 109 and / or in any other (s) conservation device (s) or support (s).

i FIG. 2A is a purchase history table 201 which includes a field 203 which is used to store consumer identifiers (CID) and a field 205 which is used to store the purchase histories of consumers included in field 203 A CID is any identifier that is scanned, read or otherwise entered into a computer or terminal to identify a customer. Each customer can have multiple CIDs. Preferably, the CID is represented by a bar code so that it can be quickly scanned at the checkout by the scanner 117, although any other type of implementation readable by machine or readable by means other than by a machine in view to keep or display identifications can be used, including magnetic tapes, memory chips and smart cards. Examples of CIDs include credit card numbers, debit card numbers, social security card numbers, driver's license numbers, checking account numbers, street addresses, names, email addresses, telephone numbers, frequent buyer card numbers, buyer card identifications (SCID) or customer loyalty card numbers issued by retail store 105, although any other appropriate form of identification can be used. For example, a CID can be a cookie stored on a consumer's computer that identifies the user's computer. Used here, a "cookie" consists of any block of data which includes identification information (for example a cookie identifier) allowing a server or a remote computer to identify a consumer's computer.

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Preferably field 205 is divided into several sub-fields making it possible to keep purchase data separately, such as the place of purchase, the SKU, the price of each item purchased, the date and time of the transaction. and any other desired information regarding consumer transactions.

FIG. 2B is a table 207 of purchase history criteria which includes a field 209 allowing to keep purchase history criteria and a field 211 to keep targeted invitations to participate in a study. Purchase history criteria are criteria which must be verified by a consumer on the basis of the consumer's purchase history listed in field 205, in order for him to receive the corresponding invitation or invitations to participate in a study. in the same record in field 211. Examples of invitations to participate in a study kept in field 211 are given below with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIG. 2C is a table 213 of invitations to participate in a study which includes a field 215 for storing the CIDs and a field 217 for storing invitations to participate in a study. Table 213 of invitations to participate in a study associates each CID with one or more invitations to participate in a study kept in the same record, in field 217. Using table 213 of invitations to participate in a study, the computer 107 of purchasing data can determine which invitations to participate in a study will be issued to a consumer's computer (eg a "network device") based on the consumer's CID or another identifier associated with the consumer.

FIG. 2D is an example of a table 219 of consumer identifications making it possible to associate consumer CIDs with other information making it possible to identify consumers. The table 219 of consumer identifications comprises a field 221 allowing to keep the CIDs of consumers, a field 223 allowing to keep email addresses of consumers, a field 225 allowing to keep ID cookies and a field 227 allowing keep consumer entry identifiers. Thus, the table 219 of consumer identifications can be used to identify the CID of a consumer on the basis of other identification information (for example email address, ID cookie, Entry identifier) stored in the other fields of table 219 of consumer identifications. Table 219 of consumer identifications can be fed during a registration procedure in which a consumer provides his CID as well as other identification information, for example his e-mail address and / or its Entry identifier. In one embodiment, ID cookies are associated with consumer CIDs by sending a cookie, including a cookie identifier, to each consumer's computer during the registration process. A cookie identifier is any data that identifies a cookie and thus identifies the computer on which the cookie is stored. The number of fields in Table 219 of consumer identifications may vary depending on how the consumer CIDs are to be referenced. For example, if consumers still supply their CIDs directly, Table 119 is not necessary, because CIDs should not be referenced. However, if consumers are to be recognized on the basis of cookies sent by their computer, a field (i.e. field 225) for storing ID cookies is necessary. Likewise, fields storing email addresses and Entry Identifiers can be used if these types of information and identification are used to associate a consumer with their CID.

Figure 3 shows a system for conducting market research over the Internet. Several consumer computers 301 are connected by the Internet 307 to one or more market research servers 309 209. The consumer's computer 301 is any computer allowing access to a computer network, for example the Internet 307 Examples of consumer computers 301 include PCs, workstations, laptops, handheld computers, the computer system 701 of Figure 7, and household appliances (eg, refrigerator, oven, oven configured to be able to access the Internet (ie "network devices" or "WEB devices"). The consumer's computer 301 preferably includes web browsing software to allow the user (i.e., a consumer) to view documents available on the Internet (e.g. documents HTML). The market research server 309 is a computer, a server, a device and / or software making it possible to conduct and / or facilitate market research on the Internet 307. Such market research includes questionnaires, discussion groups, discussion centers and / or target groups. The market research server 309 communicates with a market research database 319 which includes one or more files intended to store information for the purpose of issuing targeted invitations to participate in a study. This information includes, for example, table 213 of invitations to participate in a study and table 219 of consumer identifications.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are examples of invitations to participate in a study which can, for example, be delivered by the market research server 309 to a consumer's computer 301. As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, each invitation 401 to participate in a study includes contact information 403, condition information 404, reward information 405 and a code (e.g. a virtual number Personal Identification Number (PIN) 407). Contact information is represented for example by a WEB site, a WEB page, a uniform resource locator (URL) and / or an e-mail address, which a person can use to activate their participation in a market research. The term "URL" is intended to include uniform resource names, uniform resource identifiers and their equivalents. The 404 condition indicates what a person must do to receive the 405 reward. Examples of 404 conditions are participation in studies, market research and / or responding to questionnaires. The 405 reward can be a check, a coupon, a discount, a certificate, a recoverable medium and / or another

'I

positive benefit attributed to a person who meets condition 404. Code 407 is an identification that uniquely identifies each invitation to participate in a study. In one embodiment of the invention, when a person attempts to receive the reward 405 by participating in the market study, the person is invited to provide the code 407 on the invitation 401 to participate in a study. In this way, the manager, group or person conducting the market research can avoid giving more than a 405 reward for each 401 invitation to participate in a study and avoid double counting of participants. This embodiment can be implemented for example by keeping the code 407 in fields 211 and 217 with the other invitation information to participate in a study. In one embodiment, the codes 407 are supplied for example to the entity conducting the market study or to the entity rewarding the people participating in the market study (for example a market research manager), so that each code 407 can be recognized by the study manager and only one reward 405 is given for each code 407. As with other embodiments, this embodiment can use PIN technology such as that described in US Patents 5,915,007 and 5,892,827, which are each incorporated herein by reference.

It should be understood that each invitation 401 to participate in a study can be tailor-made to suit different objectives as desired, and may omit one or more of the elements 403, 404, 405 and 407. The awards 405 and the object of Market research may involve a field other than grocery stores and retail stores. The invitations 401 to participate in a study may also include other information indicating the period of validity of the offer or the invitation and what equipment may be necessary to participate in the market study (for example a PG), and other conditions necessary to receive the 405 award.

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Figure 5A is a flow diagram for explaining how targeted invitations to participate in a study are issued based on consumer purchase histories. In step 501, the host computer 101 interrogates the computer 107 with purchase data from each of the retail stores 105 in order to obtain purchase history information making it possible to update the information of purchase history stored in the global purchase database 103. Next, in step 503, the host computer 101 creates behavior information from the purchase history information stored in the database of global purchasing data 103. This behavioral information can consist of any information that a market poller (that is to say a market research manager) wishes to use to determine whether a targeted invitation to participate to a study must be issued to a consumer. Examples of behavioral information are those that indicate if a consumer has purchased at least 5 pounds of dog food each month in the past year, if the consumer has purchased anti-chill medications in the past week , if the consumer regularly purchases lactose-free milk. Targeted invitations to participate in a 401 study can be represented, for example, by Internet banners, e-mail messages, e-mail attachments, regular postal messages, interactive television messages or telephone messages.

In step 505, the host computer 101 compares the behavior information created in step 503 with purchasing criteria kept in field 209 of the table 207 of purchasing criteria. If the behavioral information of any consumer corresponds to the purchase criteria listed in field 209, the consumer's CID is kept in field 215 and the corresponding invitation to participate in a study, taken up in field 211, is kept in field 217 of the table of invitations to participate in a study. In this way, the table 213 of invitations to participate in a study is fed with CID and targeted invitations associated with participating in a study, which must be delivered to the corresponding consumers. In an alternative embodiment, the host computer 101 simply sends the market research server 309 a list of CIDs which correspond to consumers who meet certain criteria, and the table 213 of invitations to participate in a study is completed by the market research server 309 which receives targeted invitations to participate in a study, for example from another computer or from computer-readable medium. Consequently, invitations to participate in a study are targeted on the basis of observed purchasing behavior (i.e. consumer purchasing histories) rather than randomly issued or on the basis of assumed consumer behavior. . Thus, the present invention facilitates the process of issuing invitations to participate in a study to the right consumers.

In step 507, the host computer 101 delivers the table 213 of invitations to participate in a study to the market research server 309. If desired, the table 213 of invitations to participate in a study is divided into smaller separate tables of invitations to participate in a study, which are delivered to different market research servers 309. In this way, only the CIDs of consumers who have registered with a particular 309 market research server are supplied to this 309 market research server, The tables 213 of invitations to participate in a study are received by the market research server or servers 309 and stored in the market research database 311. The tables 213 of invitations to participate in a study kept in memory are updated as desired, to take into account new programs and new bonuses.

FIG. 5B presents a flow diagram which shows how the market research server 309 associates consumer CIDs with other information making it possible to identify consumers. In step 509, a consumer registers online with the market research server 309 using the consumer's computer 301. In step 511, the consumer provides the market research server 309 with identifying information such as his CID, his e-mail address, an input identifier chosen by the consumer or provided automatically by the server 309 d 'market research, a social security number or any other identifying information. As soon as the consumer transmits his CID to the market research service 309, the market research server 309 can associate the consumer CID with any other information making it possible to identify the consumer. In one embodiment, the table 219 of consumer identifications or a variant of this table is fed during the registration procedure and kept in the market research database 311 by the market research server 309 . In addition, in step 513, the market research server 309 can associate other information and identifications with the CID of a consumer, for example a cookie, which is sent by the market research server 309 to the consumer's computer 301 and conversed into the consumer's computer 301. In this way, each time the consumer's computer 301 accesses the market research server 309, the cookie, in particular a cookie identifier, is returned to the market research server 309 which uses the stored ID cookie. in field 225 to determine the consumer's CID kept in field 221, in the same record as the ID cookie. Other forms of identification, for example e-mail addresses, allow the market research server 309 to issue targeted invitations to the consumer to participate in a study without the consumer having to identify himself and without use cookies. In addition, if the consumer provides a CID, when the consumer registers, the consumer identification table 219 should not be used. On the other hand, if a consumer provides a password, an entry identifier and / or identification information other than the consumer's CID, and if this information is associated with the consumer's CID listed in table 219 d consumer identifiers during registration, the market research server 309 can determine the consumer's CID from this information, regardless of the computer 301 that the consumer used to access the market research server 309 market.

FIG. 5C represents a flow diagram aiming to explain how the targeted invitations to participate in a study are delivered to consumers in an embodiment of the invention. In step 515, the market research server 309 receives identification information from the consumer's computer 301. This identification information can be the consumer CID or any other identification information associated with the consumer CID (for example a cookie identifier or another identifier sent automatically by the consumer's computer 301, an input identifier or a password entered by the consumer on the consumer's computer). In step 517, the market research server 309 determines the CID of the consumer, for example using the table 219 of consumer identifications and determines which targeted invitations to participate in a study are associated with this CID in the table 213 invitations to participate in a study. Next, the market research server 309 delivers targeted invitations to participate in a study to the consumer's computer 301. If targeted invitations to participate in a study are issued to the consumer on the basis of their email address, postal address or other identifying information which does not require that the consumer be present before the consumer computer 301 when the targeted invitation to participate in a study is issued, step 515 can be skipped. For example, if the consumer has provided their email address, targeted invitations to participate in a study may be sent in the form of emails or as attachments to emails that are, for example, delivered to the consumer computer 301 by a mail server when consumer computer 301 retrieves invitations from the mail server, in step 517.

FIG. 6 represents a flow diagram serving to explain how a market study can be conducted on the Internet 307. In step 613, a user uses a web browser running on the computer 301 to consult a web page identified by a URL specified by the contact information 403 included in a targeted invitation 401 to participate in a study delivered to the consumer. In addition, in step 613, the consumer is invited to enter the code 407 appearing on the targeted invitation 401 to participate in a study. The code 407 operates in the same way as the virtual PIN described above to prevent the same invitation 401 to participate in a study from being accepted more than once.

Then, in step 615, the consumer participates in market research, for example in a target group. When the consumer has finished participating in the study program, the consumer is rewarded in step 617 with the reward 405 provided for in the targeted invitation 401 to participate in a study. The consumer can receive the reward in any known way. In one embodiment, if the reward is cash, a check for the amount specified in field 405 is issued to the consumer by mail. Other forms of reward are free long distance phone minutes, free virtual money that can be used to purchase products over the Internet, coupons for products sold at 105 retail stores and redeemable certificates for free items in store 105. However, it may be better to reward consumers with rewards associated with the Internet, for example "Internet money" which can be given to receive prizes that "cost" a specific amount of Internet money. Other awards include pet supplies (such as a dog bowl), cookbooks, and household or kitchen items (such as a wine rack).

As noted above, in one embodiment, the purchase history information stored in the global purchase database 103 is periodically updated. In step 619, the consumer purchase history information is updated. Next, in step 621, the consumer's updated purchase history is analyzed. In one embodiment, this analysis is carried out by comparing the purchasing behavior of the consumer before his participation in the market study to the purchasing behavior of the consumer during and / or after his participation in the market study. Then, based on the result of the analysis, in step 623, the effect of the market study on the consumer is determined (for example to see if the consumer has changed his loyalty to a product of brand X to a brand Y product or increased their purchase rate for a product Z). Using observed consumer behavior (i.e., purchase history information) rather than assumed behavior helps avoid misleading feedback that occurs when consumers simply report how an advertisement trial or other forms of market research affected them.

All or part of the invention can be conveniently implemented using conventional general purpose computers or microprocessors programmed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, as will be apparent to those experienced in the computer art . As will be apparent to those skilled in the art of software, suitable software can be readily prepared by programmers of normal skill based on the teachings of this disclosure.

FIG. 7 represents a computer system 701 on which an embodiment according to the present invention can be implemented. The computer system 701 includes a bus 703 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor 705 coupled to the bus 703 for processing information. The computer system 701 also comprises a main memory 707, for example a random access memory (RAM) or another dynamic memory device (for example a dynamic RAM -DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), a flash RAM) coupled to the bus 703 to keep information and instructions to be executed by the processor 705. In addition, the main memory 707 can be used to keep temporary variables or other intermediate information during the execution of instructions which must be executed by the processor 705. The computer system 701 furthermore comprises a read-only memory ("read only memory - ROM") 709 or another static memory device (for example a programmable ROM (PROM ), an erasable PROM (EPROM) and an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM)) coupled to the bus 703 to store static information and instructions for the processor 705. A di Memory device 711, for example a magnetic disk or an optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus 703 to store information and instructions.

Computer system 701 may also include special purpose logic devices (eg application-specific integrated circuits ("application specifies integrated circuits - ASIC")) or configurable logic devices (eg generic logic arrays ("generic array of logic - GAL ") or matrices of programmable doors with reprogrammable field (" field programmable spoiler arrays -FPGA ")). Other removable or fixed media devices (e.g., compact disc, tape or removable magneto-optical media) or high density media players can be added to the computer system 701 using an appropriate device bus (for example example a small computer system interface (SCSI) bus, an improved integrated device electronics (IDE) bus or an ultra-direct memory access bus (" direct memory access - DMA ")). The computer system 701 may further include a compact disc player, a compact disc read / write unit or a compact disc loader which may each be connected to the same device bus or to another device bus.

The computer system 701 can be coupled via the bus 703 to a display 713, for example a cathode ray tube ("cathode ray tube - CRT") to display information to a user of the computer. The display, 713 can be controlled by a display card or a graphics card. The computer system comprises input devices, for example a keyboard 715 and a cursor control 717, for communicating information and controlling selections to the processor 705. The cursor control 717 is for example a mouse, a ball or keyboards for guiding the cursor to communicate direction information and control selections to processor 705 and to control movement of the cursor on display 713. In addition, a printer can provide printed lists of data structures shown in Figures 2A , 2B, 2C and 2D or any other data stored and / or created by the computer system 701.

The computer system 701 executes part or all of the processing steps of the invention in response to the execution by the processor 705 of one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in a memory, for example the main memory 707. These instructions can be read from main memory 707 by another computer-readable medium, for example a memory device 711. One or more processors can also be used in a multi-processor arrangement to execute sequences of instruction contained in main memory 707. In alternative embodiments, a wired circuit can be used as a replacement or in combination with software instructions. Thus, the embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of wired circuit and software.

As indicated above, the system 701 comprises at least one computer-readable medium or memory, programmed in accordance with the teachings of the invention, and designed to contain data structures, tables, records or other data described here. In memory on any computer-readable medium or on a combination of computer-readable mediums, the present invention comprises software for controlling the computer system 701, for piloting a device or devices with a view to implementing the invention and to allow the computer system 701 to interact with a human user, for example a consumer. This software may include, but is not limited to, device drivers, computer management systems, development tools, and application software. Such computer-readable medium further comprises the computer program produced by the present invention in order to execute all or part (if the processing is distributed) of the processing performed in the implementation of the invention.

The computer code devices according to the present invention can be any mechanism of interpreted or executable codes, including, but not limited to, scripts, interpreters, dynamic link libraries, Java classes, and complete executable programs. In addition, parts of the processing of the present invention can be distributed to improve performance, reliability and / or reduce costs.

When used here, the term "computer-readable medium" refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions to processor 705 to execute them. Computer readable media can take many forms, including but not limited to non-volatile media, volatile media and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and magneto-optical disks, such as memory device 711. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 707. Transmission media include coaxial cables , copper wires and optical fibers, in particular the wires which constitute the bus 703. The transmission media may also have the form of acoustic or light waves, for example those created during data communications by radio waves and infrared .

Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, hard disks, floppy disks, tapes, magneto-optical disks, PROMs (EPROM, EEPROM, EPROM flash), DRAMs, SRAMs, SDRAMs or other magnetic media compact discs (e.g. CD-ROMs) or other optical media, punch cards, paper ribbons or other physical media with perforation patterns, a carrier wave (described later) or any other media a computer can read.

Different forms of computer readable media can be used in the execution of one or more sequences of one or more instructions to the processor 705 to execute them. For example, the instructions may be initially carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load instructions allowing the implementation of all or part of the present invention remotely into a dynamic memory, and send instructions by a telephone line using a modem. A local computer system modem 701 can receive data over the telephone line and use an infrared transmitter to convert the data into an infrared signal. An infrared detector coupled to the bus 703 can receive the data transported on the infrared signal and place the data on the bus 703. The bus 703 transports the data to the main memory 707, from which the processor 705 retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by the main memory 707 can optionally be kept on a memory device 711 before or after their execution by the processor 705.

The computer system 701 also comprises a communication interface 719 coupled to the bus 703. The communication interface 719 provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link 721 connected to a local network (for example the LAN 723 ). For example, the communication interface 719 can be a network interface card for connection to any local area network ("local area network - LAN") with packet switching. As another example, the interface 719 can be an asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) card, a data integration digital network card (ISDN) or a modem to provide a data communication connection with a corresponding type of telephone line. Wireless connections can also be made. In any of these implementations, the communication interface 719 receives and sends electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals which transport digital data streams representing different information. .

Network link 721 typically provides data communication to other data devices through one or more networks. For example, network link 721 may provide via LAN 723 a connection to a host computer 725 or to data equipment managed by a service provider that provides data communication services through an IP network

("Internet protocol") 727 (for example Internet 307). LAN 723 and IP 727 both use electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals that carry digital data streams. The signals passing through the various networks and the signals on the network link 721 and through the communication interface 719, which transport the digital data from and to the computer system 701 are examples of carrier waveform transporting the information. . The computer system 701 can transmit notifications and receive data, including program codes, via the network (s), the network link 721 and the communication interface 719.

It is obvious that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings.

. It should therefore be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention can be put into practice in other ways than those specifically described here.

Claims (58)

1. A method comprising the steps of: associating a first identifier corresponding to a consumer with a second identifier associated with consumer purchase history information, the purchase history information comprising information on at least one purchase an item purchased by the consumer; keep a targeted invitation to participate in a study associated with the second identifier and targeted based on the consumer's purchase history information, the targeted invitation to participate in a study comprising contact information to be used by the consumer to participate in a market study ; and deliver the targeted invitation to participate in a study to a remote computer associated with the first identifier. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: receiving the first identifier during a registration operation in which the consumer provides the first identifier and the second identifier before the step of associating the first identifier and of the second identifier. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: receiving the first identifier from the remote computer after the step of associating the first identifier with the second identifier, after the step of keeping the invitation targeted to participate in a study and before the issuance of the targeted invitation to participate in a study; and wherein the step of issuing the targeted invitation to participate in a study includes the step of: issuing the targeted invitation to participate in a study to the remote computer in response to receipt of the first identifier from there from the remote computer. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first identifier is a "cookie" stored in the remote computer. 5. Method according to claim 1, in which the first identifier is chosen from the group consisting of: a cookie, an e-mail address and an entry identifier. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first identifier comprises an e-mail address, the remote computer comprises a mail server and the issuing step comprises the step of: issuing the targeted invitation to participate in a study at the remote computer via email. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: receiving the second identifier and the targeted invitation associated with participating in a study of a host computer. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: maintaining a list of second identifiers comprising the second identifier associated with the consumer; and keeping targeted invitations to participate in a study including the targeted invitation to participate in a study which has been delivered to the consumer, each of the second identifiers being associated with at least one of the targeted invitations to participate in a study. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the targeted invitation to participate in a study is selected from the group consisting of: an email message, an email attachment and an Internet banner. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the contact information forms a hyperlink. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the contact information comprises a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the targeted invitation to participate in a study includes an incentive to induce the consumer to participate in market research. 13. A method comprising the steps of: maintaining a list of consumer identifiers corresponding to consumers; keep targeted invitations to participate in a study, each of the consumer identifiers being associated with at least one of the targeted invitations to participate in a study; receive one of the consumer identifiers from a remote computer; select one of the targeted invitations to participate in a study to deliver it to the remote computer, on the basis of Γ -at least one - targeted invitation to participate in a study, associated with the consumer identifier received from the computer distant; and issue a targeted invitation to the remote computer to participate in a selected study. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the issuing step comprises the step of: issuing to the remote computer the targeted invitation to participate in a selected study, via an electronic mail. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the consumer identifier received from the remote computer is selected from the group consisting of: a loyalty card identifier, a cookie identifier and an email address. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the targeted invitations to participate in a study associated with each consumer identifier are targeted based on purchase history information of the corresponding consumer, the purchase history information of each consumer including information on at least one purchase of an item by the consumer. 17. A method comprising the steps of: retaining purchase history information of consumers, the purchase history information of each consumer comprising information on at least one purchase of an item by the consumer and being associated a consumer identifier corresponding to the consumer; select targeted invitations to participate in a study to deliver them to consumers on remote computers, based on corresponding purchase history information from consumers, targeted invitations to participate in a study including contact information for use by consumers to participate in market research; and associate each consumer identifier with the targeted invitation to participate in a corresponding study and selected to be delivered to the corresponding consumer. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of: updating the purchase history information; and analyze the effect of consumer participation in market research based on updated purchasing history information. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the targeted invitations to participate in a study include incentives to induce consumers to participate in the market research. 20. computer-readable medium containing program instructions for execution on a computer system which, when executed by the computer system, cause the computer system to carry out the steps of the method mentioned in any one of claims 1 to 19. 21. A system comprising: a memory device in which are incorporated: a first identifier and a second identifier corresponding to a consumer, the second identifier being associated with the purchase history information of the consumer, the purchase history information including information on at least one purchase of an item purchased by the consumer from a retail store; and a targeted invitation to participate in a study associated with the second identifier and targeted based on the consumer's purchase history information, the targeted invitation to participate in a study comprising contact information to be used by the consumer to participate in a market study and an incentive to induce the consumer to participate in the market study; and a processor in communication with said memory device, said processor being configured to deliver to a remote computer associated with the first identifier the targeted invitation to participate in a study. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the processor is further configured to: receive the first identifier during a registration procedure in which the consumer provides the first identifier and the second identifier. 23. The system of claim 21, wherein the processor is further configured to: receive the first identifier from the remote computer before issuing the targeted invitation to participate in a study; and issuing the targeted invitation to the remote computer to participate in a study in response to receipt of the first identifier from the remote computer. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the first identifier is a cookie stored in the remote computer. 25. The system of claim 21, wherein the first identifier is chosen from the group consisting of: a cookie, an e-mail address and an entry identifier. 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the first identifier comprises an e-mail address, the remote computer comprises a mail server and the processor is further configured to deliver the targeted invitation to participate in a study. remote computer via email. The system of claim 21, wherein the processor is further configured to receive from the host computer the second identifier and the targeted invitation to participate in an associated study. 28. The system of claim 21, wherein the memory device has incorporated therein: a list of second identifiers comprising the second identifier associated with the consumer; and targeted invitations to participate in a study comprising the targeted invitation to participate in a study delivered to the consumer, each of the second identifiers being associated with at least one of the targeted invitations to participate in a study. 29. The system of claim 21, wherein the targeted invitation to participate in a study is chosen ie group consisting of: an email message, an email attachment and an Internet banner. 30. The system of claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the contact information forms a hyperlink. The system of claim 30, wherein the contact information comprises a uniform resource locator (URL). 32. The system of claim 21, wherein the targeted invitation to participate in a study includes an incentive to induce consumers to participate in market research. 33. System comprising: a memory device in which are incorporated: a list of consumer identifiers corresponding to consumers; and targeted invitations to participate in a study, each of the consumer identifiers being associated with at least one of the targeted invitations to participate in a study; and a processor in communication with said memory device, said processor being configured to: receive one of the consumer identifiers from a remote computer; select one of the targeted invitations to participate in a study to deliver it to the remote computer on the basis of Γ - at least one - targeted invitation to participate in a study, associated with the consumer identifier received from the remote computer ; and issue a targeted invitation to the remote computer to participate in a selected study. 34. The system of claim 33, wherein the issuing means comprises the step of: issuing the targeted invitation to participate in a selected study, to the remote computer, via electronic mail. 35. The system of claim 33, wherein the consumer identifier received from the remote computer is selected from the group consisting of: a loyalty card identifier, a cookie identifier and an email address. 36. The system of claim 33, wherein the targeted invitations to participate in a study associated with each consumer identifier are targeted based on purchase history information of the corresponding consumer, the purchase history information of each consumer including information on at least one purchase of an item by the consumer. 37. A system comprising: a memory device in which are incorporated: consumer purchase history information, the purchase history information of each consumer comprising information on at least one purchase of an item by the consumer and being associated with a consumer identifier associated with the consumer; and a processor in communication with said memory device, said processor being configured to: select targeted invitations to participate in a study issued to consumers on remote computers based on corresponding consumer purchase history information, the targeted invitations to participate in a study including contact information to be used by consumers to participate in a market study; and associate each consumer identifier with the targeted invitation to participate in a corresponding study chosen to be delivered to the corresponding consumer. 38. The system of claim 37, wherein the processor is further configured to: update purchase history information; and analyze the effect of consumer participation in market research based on updated purchase history information. 39. The system of claim 37, wherein the targeted invitations to participate in a study include incentives to induce consumers to participate in the market research. 40. System comprising: means for associating a first identifier corresponding to a consumer with a second identifier associated with purchase history information of the consumer, the purchase history information comprising information on at least one purchase of '' an item purchased by the consumer; means for retaining a targeted invitation to participate in a study associated with the second identifier and targeted based on the consumer's purchase history information, the targeted invitation to participate in a study comprising contact information to be used by the consumer to participate in market research; and means for delivering the targeted invitation to participate in a study to a remote computer associated with the first identifier. 41. The system of claim 40, further comprising: means for receiving the first identifier during a registration procedure in which the consumer provides the first identifier and the second identifier, before associating the first identifier and the second identifier. 42. The system of claim 40, further comprising: means for receiving the first identifier from the remote computer after the first identifier has been associated with the second identifier, after the targeted invitation to participate in a study has been retained and before the targeted invitation to participate in a study has been issued; and wherein the means for issuing the targeted invitation to participate in a study comprises: means for issuing the targeted invitation to participate in a study to the remote computer in response to receipt of the first identifier from the computer remote. ¥ 43. The system of claim 42, wherein the first identifier is a cookie stored in the remote computer. 44. The system of claim 40, wherein the first identifier is chosen from the group consisting of: a cookie, an email address and an entry identifier. 45. The system of claim 44, wherein the first identifier comprises an e-mail address, the remote computer comprises a mail server and the delivery means comprises: means for delivering the targeted invitation to participate in a study to the remote computer via email. 46. The system of claim 40, further comprising: means for receiving from a host computer the second identifier and the targeted invitation to participate in an associated study. The system of claim 40, further comprising: means for maintaining a list of second identifiers comprising the second identifier associated with the consumer; and means for storing targeted invitations to participate in a study comprising the targeted invitation to participate in a study delivered to the consumer, each of the second identifiers being associated with at least one of the targeted invitations to participate in a study. 48. The system of claim 40, wherein the targeted invitation to participate in a study is selected from the group consisting of: an email message, an email attachment and an Internet banner. 49. The system of claim 40, wherein at least a portion of the contact information forms a hyperlink. 50. The system of claim 49, wherein the contact information comprises a uniform resource locator (URL). 51. The system of claim 40, wherein the targeted invitations to participate in a study include incentives to induce consumers to participate in the market research. 52. A system comprising: means for maintaining a list of consumer identifiers corresponding to consumers; means for storing targeted invitations to participate in a study, each of the consumer identifiers being associated with at least one of the targeted invitations to participate in a study; means for receiving one of the consumer identifiers from a remote computer; means for selecting one of the targeted invitations to participate in a study in order to deliver it to the remote computer on the basis of P - at least one targeted invitation to participate in a study, associated with the consumer identifier received from the 'remote computer; and means for delivering the selected targeted invitation to participate in a study to the remote computer. 53. The system of claim 52, wherein the issuing means comprises: means for issuing the targeted invitation to participate in a selected study, to the remote computer, via electronic mail. 54. The system of claim 52, wherein the consumer identifier received from the remote computer is selected from the group consisting of: a loyalty card identifier, a cookie identifier and an email address. 55. The system of claim 52, wherein the targeted invitations to participate in a study associated with each consumer identifier are targeted based on purchase history information of the corresponding consumer, the purchase history information of each consumer including information on at least one purchase of an item by the consumer. 56. A system comprising: means for storing consumer purchase history information, each consumer purchase history information comprising information on at least one purchase of an item by the consumer and being associated with a consumer identifier associated with the consumer; means for selecting targeted invitations to participate in a study to deliver them to consumers on remote computers based on corresponding consumer purchase history information, the targeted invitations to participate in a study including contact information to be used by consumers to participate in market research; and means for associating each consumer identifier with the targeted invitation to participate in a corresponding study, which has been chosen to be delivered to the corresponding consumer. The system of claim 56, further comprising: means for updating the purchase history information; and means for analyzing the effect of consumer participation in market research based on the updated purchase history information. 58. The system of claim 56, wherein the targeted invitations to participate in a study include incentives to induce consumers to participate in the market research.