WO2001061540A1 - Systeme de liaison cooperatif avec moteur de recherche bidirectionnel a granularite variable - Google Patents

Systeme de liaison cooperatif avec moteur de recherche bidirectionnel a granularite variable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001061540A1
WO2001061540A1 PCT/US2001/004877 US0104877W WO0161540A1 WO 2001061540 A1 WO2001061540 A1 WO 2001061540A1 US 0104877 W US0104877 W US 0104877W WO 0161540 A1 WO0161540 A1 WO 0161540A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
linking system
class
collaborative linking
collaborative
provider
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/004877
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jonathan A. Bachman
Christopher J. Sole
Original Assignee
Placelinks, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Placelinks, Inc. filed Critical Placelinks, Inc.
Priority to EP01912757A priority Critical patent/EP1277130A4/fr
Priority to US10/204,288 priority patent/US7734570B2/en
Priority to AU2001241504A priority patent/AU2001241504B2/en
Priority to AU4150401A priority patent/AU4150401A/xx
Publication of WO2001061540A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001061540A1/fr
Priority to US12/777,033 priority patent/US8572079B2/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/02—Services making use of location information
    • H04W4/029—Location-based management or tracking services
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
    • G06F16/70—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor of video data
    • G06F16/74—Browsing; Visualisation therefor
    • G06F16/748—Hypervideo
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
    • G06F16/90—Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
    • G06F16/95—Retrieval from the web
    • G06F16/953—Querying, e.g. by the use of web search engines
    • G06F16/9535—Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
    • G06F16/90—Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
    • G06F16/95—Retrieval from the web
    • G06F16/953—Querying, e.g. by the use of web search engines
    • G06F16/9537—Spatial or temporal dependent retrieval, e.g. spatiotemporal queries
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
    • G06F16/90—Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
    • G06F16/95—Retrieval from the web
    • G06F16/955—Retrieval from the web using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
    • G06F16/9558—Details of hyperlinks; Management of linked annotations
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • G06Q30/0601—Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
    • G06Q30/0603—Catalogue ordering
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/02—Protocols based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/50—Network services
    • H04L67/51—Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/50—Network services
    • H04L67/52—Network services specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/02—Services making use of location information

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to networked computer systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to computer systems and search engines used to selectively link members from any of a plurality of classes of users via any of a plurality of network enabled, wired or wireless, computers (or electronic devices).
  • the great thrust of the Internet is characterized by the thrust of the "World Wide Web," suggesting that all of the information stored, worldwide, can be accessed by all of the users, worldwide via increasing numbers and types of wired or wireless computers, such as workstations, personal computers, cell phones, pagers, and personal organizers, just to name a few. Research, applications, and usage have been concentrated on this worldwide accessibility, such that the reach and access of a Web user seems limitless.
  • the present invention is a network-based collaborative linking system having bi-directed, variable granularity search engines configured to selectively link one or more members from a first class of users with one or more members from at least one other class of users.
  • Each class member may interact with the collaborative linking system using a wired or wireless computer.
  • the word "computer” as used herein is to include, but is not limited to, those wireless devices, like cell phones, personal organizers, and pagers, which are network enabled and which allow their users (or class members) to interact with a network to send and receive messages, for example.
  • pagers and personal organizers i.e., receive only devices
  • it may be used to receive solicited or unsolicited advertisements, or announcements or e-mail with limited text, as an example.
  • messages may be include text, graphics (static and dynamic), or audio information, or some combination thereof.
  • the collaborative linking system links members of a first class with members of a second class, wherein members of the second class generally seek information or data from members of the first class. Also, members of the first class may seek and use certain information related to members of the second class to facilitate more efficient and focused information providing.
  • Each class may be generally characterized according to the application for which the collaborative linking system is to be applied. For example, in an e-commerce application, all members of the first class maybe characterized as "providers" and all members of the second class may be characterized as "consumers”.
  • the collaborative linking system may impose a general structure or framework on classes (e.g., consumers and providers), to facilitate efficient processing.
  • Providers may selectively map their provider information into the framework and consumers may then search for provider information in a logical manner.
  • a provider By selectively mapping into certain areas of the collaborative linking system, a provider imposes a filter on its entry. From a consumer's perspective, by defining certain search criteria, within the context of the framework, the consumer defines a filter into the collaborative database for obtaining information. Given that the consumer can define and redefine his search criteria, the consumer can control the granularity of the search.
  • subclasses may or may not be hierarchical. That is, a subclass is constructed in accordance with certain criteria.
  • the other criteria that defines one subclass may be independent of the criteria that defines every other subclass.
  • a subclass of providers selling pizza may be independent from a subclass of providers selling skateboards, but they may both be part of an independent subclass of providers targeting consumers under the age of 21 years old.
  • an auto dealer subclass may be further subclassified into certain makers of automobiles (e.g., Chevrolet, Ford, etc.).
  • the collaborative linking system will include some combination of independent and hierarchical subclassifying.
  • Consumers may be similarly subclassified, either independently, hierarchically, or some combination thereof.
  • consumers may be independently subclassified into age groups, that is, age group 1, or age group 2, or age group 3, or "all ages", and independently, they may be subclassified as male, or female, or both.
  • the criteria of providers correspond to the criteria of consumers, such that the more refined the criteria (or search criteria) of a consumer the smaller the solution set of providers that will satisfy the consumer's criteria.
  • Classes, and their members may be defined in any of a variety of manners, as dictated by the application for which the collaborative linking system is to be used.
  • a member may be an individual, an organization, or some other type of entity.
  • the collaborative linking system is a Web-based system implemented over the Internet for e-commerce purposes.
  • the collaborative system may also be implemented with other types of networks, such as, for example, a wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN), or Intranet of an organization or affiliation or some combination thereof, and need not be restricted to e- commerce.
  • WAN wide area network
  • LAN local area network
  • Intranet of an organization or affiliation or some combination thereof
  • classes and their members may have different system privileges and the system may employ various known security mechanisms.
  • the collaborative linking system includes a plurality of wired and/or wireless computers (e.g., workstations, personal computers (PCs), cell phones, pagers, electronic personal organizers, Web enabled television, or other such interactive electronic devices) linked to one or more content servers and content databases of provider, and potentially consumer, information.
  • the provider database content may include relatively static data, as well as short-term "promotional" or time critical dynamic data that may be of interest to consumers, hi the preferred form, a control center having one or more control servers and associated control databases, serves as an entry point for selectively distributing and managing the distribution of providers' data to the content servers and content databases.
  • the control center also establishes and manages, to some degree, the high level framework within which the classes operate.
  • third party databases may be linked to the system and the data therein used to facilitate improved satisfaction of the objectives of the collaborative linking system.
  • third party databases including directory listings, maps, SIC codes, Zip codes, telephone exchange numbers, and/or directions for getting from one place to another may be linked to, or imported into, the collaborative linking system.
  • a collaborative linking system program code is executable by one or more of said content servers and includes one or more bi-directed, variable granularity search engines.
  • a search engine facilitates searches of, for example, provider content databases according to consumer's defined filters (i.e., search criteria). Based on a first level of search criteria, the search engine determines the appropriate one or more content servers and associated content databases most likely to satisfy the user's search. By continuing to add search criteria, additional (or more refined) filters are applied by the search engine to the content databases; thus, the user's search is further refined.
  • the collaborative linking system includes a plurality of user interfaces (UI) to facilitate the interaction of each of several types of users and computers (e.g., PC, cell phone, or pager) with the system.
  • UI user interfaces
  • each UI is generated from program code executed within a standard Web browser, on a user ' s workstation or PC, but the actual UI implementation will often vary as a function of the type of device with which a user interacts with the collaborative linking system.
  • Each UI may be established with specific user privileges, having different levels of access and security.
  • SAUI system administrator UI
  • SAUI system administrator UI
  • a developer's UI may also be provided for initial development and integration of system components and for performing functions similar to those accomplished using the SAUI.
  • the SAUI and DUI are part of the control center.
  • the control center is, for the most part, a logical center of the system and may or may not have all of its components physically collocated. Access to the control center may be local, remote, or some combination thereof, depending on the embodiment.
  • the collaborative linking system also includes UIs for billing and account management, which may be part of the SAUI or part of a separate UI.
  • a provider UI may also be provided to allow each provider to directly add, modify, delete, and map the provider's information into the system's content servers and databases.
  • the system administrator may add, modify, delete, and map provider data into the system via the SAUI.
  • a provider can also, preferably, establish a provider account on the collaborative linking system and take advantage of, for example, non-static information providing features of the system, such as, for example, offering specials to consumers.
  • a consumer UI To facilitate a consumer's interaction with the collaborative linking system, a consumer UI (CUI) is provided.
  • the CUI facilitates a consumer's search for provider information by enabling the consumer to enter and create filters (i.e., search criteria) used to efficiently migrate through the collaborative linking system content servers and content databases to optimally locate relevant provider data, both static and dynamic.
  • Screens displayed and information provided within the consumer's Web browser are a function of the framework, the providers' mapping of data into the framework, and the consumer's search criteria.
  • the UI screens generated by the collaborative linking system may include Web site and e-mail links.
  • a consumer may optionally enter consumer information into the collaborative linking system via the CUI and avail himself of an automatic linking capability that links providers and consumers as a function of a certain amount of synergy between the two.
  • the consumer's information may indicate that the consumer is an avid hiker and as local providers offer specials on hiking (or related) equipment, those providers and their specials are automatically identified to the consumer (e.g., via e-mail).
  • the collaborative linking system may selectively link consumers and providers using information obtained about the consumer's purchasing practices (or using other consumer related information), such that the consumer receives unsolicited provider promotional announcements.
  • a consumer may opt out of the distribution of unsolicited provider promotional announcements.
  • the various user interfaces may vary depending on the particular type of computer used.
  • the CUI for a PC may differ from the CUI for a cell phone, which may also differ from the CUI of an electronic organizer, and so on. Differences may be realized for each type of UI, among various types of computer devices.
  • Figures 1-10 are diagrams illustrating the entity types and relationships of the preferred embodiment of a collaborative linking system, in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 11-16 are architecture-based diagrams of portions of the collaborative linking system of Figures 1-10;
  • Figures 17-24 are screen display diagrams of the user interface of the collaborative linking system of Figures 1-16.
  • a first class of users includes "providers”, having members that include a plurality of retailers, service providers, restaurants, and so on.
  • a provider may be any type of entity found in a typical Yellow Pages phone book, for example.
  • a second class of users includes "consumers”, having members that include individuals, businesses, and so on.
  • providers and consumers interact with the collaborative linking system via any of a variety of wired or wireless types of computers (e.g., workstations, personal computers (PCs), cellular telephones, pagers, electronic personal organizers, Web enabled televisions, or other types of electronic devices).
  • computers e.g., workstations, personal computers (PCs), cellular telephones, pagers, electronic personal organizers, Web enabled televisions, or other types of electronic devices.
  • Sub classifying may be either independent, relationship-based or some combination thereof.
  • An example of relationship-based sub classifying is a hierarchical approach, but subclasses may be related in some other manner. In contrast, if a subclass is independent, it has no particular relationship to any other subclass within its class.
  • a provider seeks to be linked to consumers in search of the provider's products or services.
  • a consumer seeks to be linked to providers that provide the products or services that the consumer desires. In some situations a provider may be a consumer, for example, in a business-to-business transaction.
  • Figures 1-10 depict the entities and relationships of the preferred embodiment of the collaborative linking system.
  • the collaborative linking system of the preferred embodiment implements a structure that defines a first level of criteria for linking providers and consumers.
  • the collaborative linking system provides the capability to allow the consumer to dynamically specify his cur ent geographic point b ⁇ Merest.
  • a plurality of content servers and associated content databases are linked together under the general management of a control center and made accessible via the Internet and Web, as shown in Figures 11-16.
  • third party databases, information sources (and related functional code), functionality, networks, and systems may be linked to, or imported into, the collaborative linking system, such as databases including directory listings, maps, SIC codes, ZIP codes, telephone exchange numbers, directions for how to get from one place to another, credit information, financial account information and so forth.
  • the content servers and databases are defined according to a geographic region, within the larger geography-based framework.
  • Each provider maps its provider information into those geographical content servers and databases (i.e., "business places") that correspond to that provider's consumer base and/or that provider's storefront locations.
  • a consumer searching for a particular product or service dynamically chooses a geographic region within which to search, that is, the consumer chooses a certain one or more content servers and databases.
  • the content servers are physically located proximate to or within the geographic region that they serve.
  • This geography-based architecture imposed on providers and consumers provides at least two performance benefits. First, if the consumer is searching a content server and database that is in or near his geographic location, transmission times between the consumer and the content server will be relatively short, due to fewer relays in the transmission path, among other things.
  • the server's response time (to the consumer's search request) will be relatively short, since the content database being searched contains only the data for that geographic region. Also, the more refined the consumer's search, the faster the search results are presented.
  • a geography-based structure need not be imposed; the choice of structure is made in light of several considerations and will vary depending on the application for wliich the collaborative linking system is used. Generally, the structure is chosen to enhance or optimize performance.
  • content servers and databases may be dynamically allocated as a function of the availability of system resources.
  • a geographic region may be defined in any of a variety of manners, such as, for example, by postal codes, by telephone area codes and exchanges, by a circle defined by longitude and latitude values, by a set of points each with a longitude and latitude value, by governmental census tracks identifiers, or by a set of other geographic regions (places).
  • the provider information may include information relating to the provider's location (e.g., the store's address), store hours, products and services offered and current promotions.
  • the product information may include make, model, features, price, and quantity on hand. Additionally, providers may be rated and consumers may search for providers meeting a certain minimum rating threshold, for a given product of service.
  • the collaborative linking system is implemented for a large group of business places (i.e., towns), wherein each business place includes a plurality of businesses (or providers) offering products and services.
  • a combination of business places may form a higher- level business place.
  • a large geographic region may be the United States ("U.S.”), which may include a plurality of separate business places (or geographic sub-regions).
  • a provider that has a presence (e.g., store or franchise) in many locations throughout the U.S. may then pick and choose within which business places to advertise each store. Presumably, the provider advertises in those regions where the provider has a physical presence. Additionally, a provider may pick and choose within which business places certain products will be promoted.
  • a department store provider may, in the month of January, promote snow scrapers in Massachusetts and sun glasses in Florida, but not vice versa. However, if the provider is a mail order business with no traditional storefronts, that provider may chose to advertise only in business places having consumers that have demonstrated a demand for the provider's mail order products or may advertise in all business places.
  • the collaborative linking system includes the control center, having access to the control servers and control databases.
  • the control center accomplishes the system administration, management, maintenance, modifications, upgrades, and so forth of the collaborative linking system, as well as establishing the basic framework of the system.
  • the control center provides a mechanism for the storage and subsequent mapping of provider data into business places (i.e., business place content servers and databases) and administration of links to third parties (e.g., provider Web sites or third party databases or services).
  • third parties need not link to the collaborative linking system through the control center; they may link to a proximate content server, hi the " preferred embodiment, providers seeking to offer promotions (e.g., advertise sales or distribute coupons), derive or collect consumer information or derive other benefits beyond a static listing from the collaborative linking system are referred to as "syndicators", and derive such benefits by establishing an account that is managed through the control center. Other providers may simply have their static information (e.g., non-promotional information) provided to consumers.
  • the collaborative linking system provides a mechanism for providers to use consumer information to tailor or otherwise influence their marketing approach. For example, geographically related consumer information may be added into the system, such as average household income, number of homeowners, political and religious affiliations and other census info ⁇ nation, and so on for a geographic region. Additionally, other consumer related information (e.g., number of "hits", consumer preferences, and consumer activity patterns) may be collected by the system, as part of consumer's use of the collaborative linking system. This information may then be used by providers in determining which products and specials are to be offered in a given geographic region, which types of ads are most effective, and which ads are most effective relative to the time of day, among other things. Use of this information may be by overt provider selection, or as an automated function of the application of automated filters. For example, a kitchen appliance company may only promote certain appliances in the towns where the company has a distributor and where new home construction is higher than 5%. Once a town's new home sales drop below 5%, the collaborative linking system may automatically cease promotions on those appliances in that town
  • the collaborative linking system user interface is comprised of at least three user-type interfaces: a system administrator user interface (SAUI), a provider user interface (PUI), and a consumer user interface (CUI). That is, the SAUI includes a plurality of displays useful by system administrator personnel for monitoring, data gathering, troubleshooting, analyzing, modifying, upgrading, configuring, enhancing, testing, and otherwise operating and maintaining the collaborative linking systems and the information thereon.
  • the SAUI may also be used for billing and account management purposes.
  • the SAUI may be used to add, modify, and delete provider and consumer data and to establish and maintain links to third party systems and databases. Access to certain aspects of the collaborative linking system for system administration purposes may vary as a function of predetermined user privileges. For the most part, system administration is conducted via the control center.
  • the PUI allows a provider to access information related to that provider on the collaborative linking system.
  • the collaborative linking system databases are populated with relatively static provider data within a geographic context for substantially each provider in a selected business place.
  • relatively static provider data typically includes a provider name, address, and telephone number (which may collectively be referred to as a "listing").
  • listing Such information is entered into the system via the SAUI or by the provider via the PUI.
  • a provider may "register" with or establish an account on the collaborative linking system and subsequently view, add, delete, or modify its provider data. Registered providers are required to logon to the collaborative linking system in order to interact with their provider data.
  • a provider may define promotional specials, change or update provider data and view statistical information related to their listing and specials.
  • Appendix A (and its figures) describes an embodiment of the PUI.
  • the collaborative linking system CUI provides, preferably, a hierarchical, link or text-based search approach to finding providers relative to a chosen geographical region, as a first level criterion. Decreasing recall and increasing accuracy of results is achieved with the addition of subsequent criteria by the consumer, as indicated in the CUI screen prints of Figures 17-24.
  • the consumer interacts with the collaborative linking system via a standard Web browser.
  • the consumer may directly access a business place Web site, associated with a particular business place (e.g., the town of Wellesley, MA) to find providers in that business place. Additionally, the consumer may broaden the search to include other business places or migrate to other business places.
  • the collaborative linking system generates and displays within the CUI provider information and data, and may additionally provide information about companion providers or promotions. For example, if a consumer searches for pizza places in Wellesley, MA, the CUI may provide a list of all pizza places in that town.
  • the user interface may provide indications of specials or promotions offered by certain providers (e.g., icons, conspicuous text, and/or sound messages).
  • companion specials or promotions may also be included within the CUI, for example, a promotion by a local convenience store on soft drinks. Additionally, provider specials and promotions may provide virtual links to the provider's own Internet pages.
  • a consumer's interests or other consumer information may be registered with the collaborative linking system.
  • a consumer may be linked (or matched) with providers as part of an "opt-in" service, as a function of a synergy between the consumer and the providers.
  • the consumer's interests may correspond to one or more provider's offers; consequently, the consumers and providers are linked by the collaborative linking system.
  • the collaborative linking system maintains the anonymity of the consumer with respect to the provider when linking the two. Further aspects of this service may be better understood and appreciated in the context of the embodiment described in Appendix B herein.
  • the various UIs may vary, depending on the type of computer or electronic device with which they are to be used.
  • the CUI for a PC may differ from the CUI for a cell phone, and so on.
  • the various UIs may be defined in other manners without departing from the present invention.
  • mapping of provider information may be dynamically accomplished and editable.
  • automated filters may be applied to effect the dynamic mapping of provider information.
  • third party databases may be linked into the collaborative linking system and used by providers to select consumers or by consumers to select providers.
  • definition of the geographic regions may vary as a function of the product or service being searched, rather than be relatively statically defined.
  • PUI provides an interface for providers to access the system for a variety of purposes.
  • One possible set of functions and screens are described below, with one embodiment of UI screens shown.
  • Self-service UI for planning and placing "Yellow Pages style ads, and also promotional content.
  • Search mechanism that sets up vendor/publisher relationship by permitting "binding" of one or more existing business listings or telephone listings to an owner buy means of a search and match process.
  • Listings already taken are searchable, but returned with indicator flag or message showing as "listing already registered " and is non-selectable, but with an e-mail-based system to dispute the ownership of the record.
  • PlaceLinks subsets the design by fielded data elements and charges by that format of skus; e.g. Business Categories
  • PlaceLinks has taken the RealNames locator service and database, and provided a way to merchandise and "sell” it on a place-specific basis : A link is established from the store owner's local listing to the (typically) national scale web site of a RealNames licensee.
  • Competitors typically do by geographical radius from store (e.g. Switchboard, I think)
  • Category Manager Matches Found (display augmented with found categories)
  • PlaceLinks Activity Report - Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • PlaceLinks Free Registration - Preview Listing Microsort Internet Explorer
  • PlaceLinks Inc 1999-2:001 All Rights Reserved PlaceLinks com and the PlaceLinks logo are trademarks of PlaceLinks Inc
  • PlaceLinks consumer website csl.placelinks.net as of today • PlaceLinks business website, bsl.placelinks.net as of today
  • the Local Shopper consumer's personal profile is known only to PlaceLinks, not to the advertiser.
  • the advertiser knows only the aggregate potential traffic data for the categories or keywords he buys.
  • the transaction is an email sent from the advertiser, via the PlaceLinks server, to the consumer, yielding an email impression, message impression, and maybe a click-through. These events can all be measured separately by the server, as a different level of result. Anonymity is important because it encourages the disclosure of profile information, and therefore the use of the service.
  • Opt-in e-mail has a very high growth rate on the Internet as a medium of advertising. PlaceLinks needs to tap into this business opportunity and help our customers use it, as easily and cost- effectively as possible. Response rates for e-mail as said to be 2-3 times comparable direct mail. Rates as high as 15% have been reported for high-context lists. We can't be left out! Expense reasons to build Local Shopper
  • a new portal has a primary challenge to attract customers and achieve a high repeat use rate.
  • PlaceLinks can reach out and remind registered consumers of the existence of PlaceLinks, therefore directly addressing the "forgetting effect" of people trying many web sites, and forgetting even those that they enjoyed using.
  • Web sites can also reduce their advertising costs by encouraging Word-of-mouth traffic whenever and wherever possible.
  • Local Shopper is another vehicle for "refer a friend” and is "word-of email”.
  • the reader since the reader gets Local Shopper as an email, they may be more actively willing to forward the message, which has links back to both the PlaceLinks site as well as the advertiser.
  • Pricing could be on a performance basis or by time-within-geography like today's specials.
  • the basic requirement is to capture shopping keywords from consumers, match them to specials- type promotions and send mail to the consumer.
  • a process view is: 1 Construct
  • the Advertiser should be able to measure the results through the Traffic Manager
  • PlaceLinks administrates Local Shopper measures and displays, so PlaceLinks can see rates of response, match rates, and the failure points in the dialog.
  • SAMPLE EMAIL to: Joan Every woman from: PlaceLinks Local Shopper date: 1/1/2000
  • the Specials Editor provides most of the functionality we need for Local Shopper, (see data model on next page, and sample emails above).
  • the word NEW below shows a new feature compared to today's Specials Dialog.
  • NEW: Syndication for e-mail should be distinct from the list for listings.
  • the user interface could be an exact copy of the one for listings.
  • a hyperlink feature has been specified that can be embedded into the offer text. This permits very flexible actions to be done through the offer text, while making the language natural - see example. For example, we could detect hyperlink text by creating our own XML extension to put around text typed into the form.
  • Visit &&our store www.placelinks.com/new visitor.htm&& and see what you can buy.
  • PlaceLinks will need this for growth internationally. Also, Dept of Census projects Spanish descent will be $50mil people by 2050 —the largest minority in USA.
  • NEW mail me map and directions to store hyperlink and URL. See example page.
  • New: Navigation and management URLs find me more URL URL to act as effectiveness measure for advertiser.
  • search neighboring towns for this item URL URL launches PlaceLinks and uses these keywords to search neighboring towns from the town in this email. This also writes a flag to place this consumer in another town as a virtual inhabitant, (see data model) add a new keyword to my Search List URL URL is a management URL taking the consumer back to his profile (if we can cookie them in the URL or elsewhere) or back to the consumer login screen.
  • Unsubscribe to Local Shopper un-subscribe - positioned carefully to reduce response from page. email to Local Shopper Customer Service basic customer service - suggest we use this to capture user response at start, even if it gets too busy to handle afterwards. Mouseover text could be "Ideas, Suggestions, Problems)
  • E-mail (e.g. name@website.com) First Name?
  • the Local Shopper starting page has to promote with a visualization of the goods available in the area - it just will not work to describe the benefits in the abstract. We have to show a sample of what is on offer.
  • PlaceLinks marketing people from a sampling of current offers. If a consumer has a Local Shopper cookie, he/she goes straight to the Local Shopper personal management page, bypassing page one. This also promotes, with the sample of some current offer titles on the right at the top. - see example.
  • the registration process is on 4 pages.
  • Personal management page 1- the start of the keyword management process
  • Hints page as a branch off the first page
  • the main purpose of hints is to let people with bad memories or no clear shopping agenda browse for ideas.
  • Personal management page 2- "How often?" allows people to specify a frequency response to the topic — this got a good response in the focus groups. This defaults to "when you have something”. People who reset are scheduled with a target date in the matching system.
  • Date of birth not a date range is used, so we can send a birthday email to Local Shopper users - this gets great response I hear.
  • a special hyperlink addresses the legal issue of under 13 's giving personal mformation, even if it' s not published.
  • Queries are driven from the supply side for ease of query - there are fewer offers than readers.
  • construct 2 For each place, construct a sample of people in the syndication list for the e-mail trading area geography - need for syndication step in Local Shopper! To deal with low numbers, construct 2 lists - where actually syndicated and "N" (neighbors) list if # matches are low. Match the list actually syndicated first - keep the other in reserve.
  • PlaceLinks customers in various ways, including setting up PlaceLinks-authored specials on the site.
  • PlaceLinks server should log the behavior-related actions described in other sections, as an extension of the Traffic Manager functionality.
  • Results display will show how many eyeballs saw the email, as a total, and arranged by "reason", just like the Traffic manager format we have - see example on next page.
  • Semantic search taxonomies of shopping terms hold out the promise for much higher match rates.

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Abstract

La présente invention porte sur un système et sur un procédé visant à raccourcir le temps de réponse et réduire l'utilisation de ressource d'un système électronique d'interrogation de clients et de publicité, le système de cette invention fonctionnant dans un environnement de base de données distribué et de communications interactives. Le système est conçu pour permettre à des clients (01) de rechercher facilement un produit et des offres de service correspondant à leurs demandes et d'avoir une possibilité d'accès (A1) local immédiat, et également aux désirs spécifiques des clients (01) concernant un produit. Lorsqu'il n'y a pas de correspondance parfaite, on ne peut apporter des solutions bien satisfaisantes. Ces offres de produits et les désirs des clients (01) ont des caractéristiques statiques et dynamiques qui ont une incidence sur La publication électronique, l'interrogation, le système de correspondance et les réponses qui s'en suivent.
PCT/US2001/004877 2000-02-16 2001-02-16 Systeme de liaison cooperatif avec moteur de recherche bidirectionnel a granularite variable WO2001061540A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP01912757A EP1277130A4 (fr) 2000-02-16 2001-02-16 Systeme de liaison cooperatif avec moteur de recherche bidirectionnel a granularite variable
US10/204,288 US7734570B2 (en) 2001-02-16 2001-02-16 Collaborative linking system with bi-directed variable granularity search engine
AU2001241504A AU2001241504B2 (en) 2000-02-16 2001-02-16 Collaborative linking system with bi-directed variable granularity search engine
AU4150401A AU4150401A (en) 2000-02-16 2001-02-16 Collaborative linking system with bi-directed variable granularity search engine
US12/777,033 US8572079B2 (en) 2000-02-16 2010-05-10 Collaborative linking system with bi-directed variable granularity search engine

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US18274900P 2000-02-16 2000-02-16
US60/182,749 2000-02-16

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US10/204,288 Substitution US7734570B2 (en) 2000-02-16 2001-02-16 Collaborative linking system with bi-directed variable granularity search engine
US12/777,033 Continuation US8572079B2 (en) 2000-02-16 2010-05-10 Collaborative linking system with bi-directed variable granularity search engine

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WO2001061540A1 true WO2001061540A1 (fr) 2001-08-23

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Citations (3)

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US5854893A (en) * 1993-10-01 1998-12-29 Collaboration Properties, Inc. System for teleconferencing in which collaboration types and participants by names or icons are selected by a participant of the teleconference
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US5870753A (en) * 1996-03-20 1999-02-09 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for enabling a persistent metastate for objects in an object oriented environment

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US5584893A (en) * 1995-11-17 1996-12-17 Valence Technology, Inc. Method of preparing electrodes for an electrochemical cell
US5930474A (en) * 1996-01-31 1999-07-27 Z Land Llc Internet organizer for accessing geographically and topically based information
US6012067A (en) * 1998-03-02 2000-01-04 Sarkar; Shyam Sundar Method and apparatus for storing and manipulating objects in a plurality of relational data managers on the web

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5854893A (en) * 1993-10-01 1998-12-29 Collaboration Properties, Inc. System for teleconferencing in which collaboration types and participants by names or icons are selected by a participant of the teleconference
US5870561A (en) * 1996-03-15 1999-02-09 Novell, Inc. Network traffic manager server for providing policy-based recommendations to clients
US5870753A (en) * 1996-03-20 1999-02-09 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for enabling a persistent metastate for objects in an object oriented environment

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
See also references of EP1277130A4 *

Also Published As

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AU4150401A (en) 2001-08-27
EP1277130A1 (fr) 2003-01-22
EP1277130A4 (fr) 2006-02-01
AU2001241504B2 (en) 2008-03-06

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