WO2001095221A2

WO2001095221A2 - System and method for positioning an interactive information package relative to the cursor image as displayed on a communication device

Info

Publication number: WO2001095221A2
Application number: PCT/US2001/018290
Authority: WO
Inventors: Santosh Y. Limaye
Original assignee: Teo Media, Inc.
Priority date: 2000-06-06
Filing date: 2001-06-05
Publication date: 2001-12-13
Also published as: AU2001265375A1

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POSITIONING AN INTERACTIVE

INFORMATION PACKAGE RELATIVE TO THE CURSOR IMAGE AS

DISPLAYED ON A COMMUNICATION DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for positioning an interactive information package transmitted from a server system over a communication network on a communication device, and is specifically, concerned with a system and method which allows a user to interact with an interactive information package for receiving targeted information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Internet is a large, interconnected network of computer networks linking computers all over the world through the use of the phone lines, satellites, and other telecommunications systems. The Internet has it roots in ARPAnet, established by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). It was a research and defense network created by the U.S. Department of Defense in the early 19J0's to provide scientists and researchers with better communication and data exchange. As part of the ARPAnet development work contracted to the University of

California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Dr. Jon Postel undertook the maintenance of a list of host names and addresses and after he moved to the Information Sciences Institute (ISI) at the University of Southern California (USC), he continued to maintain the list of assigned Internet numbers and names under contracts with DARPA, publishing a list of technical parameters that had been assigned for use by protocol developers. Eventually these functions collectively became known as the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), which is now controlled by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). One of the early outcomes of this initiative was the development of new ways of routing data to multiple paths using units of data. These standards are known today as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol (IP) usually referred to as (TCP/IP), forming the common language of the Internet. TCP breaks down and reassembles the packets, while IP is responsible for making sure that the packets are sent to the right destination. TCP/IP is used because the Internet is what is known as a packet-switched network. In a packet-switched network, there is no single, unbroken connection between sender and receiver. Instead, when information is sent, it is broken into small packets, sent over many different routes at the same time, and then reassembled at the receiving end.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) expanded ARPAnet with the NSFNET, initially designed to connect universities and research centers. The network expanded, and is now .known as the Internet. The network is now managed by the Internet National Information Center, known internationally as InterNIC.

The World Wide Web (WWW) is the graphical portion of the Internet, providing full text and graphical access that brings the Internet to life for millions. In 1993, a team of graduate students at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois, developed a web browser called "Mosaic." Mosaic was an instant success because for the first time it allowed computer users to see the Internet through an easy to use graphical interface that displayed web pages incorporating text, graphics, sound, animation, and other multimedia elements. The WWW quickly became a success, and companies began to realize that the medium was perfect for targeting consumers and an excellent way to dispense information for a small expense. Advertising is a multi-billion dollar industry driven by the consuming public. Traditional advertising has used published paper products containing advertisements such as newspapers, magazines, periodicals, and direct mailers. Traditional advertising is expensive and time consuming since many companies compete for small amounts of advertising space in the most popular publications.

The problems associated with traditional advertising seem to have been overcome with the introduction of on-line advertising over the Internet using the WWW. With the advent of the WWW, businesses discovered that on-line advertising could reach a global audience in a quicker, cheaper, and more efficient manner than traditional advertising. Businesses discovered that computer users enjoyed the multimedia interaction that the WWW provided in the way of text, graphics, sound, streaming audio/video, and animated websites. Many businesses have used on-line graphics in the form of banners to advertise their products or services. Banners are usually located at the top of a web page to attract the attention of a computer user. The banner provides the ability for an interested computer user to select the banner and be transported to the web site of the business associated with the banner.

As on-line advertising has developed, businesses have discovered that targeted web site advertising is the most effective way to reach a specific on-line computer user market. The current dilemma with on-line advertising is that computer users have become easily annoyed with banners and other types of on-line advertisements. One real problem is that many businesses are misleading computer users into viewing their web sites by disguised banners. For example, a computer user enters a web site and unknowingly selects a banner advertisement that is disguised to appear as part of the web page. The computer user is redirected to the web site of the business that placed the banner advertisement. Alternatively, the computer user might get trapped in an endless loop of banner advertisement windows that keep opening one after another once the computer user tries to close the original banner window.

Many computer users have become aware of these misleading methods and completely avoid web sites that have advertisements. This means that the businesses paying for on-line advertising are losing their target audience, and therefore potential profits. Businesses are seeking new ways of reaching their target audience by providing less annoying on-line advertisements.

For example, a system of modifying a cursor to a specific image having a desired shape and appearance was introduced by Comet Systems, Inc. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,995,102). A computer user must first download and install a special proprietary "plug-in" or helper application, created by Comet Systems, Inc., into a web browser before the system can be used. The proprietary plug-in enables a web browser to interpret cursor display instructions and to communicate with the operating system via the application programming interface (API) to allow modification of the cursor by accessing system drivers. For example, a computer user browses a web site that has web pages that contain cursor display instructions. The web browser receives the cursor display instructions and the proprietary plug-in or helper application is enabled to interpret and process the cursor display instructions. The proprietary plug-in makes a request through the API to access the operating system which controls the system drivers for displaying the cursor. The cursor image is then modified as specified by the request and the user will see the modified cursor for that particular web page.

For the reasons described above, there remains a need for an interactive information package system that provides interactive information to a user in a manner that limits exposure of the information to the user, while providing a more effective manner of delivering that information to a target audience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved interactive information package system that is system independent.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an interactive information package system that does not interact with the operating system in positioning an interactive information package relative to the cursor image.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an interactive information package system that allows sending and receiving information in a manner that is cost effective, efficient, and less annoying to the user.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a system for positioning an interactive information package on a communication device is provided, in which the interactive information package is transmitted from a server system over a communication network, and positioned relative to the cursor image. The system includes a communications network, a server system, a plurality of communication devices, and at least one interactive information package.

The server responds to requests from the communication device by sending data containing an interactive information package over the communication network that is displayed on the communication device. The communication device displays the received data through a graphical user interface along with an interactive information package .

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for positioning an interactive information package is provided, which comprises the steps of establishing a connection from a plurality of communication devices to a server system over a communication network. Requesting data from the server system, wherein the data includes an interactive information package.

Receiving the requested data from the server system over the communication network. Displaying the received data on the plurality of communication devices. Positioning and displaying at least one interactive information package relative to a cursor image on the plurality of communication devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Understanding of the present invention will be facilitated by consideration of the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts and in which:

Figure 1 is a system block diagram showing a plurality of server systems and a plurality of communication devices of example embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the software system for an exemplary embodiment of a server system;

Figure 3 is a detailed block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a communication device;

Figure 4 is a block diagram of the software system for an exemplary embodiment of a communication device;

Figure 5 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of the present invention showing the steps of obtaining a file from a server system over a communication network for positioning an interactive information package relative to a cursor image for display on a communication device to a user;

Figure 6 is a screen shot of a cursor image before an interactive information package is positioned relative to the cursor image;

Figure 7 is a screen shot displaying an exemplary embodiment of an interactive information package appearing as an interactive icon positioned relative to the cursor image as displayed on a communication device;

Figure 8 is a screen shot displaying an exemplary embodiment of an interactive information package appearing as an interactive box positioned relative to the cursor image as displayed on a communication device; Figure 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an interactive information package appearing as an interactive icon; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an interactive information package appearing as an interactive box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 is a system block diagram showing a plurality of server systems

102 and a plurality of communication devices 104 of example embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in Figure 1, the system of the interactive information package system includes a communication network 100, a server system 102, a plurality of communication devices 104, and at least one interactive information package (not shown). The system provides for positioning an interactive information package relative to the cursor image as displayed on a communication device 104 transmitted from a server system 102 over a communication network 100. The implementation of the invention is not dependent on any particular device and can be implemented with various configurations and architectures.

The communication network 100 can be any network that allows the sending and receiving of data. In an example embodiment, the communication network 100 would be a wireless based system such as cellular, GSM (Global

System for Mobile communication), PCS (Personal Communications Services),

PDC (Personal Digital Cellular), or radio communications network. The wireless based systems as discussed above can use the Wireless Application Protocol

(WAP). WAP is a specification for a set of communication protocols to standardize the way that wireless communication devices can be used for

Internet access, including email, the World Wide Web (WWW), Usenet, and

Internet Relay Chat (IRC).

In another example embodiment, the communication network 100 would be a non-wireless based system such as ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), xDSL (i.e., ADSL, HDSL, RADSL), Internet Cable (i.e., cable modems), PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) connections over telephone lines or network connections, or direct network based connections. Internet access or Internet communication is considered to be inherent in any embodiment of the communication network 100. Selection and incorporation of such a communication network will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

In the exemplary embodiment, the communication network 100 is the Internet based. The Internet is a global network of computers referred to as servers which are accessible by communication devices 104, often referred to as "user nodes" or "client computers." These communication devices 104 typically access the Internet through Internet Service Providers (ISP's), On-line Service Providers (OSP's), or direct Internet connections. The server system 102 has a unique Internet Protocol (IP) address on the Internet. Each computer on the Internet, referred to as a host, has at least one address that uniquely identifies it from all other computers on the Internet.

The server system 102 can be located in any geographic location including local and remote locations. The server system 102 can be located on the WWW at a host network address specified by a predetermined Uniform Resource Locator (URL), which is the address of a resource accessible on the Internet. The URL contains the name of the protocol required to access the resource, a domain name that identifies a specific computer on the Internet, and a hierarchical description of a resource location on the computer. The resource can be any file, for example, HTML file, CGI application, applications, graphic files, documents, text files, programs, applets, or any similar related file types.

The server system 102 includes a hardware system (not shown) and a software system 200. The server system 102 can be multiple computer systems and have various network, storage, and associated devices connected or functioning with the server system 102. The server system 102 will include any components necessary for seamless functioning with the communication network

100. The hardware system can be any computer system with various configurations and architectures. The hardware system will preferably include a display, keyboard, CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, I/O controller, disk controller, non-volatile storage devices (e.g., hard drive, floppy drive, optical drive, tape backups), and the capability to interface with the communication network 100. Selection and incorporation of such a server hardware system will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the software system for an exemplary embodiment of a server system 102. The software system 200 includes an operating system (OS) 202, communication software 204,- an application programming interface (API) 206, CGI, ASP and similar applications 208, an Internet server (e.g., HTTP server, email server, NNTP server and similar) 210, applications 212, a plurality of HTML files containing interactive information packages 214, and any other related software or files. The operating system 202 can be any operating system that allows connection to a communication network 100 and provides the ability to run related software. For example, the operating system could be UNIX™, Microsoft Windows™, Microsoft Windows NT™, any Microsoft Windows™ based operating system, Linux™, DEC VMS™, IBM OS/2™, AIX™, and IBM OS/390™. The communication software 204 can be any software that allows the server system 102 the capability to communicate over the communication network 100 and process related communications.

The application programming interface (API) 206 is the method prescribed by an operating system 202 or by another application program providing a way for an application program 212 to make requests of the operating system or another application. For example, the Common Gateway Interface (CGI) 208 can be used to pass a user request to an application program 212 residing on an Internet server 210 and to send the processed request back to the user. A CGI application can be written in several different programming languages such as C, C++, Java, and Perl. A similar alternative to CGI is an Active Server Page (ASP) which applications are performed on the server system 102 in the same manner that CGI applications are performed. ASP allows the server system to build an HTML file on the fly from scripts before sending the HTML file back to the user over the communication network 100. The benefit is that the scripts are processed on the server system 102 so the HTML file can be easily displayed on any communication device 104 through any graphical user interface (GUI) without the need for processing of scripts on the communication device 104. An Internet server 210 is a program that runs on a server system 102 that provides functions and capabilities for use over the Internet. An Internet server 210 package can contain any software programs need to perform various tasks.

An Internet server 210 package generally includes software programs with the capabilities for an HTTP server (web server), electronic mail server (e-mail), NNTP (Network News Transfer Protocol) server, file transfer protocol (FTP), directory servers, catalog servers, search engines, proxy servers, authentication servers, and other similar related programs. An HTTP server, often referred to as a "web server", can be any program that serves resources using an HTTP protocol to users over the Internet. The terms HTTP server and web server are interchangeable. The resources can be any form of file or activity, which will typically be an HTML file. The HTTP server can be any conventional web server software. Some common web server software programs, for example, are Apache, Microsoft Internet Information Server™, and Netscape FastTrack Server™, and Netscape Enterprise Server™. Each HTTP server contains an HTTP daemon, a program that is designed to wait for HTTP requests and handle them when they arrive. The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a protocol built on top of the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). It is the mechanism which underlies the function of the WWW. HTTP provides a method for users to obtain resources from various web servers overthe Internet. User requests for resources are made by means of an HTTP request. In one example implementation, the communication device 104 establishes a TCP/IP connection over the communication network 100 with the server system 102 presenting the request for a resource. After receiving and interpreting a request message, the web server responds in the form of an HTTP response message. The applications 212 can be any software that is needed to process server system 102 functions or user requests. For example, the applications 212 could be databases, accounting packages, server tools, word processing software, and any other related software. Selection and incorporation of such a server software system 200 will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

The communication device 104 can be any device that allows for information to be sent and received over a communication network 100. In an example embodiment, the communication device 104 can be a computer 106, networked computers 108, laptop 110, handheld computer (e.g., Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)) 112, mobile phone 114 (e.g., cellular phone, digital phone), video phone 116, pager (not shown), and any other similar device or devices. The implementation of the invention is not dependent on any particular device and can be implemented in various configurations and architectures.

The communication device 104 will preferably have a graphical user interface (GUI) which can be any program that allows an interactive information package to be displayed. For example, a proprietary software program or an Internet web browser (web browser) 406 can be used.

A cursor will preferably be displayed on the communication device 104. The cursor viewed on a graphical user interface will preferably have a cursor image that can be controlled by a user. A user can control the cursor image by manual manipulation, voice communication, thought process mechanisms, or any other method of interaction. Manual manipulation can be accomplished by the user using a touch screen, keyboard, keypad, pointing device, mouse, light pen, remote control, or shortcut buttons. Voice communication can be accomplished through the use of a voice recognition system incorporated into the commination device, whereby the user speaks into a microphone and the communication device 104 translates the voice data so that the communication device 104 will automatically select the user's selection on the graphical user interface. Thought process mechanisms could be incorporated into the communication device 104 to allow hands free entry. Neural attachments could be secured to the user's head so that muscle movements could be translated by the communication device 104 providing for the communication device 104 to automatically select the user's selection on the graphical user interface. Selection and incorporation of such a communication device 104 will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

Figure 3 is a detailed block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a communication device 104. The communication device 104 can be computer 106 with the hardware architecture including display 300, keyboard 302, pointing device 304, CPU (Central Processing Unit) 306, memory 308, I/O controller 310, disk controller 312, hard drive 314, floppy drive 316, optical drive 318, modem 320, and network card 322. Each of the devices intercommunicate over bus 324 either directly or over their respective interfaces or controllers. The pointing device 304 can be any device that allows for input from a user to the communication device 104. The computer 106 is not limited to these generally common devices as the computer can and does include any other computer related devices.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of the software system 400 for an exemplary embodiment of a communication device 104. The communication device 104 can be computer 106 as shown in Figures 1 and 3. Computer 106 will preferably have an operating system (OS) 402, communication software 404, HTTP software (Internet web browser) 406, and applications 408. The operating system 402 manages all the programs in a communication device 104 referred to as applications 408. The applications 408 make use of the operating system 402 by making requests for services through a defined application program interface (API). In addition, users can interact directly with the.operating system 402 through an interface such as a command language. The operating system 402 can be any standard operating system for use on a communication device 104. The operating system 402 can be Microsoft Windows™, Microsoft Windows 95™, Microsoft Windows 98™, Microsoft Windows 2000™, Microsoft Windows NT™, any Microsoft Windows™ based operating system, Mac OS™, IBM OS/2™, and any other similar based operating system. The operating system 402 will preferably allow a communication device 104 to interface with the communication network 100 and run related applications 408.

The communication software 404 allows the computer 106 to send and receive information to the server system 102 over the communication network 100. The HTTP software 406 can be any software that will communicate with an Internet server 210 over the communication network 100. In one example embodiment, the HTTP software 406 will be an Internet web browser (web browser) such as Netscape Navigator™, Netscape Communicator™, Microsoft Internet Explorer™, Hot Java™, Mosaic, Opera, and similar related browser software. A web browser is an application program that provides a mechanism to view and interact with information on the WWW, which is generally in the form of web pages. A web browser is a type of "HTTP client", which allows a user to send HTTP requests from a communication device 104 to an HTTP server (web server) and receive back an HTTP response that is viewable on the web browser in the form of a web page or other similar related format.

In an example implementation, computer 106 as detailed in Figures 3 and 4 will interface with the communication network 100, preferably the Internet. The computer 106 can connect to the Internet by a modem 320, network card 322, or any other communication interface that will allow interface between the computer 106 and the Internet. The network card 322 allows the computer 106 to be connected to a LAN (local area network) and/or WAN (wide area network) which communicate with a HUB and router in making a connection to the Internet.

The interactive information package can be used to convey information to a user in an interactive manner or non-interactive. The interactive information package can allow a user to receive information by direct interaction or no interaction from the user. The user can directly interact or engage an interactive information package through an input device. An input device can be any device that allows the user to engage an interactive information package. For example, an input device can be, but is not limited to, manual manipulation, voice communication, thought process mechanisms, touch screen, keyboard, keypad, pointing device, mouse, light pen, remote control, shortcut buttons, or any similar method as discussed above.

The interactive information package can also contain information. An interactive information package can reside in any form such as a script, applet, program, or file. An interactive information package can be programmed in any programming language or similar related form. In an example embodiment, an interactive information package can be a script that is embedded in a web page, often referred to as an HTML file. An HTML file is a file that contains coding or commands from any programming language that when interpreted form a web page including but not limited to HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), DHTML (Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language), XHTML (Extensible Hypertext Markup Language), XML (Extensible Markup Language), any derivative or variation of HTML, and any similar related programming languages. Selection and incorporation of such a programming language will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

A web page is generally formatted using a Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) known as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). HTML is an application of SGML that uses tags to mark elements, such as text and graphics, in a document to indicate how web browsers should display these elements to the user. HTML and similar related programming languages allow code, scripts, or references to applets to be embedded within an HTML file. The code or scripts are denoted separately by specific tags that the web browser interprets. The scripts can consist of a set of instructions that are interpreted or carried out by another program. The web browser interprets the tags while a line in the code instructs the web browser to activate an interpreter to interpret the code or scripts that are embedded within the lines of code. An interpreter is also used to interpret programs, applets, or other similar related application not located within an HTML file. An interpreter can be a helper application, a plug-in, or similar related application. Web browsers originally contained helper applications which is a program that can be designated to handle a particular file type that the web browser has received such as an applet, program, or other similar related file. Web browser have the built-in ability to handle HTML files along with graphic images. For other file types, the user must tell the web browser the name of a helper application, a program that can view or otherwise process the special file. The user must also supply the program typically by installing the program. The helper application runs as a separate application program in its own window. Many web browsers now have plug-in's that are" built-in" interpreters which are an integral part of the web browser. Plug-in's automatically process scripts, applets, programs, or similar related files without the need to initiate an outside program.

In another example embodiment, the interactive information package can be an applet which is included as code in a file or separate application. An applet is a program that can be downloaded over the Internet and executed on a communication device 104. Applets are generally written in compiled programming languages, whereas scripts are written in scripting programming languages. ln general, scripting programming languages are easier and faster to program in than the more structured and compiled languages. However, a script takes longer to run than a compiled program since each instruction is being handled by another program first (requiring additional instructions) rather than directly by the CPU. Scripting programming languages are beneficial for smaller programming tasks, which is why scripting programming languages are so useful for web pages. Examples of scripting programming languages include JavaScript™, Perl, Tcl/Tk, Shell Script, VBScript, and REXX, while examples of compiled programming languages are Java™, Active X™, C, C++, and Visual Basic™.

The exemplary embodiment of the interactive information package will reside in the form of a script embedded within an HTML file 214. The interactive information package script can be programmed in any programming language but will preferably be JavaScript. JavaScript is an interpreted programming or script programming language, which can be used to perform interactive animations, calculations, or other tasks. JavaScript code can be embedded in web pages and interpreted by a web browser. JavaScript can also be executed at the server system 102 before a web page is sent to a user, for example as in an Active Server Page (ASP). An ASP can be a text file with HTML tags along with scripts and/or commands programmed in a scripting programming. When an ASP receives an HTTP request from a web browser, the server system 102 carries out any scripting commands embedded in the page, generates an HTML file and sends the file back to the web browse for display as a web page.

The interactive information package can appear on a communication device 104 in an interactive or a non-interactive manner. The interactive information package can contain any form of information. For example, an interactive information package can appear in an interactive manner, non- interactive manner, or contain information comprising text, graphics, images, photographs, symbols, sounds, colors, hyperlinks, web pages, audio, video, text boxes, search box, buttons, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created images or web pages, or any other way of conveying information to a user. The interactive information package can send and receive information. For example, the information that is sent and received can comprise electronic mail messages, voice mail messages, video messages, facsimiles, animation, audio, video, streaming audio, streaming video, financial information, news, weather, event notification, airline information, travel information, airport information, WebTV, coupons, or any other related information. The interactive information package can also be used in .conjunction with cookies, tracking systems, counters, and other related mechanisms. Selection and incorporation of such delivery technology will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

Flash and Shockwave technology can be used to deliver animation, streaming audio, and streaming video to the interactive information package. Flash is a vector graphics file format developed by Macromedia™ to enable web designers to add interactivity to web pages. A flash file can be played by a Flash Player plug-in, Shockwave plug-in, or a Java program. Shockwave is a format for multimedia audio and video files within HTML files created by Macromedia™. A Shockwave file can be played by a Shockwave plug-in. Selection and incorporation of such delivery technology will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

The interactive information package can be displayed in any position on the communication device. The interactive information package will preferably be positioned relative to the cursor image as displayed on a communication device 104. The interactive information package can have the ability to remain positioned relative to the cursor image as the cursor image is repositioned by a user. In an example embodiment, a user moves a pointing device which triggers the cursor image to be repositioned. As the cursor image is repositioned, the interactive information package is then repositioned simultaneously relative to the cursor image. Therefore, as the cursor image is moved, the interactive information package will seamlessly appear to move with the cursor image.

In one example embodiment, the interactive information package will appear as an interactive icon which can be in any form that will convey information to a user. The interactive icon can appear as text, graphics, images, photographs, symbols, sounds, colors, hyperlinks, web pages, audio, video, text boxes, search box, buttons, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created images or web pages, or any other way of conveying information to a user. In another example embodiment, the interactive information package will appear as an interactive box which can be in any form that will convey information to a user- The interactive box can be created through one of the scripting or compiled programming languages. The interactive box will preferably be dynamically created by a scripting programming language such as JavaScript. The interactive box can be configured and positioned in any manner such as an anchored position, free floating, or positioned relative to the cursor image. The interactive box can appear as text, graphics, images, photographs, symbols, sounds, colors, hyperlinks, web pages, audio, video, text boxes, search box, buttons, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created images or web pages, or any other way of conveying information to a user within the interactive box.

Figure 5 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of the present invention showing the steps of obtaining a file from a server system 102 over a communication network 100 for positioning an interactive information package relative to a cursor image for display on a communication device 104.

At step 500, a user accessing a communication device 104 requests data through a graphical user interface from the server system 102 over the communication network 100. The server system 102 receives the data request and responds by sending the requested data to the communication device 104 overthe communication network 100. The communication device 104 displays through a graphical user interface the received data and initializes the interactive information package capability.

In an example embodiment, computer 106 will use HTTP software (web browser) 406 to make an HTTP request for an HTML file over the communication network 100, which will be the Internet, to a server system 102. The server system 102 will be a web server which will respond by sending an HTTP response in form of a web page. The HTML file will can contain code or commands programmed in any programming language but will preferably be programmed in DHTML (Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language). The HTML file will contain an interactive information package script 214 that can be programmed in any programming language but will preferably be programmed in JavaScript.

Once the web browser has received the HTML file and associated files, the web browser interprets the DHTML tags to know how to display each associated element such as the text and graphic images that form the resulting web page. As the web browser interprets the HTML file line by line, the web browser can encounter a line in the code that instructs the web browser to activate an interpreter to interpret the scripts that are embedded within the lines. For example, a web browser that interprets the line "<script language="JavaScript">" will know to initiate a JavaScript interpreter and that the end of the script will occur when it interprets the line "</script>." Interpreters can be any form of device that will interpret and process a script. For example, an interpreter can be a plug-in, an applet, a helper application, built into a web browser, or similar related program. Many web browsers now have built-in interpreters that will automatically process the scripts without the need to initiate an outside program or interpreter.

The HTML file can contain tags that direct the web browser to retrieve associated files from the originating server system 102 of the HTML file or from a non-originating server system. The associated files can be text, icons, graphic images, sounds, audio, video, applets, programs, text file, JS files, programs, or similar related files.

In one embodiment, the HTML file contains tags and an interactive information package script. The HTML file contains tags that instruct the web browser to retrieve associated files from a non-originating server system. After the web browser interprets one of the these lines of code, the web browser sends an HTTP request to the non-originating server system to retrieve those files. The non-originating server system receives the request and responds with an HTTP response in the form of the requested file being returned.

In another embodiment, the HTML file contains tags and an interactive information package script. The HTML file contains tags that instruct the web browser to retrieve a JS (JavaScript) file from a non-originating server system. After the web browser interprets one of these lines of code, the web browser sends an HTTP request to a non-originating server system. The non-originating server system will respond with an HTTP response in the form of returning the requested JS file. The web browser will receive and interpret the JS file, which can contain file location of graphic images in the form of ASCII text. The web browser will then generate HTTP requests based on the JS file for requesting the retrieval of the graphic images. The web browser will send the HTTP requests to a plurality of non-originating server systems that will respond by returning the requested graphic images. The graphic images can then be displayed to a resulting web page or stored in the volatile memory 308 of a communication device 104 for latter use in displaying to a web page. The JavaScript scripting language has functions that allow a web page element (e.g., a graphic image) to be changed when a user initiates a triggering event such as moving the cursor image over a predefined area, often called a "mouseover" or a "rollover." This technique can allow for a web page element to be manipulated in any manner after a triggering event. For example, a web page element can be made visible or invisible, cause text elements in a menu to "pop up", change colors, swap graphic images, sounds, animations, video, and any manner of manipulation.

In one embodiment, the interactive information package script can incorporate a similar technique as described above. The interactive information package script will allow for the creation and control of CSS layers (Cascading

Style Sheets). A CSS (Cascading style sheet) is a web page style sheet derived from multiple sources with a defined order of precedence where the definition of any style element conflicts. A CSS layer can be used to position web page elements and set their visibility with the CSS elements referenced by using DHTML tags. The interactive information package script can switch the visibility of a CSS layer from hidden to visible and back again.

In one example embodiment, graphic images are retrieved by a web browser from the server system 102 over the communication network 100. The graphic images are loaded into volatile memory 308 of a communication device 104 for later use in displaying to a web page. The graphic images can be retrieved in any manner including by the web browser during initial HTML file loading, a JS file, or dynamically retrieved or generated during user interaction, or any similar related manner. A user activates the interactive information package script by moving the cursor image over a predefined area 508. The interactive information package script then displays and positions a CSS layer relative to the cursor image. The interactive information script then sends a command for one of the graphic images loaded in volatile memory to be displayed within the CSS layer. At step 502, the web browser has interpreted the first line of the interactive information package script. The web browser initiates an interpreter to process the interactive information package script such as a JavaScript interpreter. After the script has been processed, the interactive information package is capable of being displayed. The web browser displays the resulting web page on the communication device 104.

At step 504, the interactive information package script will use programming language functions to determine the position of the cursor image, preferably with JavaScript functions. Once the position of the cursor image is determined, an interactive icon 700 is positioned relative to the cursor image 600 as shown in Figures 6 and 7. The interactive icon 700 can be have the ability to remain positioned relative to the cursor image 600 as the cursor image is repositioned by a user. In an example embodiment, a user moves a pointing device which triggers the cursor image 600 to be repositioned. As the cursor image 600 is repositioned, the interactive icon 700 is then repositioned simultaneously relative to the cursor image. As the cursor image 600 is moved, the interactive icon 700 will seamlessly appear to move with the cursor image.

In one example embodiment, the interactive icon 700 can appear in any form that will convey information to a user. The interactive icon 700 can appear as text, graphics, images, photographs, symbols, buttons, sounds, colors, hyperlinks, web pages, dynamically created images or web pages, or any other way of conveying information to a user.

After the interactive icon 700 is positioned and displayed 504, an icon timer 506 can be initiated. The icon timer 506 is used to limit the amount of time that the interactive icon 700 appears to a user. After the icon timer 506 starts, the user can move the cursor image 600 over a predefined area 508 or the user can engage the interactive icon 510. The user can engage an interactive icon 700 in any manner. For example, a user can initiate the display of an interactive icon 700 by manual manipulation, pointing device, voice communication, thought process mechanisms, or any other method of interaction as discussed above. If the user does not engage the interactive icon 510, the interactive icon will remain displayed until the icon timer has elapsed 512. The interactive icon 700 can also be configured with no timer so that the interactive icon is constantly displayed. Once the icon timer has elapsed 512, the cursor image 600 will revert to its initial display state 514 as shown in Figure 6.

The cursor image 600 initial display state 514 can be in any form that a cursor image can appear such an hourglass, hand, arrow pointer, animated image, or any related shape or manner. Alternatively, the cursor image 600 initial display state 514 can be a different interactive information package positioned relative to the cursor image 600 or an interactive information package positioned in any manner.

In one embodiment, step 504, step 506, step 510, and step 512 can be eliminated so that an interactive icon 600 does not appear immediately when the web page is initially displayed. Instead, the web page is loaded and the cursor image appears in its initial cursor state as discussed above. The user would then only have the option of step 508. An interactive icon would only be activated if the user moves the cursor image over a predefined area. At step 508, a user can activate an interactive information package by moving a cursor image controlled by an input device over a predefined area. The predefined area can be any area of the web page that will allow an interactive information package to be activated such as a hyperlink, a graphic, text, image map, or any similar related area. If a user does not activate an interactive information package by moving the cursor image 600 over a predefined area, then the interactive icon 700 will remain displayed until the icon timer 506 has elapsed 512. Once the icon timer has elapsed 512, the cursor image will revert to its initial display state 514 as shown in Figure 6.

If a user does activate an interactive information package by moving the cursor image 600 over a predefined area, then the activation timer 516 is initiated. The activation timer 516 is used to limit the amount of time that the interactive icon 700 appears to a user. After the activation timer 516 starts, a new interactive icon 700 will be positioned and displayed relative to the cursor image 518. The user then has the choice of moving the cursor image over a predefined area 520 or engaging the interactive icon 522. If the user moves the cursor image 600 over a predefined area, then the method starting at step 516 repeats. If the user does not move the cursor image 600 over a predefined area 520 or engage the interactive icon 522, the interactive icon 700 will remain displayed until the activation timer 516 has elapsed 524. Once the icon timer has elapsed 524, the cursor image will revert to its initial display state 514 as shown in Figure 6. The interactive icon 700 can also be configured with no timer so that the interactive icon is constantly displayed.

At step 526, once a user has engaged the interactive icon 700 in either steps 510 or 522, an interactive box 800 will be positioned and displayed. An example of an interactive box 800 is illustrated in Figure 10. The interactive box 800 of Figure 10 generally allows user interaction within the boxed area, whereas the interactive icon 700 can provide for user interaction within and around the outside area. In one embodiment, a user will select a button on an input device to initiate the display of an interactive box.

The interactive information package script can use JavaScript functions to determine the position of the cursor image. Once the position is determined, an interactive box 800 is positioned relative to the cursor image 600 as shown in Figure 8. Just like the interactive icon 700, the interactive box 800 can have the ability to remain positioned relative to the cursor image 600 as the cursor image is repositioned by a user. In an example embodiment, a user moves a pointing device which triggers the cursor image 600 to be repositioned. As the cursor image 600 is repositioned, the interactive box 800 is then repositioned simultaneously relative to the cursor image. As the cursor image 600 is moved, the interactive box will seamlessly appear to move with the cursor image. In another example implementation, the interactive box 800 is anchored in place where the user cannot move the interactive box. In another example embodiment, the interactive box 800 will be free floating. This means that the interactive box is a separate object that the user can freely move around the screen to various locations without disturbing the web page content-

The interactive box 800 can be created through one of the scripting or compiled programming languages. The interactive box 800 will preferably be dynamically created by a scripting programming language such as JavaScript. The interactive box can be configured in any manner. The interactive box 800 can have text, graphics, images, photographs, symbols, sounds, colors, hyperlinks, web pages, dynamically created images or web pages, text boxes, buttons, search engine capabilities, or any other way of conveying information to a user within the interactive box for the user to interact.

At step 528, a box timer will be initiated. The box timer can be used to limit the amount of time that the interactive box 800 appears to a user. The interactive box 800 can also be configured with no timer so that the interactive box is constantly displayed- At step 530, if the user does not engage the interactive box 800, the interactive box will remain displayed until the box timer 528 has elapsed 532. Once the box timer 528 has elapsed 532, the cursor image 600 will revert to its initial display state 514 as discussed above and shown in Figure 6.

If the user engages the interactive box 800, then the user has the ability to select any options that the interactive box has available 534. In an example embodiment, a user can select links within the Interactive box 800. Once the user selects a link inside the interactive box 800, a web site associated with that link could be opened in the web browser windows or a new web browser window could be opened for the associated web site. In another example embodiment, the user could have fill-in input fields or links within the interactive box 800. The input fields can appear in any manner and configuration. The input fields or links can be used for sending and receiving information for search engines, email, product orders, chatting, faxes, drop down menus, voice mail, or any other manner. The interactive box 800 could be used to send and receive inputted information. The information received could be display in the form of opening a new web browser window or displaying the information within the interactive box 800. For example, a user selects an icon within the interactive box to retrieve email. The interactive box 800 will send this request and display the received email in the interactive box. The interactive box 800 is not limited to any particular design, configuration, or function.

In an alternative embodiment, all the steps of Figure 5 discussed above would be incorporated into the embodiment except for the steps shown in box 536. At step 510 and step 522, a user engages the interactive icon and proceeds to step 534. At step 534, the user has the ability to select any options that the interactive icon has available as discussed above. The interactive icon 700 is not limited to any particular design, configuration, or function.

In an another alternative embodiment, all the steps of Figure 5 discussed above would be incorporated into the embodiment except for the steps shown in box 536. An interactive box 800 will appear instead of an interactive icon 700 at corresponding steps that refer to an interactive icon. The references to an interactive icon 700 at step 504, step 510, step 518, step 522 would be replaced with references to an interactive box 800. At step 510 and step 522, a user engages the interactive box 800and proceeds to step 534. At step 534, the user has the ability to select any options that the interactive box 800 has available as discussed above. The interactive box is not limited to any particular design, configuration, or function.

Figure 6 is a screen shot of a cursor image 600 before an interactive information package is positioned relative to the cursor image 600. The user's display screen will typically appear as in Figure 6 with the cursor image 600 formed as an arrow shape. The cursor image 600 can appear in any form or manner.

Figure 7 is a screen shot displaying an exemplary embodiment of an interactive information package appearing as an interactive icon 700 positioned relative to the cursor image 600 as displayed on a communication device 104.

The interactive icon 700 in this example is an advertisement for a fictional company called "Coffee Stop." The interactive information package appearing as an interactive icon 700 is a graphical image of a steaming coffee mug with the company name "Coffee Stop" appearing below the mug. The interactive icon

700 as discussed above can appear in any form or manner. The interactive icon

700 will preferably have the words "Click Me" associated within the graphical image as shown in Figures 7 and 9. Figure 9 shows a close up perspective of the interactive icon 700. Figure 8 is a screen shot displaying an exemplary embodiment of an interactive information package appearing as an interactive box 800 positioned relative to the cursor image 600 as displayed on a communication device. The interactive box can appear in any form or manner.

The interactive box 800 in this example is an advertisement for a fictional company called "Coffee Stop." The interactive information package appearing as an interactive box 800 is a box with a title bar and close box in the right corner for closing the interactive box as shown in Figures 8 and 10. The box has a graphical image, text, and hyperlinks within the box. The graphical image is of a steaming coffee mug with the company name "Coffee Stop" above appearing above the mug in the title bar. The text appears in a text window along with hyperlinks that say "Click Here." The interactive box 800 in this example is being used to entice a user to select the hyperlink on the "Click here" area to get free coupons for coffee. The company Coffee Stop benefits from this coupon scheme because the user can be taken to the Coffee Stop web site or an associated web page where the company can present more options to the user.

The user can have the option of closing the interactive box 800 by clicking on the close box located in the right corner. Figure 10 shows a close up perspective of the interactive box 800. The interactive information package system and method provides many advantages over existing systems and methods by allowing sending and receiving of information in a manner that is cost effective, efficient, and less annoying to a user. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made in the apparatus and process of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modification and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

WE CLAIM:

Claims

1. An apparatus for positioning at least one interactive information package comprising:

(a) a communication network to facilitate data transmission; (b) at least one communication device for sending and receiving data over the communication network to a server system; (c) at least one interactive information package positioned relative to the cursor image as displayed on at least one communication device ; and (d) a server system for sending and receiving data over the communication network to at least one communication device, the server system maintaining at least one interactive information package which is available to the at least one communication device.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the communication network is the Internet and includes a host network address.

3. The apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the host network address includes the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the server system.

4. The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the at least one communication device includes a graphical user interface.

5. The apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the graphical user interface is an Internet web browser with the ability to interpret an HTML file.

6. The apparatus as in claim 5, wherein the Internet web browser includes an interpreter for interpreting at least one of a script, applet, or program.

7. The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the interactive information package is embedded in an HTML file.

8. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the interactive information package is partially embedded in an HTML file.

9. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the interactive information package resides in the form of a script.

10. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the interactive information package resides in the form of an applet.

11. The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the interactive information package resides in the form of a program.

12. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the interactive information package appears on a communication device in an interactive manner.

13. The apparatus as in claim 12, wherein the interactive manner comprises at least one of a graphic image, text, image, photograph, symbol, sound, color, hyperlink, web page, audio, video, text box, search box, button, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created image, or dynamically created web page.

14. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the interactive information package appears on a communication device in a non-interactive manner.

15. The apparatus as in claim 14, wherein the non-interactive manner comprises at least one of a graphic image, text, image, photograph, symbol; sound, color, hyperlink, web page, audio, video, text box, search box, button, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created image, or dynamically created web page.

16. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the interactive information package appears on a communication device as an interactive icon.

17. The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the interactive information package appears on a communication device as an interactive box.

18. The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the interactive information package contains information.

19. The apparatus as in claim 18, wherein the information comprises at least one of a graphic image, text, image, photograph, symbol, sound, color, hyperlink, web page, audio, video, text box, search box, button, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created image, or dynamically create web page.

20. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the interactive information package sends and receives information.

21. The apparatus as in claim 20, wherein the information comprises at least one of an electronic mail, voice mail, video messages, or facsimiles.

22. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the interactive information package is in an anchored position.

23. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the interactive information package is in a free floating position.

24. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the interactive information package can be used in conjunction with cookies, tracking systems, or counters.

25. An apparatus for positioning at least one interactive information package as displayed on at least one communication device transmitted from a server system over a communication network comprising: (a) a communication network to facilitate data transmission, the communication network comprising the Internet and including a host network address, the host network address including the Uniform Resource Locator

(URL) of the server system; (b) at least one communication device for sending and receiving data over the communication network to the server system, the communication device including a graphical user interface, wherein the graphical user interface is an

Internet web browser; (c) a server system for sending and receiving data over the communication network to at least one communication device, the server system maintaining at least one interactive information package which is available to the at least one communication device; and (d) at least one interactive information package positioned relative to the cursor image as displayed on the plurality of communication devices.

26. The apparatus as in claim 25, wherein the Internet web browser has the ability to interpret an HTML file.

27. The apparatus as in claim 26, wherein the Internet web browser includes an interpreter for interpreting at least one of a script, applet, or program.

28. The apparatus as in claim 25, wherein the interactive information package is embedded in an HTML file.

29. The apparatus as in claim 25, wherein the interactive information package is partially embedded in an HTML file.

30. The apparatus as in claim 25, wherein the interactive information package resides in the form of a script.

31. The apparatus as in claim 25, wherein the interactive information package resides in the form of an applet.

32. The apparatus as in claim 25, wherein the interactive information package resides in the form of a program.

33. The apparatus as in claim 25, wherein the interactive information package appears on a communication device in an interactive manner.

34. The apparatus as in claim 33, wherein the interactive manner comprises at least one of a graphic image, text, image, photograph, symbol, sound, color, hyperlink, web page, audio, video, text box, search box, button, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created image, or dynamically created web page.

35. The apparatus as in claim 25, wherein the interactive information package appears on a communication device in a non-interactive manner.

36. The apparatus as in claim 36, wherein the non-interactive manner comprises at least one of a graphic image, text, image, photograph, symbol, sound, color, hyperlink, web page, audio, video, text box, search box, button, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created image, or dynamically created web page.

37. The apparatus as in claim 25, wherein the interactive information package appears on a communication device as an interactive icon.

38. The apparatus as in claim 25, wherein the interactive information package appears on a communication device as an interactive box.

39. The apparatus as in claim 25, wherein the interactive information package contains information.

40. The apparatus as in claim 39, wherein the information comprises at least one of a graphic image, text, image, photograph, symbol, sound, color, hyperlink, web page, audio, video, text box, search box, button, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created image, or dynamically create web page.

41. The apparatus as in claim 25, wherein the interactive information package sends and receives information.

42. The apparatus as in claim 41, wherein the information comprises at least one of an electronic mail, voice mail, video messages, or facsimiles.

43. The apparatus as in claim 25, wherein the interactive information package is in an anchored position.

44. The apparatus as in claim 25, wherein the interactive information package is in a free floating position.

45. The apparatus as in claim 25, wherein the interactive information package can be used in conjunction with cookies, tracking systems, or counters.

46. An apparatus for positioning at least one interactive information package relative to the cursor image as displayed on at least one communication device transmitted from a server system over a communication network comprising:

(a) a communication network to facilitate data transmission, the communication network comprising the Internet and including a host network address, the host network address including the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the server system;

(b) at least one communication device for sending and receiving data overthe communication network to the serversystem, the communication device includes an Internet web browser with the ability to interpret HTML files, wherein the Internet web browser comprises an interpreter for interpreting at least one of a script, applet, or program; (c) a server system for sending and receiving data over the communication network to at least one communication devices, the server system maintaining at least one interactive information package which is available to the at least one communication device; and (d) at least one interactive information package positioned relative to the cursor image as displayed through the Internet web browser on the plurality of communication devices, the interactive information package is embedded in an

HTML file in the form of a script which is interpreted by the Internet web browser.

47. The apparatus as in claim 46, wherein the interactive information package appears on a communication device in an interactive manner.

48. The apparatus as in claim 47, wherein the interactive manner comprises at least one of a graphic image, text, image, photograph, symbol, sound, color, hyperlink, web page, audio, video, text box, search box, button, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created image, or dynamically created web page.

49. The apparatus as in claim 46, wherein the interactive information package appears on a communication device in a non-interactive manner.

50. The apparatus as in claim 49, wherein the non-interactive manner comprises at least one of a graphic image, text, image, photograph, symbol, sound, color, hyperlink, web page, audio, video, text box, search box, button, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created image, or dynamically created web page.

51. The apparatus as in claim 46, wherein the interactive information package appears on a communication device as an interactive icon.

52. The apparatus as in claim 46, wherein the interactive information package appears on a communication device as an interactive box.

53. The apparatus as in claim 46, wherein the interactive information package contains information.

54. The apparatus as in claim 53, wherein the information comprises at least one of a graphic image, text, image, photograph, symbol, sound, color, hyperlink, web page, audio, video, text box, search box, button, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created image, or dynamically create web page.

55. The apparatus as in claim 46, wherein the interactive information package sends and receives information.

56. The apparatus as in claim 55, wherein the information comprises at least one of an electronic mail, voice mail, video messages, or facsimiles.

57. The apparatus as in claim 46, wherein the interactive information package is in an anchored position.

58. The apparatus as in claim 46, wherein the interactive information package is in a free floating position.

59. The apparatus as in claim 46, wherein the interactive information package can be used in conjunction with cookies, tracking systems, or counters.

60. A method for positioning an interactive information package on at least one communication device comprising the steps of:

(a) establishing a connection from at least one communication device to a server system over a communication network;

(b) requesting data from the server system, wherein the data includes an interactive information package;

(c) receiving the requested data from the server system over the communication network;

(d) displaying the received data on the communication device; and (e) positioning and displaying at least one interactive information package relative to a cursor image on the communication device.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the step of positioning and displaying the interactive information package further comprises controlling the interactive information package to move with the cursor image.

62. The method of claim 60, further comprising the step of starting a first timer for a specified amount of time, wherein the first timer can limit the amount of time that an interactive information package is displayed.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising the steps of: (a) monitoring the movement of the cursor image until the first timer elapses; and (b) if the monitoring step determines that the first timer has elapsed, removing the interactive information package from appearing on the at least one communication device and reverting the cursor image to an initial cursor display state.

64. The method as in claim 63, further comprising the step of, during the monitoring step before the first timer elapses, if the monitoring step determines that the cursor image has been moved over a predefined area, starting a second timer to limit the amount of time that a second interactive information package is displayed, and positioning and displaying a second interactive information package relative to the cursor image on at least one communication device in the place of the first.

65. The method of claim 64, further comprising the steps of: (a) monitoring the movement of the cursor image until the second timer elapses; (b) if the monitoring step determines that the second timer has elapsed, removing the second interactive information package from appearing on the at least one communication device and reverting the cursor image to an initial cursor display state; and (c) if the monitoring step determines that the cursor image has been moved over a predefined area further comprising the steps of restarting the second timer and positioning and displaying a new interactive information package.

66. The method of claim 64, further comprising the steps of: (a) monitoring for activity from an input device until the second timer elapses; (b) if the monitoring step determines that the second timer has elapsed, removing the second interactive information package from appearing on the at least one communication device and reverting the cursor image to an initial cursor display state; and (c) if the monitoring step determines that the second interactive information package has been engaged by the input device, positioning and displaying a third interactive information package relative to the cursor image on at least one communication device, and starting a third timer to limit the amount of time that the third interactive information package is displayed.

67. The method of claim 66, further comprising the steps of: (a) monitoring for activity from the input device until the third timer elapses; (b) if the monitoring step determines that the third timer has elapsed, removing the third interactive information package from appearing on the at least one communication device and reverting the cursor image to an initial cursor display state; and (c) if the monitoring step determines that the third interactive information package has been engaged by the input device, presenting and displaying available options for the user to choose.

68. The method of claim 62, further comprising the steps of: (a) monitoring for activity from an input device until the first timer elapses;

(b) if the monitoring step determines that the first timer has elapsed, removing the interactive information package from appearing on the at least one communication device and reverting the cursor image to an initial cursor display state; and

(c) if the monitoring step determines that the interactive information package has been engaged by the input device, positioning and displaying a second interactive information package relative to the cursor image on at least one communication device, and starting a second timer to limit the amount of time that the second interactive information package is displayed.

69. The method of claim 68, further comprising the steps of: (a) monitoring for activity from the input device until the second timer elapses; (b) if the monitoring step determines that the second timer has elapsed, removing the second interactive information package from appearing on the at least one communication device and reverting the cursor image to an initial cursor display state; and (c) if the monitoring step determines that the second interactive information package has been engaged by the input device, presenting and displaying available options for the user to choose.

70- A method for positioning an interactive information package comprising: (a) establishing a connection from at least one communication device to a server system over a communication network;

(d) displaying the received data on at least one communication device; (e) activating an interactive information package; and

(f) positioning and displaying the interactive information package relative to a cursor image.

71. The method as in claim 70, wherein activating the interactive information package comprises the step of moving the cursor image over a predefined area.

72. The method as in claim 70, wherein the step of positioning and displaying the interactive information package further comprises moving the interactive information package as the cursor image is moved such that the interactive information package tracks the cursor movement.

73. The method as in claim 70, further comprising the step of starting a first timer for a specified amount of time, wherein the first timer can limit the amount of time that an interactive information package is displayed.

74. The method as in claim 73, further comprising the steps of: (a) removing the interactive box from appearing on the at least one communication device when the first timer elapses; (b) reverting the cursor image to an initial cursor display state.

75. The method as in claim 73, further comprising the steps of (a) moving the cursor image over a predefined area;

(b) re-starting the first timer; and , (c) positioning and displaying a new interactive box.

76. The method as in claim 73, further comprising the steps of: (a) engaging the interactive information package by an input device;

(b) positioning and displaying the interactive information package containing information.

77. The method as in claim 73, further comprising the steps of: (a) engaging the interactive information package by an input device;

(b) positioning and displaying a second interactive information package; and

(c) starting a second timer, wherein the second timer can limit the amount of time that the second interactive information package is displayed.

78. The method as in claim 77, further comprising the steps of: (a) removing the second interactive information package from appearing on the at least one communication device when the second timer elapses; (b) reverting the cursor image to an initial cursor display state.

79. The method as in claim 77, further comprising the steps of: (a) engaging the second interactive information package by an input device; (b) presenting and displaying information in the second interactive information package in response to the engagement.

80. The method as in claim 79, wherein the information comprises a plurality of options for selection by a user.

81. A method for positioning an interactive box relative to a cursor image as displayed through an Internet web browser on at least one communication device comprising: (a) establishing a connection from at least one communication device to a serversystem overthe Internet, the serversystem comprising an Internet web server;

(b) requesting data from the server system, the data including an interactive box;

(c) receiving the data from the server system over the Internet; (d) displaying the data through the Internet web browser on at least one communication device as a web page; and (e) positioning and displaying the interactive box relative to a cursor image on at least one communication device.

82. The method as in claim 81 , wherein the interactive box appears on at least one communication device in an interactive manner.

83. The method as in claim 82, wherein the interactive manner comprises at least one of a graphic image, text, image, photograph, symbol, sound, color, hyperlink, web page, audio, video, text box, search box, button, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created image, or dynamically created web page.

84. The method as in claim 81 , wherein the interactive box appears on at least one communication device in a non-interactive manner-

85. The method of claim 81 , further comprising the step of starting a first timer for a specified amount of time, wherein the first timer can limit the amount of time that an interactive box is displayed.

86. The method as in claim 85, further comprising the steps of: (a) removing the interactive box from appearing on the at least one communication device when the first timer elapses; and (b) reverting the cursor image to an initial cursor display state.

87. The method as in claim 85, further comprising the steps of: (a) engaging the interactive box by an input device; and

(b) presenting and displaying information in the interactive box in response to the engagement.

88. The method as in claim 87, wherein the interactive box can be positioned in a manner selected from the group consisting of relative to the cursor image, an anchored position, and a free floating position.

89. The method as in claim 87, wherein the interactive box sends and receives information comprising at least one of an electronic mail, voice mail, video messages, or facsimiles.

90. The method as in claim 87, wherein the interactive box is used in conjunction with at least one of a cookie, tracking system, and counter.

91. The method as in claim 87, wherein the information comprises at least one of a graphic image, text, photograph, symbol, sound, color, hyperlink, web page, audio, video, text box, search box, button, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created image, or dynamically create web page.

92. The method as in claim 87, wherein the interactive box can be closed by selecting a graphic image within the interactive box.

93. A method for positioning an interactive box relative to a cursor image as displayed through an Internet web browser on at least one communication device comprising: (a) establishing a connection from at least one communication device to a server system over the Internet, the server system comprising an Internet web server;

(c) receiving the data from the server system over the Internet; (d) displaying the data through the Internet web browser on at least one communication device as a web page; (e) positioning and displaying at least one interactive box relative to a cursor image on at least one communication device; and (f) starting a first timer for a specified amount of time, wherein the first timer can limit the amount of time that an interactive box is displayed.

94. The method as in claim 93, wherein the interactive box appears on at least one communication device in an interactive manner.

95. The method as in claim 94, wherein the interactive manner comprises at least one of a graphic image, text, image, photograph, symbol, sound, color, hyperlink, web page, audio, video, text box, search box, button, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created image, or dynamically created web page.

96. The method as in claim 93, wherein the interactive box appears on at least one communication device in a non-interactive manner.

97. The method as in claim 93, further comprising the steps of: (a) removing the interactive box from appearing on the at least one communication device when the first timer elapses; (b) reverting the cursor image to an initial cursor display state.

98. The method as in claim 93, further comprising the steps of: (a) moving the cursor image over a predefined area, wherein the predefined area is an area of the web page that allows an interactive box to be activated;

(b) positioning and displaying a second interactive box; and (c) starting a second timer, wherein the second timer can limit the amount of time that the second interactive box is displayed.

99. The method as in claim 98, wherein the predefined area is at least one of a hyperlink, graphic image, or image map.

100. The method as in claim 98, further comprising the steps of: (a) removing the second interactive box from appearing on the at least one communication device when the second timer elapses; and (b) reverting the cursor image to an initial cursor display state.

101. The method as in claim 98, further comprising the steps of (a) moving the cursor image over a predefined area, wherein the predefined area is an area of the web page that allows an interactive box to be activated;

(b) re-starting the second timer; and (c) positioning and displaying a new interactive box.

102. The method as in claim 101, wherein the predefined area is at least one of a hyperlink, graphic image, or image map.

103. The method as in claim 98, further comprising the steps of: (a) engaging the second interactive box by an input device; and

(b) presenting and displaying information in the second interactive box in response to the engagement.

104. The method as in claim 103, wherein the interactive box can be positioned in a manner selected from the group consisting of relative to the cursor image, an anchored position, and a free floating position.

105. The method as in claim 103, wherein the interactive box sends and receives information comprising at least one of an electronic mail, voice mail, video messages, or facsimiles.

106. The method as in claim 103, wherein the interactive box is used in conjunction with at least one of a cookie, tracking system, and counter.

107. The method as in claim 103, wherein the information comprises at least one of a graphic image, text, photograph, symbol, sound, color, hyperlink, web page, audio, video, text box, search box, button, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created image, or dynamically create web page.

108. The method as in claim 103, wherein the interactive box can be closed by selecting a graphic image within the interactive box.

109. A method for positioning an interactive icon relative to a cursor image as displayed through an Internet web browser on at least one communication device comprising: (a) establishing a connection from at least one communication device to a serversystem overthe Internet, the serversystem comprising an Internet web server;

(b) requesting data from the server system, the data including an interactive icon;

(c) receiving the data from the server system over the Internet; (d) displaying the data through the Internet web browser on at least one communication device as a web page; (e) positioning and displaying at least one interactive icon relative to a cursor image on at least one communication device for a specified time; (f) engaging the interactive icon by an input device; and

(g) after engagement of the interactive icon by an input device, presenting and displaying a second interactive icon containing information, the second interactive icon can be positioned in a manner selected from the group consisting of relative to the cursor image, an anchored position, and a free floating position.

110. The method as in claim 109, wherein the step of positioning and displaying at least one interactive icon further comprises the steps of:

(a) starting a timer for a specified amount of time, wherein the timer can limit the amount of time that the interactive icon is displayed; and (b) if the timer elapses further comprising the steps of removing the interactive icon from appearing on the at least one communication device and reverting the cursor image to an initial cursor display state.

111. The method as in claim 109, wherein the interactive icon comprises at least one of a graphic image, text, image, photograph, symbol, sound, color, hyperlink, web page, audio, video, text box, search box, button, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created image, or dynamically created web page.

112. The method as in claim 109, wherein the interactive icon is engaged by clicking a mouse button.

113. The method as in claim 109, wherein the interactive icon sends and receives information comprising at least one of an electronic mail, voice mail, video messages, or facsimiles.

114. The method as in claim 109, wherein the interactive icon is used in conjunction with at least one of a cookie, tracking system, or counter.

115. The method as in claim 109, wherein the information comprises at least one of a graphic image, text, photograph, symbol, sound, color, hyperlink, web page, audio, video, text box, search box, button, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created image, or dynamically create web page.

116. A method for positioning an interactive icon relative to a cursor image as displayed through an Internet web browser on at least one communication device comprising: (a) establishing a connection from at least one communication device to a serversystem overthe Internet, the serversystem comprising an Internet web server;

(c) receiving the data from the server system over the Internet; (d) displaying the data through the Internet web browser on at least one communication device as a web page; (e) positioning and displaying at least one interactive icon relative to a cursor image on at least one communication device for a specified time; (f) enabling a predefined area of the web page; and

(g) presenting and displaying a new interactive icon.

117. The method as in claim 116, wherein the step of positioning and displaying at least one interactive icon further comprises the steps of:

(a) starting a timer for a specified amount of time, wherein the timer can limit the amount of time that the interactive icon is displayed; and

(b) if the timer elapses further comprising the steps of removing the interactive icon from appearing on the at least one communication device and reverting the cursor image to an initial cursor display state.

118. The method as in claim 116, further comprising the steps of: (a) enabling a predefined area of the web page, wherein the predefined area comprises the previously enabled area or a different area; (b) presenting and displaying a new interactive icon; and

(c) repeating this step until the interactive icon is engaged by an input device.

119. The method as in claim 116, including engaging the new interactive icon by an input device and presenting and displaying information in the new interactive icon.

120. The method as in claim 119, wherein the new interactive icon is engaged by clicking a mouse button.

121. The method as in claim 119, wherein the new interactive icon sends and receives information comprising at least one of an electronic mail, voice mail, video messages, or facsimiles.

122. The method as in claim 119, wherein the new interactive icon is used in conjunction with at least one of a cookie, tracking system, and counter.

123. The method as in claim 119, wherein the information comprises at least one of a graphic image, text, photograph, symbol, sound, color, hyperlink, web page, audio, video, text box, search box, button, search engine capabilities, music, dynamically created image, or dynamically create web page.