U.S. patent application number 10/915975 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-17 for method and system for dynamically generating electronic communications.
Invention is credited to Brady, Shane, Linden, John, Lynn, Scott.
Application Number | 20050038861 10/915975 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34138953 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050038861 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lynn, Scott ; et
al. |
February 17, 2005 |
Method and system for dynamically generating electronic
communications
Abstract
The present invention relates to generating time relevant
content for electronic communications, such as electronic mail
(e-mail). The time relevant content is delivered when the
electronic communications are acknowledged by the recipient based
upon receipt of an electronic indicator, such as a returned
request(s), at a home server. In the case of electronic mail, the
time relevant content is dynamic, as it is assembled at the time
the e-mail is opened, as opposed to the time when the e-mail is
sent, as is the case with conventional or static e-mail and other
similar electronic communications.
Inventors: |
Lynn, Scott; (Kansas City,
MO) ; Brady, Shane; (Stilwell, KS) ; Linden,
John; (Kansas City, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
POLSINELLI SHALTON WELTE SUELTHAUS P.C.
700 W. 47TH STREET
SUITE 1000
KANSAS CITY
MO
64112-1802
US
|
Family ID: |
34138953 |
Appl. No.: |
10/915975 |
Filed: |
August 11, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60495027 |
Aug 14, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/107 20130101;
H04L 51/08 20130101; H04L 51/066 20130101; H04L 51/18 20130101;
G06Q 30/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/206 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for providing content into electronic communications
comprising: sending an electronic communication to a recipient;
receiving at least one indicator that the electronic communication
has been opened by the recipient; and providing content to the
opened electronic communication in response to receiving the at
least one indicator that the electronic communication has been
opened.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing content to the opened
electronic communication includes assembling the content for the
electronic communication at a time proximate to the time the
electronic communication was opened.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the electronic communication
includes at least one electronic mail.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein sending the electronic
communication includes, sending data for a body when the electronic
communication is opened and at least one request.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one indicator
includes at least a portion of the at least one request.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one indicator
includes the at least one request.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein assembling the content for the
electronic communication includes extracting at least one keyword
from the at least one request and obtaining the content for the
opened electronic communication based on the at least one
keyword.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein obtaining the content for the
opened electronic communication based on the at least one keyword
includes obtaining at least one listing in text format from at
least one source, the at least one listing associated with at least
one entity.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one listing includes
data for directing a browser associated with the opened electronic
communication to at least one target web site.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein obtaining the at least one
listing in text format includes, obtaining at least one listing
from at least one predetermined source in accordance with at least
one rule or policy applied to the at least one keyword.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein obtaining the at least one
listing in text format includes, linking to at least one search
engine to obtain the at least one listing based on the at least one
keyword.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one listing in text
format is converted into at least one image and the at least one
image is sent to the open electronic communication for placement
therein.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein the data includes a string for
accessing a redirect uniform resource locator for the browser, the
redirect uniform resource locator including at least one address
for at the least one target web site.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one target web site
includes at least one web site associated with the at least one
entity associated with the at least one listing.
15. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one keyword is
selected from the group consisting of single and multiple
words.
16. A method for providing content into electronic communications
comprising: sending an electronic communication to a recipient;
receiving at least one indicator that the electronic communication
has been opened by the recipient; and providing content to the
opened electronic communication in response to receiving the at
least one indicator that the electronic communication has been
opened, the content determined from at least one keyword that is
taken from the at least one indicator.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein providing content to the opened
electronic communication includes, assembling the content for the
electronic communication at a time proximate to the time the
electronic communication was opened.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the electronic communication
includes at least one electronic mail.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein sending the electronic
communication includes, sending data for a body when the electronic
communication is opened and at least one request.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one indicator
includes at least a portion of the at least one request.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least one indicator
includes the at least one request.
22. The method of claim 16, wherein providing the content to the
opened electronic communication includes obtaining at least one
listing in text format from at least one source based on the at
least one keyword, the at least one listing associated with at
least one entity.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the at least one listing
includes data for directing a browser associated with the opened
electronic communication to at least one target web site.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the at least one target web
site includes at least one web site associated with at least one
entity associated with the at least one listing.
25. The method of claim 22, wherein obtaining the at least one
listing includes, obtaining at least one listing from at least one
predetermined source in accordance with at least one rule or policy
applied to the at least one keyword.
26. The method of claim 22, wherein obtaining the at least one
listing includes, linking to at least one search engine to obtain
the at least one listing based on the at least one keyword.
27. The method of claim 22, wherein the at least one listing is
converted into at least one image, and the at least one image is
sent to the open electronic communication.
28. The method of claim 23, wherein the data includes a string for
accessing a redirect uniform resource locator for the browser, the
redirect uniform resource locator including at least one address
for at the least one target web site.
29. The method of claim 23, wherein the at least one target web
site includes at least one web site associated with the at least
one entity associated with the at least one listing.
30. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one keyword is
selected from the group consisting of single and multiple
words.
31. A method for providing content into electronic communications
comprising: sending an electronic communication to a recipient;
receiving at least one indicator that the electronic communication
has been opened by the recipient; and providing content to the
opened electronic communication in response to receiving the at
least one indicator that the electronic communication has been
opened, the content including data, that upon being activated,
provides a browsing application associated with the opened
electronic communication with at least one uniform resource locator
for at least one target web site.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein providing content to the opened
electronic communication includes assembling the content for the
electronic communication at a time proximate to the time the
electronic communication was opened.
33. The method of claim 31, wherein the electronic communication
includes at least one electronic mail.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein sending the electronic
communication includes, sending data for a body when the electronic
communication is opened and at least one request.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein the at least one indicator
includes at least a portion of the at least one request.
36. The method of claim 34, wherein the at least one indicator
includes the at least one request.
37. The method of claim 34, wherein assembling the content for the
electronic communication includes, extracting at least one keyword
from the at least one request and obtaining the content for the
opened electronic communication based on the at least one
keyword.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein obtaining the content for the
opened electronic communication based on the at least one keyword
includes, obtaining at least one listing in text format from at
least one source.
39. The method of claim 37, wherein the at least one listing
includes data for directing a browser associated with the opened
electronic communication to the at least one target web site.
40. The method of claim 38, wherein obtaining the at least one
listing in text format includes obtaining at least one listing from
at least one predetermined source in accordance with at least one
rule or policy applied to the at least one keyword.
41. The method of claim 38, wherein obtaining the at least one
listing includes linking to at least one search engine to obtain
the at least one listing based on the at least one keyword.
42. The method of claim 38, wherein the at least one listing is
converted into at least one image, and the at least one image is
sent to the open electronic communication.
43. The method of claim 37, wherein the at least one keyword is
selected from the group consisting of single and multiple
words.
44. The method of claim 39, wherein the at least one targeted web
site includes at least one web site associated with the provider of
the content of the at least one listing.
45. A method for providing content into electronic communications
comprising: sending an electronic communication to a recipient;
receiving at least one indicator that the electronic communication
has been opened by the recipient; and providing content to the
opened electronic communication in response to receiving the at
least one indicator that the electronic communication has been
opened, including: obtaining at least one keyword from the at least
one indicator; obtaining content associated with content providers
for the at least one keyword in an order based on a predetermined
priority of the content providers at the time the content is
obtained; and providing the content associated with at least one
content provider to the opened electronic communication in
accordance with the order based on the predetermined priority, the
content associated with each content provider including data, that
upon being activated, provides a browsing application associated
with the opened electronic communication with at least one uniform
resource locator for at least one target web site.
46. The method of claim 45, wherein the predetermined priority of
the content providers is based on monetary amounts that each
content provider will pay if the data in their content is activated
to provide a browsing application, associated with the opened
electronic communication, with at least one uniform resource
locator for the at least one target web site.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein the at least one target web
site includes at least one web site associated with the content
provider.
48. The method of claim 46, wherein providing content to the opened
electronic communication includes, assembling the content for the
electronic communication at a time proximate to the time the
electronic communication was opened.
49. The method of claim 46, wherein the electronic communication
includes at least one electronic mail.
50. The method of claim 48, wherein sending the electronic
communication includes, sending data for a body when the electronic
communication is opened and at least one request.
51. The method of claim 50, wherein the at least one indicator
includes at least a portion of the at least one request.
52. The method of claim 51, wherein the at least one indicator
includes the at least one request.
53. The method of claim 45, wherein the content associated with the
content provider includes at least one listing in text format from
at least one source.
54. The method of claim 53, wherein the at least one listing in
text format is converted into at least one image, and the at least
one image is sent to the open electronic communication.
55. A system for providing content to electronic communications
comprising: at least one means for sending an electronic
communication, the electronic communication including at least one
request; means for receiving at least a portion of the at least one
request from the electronic communication once the electronic
communication has been opened; means for providing content to the
opened electronic communication, including: means responsive to the
receipt of at least a portion of the request; means for obtaining
content from at least one source based on at least one keyword
obtained from the at least a portion of the received request, the
content including data, that upon being activated, provides a
browsing application associated with the opened electronic
communication, with at least one uniform resource locator for at
least one target web site; and means for sending at least a portion
of the obtained content including the activatable data to the
opened electronic communication.
56. The system of claim 55, additionally comprising: means for
converting at least a portion of the obtained content into at least
one image.
57. The system of claim 56, wherein the means for sending the at
least a portion of the content to the opened electronic
communication includes means for receiving and sending images.
58. The system of claim 55, wherein the means for obtaining content
includes a policy processor for analyzing the at least one keyword
to obtain content from at least one source.
59. The system of claim 55, wherein the means for obtaining content
includes a rules processor for analyzing the at least one keyword
to obtain content from at least one source.
60. The system of claim 55, wherein the means for obtaining content
includes means for directing the at least one keyword to a search
engine.
61. The system of claim 55, wherein the at least one means for
sending an electronic communication includes an electronic mail
application.
62. The system of claim 56, wherein the means for sending the at
least a portion of the obtained content to the opened electronic
communication includes an electronic mail application.
63. The system of claim 56, wherein the at least one means for
sending an electronic communication, the means for receiving at
least a portion of the request from the electronic communication
once it has been opened, and the means for providing content to the
opened electronic communication are included in a first server.
64. The system of claim 56, wherein the content converting means
are included in a second server.
65. The system of claim 64, wherein the second server includes an
imaging server.
66. An apparatus for providing content to electronic communications
comprising: at least one storage media; and a processor programmed
to: send an electronic communication to a recipient; receive a
first indicator that the electronic communication has been opened
by the recipient; respond to receiving the first indicator that the
electronic communication has been opened by obtaining content
including a plurality of listings from at least one source as
determined from at least one keyword that is taken from the first
indicator, each of the listings associated with at least one
entity, and including first data that directs a browsing
application to at least one target web site; store the plurality of
listings in the at least one storage media; and send at least one
image representing the at least one listing of the plurality of
listings and second data for the at least one listing being sent,
the second data such that when it is activated accesses the first
data for the at least one listing, to the opened electronic
communication.
67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the processor is
additionally programmed to: receive a subsequent indicator that the
electronic communication has been opened; search for at least one
listing corresponding to the subsequent indicator in the at least
one storage media; and send at least one image representing the at
least one listing of the plurality of listings corresponding to the
subsequent indicator and second data for the at least one listing
being sent, the second data such that when it is activated accesses
the first data for the at least one listing corresponding to the
subsequent indicator, to the opened electronic communication.
68. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the electronic communication
includes an electronic mail.
69. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the first data includes a
uniform resource locator.
70. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the second data includes at
least one link to the at least one storage media for accessing the
first data.
71. An apparatus for providing content to electronic communications
comprising: means for sending an electronic communication to a
recipient; means for receiving at least one indicator that the
electronic communication has been opened by the recipient; and
means for providing content to the opened electronic communication
in response to receiving the at least one indicator that the
electronic communication has been opened, the content including
data for directing a browser associated with the opened electronic
communication to at least one target web site, the content
providing means including: means for obtaining at least one keyword
from the at least one indicator; and means for obtaining content
based on the at least one keyword.
72. The apparatus of claim 71, additionally comprising: means for
sending at least a portion of the content including the data for
directing a browser to at least one target web site, to the opened
electronic communication.
73. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the means for sending at
least a portion of the content includes: means for receiving and
sending images.
74. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the means for obtaining
content based on the at least one keyword includes a policy
processor for analyzing the at least one keyword to obtain content
from at least one source.
75. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the means for obtaining
content based on the at least one keyword includes a rules
processor for analyzing the at least one keyword to obtain content
from at least one source.
76. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the means for obtaining
content based on the at least one keyword includes means for
directing the at least one keyword to a search engine.
77. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the at least one means for
sending an electronic communication includes an electronic mail
application.
78. The system of claim 72, wherein the means for sending the at
least a portion of the obtained content to the opened electronic
communication includes an electronic mail application.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from and is related to
commonly owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/495,027, entitled: DYNAMICALLY GENERATED EMAIL, filed on Aug.
14, 2003. This U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/495,027, is incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to content delivery over
networks and components associated therewith. In particular, the
present invention relates to electronic mail, commonly known as
e-mail, as sent over a network, such as the Internet, with its
content generated when the recipient opens the requisite electronic
mail.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Electronic communications have dramatically changed the ways
in which people communicate. Electronic mail, commonly referred to
as e-mail, is a widely used form of electronic communication.
E-mail is the exchange of computer-stored messages by
telecommunication, over a network, such as the Internet. E-mail
accounts for the largest percentage of total traffic on the
Internet. E-mail usage is expected to increase exponentially in the
next few years as increasing numbers of people have access to
computers, and therefore, the World Wide Web (WWW).
[0004] E-mail communications are desirable, as they are current,
usually in real time, and are non-intrusive. Conversely, a
telephone call is intrusive, as it must be attended to at the
moment it is received, and may interfere with the recipient's
activities. The e-mail recipient may open the e-mail when desired,
and may delete the e-mail without reading it.
[0005] E-mail distribution to individuals and organizations is
quick and economical. Senders create recipient lists, that may
include thousands of recipients. Recipient e-mail addresses can be
added and deleted from the lists as desired. The e-mail is composed
once and sent to multitudes of recipients, all of whom receive the
e-mail instantaneously. The e-mail can be duplicated and sent to
recipients from another recipient list, typically in the matter of
minutes.
[0006] However, many e-mails that are sent are time sensitive, and
become irrelevant, as they are not opened immediately, or at least
close to the time that they were sent. Moreover, e-mails are
static, as their content is in a final or fixed configuration prior
to being sent. The content of these static e-mails can not be
changed, so if opened after the desired time, they become
irrelevant.
[0007] When used for advertising, the production of static e-mails,
of fixed content prior to being sent, is problematic. This is
because advertising campaigns are usually time-sensitive. If
recipients do not open the e-mail within the requisite time, they
do not benefit from the advertisement. This amounts to a waste of
resources for both the sender and the recipient. Moreover, the
recipient may view the advertiser as an annoyance to a point where
they refuse to patronize the advertiser, the opposite of the result
desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of
contemporary static electronic mail (e-mail), by providing e-mails
whose content is generated dynamically, when the e-mail is opened
by the intended recipient. The e-mail of the present invention is
generated dynamically, as its content is assembled once the e-mail
has been opened. This is in contrast to conventional static e-mail,
where the content is fixed prior to the e-mail being sent. As a
result of the present invention, e-mails do not waste resources, as
the recipients receive time-relevant content in real time.
[0009] The present invention also pairs dynamically generated
content for e-mails with keywords, in order that the recipient
receive targeted content. This allows access to numerous text based
keyword advertisers that are currently running in search engines,
whose content can be distributed in e-mail, in accordance with the
invention. The keywords from data, as received from the e-mail
recipient, facilitate the content provider (assembler) to access
the most relevant content, from the requisite content server(s).
The data from the content server(s) will ultimately become the
content for the opened e-mail.
[0010] Additionally, for example, the present invention utilizes
Pay Per Click (PPC) content. PPC content is typically advertising,
that is stored on various content servers along a network, for
example, the Internet. This PPC advertising is also keyword based,
and allows providers of PPC content to serve their advertisements
based on their real time bid process and budget restraints.
[0011] The present invention is typically performed in two phases.
A first phase involves rendering the content of an e-mail to a
client at the time the e-mail is opened. The content rendered to
the opened e-mail typically includes an activatable link, that is
paired (associated) with the content provided (rendered) to the
e-mail when it is opened, typically in the form of one or more
images. The second phase directs the browser (of the user)
associated with the opened e-mail, to a target web site, via the
link that has been activated, once the user has clicked his mouse
on the rendered image or portion thereof, of the opened e-mail.
[0012] An embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for
providing content into electronic communications, for example,
electronic mail. The method includes sending an electronic
communication to a recipient, receiving at least one indicator that
the electronic communication has been opened by the recipient, and
providing content to the opened electronic communication in
response to receiving the at least one indicator that the
electronic communication has been opened.
[0013] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method
for providing content into electronic communications, for example,
electronic mail. The method includes sending an electronic
communication to a recipient, receiving an indicator that the
electronic communication has been opened by the recipient, and
providing content to the opened electronic communication in
response to receiving the indicator that the electronic
communication has been opened. The content is determined from a
keyword, for example, of single or multiple words, that is taken
from the indicator. The indicator is typically a request that was
placed into the sent electronic communication, that is returned
when the electronic communication is opened.
[0014] Another embodiment is directed to another method for
providing content into electronic communications, for example,
electronic mail. The method includes, sending an electronic
communication to a recipient, receiving an indicator that the
electronic communication has been opened by the recipient, and
providing content to the opened electronic communication in
response to receiving the indicator that the electronic
communication has been opened. The content includes data, that upon
being activated, provides a browsing application associated with
the opened electronic communication with at least one uniform
resource locator for at least one target web site. The target web
site may be, for example, a web site associated with the provider
of the content.
[0015] Another embodiment is directed to still another method for
providing content into electronic communications, for example,
electronic mail. The method includes, sending an electronic
communication to a recipient, receiving an indicator that the
electronic communication has been opened by the recipient, and
providing content to the opened electronic communication in
response to receiving the indicator that the electronic
communication has been opened. Content is provided by taking at
least one keyword from the indicator, obtaining content associated
with content providers for the at least one keyword in an order
based on a predetermined priority of the content providers at the
time the content is obtained, and providing the content associated
with at least one content provider to the opened electronic
communication in accordance with the order based on the
predetermined priority. The content associated with each content
provider includes data, that upon being activated, provides a
browsing application associated with the opened electronic
communication with at least one uniform resource locator for at
least one target web site. The target web site may be, for example,
a web site associated with the content provider.
[0016] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a system
for providing content to electronic communications, for example,
electronic mail. The system includes at least one means for sending
an electronic communication, the electronic communication including
at least one request; means for receiving at least a portion of the
at least one request from the electronic communication once the
electronic communication has been opened; and, means for providing
content to the opened electronic communication. The means for
providing the content include, means responsive to the receipt of
at least a portion of the request; means for obtaining content from
at least one source based on at least one keyword extracted from
the at least a portion of the received request, the content
including data, that upon being activated, provides a browsing
application associated with the opened electronic communication,
with at least one uniform resource locator for at least one target
web site. The target web site may be, for example, associated with
the provider of the content. The system also includes means for
sending at least a portion of the obtained content, including the
activatable data, to the opened electronic communication.
[0017] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an
apparatus for providing content to electronic communications, for
example, electronic mail. The apparatus includes at least one
storage media (for example, caches) and a processor. The processor
is programmed to, send an electronic communication to a recipient;
receive a first indicator that the electronic communication has
been opened by the recipient; and, respond to receiving the first
indicator that the electronic communication has been opened. The
response includes obtaining content including a plurality of
listings from at least one source as determined from at least one
keyword, that is taken from the first indicator, each of the
listings associated with at least one entity, and including first
data, that directs a browsing application to at least one target
web site. The target web site may be, for example, associated with
the entity associated with the listing. The plurality of listings
is stored in the at least one storage media, and at least one image
representing the at least one listing of the plurality of listings
and second data for the at least one listing being sent, is sent to
the opened electronic communication. The second data is such that
when it is activated, the first data for the at least one listing
is accessed.
[0018] Another embodiment is directed to an apparatus for providing
content to electronic communications. The apparatus includes means
for sending an electronic communication to a recipient; means for
receiving at least one indicator that the electronic communication
has been opened by the recipient; and, means for providing content
to the opened electronic communication in response to receiving the
at least one indicator that the electronic communication has been
opened. The content typically includes data for directing a browser
associated with the opened electronic communication to at least one
target web site. The content providing means include means for
obtaining at least one keyword from the at least one indicator;
and, means for obtaining content based on the at least one
keyword.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] Attention is now directed to the drawings, where like
reference numerals or characters indicate corresponding or like
components. In the drawings:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary system on which an
embodiment of the invention is performed;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a process for generating the
content for an e-mail in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a screen shot showing e-mail communications in the
mailbox of a recipient;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a screen shot of an exemplary template in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of the request processing sub
process of FIG. 2;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a key cache in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a listing cache in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a diagram of a click cache in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0028] FIGS. 9A and 9B are screen shots of the text of e-mails
received in accordance with the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a process for directing an
e-mail recipient to an intended web site upon responding to an
e-mail in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a screen shot showing an error or time out;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a screen shot showing a web page accessed from a
redirect uniform resource locator in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention; and
[0032] FIG. 13 is a diagram of Pay Per Click content being
delivered to a user in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] The present invention is related to systems and methods for
delivering time relevant content to electronic communications, such
as electronic mail (e-mail), that are sent over digital,
electronic, wireline or wireless networks, such as the Internet.
The content for the e-mail is time relevant and dynamic, as it is
generated in real-time, and assembled when the electronic
communication is opened by the recipient. Should the electronic
communication be closed and reopened at a subsequent time, it may
have content different from the content when originally opened, as
its content is assembled at the time of reopening.
[0034] FIG. 1 shows the present invention in an exemplary
operation. The present invention employs a system 20, formed of
various servers and server components, that are linked to a
network, such as a wide area network (WAN), that may be, for
example, the Internet 24.
[0035] There are, for example, at least three kinds of servers that
form the system 20. These servers typically include a Home Server
(HS) 30, one or more content servers (CS) 34a-34n, and an imaging
server (IS) 38. These servers 30, 34a-34n and 38 are linked to the
Internet 24, so as to be in communication with each other. The
servers 30, 34a-34n and 38 include multiple components for
performing the requisite functions as detailed below, and the
components may be based in hardware, software, or combinations
thereof. The servers 30, 34a-34n and 38 may also have internal
storage media and/or be associated with external storage media.
[0036] The servers 30, 34a-34n, 38 of the system 20 are linked
(either directly or indirectly) to an endless number of other
servers and the like, via the Internet 24. Other servers, exemplary
for describing the operation of the system 20, include a domain
server 39 for the domain (for example, the domain "abc.com") of the
user 40 (for example, whose e-mail address is user@abc.com), linked
to the computer 41 of the user. Still other servers may include
third party servers (TPS) 42a-42n, controlled by content providers
and the like.
[0037] While various servers have been listed, this is exemplary
only, as the present invention can be performed on an endless
numbers of servers and associated components, that are in some way
linked to a network, such as the Internet 24. Additionally, all of
the aforementioned servers include components for accommodating
various server functions, in hardware, software, or combinations
thereof, and typically include storage media, either therein or
associated therewith. Also in this document, the aforementioned
servers, storage media, components can be linked to each other or
to a network, such as the Internet 24, either directly or
indirectly.
[0038] The Home Server (HS) 30 is of an architecture that includes
components for handling electronic mail, to perform an electronic
mail (e-mail) server functionality, including e-mail applications.
The architecture also includes components for providing numerous
additional server functions and operations, for example, comparison
and matching functions, policy and/or rules processing, various
search and other operational engines. The Home Server (HS) 30
includes various processors, including microprocessors, for
performing the aforementioned server functions and operations and
storage media, either internal or associated therewith, such as
caches 43a-43n. While these caches 43a-43n are shown, this is for
explanation purposes, as the Home Server (HS) 30 may be associated
with additional caches, databases, as well as numerous other
additional storage media, both internal and external thereto.
[0039] The Home Server (HS) 30 receives requests from e-mail
clients, for example, America Online.RTM. (AOL.RTM.), Outlook.RTM.,
Eudora.RTM., or other web-based clients, and composes and sends
e-mails to intended recipients over the network. In this document,
the client is an application that runs on a computer, workstation
or the like and relies on a server to perform some operations, such
as sending and receiving e-mail. Also, for explanation purposes,
the Home Server (HS) 30 may have a uniform resource locator (URL)
of, for example, www.homeserver.com.
[0040] For example, the intended recipient or user 40 has a
computer 41 (such as a multimedia personal computer with a
Pentium.RTM. CPU, that employs a Windows.RTM. operating system),
that uses an e-mail client. The computer 41 is linked to the
Internet 24. This Home Server (HS) 30 typically employs a search
engine, or links to one (in another server or the like via the
Internet 24), in order to direct the received request to the most
suitable content server (CS) 34a-34n. While a single Home Server
(HS) 30 is shown, the Home Server (HS) 30 may be formed of multiple
servers and/or components, and may also be formed from still other
servers with e-mail functionalities.
[0041] Content Servers (CS) 34a-34n (one or more) are also linked
to the Internet 24. The content servers (CS) 34a-34n provide
content, typically in text form, for the imaging server (IS) 38,
typically through the Home Server (HS) 30, and typically, in
response to a request from the Home Server (HS) 30, as detailed
below. These content servers (CS) 34a-34n may be, for example,
Pay-Per-Click (PPC) servers of various content providers, such as
internal providers, or external providers, for example, Overture
Services, Inc. or Findwhat, Inc.
[0042] At least one imaging server (IS) 38 is linked to the
Internet 24. The imaging server (IS) 38 functions to convert text
(data in text format) from the content servers (CS) 34a-34n, as
received through the Home Server (HS) 30, to an image (data in an
image format). After conversion into an image, the image is
typically sent back to the Home Server (HS) 30, to be placed into
an e-mail opened by user 40, as detailed below. Alternately, the
imaging server (IS) 38 may send the image directly to the e-mail
client associated with the user 40, over the Internet 24.
[0043] Turning also to FIG. 2, an exemplary implementation of a
process in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
will now be described. FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of the process
(method). The process of FIG. 2 may be the first phase of a larger
process. For example, the first phase may involve rendering an
e-mail to an e-mail client, while the second phase, shown in FIG.
10 and detailed below, is dependent on the first phase. The second
phase directs the user to a target web site, via a link, that is
activated once the user has clicked his mouse 51 on the dynamically
rendered image or a portion thereof, of the opened e-mail, that is
paired with the link.
[0044] Initially, the computer 41 of the user 40 includes an e-mail
client (detailed above), installed thereon, that provides the user
with a unique access and the ability to utilize one or more e-mail
addresses. For example, the user 40 has an e-mail address,
user@abc.com, through which he receives his e-mail from the domain
server 39, that hosts the domain abc.com, of which the user 40 is a
member. The computer 41 also includes a web browser, browsing
software, application, or the like, to access web sites or web
pages from various servers and the like, on the Internet 24. Some
exemplary web browsers/web browsing software include, Internet
Explorer.RTM., from Microsoft, Redmond, Wash., and Netscape.RTM.
Navigator.RTM..
[0045] An e-mail is sent to the e-mail client associated with the
computer 41 of the user 40, typically from the Home Server (HS) 30,
at block 102. This initially or first sent e-mail, for explanation
purposes, is referred to as the "sent e-mail".
[0046] The sent e-mail may be, for example, in Hypertext Markup
Language (HTML), and may include one or more Hypertext Transport
Protocol (HTTP) source requests. These HTTP source requests
typically reference the Home Server (HS) 30.
[0047] The sent e-mail includes a program that provides the body of
the e-mail when the e-mail is opened. The program provides a
template (FIG. 4), that forms the basic structure or framework for
the image(s) of the sent and opened e-mail, and, zero or more HTTP
Source requests for zero or more static images. The sent e-mail may
also include HTML constructs and text, such as plain text, HTML
headers, list constructs and the like. The sent e-mail, as received
by the e-mail client, typically appears on the screen (monitor) 48
of the user's computer as a line of text 60 (shown as shaded for
emphasis only) identifying the sender, subject and other
information, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0048] The sent e-mail typically includes one or more requests. The
total number of request(s) is represented by "N". A single request
typically corresponds to a single image to be rendered (into the
template of the e-mail image) when the e-mail is opened by the user
40 (as detailed below).
[0049] Each of the one or more requests in the e-mail may include
data (or data elements) such as: a) a unique identifier (ID); b) at
least one keyword, or data corresponding to at least one keyword;
c) mailing identifier (ID); d) position data; and, e) a max number,
corresponding to the maximum number of images (represented in this
document by "N") that will be dynamically generated and rendered
for this particular e-mail.
[0050] Each of the one or more requests in a sent e-mail typically
includes all five of these data elements. However, if there is only
a single request in a sent e-mail, position data is typically not
included, because there is only one position for the dynamically
generated text in the request (and the max number is 1).
[0051] The unique identifier, also known as a user identifier (ID),
may be, for example, an e-mail address for the recipient of the
sent e-mail, or any other data that guarantees uniqueness for the
particular sent e-mail (and its corresponding returned request(s)).
A unique identifier is attached to each particular user. The
keyword is a word or group of words, such as a phrase, or other
suitable identifier for one or more data object(s).
[0052] The mailing identifier (ID) is a sequence of characters
indicative of the batch from which the particular e-mail was sent.
For example, a mailing identifier may be a sequence of numbers.
[0053] The position data is data indicative of the location in the
template where the image corresponding to that particular request
is to be rendered (placed or located). The max number is typically
equal to N, as each request typically results in a single image
being dynamically generated.
[0054] When e-mail (the sent e-mail) is downloaded by the e-mail
client of the user 40, the e-mail client opens a connection or
"pipe" to the Home Server (HS) 30. The e-mail client associated
with the user 40, pulls data from the Home Server (HS) 30, and may
pull data asynchronously. The data pulled from the Home Server (HS)
30 includes data required to display the resultant dynamically
generated text (in the form of images), for example, a template
150, as shown in FIG. 4, and the single or multiple requests.
[0055] At block 104, the user 40 opens this e-mail, typically by
clicking the mouse 51 (of the computer 41), as shown by the arrow
62, anywhere along the line 60, that represents the sent e-mail as
received in the user's mail box, as shown in FIG. 3. This opening,
for purposes of explanation herein, occurs at a time indicated as
t.sub.1. Pulling of data from the Home Server (HS) 30 by the e-mail
client is continuous, as long as requests are being processed, as
described below.
[0056] Turning to FIG. 4, an exemplary template 150, that forms
part of the body of the opened e-mail, is built out in three
sections 151, 161 and 162. A first section S1 151 is designed to
receive a static image, having content that is fixed prior to the
time the e-mail was sent. The image for the section S1 151 is
typically pulled from the Home Server (HS) 30 along with the
template 150, when the e-mail is opened, as detailed above.
[0057] Sections D1 161 and D2 162, for example, are designed to
receive the dynamically generated images, that are generated and
assembled when and only if the e-mail is opened. Section D1 161,
for example, is the first position for the dynamically generated
images, and as such, receives the image from the first listing of
the listing text (described below), resulting from the first
request being processed; this first request, for example, has
position data (N=1) corresponding to this first position.
Similarly, Section D2 162, for example, is the second position for
the dynamically generated images, and as such, receives the image
from the second listing of the listing text (described below),
resulting from the second request being processed; this second
request, for example, has position data (N=2) corresponding to this
second position.
[0058] With the connection (pipe) now open, the e-mail client sends
one or more requests from the sent e-mail (that has now been
opened), to the Home Server (HS) 30, at block 106. Each of these
one or more requests sent from the e-mail client to the Home Server
(HS) 30 is referred to as a "sent back" request. Each "sent back"
request includes portions of, and typically all of the data (or
data elements) from the corresponding requests in the sent e-mail.
For example, each sent back request is typically formed of data
(data elements) including: a) a unique identifier; b) at least one
keyword, or other suitable identifier for at least one data object
typically within a server, such as one of the content servers (CS)
34a-34n; c) a mailing identifier; d) position data; and, e) a max
number.
[0059] The Home Server (HS) 30 processes each request, one at a
time, at block 108. This sub process of processing the request is
described in detail below, with respect to FIG. 5. The result of
each processed request includes obtaining text from a content
server (CS) 34a-34n or cache (or other similar storage medium)
43a-43n, that may be associated with the Home Server (HS) 30, and
returning it to the Home Server (HS) 30. The Home Server (HS) 30
sends this data (e.g., in text form) to the imaging server (IS) 38,
that generates an image(s) corresponding to the received data (text
data). This generated image is returned to the e-mail client of the
user, through the Home Server (HS) 30. The aforementioned data
transfers may occur over previously opened and/or existing
connections or pipes in the Internet 24 (network).
[0060] In the case of an HTTP request, the generated image is sent
back to the e-mail client associated with the user 40, through the
open connection or pipe. Alternately, for non-HTTP requests, the
Home Server (HS) 30 could generate one or more new open connections
or pipes, that are different than the previously existing
connections or pipes over which the request was sent to the Home
Server (HS) 30. It is over these new connection(s) or pipe(s) that
the image, from the imaging server (IS) 38 may be transferred from
the Home Server (HS) 30 to the e-mail client associated with the
user 40, over the Internet 24.
[0061] The process moves to block 110, where it is then determined,
typically in the Home Server (HS) 30, if there are more requests to
be processed. If there are not any more requests to be processed,
the process ends at block 112.
[0062] If there are more requests to be processed, the process
returns to block 106. The next request of the total number or "N"
requests is sent, and the process continues from block 106, as
described above. The process will repeat until all N requests have
been processed, and once all N requests have been processed, the
process ends at block 112.
[0063] Attention is now directed to FIG. 5, that shows a flow
diagram of block 108 of FIG. 2, detailing the processing of
requests. In this process, requests are processed one at a time, on
a "first in" basis.
[0064] Initially, the Home Server (HS) 30, upon receiving the
request, at block 202, checks the received request to determine if
it is the first request from the e-mail client of the user 40.
[0065] At block 204, a determination if the request is the first
request is made. This determination includes extracting the unique
identifier from the request (the "sent back" request) that the
e-mail client has returned to the Home Server (HS) 30. The unique
identifier, plus the keyword, or a variant of it, and the mailing
identifier are grouped (combined) to define a key at the Home
Server (HS) 30, in accordance with the policy or rules of the Home
Server (HS) 30. The key is queried against all other keys in a
cache, for example, the cache 43a, known as a key cache, associated
with the Home Server (HS) 30, for a match. Matching keys may be of
identical or similar keys, in accordance with predetermined rules
and/or policies programmed into the component(s) of the Home Server
(HS) 30.
[0066] If a matching key is not found in the key cache 43a, this is
the first request, and the process moves to block 210. The key
cache 43a is empty of this particular key. Accordingly, the unique
identifier plus the keyword and the mailing identifier becomes a
key and is stored in the cache 43a, as shown, for example, in FIG.
6. All of the requests from a particular e-mail ("sent e-mail")
have the same key. Alternately, if a matching key is found, the
process moves to block 220.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 6, keys, indicated by KEY 1 to KEY 4 are
unique to each opened e-mail for a particular recipient (user), in
accordance with the time each e-mail was opened. For, example, the
user with a unique identifier (ID) of user abc.com has opened two
different e-mails, whereby he will receive the content
corresponding to each specific e-mail, based on the keywords.
Similarly, in FIG. 6, the user "joe@xyz.com" may receive different
content than the user "user@abc.com" even though their requests
were based on the same keyword "NEW CARS", and they received their
e-mail in the same batch, as indicated by the same mailing
identifier.
[0068] Also, the number of requests "N" is stored in a request
cache, along with a key. A request cache may be, for example, the
cache 43b.
[0069] Turning to block 210, the request being processed is the
first request. The keyword in the request is isolated. The keyword
is typically in the form of alphanumeric data, and may be an actual
keyword, or a keyword group identifier. The keyword is translated
into data, recognizable and usable by the requisite content servers
(CS) 34a-34n.
[0070] The process now moves to block 212, where the keyword (data
corresponding to the keyword) is read, and in accordance with the
reading, it is passed to a designated content server (CS) 34a-34n,
over the Internet 24. The passing to the specific content server is
typically in accordance with one or more rules, preprogrammed into
the Home Server (HS) 30 or by a policy processor associated with
the Home Server (HS) 30. The policies and/or rules are typically
time-sensitive, to be applicable in real-time. For example, the
keyword may be such, that once read, the preprogrammed rules will
be applied. The keyword data will be passed to a specific content
server, such as content server (CS) 34a, over Internet 24.
[0071] The content servers (CS) 34a-34n may include prearranged
listings. Alternately, for example, one or more of the content
servers (CS) 34a-34n may be for Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising
content. In PPC advertising, the content server creates a listing
text, with listings being prioritized, based on the amount an
advertiser will pay for a user who clicks their mouse on the
advertiser's link in order to direct the user's browser to the
advertiser's designated (targeted) web site (or web page).
[0072] Alternately, the keyword can be passed to a content server
(CS) 34a-34n that performs a search engine function and generates a
listing text, typically of N listings. N corresponds to the number
of requests in the sent e-mail.
[0073] The content server (CS) 34a-34n, for example, content server
(CS) 34a, that received the passed keyword (keyword data), is
queried for acceptance of the keyword (keyword data), and returns a
listing text to the Home Server (HS) 30. This listing text is read
into the Home Server (HS) 30, at block 214. Data exchanges, between
the Home Server (HS) 30 and the content server (CS) 34a
(representative of all content servers (CS) 34a-34n), are typically
accomplished via Extensible Markup Language (XML).
[0074] The listing text, that is returned to the Home Server (HS)
30 from the content server (CS) 34a, is assigned a particular key,
corresponding to the new key created in the key cache 43a (as a
result of a matching key not being found), and includes the top "N"
results, in the form of N listings. N is the total number of
requests in the originally sent e-mail, as detailed above. Each
listing of the listing text typically includes a title or headline
for the content (e.g., the advertisement) to be returned to the
e-mail client of the user 40, at least one target uniform resource
locator (URL) for one or more servers, such as third party servers
(TPS) 42a-42n, and data for the body of the content to be returned.
The data for the body of the content to be returned includes data
in text form and position data, indicating the location for the
data in text form in the template. The aforementioned portions of
the listing text can be parsed, in accordance with the process
being performed thereon.
[0075] The listing text is then stored in a cache, for example, the
listing cache 43c, at block 216. The key assigned to the listing
text, upon its being stored in the listing cache 43c, is linked to
its corresponding key, typically in another cache, such as the key
cache 43a.
[0076] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary listing cache 43c, where a listing
text 250 is stored therein. The listing text 250 includes a key,
for example, KEY 1, formed of the unique identifier (ID), for
example, user@abc.com, the keyword, for example, NEW CARS, and, the
mailing identifier (ID), for example, 100001, as shown in FIG. 6
and detailed above, and N listings 252a-252n. Within each listing
252a-252n is, for example, a title for a web site associated with
the listing (for example, in listing 252a, the title is FORD), a
URL for the web site associated with the listing (for example, in
listing 252a, the URL is www.ford.com), position data indicating
the location in the template where the image with the link to the
web site associated with the listing (for example, in listing 252a,
the position data is, POS=1), and data for the body of the content
to be returned is referenced as "AD DESCRIPTION". The AD
DESCRIPTION is the text to be sent to the imaging server (IS) 38
with the TITLE, to be converted into the requisite image, for
placement into the template of the opened e-mail at the requisite
position. The listings 252a-252n are typically placed into the
listing text in an order of priority, here, for example, top to
bottom or 252a, 252b, to 252n. Additionally, by storing the listing
text in the cache 43c with a unique key, a specific user will
receive listings intended for him at the time he opened the
e-mail.
[0077] Accordingly, processing of the first request will result in
the delivery of the first listing 252a in the form of an image, to
the template of the opened e-mail at a position determined by the
position data in the first request (for example, at a first
position as the position data is POS=1). Similarly, processing of
the second request will result in the delivery of the second
listing 252b in the form of an image, to the template of the opened
e-mail at a position determined by the position data in the second
request (for example, at a second position as the position data is
POS=2). Processing of the requests until the last or Nth request,
results in delivery of the nth listing 252n to the Nth position in
the template of the opened e-mail mail, in accordance with the
position data, POS=n (as detailed below).
[0078] Portions of the listing text are also stored in another
cache, for example, a click cache 43d, at block 217. FIG. 8 shows
an exemplary click cache 43d, where a listing text 250',
corresponding to the listing text 250 of the listing cache 43c, is
stored in the click cache 43d. The listing text 250' includes a
key, identical to the corresponding key in the key cache 43a, as
well as listings 252a'-252n'. Each listing 252a'-252n' corresponds
to the listings 252a-252n of the listing text 250. Within each
listing 252a'-252n' is, for example, a title for a web site
associated with the listing (for example, FORD in the listing
252a'), a Redirect URL for the target web site associated with the
listing (for example, www.ford.com, in the listing 252a'), and
Position Data indicating the location for the resultant image
produced from the listing in the template. For example, position
data in the listing 252a' is represented as POS=1.
[0079] Remaining in FIG. 8, there is also a second listing text
260', to illustrate the click cache 43d, and the relationship of
the caches 43a-43n. This second listing text 260' corresponds to
KEY 2 in the key cache 43a (FIG. 6) and includes listings
262a'-262n' obtained at a different time than the listings
corresponding to KEY 1, even though the keyword (e.g., NEW CARS)
and mailing identifier (e.g., 100001) for both KEY 1 and KEY 2 are
the same. The listings 262a'-262n' result from the e-mail recipient
joe@xyz.com opening his e-mail at a different time then the e-mail
recipient user@abc.com, for different listings were provided at the
time the Home Server (HS) 30 obtained the requisite content (for
delivery to the respectively opened e-mails).
[0080] From block 216, the process moves to block 230, where the
listing corresponding to the request number, and accordingly, the
position data, is passed from the listing cache 43c of the Home
Server (HS) 30 to the imaging server (IS) 38, over the Internet
24.
[0081] The imaging server (IS) 38 receives the listing in a text
format and converts it into an image (or images). The image (or
images) are sent to the user's e-mail client, via the Home Server
(HS) 30, at block 232. The image(s) for the listing are rendered to
the template in the position corresponding to the position data for
the listing. The rendered image is typically paired with one or
more links within the template, and, for example, at least one link
within each image. The links are planted in the template in such a
way that makes the image, or a portion thereof, clickable
(activatable by a mouse click). The link includes an underlying URL
for the Home Server (HS) 30 in a string with a unique identifier,
keyword, mailing identifier and position data. An example string
may be as follows:
http://www.homeserver.com/"uniqueidentifier"&"keyword"&"maili-
ngidentifier"&"positiondata"
[0082] The process then moves to block 110 of FIG. 2, to process
the subsequent requests.
[0083] Turning back to block 204, if the received request is not
the first request sent from the e-mail client, the process moves to
block 220. The request is identified as a subsequent request, as
the unique identifier and keyword from the subsequent sent back
request define a key, that will match with a key in the key cache
43a. The now matched key in the key cache 43a, is then used to
identify the corresponding listing in the listing cache 43c, and
pull (retrieve) the requisite listing text corresponding to the
particular request.
[0084] The process moves to block 222, where it is then determined
if this request, from which the listing text was pulled from the
listing cache 43c, is the last request of the total number of
requests. This is accomplished by the following sub process.
[0085] Initially, in the e-mail sent to the e-mail client (the
"sent e-mail"), the number of requests (N) in the e-mail, in
particular the position data of the e-mail, has been stored in a
cache, for example, the request cache 43b. The position data is
associated with a key for each sent e-mail, as stored in the
request cache 43b. The number of requests needing to be serviced
for each sent e-mail corresponds to the number of listings returned
from the requisite content server (CS) 34a-34n, for example the
content server (CS) 34a. For the first request serviced, a
reference counter in the Home Server (HS) 30 has been decremented
by one (for example, N-1). For each subsequent request that is
serviced, the reference counter is again decremented by one.
Decrementing continues, until the reference counter reaches zero
(for example, N=0), when the last request has been processed.
[0086] Accordingly, in block 222, if the request is not the last
request, the reference counter has a value of greater than zero
(for example, N>0). The process moves to block 230.
[0087] In block 230, the next listing of the listing text (in text
form) corresponding to the specific request, is pulled from the
listing cache 43c, and is passed from the Home Server (HS) 30 to
the imaging server (IS) 38. The process then moves to block 232, as
detailed above.
[0088] However, if at block 222, the request is the last request,
the reference counter has been decremented to have a value of zero
(N=0). The process moves to block 224. The listing text in the
listing cache 43c is modified.
[0089] Modification typically occurs after the last request of the
total number of requests (from block 104) has been received and
processed. Modification of the listing cache 43c of listings
therein typically involves deleting the listing text from the
listing cache 43c.
[0090] This subprocess is typically timed, such that once the final
listing from the listing cache 43c for this last request has been
passed to the imaging server (IS) 38, from the Home Server (HS) 30,
at block 230, the listing text is modified in the listing cache
43c. The modification typically includes deleting the listing text
from the listing cache 43c in a time period, for example,
approximately three hours from the time the first request of the
total number of requests or N requests was processed.
[0091] With the process now at block 230, the final listing from
the listing text is pulled from the listing cache 43c, in response
to this last request, and is passed to the imaging server (IS) 38,
as detailed above. Once the listing (in text form) has been passed
to the imaging server (IS) 38, the process moves to block 232, and
back to block 110 (FIG. 2), as detailed above. Since the last
request (for example, the Nth request) has been processed, in FIG.
2, the process moves to block 112, where the entire content for the
e-mail has now been rendered to the e-mail client of the user 40,
for placement into the now-opened e-mail.
[0092] Attention is now directed to FIGS. 9A and 9B, that show
screen shots of exemplary e-mails 280, 280', opened at different
times (a first time t.sub.1 and a second time t.sub.2), based on
the example template 150 of FIG. 4. The e-mail 280 of FIG. 9A was
opened at a fist time (t.sub.0), while the e-mail 280' was opened
at a second time (t.sub.2), subsequent to the first time
(t.sub.1).
[0093] The example e-mails 280, 280' are based on a sent e-mail
with two requests (N=2), and therefore, the listing text returned
from the requisite content server (CS) 34a-34n and stored in the
listing and click caches, typically includes only two listings. In
both e-mails 280, 280', the images 281, 281' for the section S1 151
of the template 150, includes an image of an advertisement. The
images 281, 281' are static images, of a fixed content formed prior
to the e-mail being sent. The images 284, 285 (in e-mail 280) and
284, 286 (in e-mail 280') for sections D1 161 and D2 162 of the
template 150, were assembled when the e-mail was opened (in
accordance with the processes detailed herein). These images 284,
285, 286, include portions 284a, 285a, 286a that cover links for
the user to click on, and are indicated as such, for example,
"Click now". (The portions 284a, 285a and 286a are hereafter
referred to as links). These underlying links, when activated,
typically by a mouse click, ultimately provide the browser of the
user 40 with a redirect URL, directing the browser to a target web
site (or web page). This web site (or web page) is from the listing
that resulted in the image that supported the clicked link.
[0094] The links 284a, 285a, 286a include underlying strings. As
detailed above, each string typically includes a URL for the Home
Server (HS) 30 (www.homeserver.com) and data, typically in a
string. The data typically includes a unique identifier, a keyword,
a mailing identifier, and position data, with the unique
identifier, keyword and mailing identifier being used to define a
key (as detailed above). An example string, as detailed above, may
be as follows: http://www.homeserver.com/"uniqueident-
ifier"&"keyword"&"mailingidentifier"&"positiondata"
[0095] Activating the link, for example, by a mouse click, directs
the user's browser to the Home Server (HS) 30. From the data in the
string, a click cache 43d may be accessed. By accessing the click
cache 43d, the browser receives a redirect URL for a web site (or
web page) (that is targeted) corresponding to the image from the
cached listing, as detailed below.
[0096] The resultant e-mail 280 opened at a first time (t.sub.1),
includes an image 281 of an advertisement, that is static, as the
section S1 151 of the template 150 (FIG. 4). The images 284, 285,
for sections D1 and D2 of the template 150, that were assembled
when the e-mail was opened, include links 284a, 285a. These links
284a, 285a will redirect the user's web browser (browsing
application) to the corresponding redirect URLs for the listings
that resulted in the images, obtained at this first time
(t.sub.1).
[0097] Similarly, should the e-mail shown by the shaded line 60, be
opened at a second time (t.sub.2), a time subsequent to the first
time (t.sub.1), the resultant e-mail 280' would be such that the
e-mail client would receive the static image 281 for the section S1
of the template 150 (FIG. 4). The images 284, 286, with links 284a,
286a, for sections D1 and D2 of the template 150, includes one
similar image 284 and corresponding link 284a, and one different
image 286, and corresponding link 286a, relevant to the time,
t.sub.2, as the image 285 and its link 285a (FIG. 9A) the first
time (t.sub.1) has expired. Both images 284, 286 were assembled
once the e-mail was reopened at the second time t.sub.2.
[0098] FIG. 10 shows a flow diagram of a process or method in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention. This process
may be a second phase of the larger process, where the user reaches
the web site (or web page) (target web site or target web page) of
provider of the time-relevant text.
[0099] Initially, the user, now having received the rendered images
in the template for the now-opened e-mail, will "click" on an image
284, 285, 286 or portion thereof, that supports a link, such as the
links 284a, 285a, 286a of FIGS. 9A and 9B, to which reference is
now also made. Each link, as discussed above, is associated with a
string, that includes the URL of the Home Server, and plus a unique
identifier, keyword, mailing identifier and position data.
[0100] At block 302, the Home Server (HS) 30 receives a unique
identifier, keyword, mailing identifier and position data (for the
image location), typically in the above-described string, as a
result of links 284a, 285a, 286a of the text 284, 285, 286 being
clicked by the user 40 (activating their mouse 51, as shown in FIG.
1, at the desired link 284a, 285a, 286a). The Home Server (HS) 30
then creates a key from the unique identifier, the keyword, and the
mailing identifier, and locates the matching key in the key cache
43a. With the matching key located, the corresponding key in the
click cache 43d is located. The click cache 43d is queried for
position data matching the position data of the string (of the
link), in order to obtain a redirect URL for the particular
position data, at block 304. It is then determined if the redirect
URL is in the click cache, at block 306.
[0101] The redirect URL is a URL for the web site corresponding to
the clicked text portion on the rendered e-mail, as programmed into
the listed text in the click cache 43d. This URL is typically for a
target web site or web page (content) on (or hosted by), for
example, a third party server (TPS) 42a-42n.
[0102] If the redirect URL is not in the click cache 43d, the user
40 is sent an error page, at block 308. This error page appears on
the monitor 48 of the user 40 as, for example, the screen shot
shown in FIG. 11.
[0103] However, if the redirect URL is in the click cache 43d (with
the matching position data), the Home Server (HS) 30 sends the web
browser of the user 40 the redirect URL at block 310. The user's
web browser receives this redirect URL, and automatically accesses
the web page (typically, a target web page) corresponding to the
redirect URL.
[0104] For example, the redirect URL (from KEY 1, position data
POS=1 in the example click cache 43d of FIG. 8) may be
"www.ford.com." In this case, the user's web browser would be
directed to www.ford.com, whereby the web page, obtained at the
address www.ford.com, shown in FIG. 12, would appear on the monitor
48 of the user. The server that hosts the site associated with
www.ford.com may be any one or more of the third party servers
(TPS) 42a-42n.
[0105] The click cache 43d is typically designed to expire in a
time period that is less than the limit redirect timeouts
(described for block 224 above). This time may be, for example,
approximately two hours.
[0106] Attention is now directed to FIG. 13, that shows an
exemplary system 420 in an exemplary operation, as Pay Per Click
(PPC) advertising content is provided to the e-mail that is sent to
and opened by the user 40. The process is in accordance with the
processes shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 10, and described above, with
portions unique to PPC-content delivery specifically discussed
herein.
[0107] In FIG. 13, the components of the system 420 are similar to
those components in the system 20 of FIG. 1, that have been
described above, and have been incremented by "500".
[0108] Differences between the systems 20 and 420 are noted
below.
[0109] Initially, the Home Server (HS) 30 sends the e-mail client
of the computer 41 of the user 40 an e-mail (the "sent e-mail").
The opened e-mail 480 includes a template 450, with a section 451,
that supports a static image 481, and two sections 461, 462,
defining first and second positions, for dynamically generated
images 484 (NEW CARS 1), 485 (NEW CARS 2). As two positions are
shown for the dynamically generated (and rendered) images, two
requests are sent back, whereby the max number N is 2.
[0110] The sent back request (from the e-mail client to the Home
Server (HS) 530) includes the unique identifier, user@abc.com, the
keyword "NEW CARS", position data and a max number "N". The max
number in this example is 2, representing two requests,
corresponding to the two images 484, 485, whose content is
assembled and provided once the e-mail is opened.
[0111] Processing of these two requests is in accordance with the
flow diagram of FIGS. 2 and 5, as detailed above. However, at block
210, the keyword "NEW CARS" is isolated from the request, which
results in the content server (for example content server 534a)
creating a list 535 for PPC advertising.
[0112] The content server produces the list 535 by ranking the
content providers in a priority order for a given time, in
accordance to the amount each will pay (their bid) when their link
in the dynamically rendered text is clicked. For example, in the
list 535 at the time it was created, FORD is ranked in the first
position, with top priority, as it pays $1.23 per user click to the
Home Server (HS) 530 operator. HONDA is ranked in the second
position, with second priority, as it pays $1.20 per click.
CHEVEROLET is ranked in the third position, with third priority, as
it pays $1.00 per click, while CHRYSLER is ranked in the nth
position, with nth priority, as it pays $0.88 per click.
[0113] The list 535, or portions thereof, once returned to the Home
Server (HS) 530, is converted into a listing text with individual
listings and cached in the requisite caches, for example, key cache
543a, request cache 543b, listing cache 543c, and click cache 543d,
similar to that detailed above.
[0114] For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the retrieved list 535a
(shown as a broken line block) includes only two listings (for
example, the top two for FORD and HONDA, respectively), as there
are only two template sections 461, 462 to accommodate the
retrieved (defining first and second positions) and dynamically
generated images, rendered to the opened e-mail 480. Subsequently,
the cached listing text includes only two listings (in the listing
543c and click 543d caches). Accordingly, the opened e-mail will
include an image 484 with an implanted link to the Home Server (HS)
530, that will result in the user's browser receiving the redirect
URL for FORD (www.ford.com), and an image 485 with an implanted
link to the Home Server (HS) 530 that will result in the user's
browser receiving the redirect URL for HONDA (www.honda.com).
[0115] When the user clicks on the portion of the text with the
link, the process of FIG. 10 begins, resulting in the user's
browser being redirected to a redirect URL corresponding to the
clicked text. For example, should the portion over the link in the
image 484 at the first position be clicked, the user's browser will
be redirected to the redirect URL for FORD, www.ford.com. This web
page for www.ford.com may be provided at the third party server
(TPS) 542a. Similarly, should the text portion over the link in the
second image 485 at the second position be clicked, the user's
browser will be redirected to the redirect URL for HONDA,
www.honda.com. This web page for www.honda.com may be provided at
the third party server (TPS) 542b.
[0116] The above-described processes including portions thereof can
be performed by software, hardware and combinations thereof. These
processes and portions thereof can be performed by computers,
computer-type devices, workstations, processors, micro-processors,
other electronic searching tools and memory and other storage-type
devices associated therewith. The processes and portions thereof
can also be embodied in programmable storage devices, for example,
compact discs (CDs) or other discs including magnetic, optical,
etc., readable by a machine or the like, or other computer usable
storage media, including magnetic, optical, or semiconductor
storage, or other source of electronic signals.
[0117] The processes (methods) and systems, including components
thereof, herein have been described with exemplary reference to
specific hardware and software. The processes (methods) have been
described as exemplary, whereby specific steps and their order can
be omitted and/or changed by persons of ordinary skill in the art
to reduce these embodiments to practice without undue
experimentation. The processes (methods) and systems have been
described in a manner sufficient to enable persons of ordinary
skill in the art to readily adapt other hardware and software as
may be needed to reduce any of the embodiments to practice without
undue experimentation and using conventional techniques.
[0118] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been described, so as to enable one of skill in the art to practice
the present invention, the preceding description is intended to be
exemplary only. It should not be used to limit the scope of the
invention, which should be determined by reference to the following
claims.
* * * * *
References