MXPA99011207A - Data processing system for integrated tracking and management of commerce related activities on a public access network - Google Patents

Abstract

A data processing system manages transaction-related information generated on a network of interconnected public or private access computers, including monitoring purchases and providing referral fee accounting based thereon. The integrated software package establishes a platform for Merchants (40) and Site Owners (20) for managing the negotiation of promotional and commercial contracts, the implementation of resulting promotional and commerical efforts, and final accounting in accordance with pre-established criteria. The present invention thus enables network users (10) to take advantage of a retail sales channel on public or private electronic networks.

Description

DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR FOLLOW-UP AND MANAGEMENT OF ACTIVITIES RELATED TO TRADE IN A NETWORK OF PUBLIC ACCESS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention refers in general terms to a data processing system for integrated commerce management as transactions are made in a plurality of interconnected computers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a reference tracking and control system for promoting goods and services in a wide area public / private access network, such as the Internet. In the last four years, there has been great interest in the business transaction through interconnected computers linked in formal networks. The greatest interest is directed to the largest network of all currently known as the Internet. The Internet is in fact a compilation of smaller linked networks that provide all public access essentially free for a large amount of information, stored in individual sites managed by numerous Internet participants. The Internet has already dramatically changed many of the ways in which people communicate, collect and share information. Certainly more is still to come as a greater percentage of the population feels comfortable with the machinations required to access and communicate with other people on the Internet. Of particular interest is the Great World Network, or what is now more often abbreviated as the "network". The network is a collection of interconnected computers that form an important subset of the Internet. Due to its graphic capabilities, the network is rapidly making the local point of all Internet communications, which are enhanced by the use of hyperlink (or "link") that interconnect network sites to other sites using a special protocol . That protocol employs a common software structure predicted on the use of computer code known as hypertext-shaping language or HTML. A link is created with this form of programming language by having a word in a text field (or a graphic image on a web page) linking the location of another web page, through a chain of established information, to a minimum , the new website address presented in the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP). Users access these web pages with an application program known as an examiner; the two most popular are Navigator® from Netscape® Corp. and Explorer® from Microsoft® Corp. by clicking on the highlighted text (or specific graphic image), the USER connection to the Current web page is transferred to the new website address associated with the link, with the new page that is displayed on the screen. This powerful tool allows the USER to "surf the web" by clicking on an almost infinite succession of links that go page after page following a common link as defined by the text or graphic component of the link tag. For example, if the word unicorn is highlighted on a web page, the USER selection of that word will lead to a new page that has some connection (strong or weak) with the concept highlighted. A similar link can be created using a graphic image of a unicorn.

In any case, the selection of the topic causes the new webpage address to be inserted within the browser command line for execution. One of the biggest promises for the Internet and, in particular, the network, involves its use as a vehicle of commerce. Improved communication, rich text and graphic environment make the network ideal to support a wide variety of transactions, with many of the features of a large collection of separate stores, such as shopping malls or similar, but with the ability to be able to buy extensively in a number of competing chains in an instant. Jumping among competing merchants in the network, the consumer is capable to obtain a good price with the minimum difficulty, that is to say without lawsuits for the parking, rough dependents, little inventory, etc. With the use of secured credit cards or similar, the consumer of the network have many capabilities that his counterpart does not have. Regardless of these advantages, commerce in the network has moved at a slow pace. Much of the program lies in the immense volume of information (currently there are more than one million locations or sites in the network) and the lack of ability of different merchants to publish the message about their products and services effectively or efficiently. , leaving therefore the sites of the network corresponding to the merchants that comprise the critical information without knowledge for the public in general. This problem has been aggravated by the exponential growth in the number of pages of websites in existence, all seeking visitors, and, in doing so, disperse the audience. In an attempt to rectify this problem, there has been a recent effort to expand the USER's knowledge of different network merchants through the use of additional advertising that has been adapted to network structures. For example, the use of glossy signs adds applicants to a product or service that has become reasonably common at a number of sites popular These signs combine graphics and text in an attractive exhibition that activates the interest in the USER as they visit the site that displays the sign. By clicking on the sign, the USER is transported by the magic of the network to the merchant's site associated with the sign. This site is the website of the merchant, and provides all the necessary information for the USER to participate in the goods and services of the merchant. If desired, after arriving at the merchant's site, the USER can order one or more products from the merchant and pay using a coded credit card number. Importantly, the USER would never have located the merchant unless it is for the added sign and the merchant would not have registered the nascent sale without the USER accessing the merchant's website, through the added sign. As a result, the trade created by the sign _ added or similar promotional base links is of increasing importance to allow merchants to conduct transactions on the Internet. Despite this importance, the systems instead of allowing the use of electronic commerce with a reference base are archaic at best. At present, the use of signs or similar in high traffic points on the network is supported by a system based on quotas that measure in an imprecise way the level of use of the announcements through the visit of the USERS. Typically, the cost of placing a sign is linked to the number of accesses as measured by CPM's (cost per thousand access). The merchant is subsequently charged with a cuots attached to this level of access. However, this can not measure the much more important success ratio for those accesses. More importantly, access tracking is not standardized and has no verification. The lack of these key attributes has retarded the expanded use of revenue based on promotion for content providers, who remain committed to increasing revenues through subscription or CPM-based approaches that continue to prove significant consumer resistance. In turn, traders have been skeptical about driving public trade networks. It was with the foregoing knowledge that the present invention was made. It is an object of the present invention to provide a data processing system for the tracking and handling of selected transactions among a plurality of interconnected computing work stations, by means of a common network. It is another object of the present invention to provide a data processing system that follows the access of one or more links placed in a location selected in the network. These links can be promotional through design or with common or text that are used only for interconnection. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a data processing system that further tracks transactions between a merchant and a customer that were linked through a promotional link selected over the network. It is another object of the present invention to provide a data processing system that establishes a central clearing house for online merchants and site owners to exchange reference offers, receive media planning and other advertising services. - It is another object of the present invention to provide a data processing system that monitors tractions and organizes information in a manner that allows a variety of novel commission, marketing, advertising and service provisions. It is even another object of the present invention to provide an integrated reference system to support the co-registration of selected products. It is another object of the present invention to provide a unified reference arrangement system that allows low cost access, selection and confirmation of a plurality of promotional relationships. This reference system can be based on free access, or percentage of income or other. The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a specific data processing system designed and configured to operate on one or more interconnected servers that go through the communication transmission lines to allow data links between them. The illustrative embodiment of the present invention includes logical commands that control the program placed on a first server and configured to provide a link or second server through a Clearinghouse server. The link between the first and second servers is labeled with a reference for a good or service available for purchase on the second server. The second server includes program control logic commands that direct the server's responses to questions from USERS interested in acquiring the goods or services, and provide communications to the Clearinghouse server in accordance with any transactions carried out by the USER. . The clearinghouse_server includes the requirement programming logic to track and report the level of activity associated with those participants. On a periodic basis, the account statements are generated for the participants aimed at the transactions that they have transferred during the defined period. In accordance with the specific aspects of the present invention, the logic associated with the servers and the use of select information ticking to allow the tracking of visitors to web sites and for tracking and recording of specific transactions under scrutiny. The identifier includes selected coded data and may take the form of a "cookie" (or similar tracking device) that is inserted into the USER's hard drive memory during access to the promotional link. Additionally, the Clearinghouse server provides the key platform that allows Merchants and the Site Owner to efficiently reach the terms of their joint marketing and promotion efforts, and for each one, to internally monitor these relationships. external. The foregoing features of the present invention are more clearly demonstrated by reference to a specific illustrative embodiment thereof described herein along with the following figures of which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a block diagram schematic that provides a review of the system; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the hardware that illustrates the components and interconnections of the system; Figure 3 is a general logic flow diagram illustrating a general system approach; Figure 4 is a logic diagram illustrating Merchants access to the system; Figure 5 is a logic diagram that illustrates the access of the Content Provider or the site of the manager to the system; Figure 6 is a logic diagram illustrating the operation of the Clearinghouse server; Figure 7 is a logic diagram illustrating the processing of the Merchant Server; and Figure 8 is a screen display of the data fields on the Clearinghouse server. As the first brief item under review, the present invention involves the use of an aggregate data processing system having a plurality of discrete sites individually programmed to operate in accordance to monitor and track tractions between related entities and provide remuneration to the participants. according to a predetermined set of transaction criteria. The system can be more easily understood by using it in the support of transactions on the Internet with the knowledge that the above is also Widely applicable in other domains. The Internet is populated with a large number of websites, each managed and configured to provide information to visitors who explore the network. Some sites in the network are considered "Content Providers" (or "Site Owners", that is, those who control one or more websites) because they include one or more web pages that have information that is of interest to them. USERS during an exploration session. These Site Owners currently have at least two mechanisms to generate income. The first involves charging a subscription fee to visiting USERS in some way similar to subscribing to a magazine. This mode of income generation is not particularly relevant to the present invention. The second established method of increasing revenue through a Site Owner is to place sign advertisements on the web pages that promote the goods or services of a third party. These promotional signs also include an embedded code, which creates a link to the sponsoring third party, hereinafter referred to as the "Merchant". USERS who access the sign are transferred to the merchant's website, through the embedded link and can be presented with the ability to make a purchase directly from the merchant. The present Invention modifies this process and allows a contribution from the successful sale made by the Merchant as a credit to the Site Owner. Therefore, the Merchant only pays the promotional efforts that actually result in representative benefits. The second site of interest is the Merchant's server. On the Merchant's server, specific goods are made available for purchase. This involves the use of insured transactions, by means of a credit card or other payment vehicle to order the goods supplied by any of the available delivery services (land or air). To implement the present invention, the program is installed on the merchant server that is able to track the number of visits of USERS that are precipitated by links with sign advertisements. Alternatively, the USER can be transferred to the Clearing House for the termination of the actual purchase transaction. The final server in this trilogy is the Clearinghouse server. This server is programmed to communicate with the Merchants and the Site Owner (many of them are simultaneously waiting to be online) to facilitate the tracking and accounting associated with transactions based on successful Merchant. Most important perhaps, this server provides the sof are that leads to Merchants and Site Owners together in joint promotional arrangements. This engagement of interested parties is carried out at a low cost in an almost imperceptible manner. Allows Merchants to control when their ads will appear. It provides the Site Owners with the entry in the terms of the contract. All this is done with the minimum cost and intervention. In the operation and referring to Figure 1, the USER, block 10 begins the process by visiting a Site Owner 20 block, such as one of the "main network pages" which includes articles on current events, commercial news, sports, personal finances, etc. In this web page, a sign advertisement (text link or icon) block 25, is displayed for the USER promoting for example gym shoes at an attractive discount price.This sign advertisement is linked, first in an imperceptible way to the Clearing Chamber block 30. The link then continues directly to the Merchant 40 block. During the link process, the USER has an identifier query string added to the HTTP entry and possibly a "cookie" placed on your system, these act as a marker to allow the USER to track through the Merchant and the Clearing House determines if and when the USER was involved in a purchase, and how to accommodate the purchase commission to the Site Owner. With the summary above, attention is now directed to Figure 2 which provides a hardware diagram of the server environment workstation involved in the present invention. Recognizing that the type of hardware and software is selected to suit the data processing requirements of the system, although it is otherwise a matter of choice, it is useful to understand both environments in the context of the present invention. Starting with USER 10, the typical USER will access the network, through a modulator connection that allows relatively slow transmission speeds. The USER 10 will include a PC workstation configured with an application program known as a browser to 'allow access to act by address to various sites of the network according to instructions of the USER. In block 20, a representative Site Owner is illustrated as a server with access, through several Internet service providers or ISP's that allow entry to the USER's network. The Server in the Site Owner is likely to be a more sophisticated computer with multiple lines that allow simultaneous access to many USERS to the "stored network pages that form the content of the information. desirable. More importantly, the Site Owner includes a vast array of interesting subject matter capable of causing substantial traffic to the server during the operation. In addition, the Site Owner has accommodated space between the different pages of the network that can be made available for advertisements of type of sign or similar. Finally, it is expected that the Owner "of the Site will also provide the text based on other promotional vehicles for use in advertising practice." In an important way, promotions based on text, use hyperlink protocols and therefore operate from the same way as the signs on the sign. These text links can, in fact, become more prevalent due to their smaller size and direct message. The operating table is the Clearing House server 30 linked for interconnection and communication with the network and, in particular, any merchants and Site Owners interested in formalizing advertisement programs based on the precepts of the current invention. The clearing house server is eguipated with sufficient processing power and memory to cover the demand of multiple subscribers. In those preferred embodiments, the server is configured with a UNIX operating system or an operating system based on Windows NT. The database management software used by Oracle 7 and Oracle or the server is also configured for the operating system environment. Finally, in Figure 2, -the server of Merchant 40 is linked in a manner similar to the network, by means of high-speed transmission lines. The merchant server is also advantageously configured with either the UNIX or NT operating system. Turning now to Figure 3, a high-level diagram illustrating the mechanism of general reference disposition and strategies is presented in block form. Specifically, the reference arrangement is ordered by the Clearing House server 100, which links Site Owners 120 and Merchant 110 on mutually acceptable terms. Importantly, the entire process can be accomplished with a minimum amount of involvement or synchronization between the different entities. In particular, the connection of site owners by means of 130 or that there are 140; the transfer of software requirement 170 for promotion management on your website and evaluate the unions available from Merchants or advertisements for signs or similar 20O. Similarly, Merchants also connect, block 150 and 160 and present bids 180 in open or closed format. During the session, the merchant also makes offers for labels for registered signs by Site Owners who can be approved 190, make offers 210 and approve 220 unions. Returning to Figure 4, the logical structure for Merchant access to the Clearinghouse server is illustrated in the form of a flowchart. The access begins in block 300 and in block 310, the ^ Merchants enter the HTTP address codes and in block 320 their ID and password. To ensure a higher level of security, this ID may have been previously secured, through known confirmation services over the network, such as Verisign®. These services provide registration protocols that improve accurate communication in the network. The most information about Verisingn® can be obtained from its website, located at: http: \ www. verisign com Returning to Figure 4, the program logic tests the registered ID, block 330; if it is new / the logic_ branches to block 340, the Merchant receives a new ID number and registers the selected access key 1. If the Merchant has previously registered, although ("No" to the test 320), the logic continues to test 350_and register the specific access key PSWR (A). The system then displays a Master Introductory Page, IP (X) that provides in block 360 details about the packaged promotional programs available that refer to the type of Merchant offer. Typically, the IP display includes segments addressed to frequently asked questions, (FAQ), reports about the organization or entity that supports and / or operates the Clearing House site, and a control panel that makes available to the visitor the different features provided by the Clearinghouse site. In particular, the selections presented include a series of stored packages comprising a set of fully tested certain ones that are related to the promotional placement, ~ such as sign advertisements, textual links or icons, the size and style of such promotions, the terms of commission payment, etc. In addition, the Merchant may enter customer terms to describe these promotional needs. This is achieved through the 360 test. In this Illustration, the Merchant selects a type of offer either "open" or "closed". The open offers are directed to a wide segment of the public, while the closed offers outline a "partner to partner" relationship. This self-approved process, selected, indicates that the Merchant's offer may be consummated directly by the Site Owner without the subsequent evaluation of the Merchant. If the closed offer form is selected, the logic branches to blog 370, and Merchant selects site partners from a list. The contract terms are then registered, through test 380 and blog entries 390 to 410. The resulting entry form includes the offer ID, the commission amount, whether it is self-approved or not, the category of the goods, the size of the sign, the legal terms, any explanations and the valid dates for the offer. However, if the Merchant selects to open in the 360 test, the logic proceeds to block 420, where a series of pre-packaged offer forms are presented for selection; once selected, the different terms are modified, by means of test 430 and block 440. The resulting open offer is then stored, block 450 and registered, block 460 with associated access keys provided for file access, block 470 The system provides multiple level access through a Merchant, controlled by different access codes. For example, a marketing person will have first-level access, controlled by a more linked first access key. This would allow the marketing person to have access to signboards and other similar marketing and promotional materials. A commerce manager, would receive an access key more Comprehensive that allows the entry and control of a number of features, such as selection of graphics, offers, - terms, acceptance, commission structures, etc. In accordance with the foregoing, the main terms of the open offer are similar to those provided in the closed offer. The key difference is that the open offer is made accessible to all Site Owners, while the closed offer is only available to a select few. The use of promotional vehicles _ pre-packaged, established terms and other specific ones create a powerful promotional vehicle. Merchants and Site Owners will routinely omit a standardized provision that is simple to implement, highly flexible and inexpensive. The selection process of the standard package will be low cost and will be easily achieved. In addition, as the scope of coverage grows, options such as co-registration will become part of several packages, increasing the overall impact of the promotion. In addition, Merchants will routinely transfer promotional graphics to the Clearing House server allowing Site Owners to review the offers that are likely to be in a catalog. In a manner similar to the Merchants, and as illustrated in Figure 57, the Site Owner will connect to the compensation Chamber server, block 500, and in blocks 510-515 they will register their own respective IDs. In test 520, the system verifies the previous record; if there is no one the owner of the site registers in block 530 and receives a transfer of the software of the system that becomes resident in that site, block 540. Once in the system, the Site Owner is presented with the Page Introductory Master, block 550. In ~ the 560 test, the site owner decides whether or not to look for the available offers that reside in the Clearing House server. The selection of the same raises the logic to the block 570 where the search criteria_ are registered and are shown, block 580. To the review of the packaged offers and the selected offers of the Merchant, the site owner makes a selection, proof 590. Continuing in Figure 5, test 600 determines whether the selected offer is "self-approved". The auto offer approved only as one capable of being accepted without additional access from the Merchant making the offer. Once selected, the contract terms are confirmed, block 610 and the system implements the link, activating the sign ad or the relevant text on the server of the Site Owner. This can be achieved with modification of the site, or transfer of the software-appropriate pre-packaging. In the simplest form, the site owner can cut and paste the particular code and insert manually on the relevant page. If the approved car has not been activated, the accepted offer is presented again to the Merchant for acceptance, or it is modified first (not shown) it is presented again as a counter proposal, block 630. Once again, the owner of the site can Return to the Master Page, test 640, or at the end of the session, block 650. In the previous provision, once a request has been accepted by a Merchant, the Site Owner will receive the required coding to establish the announcement of the sign associated with the Merchant. Assuming a server man from Compensation Chamber of marketshare com. The following HTML code presented in TABLE 1 is an example of an installation transcript to install the "announcement on the Site Owner's site: TAB1A 1 _ < ! - Begin Ad - > < p aling = CENTER > < A HREF = "// ad.marketshare.com / cgi-bin / stats? Site = content. Com &mercachant = anycompany. Com &argl = rl &arg2 = r2" > < IMG SRC = "// ad.marketshare.com/ad/www. Content.com/25" WIDTH = 468 HEIGHT = 60 BORDER = 0 ISMAP > < / A > < BRX! -IMG SRC = "/ gif / 25" WIDTH = 1 HEIGHT = 1 BORDER = 0- < BRX / CENTER > < ! -End Ad ^ > Turning now to Figure 6, the processing logic associated with user access illustrated in the form of a flowchart. This process starts conceptually in the start block 700 and continues to the 7th inbound block 710 where the site location (HTTP) is registered within the USER browser that links the USER through the network to the Site Owner's site. . In block 720, the Site Owner has on the screen the (ID) sign for USER access. If the USER can not access the sign ad ("No" for test 730), the processing ends logically in block 740. However, if the USER- selects the sign advertisement, the site program enters the the USER command line the HTTP address for the -Compensation Chamber, block 750, and a "search string", that is, a string of the code placed in the HTTP that provides source information. See, for example, line 4, Table 1. Accordingly, USER access is directed to the clearing house server, where the clearing house server first stores several pieces of information eg, site (ID), sign (ID), and USER (X), block 760. Immediately afterwards "the Compensation Camera server places the USER command line, the address for the Merchant (HTTP) that directs the USER control to the Merchant's network page, block 780 Accordingly, information about the product described in the sign advertisement is now displayed to the USER including the procedure to "buy the product, block 790. It is confronted with the option to purchase the product in test 800. If the USER determines not to make the purchase, the logic branches to block 810, and the server places a cookie on the USER. This cookie allows the tracking of a subsequent purchase, test 815 and block 817. However, if the USER makes the purchase ("Yes" for the 800 test), the information related to the purchase and the USER are transferred to the server. Clearinghouse, block 820. Private sales that include all joint promotion and commission payment are calculated after agreement with the stored protocols, block 850. As previously described, after the information is received about the purchase in the Clearinghouse server, a commission determination is calculated. The commission will be a factor of different variables including the original disposition established between the Merchant and the Owner of the Site, and the qualification of the USER in terms of access to the Merchant site, ie if that USER has been directed to the Merchant site by more than one sign ad before the purchase was made. If so, a participation or priority plan may be required. Once those terms have been implemented, the final accounting for the merchant and the Site Owner is implemented including commission payment and registration of all transaction details. In this way, valuable records detailing the "activity of the selected signs in terms of revenue are created to allow accurate determination of the promotional impact." In Figure 7, a logic flow diagram describes the operation of the Merchant server. The logic starts conceptually in block 900, with the entry in the "server of a USER by means of the HTTP command, block 910. The display of the Merchant is" presented in block 920. In test 930, the server determines whether the USER arrived with an unmatched cookie or similar device, a positive response branches the logic to blog 940 and the system stores a "credit" for the last reference site on the cookie or similar device. the 950 test where the purchase decision was followed.

An acquisition results in a specific system that registers the transaction, block 970 and the advance of the transaction details to the Clearinghouse server, block 980. However, in case the purchase is not made, the system records this in a cookie or similar device deposited with the USER, block 960. Processing is completed in block 990. Returning now to Figure 8, a sample display screen is displayed, presenting the fields for completion in the registration process of offer. As can be easily determined, the Merchant uses this field to specify the terms of the offer to the Site Owners. After termination, the specific data of the offer is stored and placed in the addressable memory for access by the Site Owner according to Figure 5 above. By employing the system described above as a plurality of auxiliary capabilities are available. The database tools allow the generation of detailed transaction reports which aggregate the data in related market information. These reports have a significant intrinsic value and represent a second source of potential income for the Clearing House.

In particular, the transaction data can be: adorned with information related to taxes, record sales tax, etc., forecasted on the purchase provision. Likewise, to the extent that currency exchanges can be used, they can be selected and incorporated into the terms, and subsequently implemented during the processing of each transaction. Special promotions are possible, including the use of affinity reward programs (similar to frequent flyer programs). The co-registration of products / services is also achieved efficiently in the previous environment. The co-registration is the marketing or sale of two products through a single promotion. The software of "system control over the Compensation Chamber server includes a" merging "algorithm that takes two or more images and combines them into an aesthetically acceptable presentation, for example, the resulting sign on the Merchant's site will include a button "Return" to return to the original Site Owner.As described above, the Clearinghouse site includes many different promotion areas and, as such, is classified with appropriate headings.The representative headings are presented below in Table II.

TABLE II- HEADING SUBCATEGORY Automotive Antique and Classic Buyer's Guides Classifieds Agencies Parts Computers Computers Buyer's Guides Classified Ads _ Hardware Second Hand Software Super Stores House and Garden Utensils Furniture Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, it should be understood that such detail is only for that purpose and that variations may be made thn by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (33)

1. CLAIMS 1. In a data processing system to establish manage and monitor commercial transactions carried out in a broad access network, characterized in that it comprises: a content provider site interconnected to the network and programmed to display a USER that the Content Provider visits through the site content observation program, the information about one or more products in services available for commercial transactions, in a separate site from the Content Provider, where the exhibit includes associated with the information , link instructions to direct the USER observation program to a site separate from the Content Provider site, and link instructions that also comprise the code to associate with the USER that "visits, a unique USER identification code inserted about the USER http command of the user and / or which passes together in USER URL, a site of Camera of compensation interconnected to the network and programmed to receive information regarding the display of or selection of display information on the Content Provider site, and the ability to read the unique USER identification code, and store the code of "memory and in addition, - provide the USER's connection to an identified Target Merchant Site, where the Target Merchant Site is associated with the display information; a Target Merchant Site interconnected to the network and programmed to provide the ability to perform product and / or service transactions; wherein the Target Merchant site is also programmed to record information about a "purchase made by the USER and to communicate the purchase information to the Clearing House site, where the purchase information is used by the server of the Clearinghouse to house the credit to the Content Provider 2. The system in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that the link instructions placed on the server of the Content Provider also include information about the address of the Content Provider site. 3. The system in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that the link instruction code comprises the logic for inserting the USER identification code on an http command line by means of a USER indicator, and the display information on- Content Provider site is in the form of highlighted text or graphic image. 4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the display information on the Content Provider site is in the form of a promotional sign, textual link or icon. 5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the network is public access. 6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the network is a private intranet. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the Clearinghouse site also provides data entry in relation to the "promotional provisions between Merchants and Content Provider." 8. The system in accordance with the claim. 7, characterized in that the Clearinghouse site includes data storage to retain a collection of pre-packaged promotional dispositions in the form of offers. " 9. The system in accordance with the claim 8, characterized in that the promotional arrangements can be configured for self-approval. 10. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that a cookie and / or other means for storing information about the USER's computer that corresponds to the USER interaction with the Merchant site are placed on a USER computer in case of not making a purchase during a visit to the Merchant's site. 11. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that the cookie and / or means for storing information about the USER's computer that corresponds to the USER interaction with the Merchant's site are used to track the visitor during a subsequent visit to the Merchant's site. 12. A method of data processing to bring Merchants and Content Providers together using a computer network comprising the steps of: - a. provide a Clearing House server capable of receiving multiple requests from Merchants and Content Providers; b. access the Clearinghouse server to register or locate data with respect to a promotional offer associated with goods or services available from the Merchant on a separate site interconnected to the network. c. access the Clearinghouse server to search for and / or access stored data on existing offers for Content Providers. d. register an acceptance or counter-offer by the Content Provider; and e. consummate a promotional provision electronically through the interconnection of the Content Provider site to the Merchant's site through a hyperlink. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the promotional offer includes a_ self-approval indicator. 14. The method according to the claim 12, characterized in that the Content Provider receives the transaction processing software from the Clearinghouse server. 15. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the search step includes the_ keypad search criteria register to locate the Merchant offers. 16. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the consummate promotional arrangement outlines the payment terms for sales related to the Content Provider. 17. A central clearinghouse server for intercommunication with several remote computers through the network connections characterized because it comprises: a first communication link between the central clearing house server and one or more remote content providers, making available one or more hypertext links in the form of highlighted text, graphics- and / or images, and supplying the links with coding to "7 associate an identifier with a USER and to direct the USER to the Clearinghouse server, first data processing means to receive the USER identifier and associate the USER identifier with the originating Content Provider, a second link of communication between the Clearinghouse server and the Target Merchant site, where the transaction information triggered by a USER during a visit to the Merchant's site through the hypertext links of the Content Provider, is transmitted to the Clearinghouse server, second data processing means, to process the information of t Signage from the Merchant site where the transaction information from the Merchant's site where the transaction information "includes the information regarding the actions taken by the USER in response to the hypertext link of the Content Provider. 18. The system according to claim 17, characterized in that the USER identifier is applied to an http command line in the Content Provider to the user access of a hypertext link associated with a Merchant. 19. The system according to claim 17, characterized in that the second data processor accumulates the transaction data to report to the Content Provider. 20. The system in accordance with the claim 17, characterized in that the destination Merchant site places a cookie on a USER to track the visits of the USER. 21. A data processing system to support communication and commerce over a broad access network where the network comprises a plurality of interconnected and communicating computers that use common protocols to transfer text and images with "relation to goods and services selected, characterized in that it comprises: a first computer connected to and in communication with the network with memory storage for one or more files defined by the resource-universal locator, the files that form network pages and provide information of interest to one or more "USERS and" which also include a promotional icon formed from text, graphics, or image that has embedded in it a sequence of commands to transfer a link to a USER computer in communication with the first computer, to a second computer of Clearing House and then to a third Merchant computer where the products and / or services associated with the promotional icon are available for purchases; the transfer of the USER's computer link that includes a USER identifier that is recorded on the Clearing House computer and the Merchant's computer so that purchases made on the Merchant's computer by the USER can be tracked and used to provide a commission based on the reference using the icon. 22. The system according to claim 21, characterized in that the commands of the first computer embedded with the icon include html coding that establishes a unique identifier for the USER. 23. The system in accordance with the claim 21, characterized in that the Clearinghouse computer stores the USER http information which "comprises the first computer site ID, USER ID, and the ID icon. 24. The system in accordance with the claim 23, characterized in that the USER link is established to the Merchant computer by means of the http command enabled by the Clearinghouse server. 25. The system in accordance with the claim 24, characterized in that the Merchant computer registers the USER link that includes USER ID, and the site of the first computer ID. 26. The system according to claim 25, characterized in that the Merchant computer associates "a cookie with the USER if the transaction does not take place during the USER link." 27. The system in accordance with the claim. 25, characterized in that the purchases of the USER in the Merchant's computer are recorded and used to determine a commission. 28. The system in accordance with the claim 26, characterized in that a subsequent visit of the USER that is associated with a transaction results in a credit for the first computer as a reference of the USER. ~~ 29. A data processing system to establish promotional dispositions that control the development of references, comprising a Clearing House server configured and programmed to receive communications from Merchants based on the network with with respect to the trade that takes place on a network site and in response to communications that access one or more stored promotional provisions that control the use of a reference promotion to direct the USER's exploration of the network to the Merchant site and the "Clearing House server that transmits to the Merchant one or more promotional provisions for review and selection 30. The system according to claim 29," characterized in that the promotional provisions are stored in the Clearing House server in a predefined foriñato that has a set of terms established. The system according to claim 29, characterized in that the Clearinghouse server includes communication means to access through one or more Content providers, wherein the Content Providers are able to access the Clearinghouse server and review the offers that correspond to one of the stored promotional provisions. 32. The system according to claim 31, characterized in that the promotional arrangement can be opened or closed. 33. The system according to claim 31, characterized in that the promotional arrangement is self-approved.