U.S. patent application number 10/128444 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-22 for electronic delivery of coupons to personal digital assistants.
Invention is credited to Mankoff, Jeffrey W..
Application Number | 20020116271 10/128444 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23200519 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020116271 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mankoff, Jeffrey W. |
August 22, 2002 |
Electronic delivery of coupons to personal digital assistants
Abstract
An electronic or "virtual" coupon is obtained when a user
selects a given link in a Web page being displayed on a client
machine. Preferably, the link is an image link embedded in an
advertising banner that is displayed on the Web page such that user
click-through on the banner automatically generates the virtual
coupon. The virtual coupon is then saved to a file on the client
machine. Thereafter, the virtual coupon is downloaded to a PDA via
a communication link when the PDA is synchronized to the desktop.
When the virtual coupon is downloaded to the PDA, it is
automatically saved in a coupon file. In addition, contact
information associated with the coupon provider (e.g., address and
e-mail information) is automatically written to the PDA contact
file. Moreover, the coupon's expiration date is stored in PDA's
calendar, together with information for generating one or more
redemption remainders that are periodically issued to the PDA user
when the device is powered on. When the user desires to redeem the
coupon, he or she may take the PDA to a terminal located at a
retail establishment. By synchronizing the PDA to the terminal, the
virtual coupon is redeemed in exchange for a discount on a given
product or service.
Inventors: |
Mankoff, Jeffrey W.;
(Dallas, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William D. McSpadden
BAKER & McKENZIE
2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 2300
Dallas
TX
75201
US
|
Family ID: |
23200519 |
Appl. No.: |
10/128444 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10128444 |
Apr 23, 2002 |
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09309989 |
May 11, 1999 |
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6385591 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.25 ;
705/14.26; 705/14.35; 705/14.58; 705/14.64 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20130101;
G06Q 30/0225 20130101; G06Q 30/0224 20130101; G06Q 30/0261
20130101; G06Q 20/387 20130101; G06Q 30/0239 20130101; G06Q 30/0267
20130101; G06Q 20/20 20130101; G06Q 30/0235 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A computer-implemented method of distributing coupons over a
wireless network, comprising: providing a database comprising a
plurality of digital coupons, the digital coupons containing
information; serving at least one of the digital coupons over the
wireless network to at least one user having a wireless computing
device with a display; storing at least a portion of the digital
coupon information in the wireless computing device; and displaying
on the display of the at least one user's wireless computing device
information extracted, at least in part, from the digital coupon
information.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless computing device is a
wireless Personal Digital Assistant ("PDA").
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the serving of the at least one
digital coupon is performed in response to the selection of a link
on a website.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the link is selected by the user
of the at least one wireless computing device.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the link is selected using the at
least one wireless computing device.
6. The method of claim 1 and further comprising associating a given
identifier with the at least one digital coupon before the at least
one digital coupon is served upon the at least one user.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the given identifier is associated
with the at least one user.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the given identifier is associated
with a cookie associated with the at least one user.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one digital coupon is
a redeemable voucher and further comprising associating a given
identifier with the at least one digital coupon before the at least
one digital coupon is served upon the at least one user.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the
information of the digital coupon is stored in an organizer within
the wireless computing device.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein an expiration date for the
digital coupon is stored in a calendar portion of the wireless
computing device.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein vendor contact information for
the digital coupon is stored in the contact portion of the wireless
computing device.
13. A computer-implemented method of distributing coupons over a
network, comprising: providing a database comprising a plurality of
digital coupons, the digital coupons containing information;
associating given identifiers with given users; associating one of
the given identifiers with at least one digital coupon to be served
on the user associated with that one of the given identifiers; and
serving the at least one digital coupon with its associated
identifier upon the user associated with that identifier.
14. The method of claim 13 and further comprising authenticating,
when the at least one digital coupon is presented for redemption,
that the user attempting to redeem the digital coupon is the same
user with which the digital coupon is associated.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the digital coupon is a
redeemable voucher.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein the network is a wireless
network.
17. The method of claim 13 wherein the at least one digital coupon
is served upon the user's portable computing device and wherein the
user's portable computing device has a display upon which
information extracted, at least in part, from digital coupon
information from the digital coupons, is displayed.
18. A computer implemented method of distributing electronic ticket
vouchers over a network, comprising: providing a database
comprising a first set of data describing a schedule of events and
a set of tickets corresponding to each of said events; receiving a
request from a wireless device through the network to purchase an
electronic ticket voucher corresponding to an event wherein the
request comprises customer data identifying the purchaser of the
ticket; transmitting an electronic ticket voucher to the wireless
device over the network; storing the customer data in a transaction
database; receiving a request from a computer terminal for
verification of the electronic ticket voucher; comparing the
request for verification with the customer data in the transaction
database; generating a confirmation signal indicating an approval
or denial of the verification request based upon the comparison
with the customer data; and transmitting a confirmation signal to
the computer terminal.
19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the wireless computing
device is a wireless Personal Digital Assistant ("PDA").
20. A method according to claim 18 wherein receiving a request to
purchase an electronic ticket voucher is performed in response to
the selection of a link on a website.
21. A method according to claim 20 wherein the link is selected by
the user of the at least one wireless computing device.
22. A method according to claim 18 wherein the electronic ticket
voucher includes display data suitable for displaying on the
wireless device.
23. A method according to claim 18 wherein the electronic ticket
voucher includes calendar data suitable for storing in the calendar
of the wireless device.
24. A method according to claim 18 wherein the electronic ticket
voucher includes contact data comprising name, address and
telephone number data.
25. A computer implemented method of distributing coupons over a
network, comprising: providing a database comprising a plurality of
electronic coupons; transmitting an electronic coupon to a wireless
device over the network; storing customer data corresponding to the
recipient of the electronic coupon in a transaction database;
receiving a request from a retail computer terminal for
verification of an electronic coupon; comparing the request for
verification with the corresponding customer data in the
transaction database; generating a confirmation signal indicating
an approval or denial of the verification request based upon the
comparison with the customer data; and transmitting the
confirmation signal to the retail computer terminal over the
network.
26. A method according to claim 25, further comprising: receiving a
request for an electronic coupon from a wireless device.
27. A method according to claim 25, further comprising: receiving a
signal from a wireless device indicating that the wireless device
has entered a geographical location; and transmitting an electronic
coupon corresponding to the geographical location to the wireless
device over the network.
28. A method according to claim 25 wherein the wireless computing
device is a wireless Personal Digital Assistant ("PDA").
29. A method according to claim 25 wherein transmitting an
electronic coupon is performed in response to the selection of a
link on a website.
30. A method according to claim 29 wherein the link is selected by
the user of a wireless computing device.
31. A method according to claim 25 wherein the electronic coupon
includes display data suitable for displaying on the wireless
device.
32. A method according to claim 25 wherein the electronic coupon
includes calendar data suitable for storing in the calendar of the
wireless device.
33. A method according to claim 32 wherein the calendar data
corresponds to an expiration date for the electronic coupon.
34. A method according to claim 25 wherein the electronic coupon
includes contact data comprising name, address and telephone number
data.
35. A computer system adapted to distribute electronic ticket
vouchers over a wireless communications network, comprising: a
database comprising a first set of data describing a schedule of
events and a set of tickets corresponding to each of said events; a
network interface adapted to connect the database to the wireless
communications network; a transaction database adapted for storing
data corresponding to ticket transactions; a computer readable
medium encoded with instructions for performing the following
actions: a) receiving a request from a wireless device through the
wireless communications network to purchase an electronic ticket
voucher corresponding to an event wherein the request comprises
customer data identifying the purchaser of the ticket; b)
retrieving an electronic ticket voucher from the database
corresponding to the requested ticket; c) transmitting the
retrieved electronic ticket voucher over the wireless
communications network to the wireless device; d) storing the
customer data in the transaction database; e) receiving a request
from a computer terminal for verification of the electronic ticket
voucher; g) comparing the request for verification with customer
data in the transaction database; h) generating a confirmation
signal indicating an approval or denial of the verification request
based upon the comparison with the customer data; and i)
transmitting the confirmation signal to the computer terminal.
36. A computer system adapted to distribute coupons over a wireless
communications network comprising: a database comprising a
plurality of electronic coupons; a network interface adapted to
connect the database to the wireless communications network; a
transaction database adapted for storing information about
customers; a computer readable medium encoded with instructions for
performing the following actions: a) transmitting an electronic
coupon to a wireless device over the wireless communications
network, wherein the electronic coupon further comprises
verification data; b) storing customer data corresponding to the
recipient of the electronic coupon in a transaction database; c)
receiving a request from a retail computer terminal for
verification of an electronic coupon; d) comparing the request for
verification with corresponding customer data in the transaction
database; e) generating a confirmation signal indicating an
approval or denial of the verification request based upon the
comparison with the customer data; and f) transmitting the
confirmation signal to the retail computer terminal.
37. A computer system according to claim 36, wherein the computer
readable medium further is further encoded with instructions for
receiving a request for an electronic coupon from a wireless device
through the wireless communications network.
38. A computer system according to claim 36, wherein the computer
readable medium is further encoded with instructions for: receiving
a signal from a wireless device indicating that the wireless device
has entered a geographical location; and transmitting an electronic
coupon corresponding to the geographical location to a wireless
device over the wireless communications network.
39. A computer system according to claim 36 wherein the wireless
computing device is a wireless Personal Digital Assistant ("PDA").
Description
RELATED PATENTS AND PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/309,989 entitled "Method and System for
Electronic Delivery of Coupons."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates generally to product and
service merchandising through distribution of electronic coupons,
gift certificates and the like.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Recently, the computer industry has sought to add computer
processing and communications capabilities to devices other than
what would normally be considered a traditional computer. Such
devices include, for example, personal digital assistants (PDAs),
business organizers, watches, PCMCIA-based credit card organizers,
and other handheld or "palm" devices. These devices typically
include technology and software (e.g., 3Com HotSync.RTM.) to enable
the user to synchronize data between the device and desktop
software or another personal information manager (PIM) such as
Microsoft outlook. To synchronize data, the PDA is connected to a
desktop either directly (e.g., by placing the PDA in a cradle that
is connected to the desktop) or indirectly via an infrared link, a
modem or a network. Once the connection is established, information
or data located in the desktop computer may be communicated and
stored in the PDA.
[0006] It is known in the art to display product or service coupons
on pages that are available through the Internet's World Wide Web
information retrieval system. A user of a computer may access those
pages through use of a conventional Web browser. The user navigates
to a given page, which is then saved to a file or printed. The hard
copy of the coupon may then be carried by the user directly to a
retail location and used to receive a discount on a given
purchase.
[0007] It would be desirable to provide improved methods and
systems for electronic delivery and use of coupons (namely,
discount coupons, gift certificates, redeemable vouchers and the
like) that could take advantage of the existing state-of-the-art of
Internet and PDA technology.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an
electronic or "virtual" coupon is obtained when a user selects a
given link in a Web page being displayed on a client machine.
Preferably, the link is an image link embedded on a Web site and/or
in an advertising banner that is displayed on the Web page such
that user click-through on the banner automatically generates the
virtual coupon. The virtual coupon is then saved to a file on the
client machine. Thereafter, the virtual coupon is downloaded to a
PDA via a communication link when the PDA is synchronized to the
desktop. When the virtual coupon is downloaded to the PDA, it is
automatically saved in a coupon file. In addition, contact
information associated with the coupon provider (e.g., address, web
site URL, map and e-mail information) is automatically written to
the PDA contact file. Moreover, the coupon's expiration date is
stored in PDA's calendar, together with information for generating
one or more redemption remainders that are periodically issued to
the PDA user when the device is powered on. When the user desires
to redeem the coupon, he or she may take the PDA to a terminal
located at a retail establishment. By synchronizing the PDA to the
terminal, the virtual coupon is redeemed in exchange for a discount
on a given product or service. Alternatively, the coupon may be
redeemed for an online purchase by connecting the PDA to a Web
site, e.g., using a wireless connection.
[0009] According to another embodiment of the invention, a user of
a PDA having a wireless Internet connection may navigate to a Web
site and select a link (e.g., a link in an advertising banner) and
receive the virtual coupon directly.
[0010] According to the invention, a central web site may be used
to manage the distribution of the virtual coupons. In particular,
an advertiser that desires to issue virtual discounts may register
its coupons with the web site, perhaps for a given fee. Later, when
users click through banner advertisements that include links to the
web site, the users are seamlessly redirected to the site, which
records the transactions and issues the virtual coupons. The site
maintains a database of users who have downloaded virtual coupons,
and such information is also available for collateral promotional
activities relating to the service.
[0011] Alternatively, a given advertiser (e.g., a retail department
store) may offer the virtual coupons from its own site. In this
case, the user navigates to the advertiser's site and selects the
virtual coupon, which is then downloaded to the PDA (either through
the user's PC-PDA link) or to the PDA directly as previously
described.
[0012] The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent
objects and features of the present invention. These objects should
be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more
prominent features and applications of the invention. Many other
beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed
invention in a different manner or modifying the invention as will
be described. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding
of the invention may be had by referring to the following Detailed
Description of the Preferred Embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] For a more complete understanding of the present invention
and the advantages thereof, reference should be made to the
following Detailed Description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a representative Internet operating environment in
which the present invention may be implemented;
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates the transfer of the virtual coupon from
the user's desktop computer to his or her PDA;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a representative data file comprising a virtual
coupon; and
[0017] FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein
a user of a PDA downloads a coupon directly from a server.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] A known Internet client-server system is implemented is
illustrated in FIG. 1. A client machine 10 is connected to a Web
server 12 via network 14. For illustrative purposes, network 14 is
the Internet, an intranet, an extranet or any other known network.
Web server 12 is one of a plurality of servers which are accessible
by clients, one of which is illustrated by machine 10. A
representative client machine includes a browser 16, which is a
known software tool used to access the servers of the network. The
web server supports files (collectively referred to as a web site)
in the form of hypertext documents and objects. In the Internet
paradigm, a network path to a server is identified by a so-called
Uniform Resource Locator (URL).
[0019] A representative web server 12 is an IBM Netfinity server
comprising a RISC-based processor 18, the AIX.RTM. operating system
20 and a web server program 22, such as Netscape Enterprise Server.
The server 12 also includes a display 24 supporting a graphical
user interface (GUI) for management and administration, and an
Application Programming Interface (API) 23 that provides extensions
to enable application developers to extend and/or customize the
core functionality thereof through software programs including
Common Gateway Interface (CGI) programs, plug-ins, servlets, active
server pages, server side include (SSI) functions or the like.
[0020] A representative Web client is a personal computer that is
x86-, PowerPC.RTM.- or RISC-based, that includes an operating
system such as IBM.RTM. OS/2.RTM. or Microsoft Windows '95, and
that includes a Web browser, such as Netscape Navigator 4.0 (or
higher), having a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and support for
application plug-ins or helper applications.
[0021] Also illustrated in FIG. 1 is a representative handheld
computing client device 15 such as a personal digital assistant or
PDA. The device typically includes a handheld stylus 17 for
inputting information to the device. A representative device is
marketed by Palm Computing, Inc., a 3Com Company, under the Palm
V.TM. Organizer trademark. PDA 15 also includes synchronization
software 19 that interfaces with an associated routine supported in
the desktop computer to facilitate synchronization of data between
the desktop and the PDA over a communications link 21 (e.g., an
infrared, serial or wireless connection). Representative PDA
devices include a x86-, PowerPC.RTM.- or RISC-based processor, a
realtime operating system such as WindRiver VXWorks.TM., QSSL
QNXNeutrino.TM., PalmOS, or Microsoft Windows CE, a Web browser or
other graphics viewer, device drivers, control software, and a
modem. These devices also include non-volatile memory, as well as
system memory (namely, RAM).
[0022] While PDA is illustrated as a handheld organizer, any type
of portable computing device can be used. These include, without
limitation, business organizers, PCMCIA-based organizers, smart
watches, Internet appliances, and other such devices.
[0023] A client machine and the PDA implementing the inventive
protocol described below includes appropriate software for
requesting and/or responding to given messages, and for extracting
the data of interest. Such software is executable in a processor,
namely, as a set of instructions (program code) in a code module
resident in the random access memory of the computer. Until
required by the computer, the set of instructions may be stored in
another computer memory, for example, in a hard disk drive, or in a
removable memory, or downloaded via the Internet or other computer
network.
[0024] As also illustrated in FIG. 1, one of the servers in the
network may be a central or clearinghouse server 25 (which may be a
group of such servers). This site includes a database 27 for
supporting a set of virtual coupons available for download to
client machines according to the invention. A given virtual coupon
40, as illustrated in FIG. 3, may comprise a data file of
information including, without limitation, a discount offer 42,
contact information 44 (e.g., e-mail address, customer service or
other telephone numbers), an expiration date 46, reminder data 48
for generating redemption reminders, retail location information
50, a map 52, a hyperlink 54 to the provider's web site, and other
such useful information. Providers of virtual coupons preferably
store those coupons in the database. The operator of the server 25
may provide the virtual coupon distribution service for a fee. The
virtual coupons are served with web pages in a conventional manner.
In particular, given web sites contract with the server 25 to
access the stored virtual coupons. When those web sites are later
accessed by users with client machines, the virtual coupons are
selectively served, e.g., as banner advertisements with embedded
links to the web server 25.
[0025] Returning now back to FIG. 1, it is now assumed that a web
page displaying a banner advertisement (or other clickable graphic
or text) having an associated virtual coupon link is being rendered
on a client machine. When the user of that machine selects the
advertisement, the client's browser is redirected to the server 25,
which then serves the virtual coupon back to the client. At this
point, a pop-up window or other announcement (e.g., an e-mail) may
be provided to the user at the client machine indicating that the
virtual coupon offer has been delivered. The virtual coupon and, in
particular, the data file, is then stored in the client machine.
Preferably, the virtual coupon file is maintained in a non-volatile
storage area of the client (e.g., the hard disk).
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2, when the user later synchronizes
his or her PDA device to the client, the virtual coupon is
automatically downloaded to the PDA. Preferably, the virtual coupon
is stored in the memo or notepad section of the PDA (or,
alternatively, in a specific PDA coupon organizer), the contact
information is automatically supplied to the PDA contact file, and
the expiration date information is automatically supplied to the
PDA calendaring system. If the PDA has graphics capability (e.g., a
browser or rendering engine), the map data may be stored for
subsequent recall and display. In addition, the redemption reminder
data is provided to the PDA calendar to facilitate display of
periodic reminders to the user. Thus, for example, when the user
powers on the PDA on a given day tagged for a reminder, a message
(e.g., "you have 2 days left to redeem your American Airlines
travel voucher) is posted to the PDA display. Preferably, expired
coupons are automatically deleted from storage, although the
contact information is preferably maintained for future use.
[0027] As one of ordinary skill will readily appreciate, the
present invention offers numerous advantages. With the inventive
technique, the consumer is able to "clip" coupons on the web and
organize them in a PDA or other portable computing device. In
particular, given virtual coupons may be readily organized into
different selectable groups (e.g., food, entertainment, travel,
retail, etc.) for ease of retrieval and use. The user need no
longer worry about locating and carrying the actual paper.
[0028] When incorporated within a web page or other application,
such as a web calendar, users click through a licensed advertising
banner and seamlessly transfer a virtual coupon to a PDA that is
ready for redemption. Thus, for example, if a user is already
registered with and a user of a web calendar, the user synchronizes
his client PIM with his personal web calendar, and the user uses a
PDA, the user may click through a virtual coupon banner and
transfer the coupon to the PDA directly.
[0029] For the advertiser, the present invention provides another
distribution mechanism for coupons. The virtual coupon affords
advertisers the ability to target their advertisements and reduce
costs. Advertisers pay standard web advertising banner fees, but
only pay one fee when the coupon is downloaded. Advertisers may
share revenues if there is a sale. The inventive distribution
technique is a value-added advertising banner that is convenient,
accessible, private, and readily integrated into existing web and
PDA technologies. As described above, the virtual coupon is not a
paper coupon (although it could be) but, rather, is a true digital
coupon obtainable on the Internet (or via an intranet or other
computer network) by either clicking a banner advertisement or,
alternatively, navigating to a site that supports the virtual
coupon functionality. As noted above, the banner advertisement
offers the consumer a free coupon for the product the consumer
wants, preferably by clicking the banner.
[0030] There are many variants of the above-described scheme. Thus,
for example, the user may access the Internet directly with a PDA
device, such as illustrated in FIG. 4. In this example, the PDA 60
(e.g., a Palm VII device) has a wireless Internet connection over
network 62 to the server 64 from which coupons are available. As
noted above, server 64 may serve coupons directly, or it may cause
such coupons to be served to the PDA by redirecting a request to
another server 66 that actually serves the coupons. In either case,
the coupons are served directly to the PDA, which then stores them
as previously described. In this manner, the user is not required
to first download the virtual coupons to his or her PC and then,
later, transfer those coupons to the PDA through the infrared or
other link.
[0031] As used herein, a "coupon" should be broadly construed to
cover any offer that can be redeemed for some product, service,
credit or the like. Thus, a coupon includes a gift certificate, a
redeemable voucher, a percentage discount, a merchandise credit,
and the like.
[0032] Although not illustrated in detail, it should be appreciated
that appropriate security techniques may be used to ensure
integrity of the coupon delivery mechanism of the present
invention. Thus, for example, the coupon may be downloaded (either
to the PC or the PDA) as an unalterable digital image or with a
verifying code (e.g., a digital watermark, a checksum, or the
like). This would prevent alteration of the coupon's expiration
date, for example. If desired, the coupon may be downloaded from
the network to the PC or PDA over a secure link (e.g., a secure
sockets layer) or using an appropriate encryption scheme (e.g.,
PGP). Another desirable fraud prevention technique is to associate
a given identifier (e.g., a coupon serial number) with a given user
(or user identifier, such as a cookie). Thus, for example, the
given identifier may be associated with the given user when the
user first downloads the coupon. When the user desires to redeem
the virtual coupon, the coupon is first authenticated before it is
honored. One technique for authenticating the coupon (or the user,
as the case may be) is to have the redemption site send a message
to a server that issued the coupon or that manages such validity
checks.
[0033] Of course, virtual coupons may also be managed directly
through a user's PC, instead of using the PDA. In this way, a user
may navigate to a site (e.g., a Neiman-Marcus web site), select an
item that generates a virtual coupon to the user's computer, and
then later redeem that virtual coupon in a virtual manner (e.g., in
an online manner).
[0034] Although the various methods described herein are
conveniently implemented in a general purpose computer selectively
activated or reconfigured by software, one of ordinary skill in the
art would also recognize that such methods may be carried out in
hardware, in firmware, or in more specialized apparatus constructed
to perform the required method steps.
[0035] Further, as used herein, a "client" should be broadly
construed to mean any computer or component thereof directly or
indirectly connected or connectable in any known or later-developed
manner to a computer network, such as the Internet. Of course, a
"client" should be broadly construed to mean one who requests or
gets the file, and "server" is the entity which downloads the
file.
[0036] Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and
desire to secure by Letters Patent is set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *