EP1323084A2

EP1323084A2 - Process, system and computer program product for providing a real-time audit trail of redeemed consumer promotions

Info

Publication number: EP1323084A2
Application number: EP00986289A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Steven Eric Blyth; Jeffrey Richard Mount
Original assignee: SuperMarkets Online Inc
Current assignee: SuperMarkets Online Inc
Priority date: 2000-09-29
Filing date: 2000-12-20
Publication date: 2003-07-02
Also published as: ZA200100024B; ITMI20010001A0; JP2004511843A; AU2001222560A1; BE1014117A3; ITMI20010001A1; WO2002029605A2; CA2423871A1; WO2002029605A3

Abstract

A process, system, and computer program for generating an audit trail of user activity on a Web site server to be monitored, including a content server configured to measure user activity on the monitored Web site server; and a database server coupled to the content server. The content server is configured to receive the measured user activity from the content server, compare the measured user activity against online purchase redemption information provided by the monitored Web site server, and generate discrepancy information based on the comparison. The content server is independent from the monitored Web site server. The user activity includes at least one of the a count of a number of Web pages including a product subject to an offer presented to the user by the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of clicks by the user to products subject to offers on Web pages presented to the user by the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of products subject to an offer included in a Web page presented to the user by the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of selected products subject to offers and placed into a shopping basket of the user at the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of checkout baskets at the monitored Web site server that have a product subject to an offer therein, a count of offers deducted from an order of the user in an order confirmation Web page at the monitored Web site server, and an identification of a unique device used by the user to access the monitored Web site server.

Description

PROCESS, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR PROVIDING A REAL-TIME AUDIT TRAIL OF REDEEMED CONSUMER PROMOTIONS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention:

The present invention generally relates to the use of a computer network, and more specifically to a process, system, and computer program product for providing an audit trail for redeemed online customer offers or promotions. As used herein, the terms "offers" and "promotion" refer to any announcement for inducing desired purchase behavior or habits and/or for furthering the growth or development of something (e.g., customer loyalty to an online or offline retail store). A promotion or offer may take the form of a coupon, certificate, e-mail, advertisement, rebate, purchase incentive, discount, publicity campaign, or any combination thereof, for example.

Discussion of the Background:

In recent years, there have been developed systems and methods for distributing coupons tlirough a computer network. However, a potential difficulty with distributing coupons tlirough a computer network is that manufacturers and retailers may perceive such a system as being more prone to fraud than conventional coupon distribution methods. The concern, of course, is that users may alter the content of coupon images (e.g., the coupon value), or print a coupon image repeatedly, or compose a fraudulent coupon from scratch. Printing coupons with a complex background pattern or extended bar code, renders unauthorized coupon modification or creation more difficult, but a potential for fraud still exists.

Accordingly, in U.S. Patent No. 6,014,634, incorporated by reference herein, a "token/voucher" system and method is disclosed, wherein, instead of coupon, a "token" is generated by a user's computer after interaction with a distribution Web site. The user chooses from online incentive offers, but instead of a coupon being generated a token is generated. The token includes coded information, e.g., bar-coded information, establishing that the user visited the Web site and selected one or more promoted items. At about the same time that the token is generated, the user also receives a shopping list that identifies the promoted items that were selected during the Web site visit, as well as any other selected items.

Although the token is not a coupon and has no value per se, it is a trigger mechanism that the user/consumer can present at a qualified brick and mortar retail store, to receive a voucher for a cumulative cash discount based on the promoted items purchased by the consumer. In this way, the token and voucher system and method provide increased security for promotions introduced by Web sites and which are redeemable at brick and mortar retail stores.

There are several fundamental reasons for the success of the above-noted system and method in the offline brick and mortar retail store world. First, it is a secure system and method for distributing purchase incentives (e.g., in the form of cash vouchers) to consumers for purchasing specific products from participating consumer package goods (CPG) manufacturers. Second, the system and method is secure from both consumer and retailer fraud and mis-redemption and/or mal-redemption.

However, with the recent popularity of, for example, online grocery shopping Web sites, and other e-commerce Web sites, there exists a need for providing such promotional offers to consumers shopping at online retail stores as well.

In addition, there exist systems and methods for monitoring network page views and/or activity, which provide independent page and computer counting and/or software that reads logs generated by a Web server in a network to provide view and activity tracking, etc. Further, banner advertisement serving companies, provide view and activity tracking and other banner serving software. Moreover, Web sites track page views and user activity on their respective Web site networks.

However, in some of the above-noted tracking systems and methods the auditing is performed against files that are under management and control of a computer network that is to be monitored. Thus, both activity logs and transaction records are generated by the monitored network. There are, however, independent systems and methods that measure activity on a network or measure an action taken by a user for a specific task or event. These systems and methods, however, do not provide a function of auditing a group of user created transactions.

Accordingly, presently, there is no system or method for providing increased security for promotions introduced by computer networks, such as the Internet, and which are redeemable at online retail stores.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide a novel process, system, and computer program product for measuring user activity on a monitored computer network and for compiling an audit trail of the user activity on the monitored computer network.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel process, system, and computer program product for generating a discrepancy report based on a comparison between an audit trail and transactions reported by a monitored computer network.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel process, system, and computer program product for transmitting audit data collected via interaction with a specific consumer device used to access a monitored computer network.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel process, system, and computer program product for creating an audit record and for storing the audit record as each interaction is performed and placed in a database.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel process, system, and computer program product for compiling an audit trail of user activity on a monitored computer network, including what pages a user views, what selections are made or what activities are performed by the user, timing of the user's views, selections and/or activities and identifying a consumer device used to create the user activity on the monitored computer network.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel process, system, and computer program product for recording audit trail records via a database, for comparing the audit trail records to transactions reported by a monitored computer network and for generating a discrepancy report based on the audit trail records and the transactions reported by the monitored computer network.

The above and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by providing a novel process, system, and computer program product for generating an audit trail of user activity on a Web site server to be monitored, including a content server configured to measure user activity on the monitored Web site server; and a database server coupled to the content server. The content server is configured to receive the measured user activity from the content server, compare the measured user activity against online purchase redemption information provided by the monitored Web site server, and generate discrepancy information based on the comparison. The content server is independent from the monitored Web site server. The user activity includes at least one of a count of a number of Web pages including a product subject to an offer presented to the user by the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of clicks by the user to products subject to offers on Web pages presented to the user by the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of products subject to an offer included in a Web page presented to the user by the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of selected products subject to offers and placed into a shopping basket of the user at the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of checkout baskets at the monitored Web site server that have a product subject to an offer therein, a count of offers deducted from an order of the user in an order confirmation Web page at the monitored Web site server, and an identification of a unique device used by the user to access the monitored Web site server.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a system for providing an audit trail for redeemed online customer promotions, according to the present invention;

Figures 2a, 2b and 3 are exemplary Web page layouts for implementing an audit trail function, according to the present invention;

Figures 4a-4f are flowcharts for describing the operation of the system of Figure 1, according to the present invention;

Figures 5a-5c are diagrams for describing data structures used in the system of Figure 1, according to the present invention;

Figure 6 illustrates an overall network system diagram of the system of Figure 1, according to the present invention; and Figure 7 is an exemplary computer system that may be programmed to perform one or more of the processes of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to Figure 1 thereof, a schematic illustration of a system for providing an audit trail for redeemed online customer promotions is shown. The system includes an offer server 104, a Web site server 114, a content server 124, a database server 154, a clearinghouse 152 and a consumer device 134. The system provides an offer setup function 102, a Web site real-time operations function 112 and a reporting operations function 138.

Via the above-noted system, the present invention may be applied to the fast growing industry of, for example, online grocery shopping, e-commerce transactions, etc., by offering a secure implementation of online offer/promotion redemption. The system includes a monitoring component, which allows the content server 124 to ensure security by monitoring consumer activity, such as online offer views, selections, redemptions, etc., performed by a consumer via the consumer device 134 coupled to the Web site server 114. The system further includes a clearing component, which allows for payment, billing and reporting by providing a discrepancy report 162 to the traditional clearinghouse 152 serving the retail grocery and CPG community. The discrepancy report 162 is generated by the database server 154 based on redeemed offers in a clearing file 140 generated by the Web site server 114 and consumer activity on the Web site server 114 collected by the content server 124 and stored in the database server 154.

In the above scenario, the Web site server 114 (i.e., an e-commerce partner and monitored network) implements an interface described in an application programming interface (API), as will be further discussed. Promotional offers 106 and corresponding universal product codes (UPCs) 108, for example, provided on a daily basis, weekly basis, monthly basis, etc., are downloaded from the offer server 104 via signal lines 110 and are incorporated into the Web site server 114. As a consumer via the consumer device 134 browses 116, purchases 118, checks out 120, etc., products and/or services, such as groceries, etc., subject to the offers 106, the content server 124 via signal lines 122 monitors offer activity, such as offer presentations 126, clicks on products subject to offers 128, redemption of offers 130, the unique consumer device 134 performing the offer activity 132, etc., on Web site server 114 on a real-time basis. The content server 124 via signal lines 136 then transfers such consumer observed data 156 to the database server 154, which stores the consumer observed data 156. At the end of a predetermined period, such as a day, a week, a month, etc., the clearing file 140 of online purchase redemptions 142 is uploaded by the Web site server 114 to the database server 154 via signal lines 148 and to the designated clearinghouse 152 via signal lines 150. The database server 154 then generates the discrepancy report 162 based on clearing data 158 extracted from the clearing file 140 and the consumer observed data 156.

The present invention thus provides an independent process and system for recording Web page views, consumer activity and actual consumer devices used with respect to offers 106 presented by the Web site server 114 in a manner that allows a comparison of transactions reported by the Web site server 114 in the clearing file 140. The Web site server 114 retains control over the content, navigation, offering and presentation and activity flow on the Web site server 114 network.

The servers 104, 114, 124 and 154 are any suitable servers, work stations, personal computers (PCs), other devices, etc., capable of performing the processes of the present invention. The consumer device 134 is any suitable device capable of performing the processes of the present invention, such as a personal computer, a lap top computer, an interactive television, a television set-top box, a hand held device, a personal digital assistant, a telephony voice-access device, a telephone, a cellular phone, a visual kiosk, wireless device, etc. The servers 104, 114, 124 and 154 and the consumer device 134 communicate with each other using any suitable protocol and may be implemented using the computer system 701 of Figure 7, for example.

It is to be understood that the system in Figure 1 is for exemplary purposes only, as many variations of the specific hardware used to implement the present invention will be readily apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, the functionality of the offer server 104, the content server 124 and the database server 154 may be implemented via one or more programmed computers. To implement such variations as well as other variations, a single computer (e.g., the computer system 701 of Figure 7) may be programmed to perform the special purpose functions of the offer server 104, the content server 124 and the database server 154 shown in Figure 1. On the other hand, two or more programmed computers may be substituted for any one of the Web site server 114, the offer server 104, the content server 124 and the database server 154 shown in Figure 1. Principles and advantages of distributed processing, such as redundancy and replication, may also be implemented as desired to increase the robustness and performance of the system, for example.

The following discussion, with respect to Figures 2a, 2b and 3, describes an application programming interface (API) including rules and procedures for the Web site server 114 (i.e., an online retail partner) to obtain, present and grant offers 106 on the Web site server 114. By implementing the API, the Web site server 114 has the ability to, for example, offer consumers cents off discounts for products (by UPC) or groups of products purchased online. An offer typically consists of a product (UPC) or group of products (UPCs) that, when purchased online, the consumer would receive the stated offer amount as a discount on the online shopping order. Often, an offer has a minimum purchase quantity before the offer can be granted. On occasion, an offer requires the purchase of two or more products (UPC codes).

The Web site server 114 presents the offers 106 to the consumer device 134 in, for example, two ways as shown in Figures 2a and 2b. In Figure 2a, the Web site server 114 generates a Web page 202 including, for example, an offer page logo 204 and one or more offer logos or buttons 208. An offer savings amount 214 is presented along side a regular price 220 of a product 206. The product 206 may include a description of the product, a link to a description of the product and/or a graphical picture of the product. The offer logo 208 is placed next to each product 206 subject to an offer. Once the product 206 is selected to be placed in a shopping basket, the offer logo 208 is used to track the specific products displayed to the consumer to receive savings based on the offer. Depending on the implementation of the Web site server 114, the offer logo 208 can be for display purposes only or constructed to accommodate both a purchase and a discount in a single click. The Web page 202 further may include (i) one or more products 210 that are not subject to offers and a price 220 thereof and (ii) a link 212 for identifying the computer used to access the Web page 202. The link 212 for identifying the computer used to access the Web page 202 may be implemented using common gateway interface (CGI) scripts known in the art for performing such a function or via cookies stored on the consumer device used to access the Web page 202 or incorporated as part of the process of retrieving and displaying the offer page logo 204 and/or the offer logo 208, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s).

In Figure 2b, the Web site server 114 generates a Web page 202 including, for example, an offer page logo 204, one or more offer logos 208 and corresponding products 206, savings amount 214 and price 220, but no data related to products that are not subject to offers. The Web page 202 may lists offers grouped by category (e.g., retailers categories) with links to a page listing the individual promoted products (UPCs). Except for the noted differences, the Web page 202 of Figure 2b functions in a similar manner as that of Figure 2a.

Once the consumer is ready to check out or has checked out via to the consumer device 134, the Web site server 114 generates a Web page 302, for example, as shown in Figure 3. Such a Web page 302 may be presented at a confirmation stage of the online transaction (e.g., when a view of the contents of the shopping basket is presented) and/or at the final stage of the online transaction (e.g., when a confirmation receipt of the online purchases is presented). In either case, the Web page 302 includes, for example, a confirmation page logo 304 and one or more confirm logos 308 for products 306 subject to offers. For each product 306 there is included a price 320 and savings amount 314. The Web page 302 may further include one or more products 310 that are not subject to an offer and respective prices 320 thereof. The Web page 302 further includes a total cost 316 of the online transaction, for example, including state taxes, local taxes, etc. and a total 318 of the savings amounts 314. Except for the noted differences, the Web page 302 of Figure 3 functions in a similar manner as that of Figure 2a, including a link 312 and/or cookie for identifying the computer used to access the Web page 302.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the look and feel of the above- described Web page 202/302 presentations is defined and maintained by the Web site server 114, so long as it includes the above-noted features described with respect to Figures 2a-3.

It is to be understood that the above-noted features described with respect to Figures 2a-3 are for exemplary purposes only, as many variations of the specific features used to implement the present invention will be readily apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, the logos 208, 308, 204 and/or 304 could be implemented in such a way as to be invisible to the consumer observing and interacting with the Web site server 114 via the consumer device 134.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a consumer purchasing a promoted product on the Web site server 114 receives the offered discount as a line item deduction on their order, as previously described. The discount appears on the order and is treated similar to a partial remittance. Thus, each qualifying purchase with an offer selected and granted has a corresponding line item discount on the order. The Web site server 114 is responsible for collecting redemption information and creating an electronic clearing file 140 for submission to the database server 154 and their respective clearinghouse 152.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, offers are valid for a week and run from Monday tlirough Sunday, wherein Web site server 114 manages the offer presentations to coincide therewith, for example. In addition, offers are limited to, for example, one per order, a minimum purchase quantity, etc., wherein Web site server 114 is provided with offer language made available to the consumer to read and understand. Accordingly, the software implementation of the Web site server 114 for managing the presentation of offers typically must ensure that only one offer (by type) is permitted per order. Further, once an offer(s) is granted the Web site server 114 suppresses subsequent presentations of the granted offer(s) during the balance of a same shopping session or basket. The present invention further includes the following features as will be later described in detail: (i) the ability for the Web site server 114 to access a list of offers 106 from the offer server 104 by UPC numbers 108 for offers that are currently valid for presentation and savings/incentive grant on the Web site server 114, (ii) a mechanism to count Web site page 202/302 presentations, (iii) a mechanism to count a number clicks from the Web site page 202 to products 206 subject to offers, (iv) a mechanism to count a number product 206 presentations that have an offer displayed, (v) a mechanism to count a number of selected products 206 subject to offers and placed into a consumer's shopping basket, (vi) a mechanism to count a number of checkout baskets that have one or more products subject offers therein, (vii) a mechanism to count each savings line item deducted from the order, (viii) a mechanism to count unique consumer devices viewing Web pages 202 and/or 302, and (ix) a mechanism to allow the Web site server 114 to collect and transfer the electronic clearing file 140 of offers granted, wherein the electronic clearing file 140 is sent on, for example, a weekly basis both to the database server 154 and the clearinghouse 152.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a series of inquiry screens are provided at the content server 124 and/or the database server 154 to review Web page 202 and/or 302 presentations, aggregate user counts and offers presented, selected and granted by the Web site server 114, for example. In addition, a URL, login name and password are provided to the Web site server 114 for requesting offers 106 and corresponding product UPCs 108 from the offer server 104.

With respect to implementing access to and transfer of offers 106 and corresponding product UPCs 108 from the offer server 104 to the Web site server 114, two exemplary methods including a batch inline query and batch FTP file transfer will now be described. For a number of reasons including scalability and reliability, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the batch inline query request method is preferred. In addition, the Web site server 114 typically is responsible for establishing a relationship with a third party clearinghouse 152 and a file format for the electronic clearing file 140 is presented later as an example of a file format known to be used in electronic clearing of coupons. The Web site server 114 typically will need to insure the suitability of such a file format with the clearinghouse 152 that the Web site server 114 chooses. Should the Web site server 114 elect to change the format of the electronic clearing file 140, the Web site server 114 typically will notify the database server 154 of such changes.

With respect to the batch inline query method, the Web site server 114 performs a batch inquiry via an inline inquiry request to the offer server 104 that returns to the Web site server 114 offers 106 and products UPCs 108 as electronic ASCII, tab or comma delimited XML data. The Web site server 114 submits an inline query, such as:

v^ww.offerserver.com/api.pst?From=partnername&Data=^::Offers&Type=(var)

to request the current offers 106 and products UPCs 108 from the offer server 104, where www.offerserver.com is, for example, the Web address URL of the offer server 104 and the parameters From=, Data= and Type= are substituted prior to linking to the offer server 104 and are described in detail in Table 1 below. The data fields returned when requesting the offers 106 and products UPCs 108 are shown in Table 2 below. Table 1 - Parameter description

With respect to the batch inquiry via FTP transfer of a data file, the offer server 104 grants the Web site server 114 access to an FTP server or places such a data file on an FTP site of the Web site server 114 after 5pm PST each Friday, for example. The offer server 104 FTP site may be located at ftp.offerserver.com/partnername/, where the "partnemame" directory corresponds to a partner identifier assigned by the offer server 104 to the Web site server 114, for example. As previously discussed, a userid (e.g., the partnemame assigned) and password are assigned to gain access to partnemame directory. The offer data file placed in the above-noted partnemame directory is tab delimited ASCII, unless the Web site server 114 requests an alternative delimiter. There is provided a subdirectory located within the partnemame directory named "product" (e.g., ftp.offerserver.com/partnemame/product) storing a "Product Shot" graphic file available for each active offer, wherein each Product Shot graphic file is 75 x 75 pixels in size and is used to allow the Web site server 114 to display a consistent product graphic. Table 3 below described the format of the above-noted offer data file.

Table 3 - Format of the offer data file

Figure 4a is flowchart for explaining the operation of the offers transfer from the offer server 104 to the Web site server 114. In Figure 4a, at step 402 a determination is made as to whether or not offers are being requested from the offer server 104 by the Web site server 114 via either of the two previously noted methods. If no offers are being requested, the process returns to step 402. If, however, offers are being requested, at step 404 the offers are transmitted via either of the two previously noted methods.

Figure 4b is flowchart for explaining the overall operation of the processes performed by the Web site server 114. In Figure 4b, at step 410 the Web site server 114 receives the offer data as previously described. At step 412, the Web site server 114 requests and receives logos 204, 208, 304 and 308 and product UPC links 206 and 306 from the content server 124. At step 414, the Web site server 114 processes orders and at step 416 generates and transmits the clearing file 140 to the database server 154 and the clearinghouse 152. After the clearing file 140 is generated and transmitted, the process returns to step 410. The electronic clearing file 140 format is, for example, as follows, wherein all fields are quoted character fields, comma separated:

Description of Fields

Transaction Number

Date/Time

Record Type

Operator

MFG Number

Coupon Number

Family Code of Promotion

Coupon Value

Trigger UPC

Family Code of Trigger

Price of Trigger Item

Customer Card Number

Entry Flag

Valid Flag

The following section describes a method for offer activity measurement as previously discussed. The offer server 114 includes licensed content serving software (e.g., such as WebTrend, etc.) that allows measurement of the presentation, click and subsequent "actionable" event from the presentation of a variety of formats. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the implementation is intended to use the presentation of Web page 202 and 302 logo graphics 204, 208 and 308 as described with respect to Figures 2a, 2b and 3 for the offer activity measurement.

The mechanism to count offer page presentations is as follows. The Web site page 202 includes the offer page logo 204 graphic placed at a top of the Web page 202 and served by the content server 124. The content server 124 presents the logo 204 and counts the number of such presentations to determine the number of offer page presentations.

The mechanism to count offer presentations and/or clicks from the Web site page 202 to the product UPC links 206 subject to an offer and a number of links 206 presented works in a similar manner as the above-noted implementation. Accordingly, each product link 206 presentation is served by the content server 124, thus allowing counting of presentations to the product 206 UPC links subject to an offer. Should the implementation include click tracking, then, when a consumer clicks on the link 206 to view a qualifying product, the click to the link 206 is counted. In this way, the content server 124 can count the number of link 206 presentations and, when implemented in the system, the number of clicks to the links 206 to qualifying product UPCs.

The mechanism to count the number of product 206 presentations that have a displayed offer logo or button 208 works as follows. The content server 124 serves the logo or button 208 placed beside a qualifying product and counts same.

When implemented in the system, the mechanism to count the number of selected offer discounts placed into a consumers shopping baskets works as follows. Once one or more qualifying products 206 are presented to the consumer via Web page 202, the logo or button 208 that is served by the content server 124 is clicked to add the product 206 and discount 214 to the shopping basket. The content server 124 measures a number of such clicks to count the number of selected offer discounts placed into a consumers shopping baskets. This measurement method can be constructed to combine both the purchase and discount addition to the shopping basket via a single click of the offer logo or button 208.

When implemented in the system, the mechanism to determine the number of checkout baskets that have one or more offers present therein works as follows. When the consumer checks out the and the checkout basket (i.e., Web page 302) contains one or more discounts 314 the display of the confirmation logo 304 is served by the content server 124. The content server 124 thus serves the logo 304 and counts the number of such presentations to determine the number of checkout baskets that have one or more offers present therein. The mechanism to determine each offer granted and line item deducted from the order works as follows. The content server 124 serves a small logo 308 next to each of the discounts 314 granted when an order has completed and the completed order page 302 is displayed. This presentation is known as an ROI presentation and can be related back to the original offer presentation (i.e., Web page 202) and/or clicks to links 206 to determine each offer granted and line item deducted from the order.

The mechanism to determine the unique consumer devices viewing offers works as follows. The offer Web page 202, the checkout basket and/or completed order Web page 302 include a link 212, 312 designed to count unique consumer devices, as previously described. In addition, cookies could be stored on the unique consumer devices to perform this function, as previously described.

The flow charts of Figures 4c-4f are used to describe various processes performed by the content server 124, the database server 154 and the clearinghouse 152 in the aforementioned discussions. In Figure 4c, at step 420, the content server 124 determines whether or not the Web site server 114 requested/selected offer/confirmation page logos 204, 304, UPC links 206, 306, offer/confirm logos 208, 308. If it is determined that no requests/selections were made by the Web site server 114, processing returns to step 420. If, however, it is determined that requests/selections were made by the Web site server 114, a count thereof is updated at step 422, the count is transmitted to the database server 154 at step 424 and processing returns to step 420, completing the process.

In Figure 4d, at step 430, the content server 124 determines whether or not the consumer Web browser visiting the Web site server 114 via the consumer device 134 transmitted an IP address/cookie ID when accessing the Web pages 202, 302. If it is determined that an IP address/cookie ID has not been transmitted, processing returns to step 430. If, however, it is determined that an IP address/cookie ID has been transmitted, at step 432, the IP address/cookie ID is transmitted to the database server 154 and processing returns to step 430, completing the process. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the cookie ID process is implemented in the system, the consumer Web browser visiting the Web site server 114 via the consumer device 134 is checked for the cookie ID by the content server 124. If no cookie ID is found, a new cookie ID is sent to the the consumer Web browser of the consumer device 134 via the content server 124. However, if cookie ID fraud by the Web site server 114 is not a concern, the Web site server 114 could check for the cookie ID and/or send the new cookie ID.

In Figure 4e, at step 440, the database server 154 determines whether or not the count information and/or the IP address/cookie ID has been received from the content server 124. If it is determined that the count information and/or the IP address/cookie ID has not been received, processing returns to step 440. If, however, it is determined that the count information and/or the IP address/cookie ID has been received, at step 442, the count ₍ information and/or the IP address/cookie ID is stored at the database server 154. At step 444, the database server 154 determines whether or not the clearing file 140 has been received from the Web site server 114. If it is determined that the clearing file 140 has not been received, processing returns to step 440. If, however, it is determined that the clearing file 140 has been received, the clearing file 140 is compared against the count and IP address/cookie ID information at step 446, the discrepancy report 162 is generated by the database server 154 at step 448 and processing returns to step 440, completing the process.

In Figure 4f, at step 450, the clearinghouse 152 determines whether or not the clearing file 140 was received. If it is determined that the clearing file 140 was not received, processing returns to step 450. If, however, it is determined that the clearing file 140 was received, at step 452, the clearing file 140 is processed by the clearinghouse 152 and processing returns to step 450, completing the process.

The data structures of Figures 5a-5c are used to describe various data stored by the offer server 104, the web site server 114, the content server 124 and/or the database server 154 in the aforementioned discussions. In Figure 5a, the data structure includes fields 502- 518 for storing offer data at the offer server 104, and the web site server 114, as previously discussed. Accordingly, the data structure includes a field 502 for storing the offer identification number, a field 504 for storing the class number, a field 506 for storing the offer description, a field 508 for storing the minimum quantity, a field 510 for storing the incentive amount, a field 512 for storing the begin date, a field 514 for storing the end date, a field 516 for storing the link to the product graphic and a field 518 for storing the UPC code list.

In Figure 5b, the data structure includes fields 520-532 for storing consumer activity data at the content server 124 and/or the database server 154, as previously discussed. Accordingly, the data structure includes a field 520 for storing the number of offer page presentations, a field 522 for storing the number of UPC link clicks, a field 524 for storing the number of presentations of products subject to offers, a field 526 for storing the number of products subject offers placed in a shopping basket, a field 528 for storing the number of checkout baskets with one or more products subject to offers, a field 530 for storing the number of offers granted and line item deducted and a field 532 for storing the number of unique computers viewing offers.

In Figure 5c, the data structure includes fields 540-566 for storing the clearing file 140 data at the Web site server 114 and/or the clearinghouse 152, as previously discussed. Accordingly, the data structure includes a field 540 for storing the transaction number, a field 542 for storing the date/time, a field 544 for storing the record type, a field 546 for storing the operator, a field 548 for storing the manufacturer number, a field 550 for storing the coupon number, a field 552 for storing the family code of the promotion, a field 554 for storing the coupon value, a field 556 for storing the trigger UPC, a field 558 for storing the family code for the trigger, a field 560 for storing the price of the trigger item, a field 562 for storing the customer card number, a field 564 for storing the entry flag and a field 566 for storing the valid flag. The data structures shown in Figures 5a-5c are stored in databases and/or any other suitable storage device(s) of the respective servers 104, 114, 124 and 154.

Figure 6 illustrates an overall network system diagram, according to the present invention. In Figure 6, the system includes the consumer device 134, the offer server 104, the Web site server 114, the content server 124, the database server 154, the clearinghouse 152 and the respective databases 104a, 114a, 124a, 154a and 152a. The offer server 104 is coupled to the Web site server 114 via communications network 602. The Web site server 114 is coupled to the content server 124, the database server 154, the clearinghouse 152 and the consumer device 134 via respective communications networks 604, 610, 606 and 612. The content server 124 is coupled to the database server 154 and the consumer device 134 via respective communications networks 608 and 614. The communications networks 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612 and 614 may be implemented via one or more communications networks (e.g., the Internet, an Intranet and/or a combination of the Internet and Intranets) to satisfy privacy and/or security concerns, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communications network(s) preferably use electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals that carry digital data streams. As previously discussed, the consumer device 134 is any suitable device capable of performing the processes of the present invention, such as a personal computer, a lap top computer, an interactive television, a television set-top box, a hand held device, a personal digital assistant, a telephony voice-access device, a telephone, a cellular phone, a visual kiosk, wireless device, etc., as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s).

The present invention stores information relating to various processes described herein. This information is stored in one or more memories such as a hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, and/or RAM, for example. One or more databases, such as the databases 104a, 114a, 124a, 152a and 154a, may store the information used to implement the present invention. The databases are organized using data structures (e.g., records, tables, arrays, fields, graphs, trees, and/or lists) contained in one or more memories, such as the memories listed above or any of the storage devices listed below in the discussion of Figure 7, for example.

All or a portion of the invention may be conveniently implemented using conventional general purpose computers or microprocessors programmed according to the teachings of the present invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the computer art. Appropriate software can be readily prepared by programmers of ordinary skill based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the software art.

Figure 7 illustrates a computer system 701 upon which an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented. Computer system 701 includes a bus 703 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor 705 coupled with bus 703 for processing the information. Computer system 701 also includes a main memory 707, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device (e.g., dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), flash RAM), coupled to bus 703 for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor 705. In addition, main memory 707 may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor 705. Computer system 701 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 709 or other static storage device (e.g., programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), and electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM)) coupled to bus 703 for storing static information and instructions for processor 705. A storage device 711, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus 703 for storing information and instmctions.

The computer system 701 may also include special purpose logic devices (e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) or configurable logic devices (e.g., generic array of logic (GAL) or re-programmable field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)). Other removable media devices (e.g., a compact disc, a tape, and a removable magneto-optical media) or fixed, high density media drives, may be added to the computer system 701 using an appropriate device bus (e.g., a small computer system interface (SCSI) bus, an enhanced integrated device electronics (IDE) bus, or an ultra-direct memory access (DMA) bus). The computer system 701 may additionally include a compact disc reader, a compact disc reader- writer unit, or a compact disc juke box, each of which may be connected to the same device bus or another device bus.

Computer system 701 may be coupled via bus 703 to a display 713, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information to a computer user. The display 713 may be controlled by a display or graphics card. The computer system includes input devices, such as a keyboard 715 and a cursor control 717, for communicating information and command selections to processor 705. The cursor control 717, for example, is a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating direction information and command selections to processor 705 and for controlling cursor movement on the display 713. In addition, a printer may provide printed listings of the data structures/information shown in Figures 2a, 2b, 5a, 5b and 5 c or any other data stored and/or generated by the computer system 701.

The computer system 701 performs a portion or all of the processing steps of the invention in response to processor 705 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in a memory, such as the main memory 707. Such instmctions may be read into the main memory 707 from another computer readable medium, such as storage device 711. One or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement may also be employed to execute the sequences of instmctions contained in main memory 707. In alternative embodiments, hard- wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions. Thus, embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

As stated above, the system 701 includes at least one computer readable medium or memory programmed according to the teachings of the invention and for containing data structures, tables, records, or other data described herein. Examples of computer readable media are compact discs, hard disks, floppy disks, tape, magneto-optical disks, PROMs (EPROM, EEPROM, Flash EPROM), DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc. Stored on any one or on a combination of computer readable media, the present invention includes software for controlling the computer system 701, for driving a device or devices for implementing the invention, and for enabling the computer system 701 to interact with a human user (e.g., a consumer visiting the Web site server 114). Such software may include, but is not limited to, device drivers, operating systems, development tools, and applications software. Such computer readable media further includes the computer program product of the present invention for performing all or a portion (if processing is distributed) of the processing performed in implementing the invention.

The computer code devices of the present invention may be any interpreted or executable code mechanism, including but not limited to scripts, interpreters, dynamic link libraries, Java classes, and complete executable programs. Moreover, parts of the processing of the present invention may be distributed for better performance, reliability, and/or cost.

The term "computer readable medium" as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing instmctions to processor 705 for execution. A computer readable medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non- volatile media includes, for example, optical, magnetic disks, and magneto-optical disks, such as storage device 711. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 707. Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise bus 703. Transmission media also may also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared data communications.

Common forms of computer readable media include, for example, hard disks, floppy disks, tape, magneto-optical disks, PROMs (EPROM, EEPROM, Flash EPROM), DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, or any other magnetic medium, compact disks (e.g., CD-ROM), or any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, or other physical medium with patterns of holes, a carrier wave (described below), or any other medium from which a computer can read. Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying out one or more sequences of one or more instmctions to processor 705 for execution. For example, the instmctions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load the instmctions for implementing all or a portion of the present invention remotely into a dynamic memory and send the instmctions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer system 701 may receive the data on the telephone line and use an infrared transmitter to convert the data to an infrared signal. An infrared detector coupled to bus 703 can receive the data carried in the infrared signal and place the data on bus 703. Bus 703 carries the data to main memory 707, from which processor 705 retrieves and executes the instructions. The instmctions received by main memory 707 may optionally be stored on storage device 711 either before or after execution by processor 705.

Computer system 701 also includes a communication interface 719 coupled to bus 703. Communication interface 719 provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link 721 that may be connected to, for example, a local network 723. For example, communication interface 719 may be a network interface card to attach to any packet switched local area network (LAN). As another example, communication interface 719 may be an asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) card, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such implementation, communication interface 719 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.

Network link 721 typically provides data communication through one or more networks to other data devices. For example, network link 721 may provide a connection to a computer 725 through local network 723 (e.g., a LAN) or through equipment operated by a service provider, which provides communication services through a communications network 727. In preferred embodiments, local network 723 and communications network 727 preferably use electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals that carry digital data streams. The signals through the various networks and the signals on network link 721 and through communication interface 719, which carry the digital data to and from computer system 701, are exemplary forms of carrier waves transporting the information. Computer system 701 can transmit notifications and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), network link 721 and communication interface 719.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

Claims:

1. A system for generating an audit trail of user activity on a Web site server to be monitored, comprising: a content server configured to measure user activity on the monitored Web site server; a database server coupled to the content server and configured to: receive the measured user activity from the content server, compare the measured user activity against online purchase redemption information provided by the monitored Web site server, and generate discrepancy information based on the comparison, wherein the content server is independent from the monitored Web site server, and the user activity includes at least one of: a count of a number of Web pages including a product subject to an offer presented to the user by the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of clicks by the user to products subject to offers on Web pages presented to the user by the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of products subject to an offer included in a Web page presented to the user by the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of selected products subject to offers and placed into a shopping basket of the user at the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of checkout baskets at the monitored Web site server that have a product subject to an offer therein, a count of offers deducted from an order of the user in an order confirmation Web page at the monitored Web site server, and an identification of a unique device used by the user to access the monitored Web site server.

2. The system of Claim 1, wherein the content server and the database server comprise a single server.

3. The system of Claim 1, further comprising: an offer server coupled to the Web site server and configured to transfer data including a product subject to an offer to the Web site server.

4. The system of Claim 3, wherein the content server, the database server and the offer server comprise a single server.

5. The system of Claim 1 , wherein the purchase redemption information provided by the monitored Web site server is in a form of a clearing file including offers granted for purchases made on the Web site server.

6. The system of Claim 1, wherein the generated discrepancy information based on the comparison is in a form of a discrepancy report.

7. The system of Claim 1, further comprising: a clearing house configured to receive at least one of the purchase redemption information provided by the monitored Web site server and the discrepancy information generated by the database server.

8. The system of Claim 1, wherein the content server is configured to determine the count of the number of Web pages including a product subject to an offer by transmitting a logo to the Web site server displayed in each Web page including a product subject to an offer and counting a number of such transmissions.

9. The system of Claim 1, wherein the content server is configured to determine the count of the number of clicks by the user to products subject to offers by transmitting a logo to the Web site server displayed next to each product subject to an offer and counting a number of clicks to the logo.

10. The system of Claim 1, wherein the content server is configured to determine the count of the number of products subject to an offer by transmitting a logo to the Web site server displayed next to each product subject to an offer and counting a number of such transmissions.

11. The system of Claim 1 , wherein the content server is configured to determine the count of the number of selected products subject to offers and placed into a shopping basket of the user by transmitting a logo to the Web site server displayed next to each product subject to an offer and placed in the shopping basket and counting a number of such transmissions.

12. The system of Claim 1, wherein the content server is configured to determine the count of the number of checkout baskets that have a product subject to an offer therein by transmitting a logo to the Web site server displayed in the checkout basket and counting a number of such transmissions.

13. The system of Claim 1, wherein the content server is configured to determine the count of the number of offers deducted from an order of the user by transmitting a logo to the Web site server displayed next to each product subject to an offer in the order confirmation Web page and counting a number of such transmissions.

14. The system of Claim 1, wherein the content server is configured to determine the identification of a unique device used by the user to access the monitored Web site server by including common gateway interface (CGI) script link for identifying the unique device used to access the monitored Web site server in a Web page presented to the user by the monitored Web site server.

15. The system of Claim 1, wherein the content server is configured to determine the identification of a unique device used by the user to access the monitored Web site server by storing a cookie on the unique device used to access the monitored Web site server.

16. The system of Claim 14, wherein the identification of the unique device comprises a communications network address of the unique device.

17. The system of Claim 15, wherein the identification of the unique device comprises a communications network address of the unique device.

18. The system of Claim 16, wherein the communications network address of the unique device comprises an Internet protocol (IP) address of the unique device.

19. The system of Claim 17, wherein the communications network address of the unique device comprises an Internet protocol (IP) address of the unique device.

20. The system of Claim 1 , wherein the unique device includes one of a personal computer, a lap top computer, an interactive television, a television set-top box, a hand held device, a personal digital assistant, a telephony voice-access device, a telephone, a cellular phone, a visual kiosk, and wireless device.

21. A process for generating an audit trail of user activity on a Web site server to be monitored, comprising the steps of: measuring user activity on the monitored Web site server via a content server provided independent from the monitored Web site server; coupling a database server to the content server; configuring the database server to perform the steps of: receiving the measured user activity from the content server, comparing the measured user activity against online purchase redemption information provided by the monitored Web site server, and generating discrepancy information based on the comparison; and setting the user activity to include at least one of: a count of a number of Web pages including a product subject to an offer presented to the user by the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of clicks by the user to products subject to offers on Web pages presented to the user by the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of products subject to an offer included in a Web page presented to the user by the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of selected products subject to offers and placed into a shopping basket of the user at the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of checkout baskets at the monitored Web site server that have a product subject to an offer therein, a count of offers deducted from an order of the user in an order confirmation Web page at the monitored Web site server, and an identification of a unique device used by the user to access the monitored Web site server.

22. The process of Claim 21, further comprising configuring the content server and the database server as a single server.

23. The process of Claim 21 , further comprising: coupling an offer server to the Web site server; and configuring the offer server to transfer data including a product subject to an offer to the Web site server.

24. The process of Claim 23, further comprising configuring the content server, the database server and the offer server as a single server.

25. The process of Claim 21, further comprising configuring the purchase redemption information provided by the monitored Web site server in a form of a clearing file including offers granted for purchases made on the Web site server.

26. The process of Claim 21, wherein the step of generating discrepancy information comprises generating a discrepancy report.

27. The process of Claim 21, further comprising: configuring a clearing house to receive at least one of the purchase redemption information provided by the monitored Web site server and the discrepancy information generated by the database server.

28. The process of Claim 21 , further comprising configuring the content server to determine the count of the number of Web pages including a product subject to an offer by transmitting a logo to the Web site server displayed in each Web page including a product subject to an offer and counting a number of such transmissions.

29. The process of Claim 21, further comprising configuring the content server to determine the count of the number of clicks by the user to products subject to offers by transmitting a logo to the Web site server displayed next to each product subject to an offer and counting a number of clicks to the logo.

30. The process of Claim 21, further comprising configuring the content server to determine the count of the number of products subject to an offer by transmitting a logo to the Web site server displayed next to each product subject to an offer and counting a number of such transmissions.

31. The process of Claim 21, further comprising configuring the content server to determine the count of the number of selected products subject to offers and placed into a shopping basket of the user by transmitting a logo to the Web site server displayed next to each product subject to an offer and placed in the shopping basket and counting a number of such transmissions.

32. The process of Claim 21, further comprising configuring the content server to determine the count of the number of checkout baskets that have a product subject to an offer therein by transmitting a logo to the Web site server displayed in the checkout basket and counting a number of such transmissions.

33. The process of Claim 21, further comprising configuring the content server to determine the count of the number of offers deducted from an order of the user by transmitting a logo to the Web site server displayed next to each product subject to an offer in the order confirmation Web page and counting a number of such transmissions.

34. The process of Claim 21, further comprising configuring the content server to determine the identification of a unique device used by the user to access the monitored Web site server by including common gateway interface (CGI) script link for identifying the unique device used to access the monitored Web site server in a Web page presented to the user by the monitored Web site server.

35. The process of Claim 21, further comprising configuring the content server to determine the identification of a unique device used by the user to access the monitored Web site server by storing a cookie on the unique device used to access the monitored Web site server.

36. The process of Claim 34, further comprising configuring the identification of the unique device as a communications network address of the unique device.

37. The process of Claim 35, further comprising configuring the identification of the unique device as a communications network address of the unique device.

38. The process of Claim 36, further comprising configuring the communications network address of the unique device as an Internet protocol (IP) address of the unique device.

39. The process of Claim 37, further comprising configuring the communications network address of the unique device as an Internet protocol (IP) address of the unique device.

40. The process of Claim 21, further comprising configuring the unique device as one of a personal computer, a lap top computer, an interactive television, a television set-top box, a hand held device, a personal digital assistant, a telephony voice-access device, a telephone, a cellular phone, a visual kiosk, and wireless device.

41. A computer program product comprising a computer storage medium having a computer program embedded in the computer storage medium for generating an audit trail of user activity on a Web site server to be monitored, the computer program performing the steps of: measuring user activity on the monitored Web site server via a content server provided independent from the monitored Web site server; coupling a database server to the content server; configuring the database server to perform the steps of: receiving the measured user activity from the content server, comparing the measured user activity against online purchase redemption information provided by the monitored Web site server, and generating discrepancy information based on the comparison; and setting the user activity to include at least one of: a count of a number of Web pages including a product subject to an offer presented to the user by the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of clicks by the user to products subject to offers on Web pages presented to the user by the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of products subject to an offer included in a Web page presented to the user by the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of selected products subject to offers and placed into a shopping basket of the user at the monitored Web site server, a count of a number of checkout baskets at the monitored Web site server that have a product subject to an offer therein, a count of offers deducted from an order of the user in an order confirmation Web page at the monitored Web site server, and an identification of a unique device used by the user to access the monitored Web site server.

42. The computer program product of Claim 41 , wherein the computer program product further performs the step of configuring the content server and the database server as a single server.

43. The computer program product of Claim 41 , wherein the computer program product further performs the steps of: coupling an offer server to the Web site server; and configuring the offer server to transfer data including a product subject to an offer to the Web site server.

44. The computer program product of Claim 43, wherein the computer program product further performs the step of configuring the content server, the database server and the offer server as a single server.

45. The computer program product of Claim 41, wherein the computer program product further performs the step of configuring the purchase redemption information provided by the monitored Web site server in a form of a clearing file including offers granted for purchases made on the Web site server.

46. The computer program product of Claim 41 , wherein the step of generating discrepancy information comprises generating a discrepancy report.

47. The computer program product of Claim 41, wherein the computer program product further performs the step of configuring a clearing house to receive at least one of the purchase redemption information provided by the monitored Web site server and the discrepancy information generated by the database server.

48. The computer program product of Claim 41, wherein the computer program product further performs the step of configuring the content server to determine the count of the number of Web pages including a product subject to an offer by transmitting a logo to the Web site server displayed in each Web page including a product subject to an offer and counting a number of such transmissions.

49. The computer program product of Claim 41, wherein the computer program product further performs the step of configuring the content server to determine the count of the number of clicks by the user to products subject to offers by transmitting a logo to the Web site server displayed next to each product subject to an offer and counting a number of clicks to the logo.

50. The computer program product of Claim 41, wherein the computer program product further performs the step of configuring the content server to determine the count of the number of products subject to an offer by transmitting a logo to the Web site server displayed next to each product subject to an offer and counting a number of such transmissions.

51. The computer program product of Claim 41 , wherein the computer program product further performs the step of configuring the content server to determine the count of the number of selected products subject to offers and placed into a shopping basket of the user by transmitting a logo to the Web site server displayed next to each product subject to an offer and placed in the shopping basket and counting a number of such transmissions.

52. The computer program product of Claim 41 , wherein the computer program product further performs the step of configuring the content server to determine the count of the number of checkout baskets that have a product subject to an offer therein by transmitting a logo to the Web site server displayed in the checkout basket and counting a number of such transmissions.

53. The computer program product of Claim 41 , wherein the computer program product further performs the step of configuring the content server to determine the count of the number of offers deducted from an order of the user by transmitting a logo to the Web site server displayed next to each product subject to an offer in the order confirmation Web page and counting a number of such transmissions.

54. The computer program product of Claim 41, wherein the computer program product further performs the step of configuring the content server to determine the identification of a unique device used by the user to access the monitored Web site server by including common gateway interface (CGI) script link for identifying the unique device used to access the monitored Web site server in a Web page presented to the user by the monitored Web site server.

55. The computer program product of Claim 41, wherein the computer program product further performs the step of configuring the content server to determine the identification of a unique device used by the user to access the monitored Web site server by storing a cookie on the unique device used to access the monitored Web site server.

56. The computer program product of Claim 54, wherein the computer program product further performs the step of configuring the identification of the unique device as a communications network address of the unique device.

57. The computer program product of Claim 55, wherein the computer program product further performs the step of configuring the identification of the unique device as a communications network address of the unique device.

58. The computer program product of Claim 56, wherein the computer program product further performs the step of configuring the communications network address of the unique device as an Internet protocol (IP) address of the unique device.

59. The computer program product of Claim 57, wherein the computer program product further performs the step of configuring the communications network address of the unique device as an Internet protocol (IP) address of the unique device.

60. The computer program product of Claim 41, wherein the computer program product further performs the step of configuring the unique device as one of a personal computer, a lap top computer, an interactive television, a television set-top box, a hand held device, a personal digital assistant, a telephony voice-access device, a telephone, a cellular phone, a visual kiosk, and wireless device.