U.S. patent application number 12/113042 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-21 for adaptive direct transaction for network client group.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dennis S. Fernandez. Invention is credited to Dennis S. Fernandez, Irene Hu.
Application Number | 20080201237 12/113042 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35207113 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080201237 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fernandez; Dennis S. ; et
al. |
August 21, 2008 |
Adaptive Direct Transaction For Network Client Group
Abstract
Internet-based software and associated database provide group
analysis overlay to monitor client-server web traffic and provide
direct marketing to client group. Client car, patient, office or
school sensor and interface provides overlay attribute for database
comparison to classify usage pattern, location, timing, or family
for targeted messaging for enhanced service from server source.
Database group registry tracks client classification and provides
adaptive context mapping according to set attribute relative to
targeted on-line transaction.
Inventors: |
Fernandez; Dennis S.;
(Atherton, CA) ; Hu; Irene; (Sunnyvale,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FERNANDEZ & ASSOCIATES LLP
1047 EL CAMINO REAL, SUITE 201
MENLO PARK
CA
94025
US
|
Assignee: |
Dennis S. Fernandez
Atherton
CA
|
Family ID: |
35207113 |
Appl. No.: |
12/113042 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09145167 |
Sep 1, 1998 |
|
|
|
12113042 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.62 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0625 20130101;
H04L 67/12 20130101; G06Q 30/0201 20130101; G06Q 40/12 20131203;
H04L 67/20 20130101; G06Q 30/0277 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101;
G06Q 30/0251 20130101; H04L 67/22 20130101; G06Q 30/0222 20130101;
G06Q 30/0239 20130101; G06Q 30/0253 20130101; Y10S 707/99933
20130101; Y10S 707/99931 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/26 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00 |
Claims
1. Micro-sale transaction method for sensor-based interactive
digital television (IDTV) system comprising step: transacting
electronically one or more micro-sale with an IDTV user in response
to the user search or query; wherein the user IDTV comprises a bio-
or electro/mechanical-sensor for providing user response to an IDTV
group analysis overlay.
2. Sensor-based interactive digital television (IDTV) for
micro-sale transaction comprising: an IDTV; and a bio- or
electro/mechanical-sensor coupled to the IDTV to enable an IDTV
user to transact electronically via a micro-sale transaction
according to user search, query or sensor response to or with an
IDTV group analysis overlay.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/145,167 originally filed on Sep. 1,
1998.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] Invention relates to networked computer applications,
particularly to distributed client-server software for adaptive
direct group transaction.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] With the explosive growth of the Internet and its associated
World-Wide Web, various computer programs have been developed for
distributed applications between client and server processors
interconnected through local and/or wide area networks. In
particular, web-based software are provided variously for
promoting, managing or otherwise transacting business on-line.
Thus, such electronic commerce applications are provided to
facilitate more efficient marketing and distribution of goods and
services. However, prior-art approaches at facilitating on-line
commerce are limited, particularly with respect to enabling direct
marketing, especially for multiple targets or client groups.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0004] Invention resides in software for directing on-line messages
to classified client set adaptively according to monitored set
characteristics. Memory stores set data associated with
historically stored, currently measured, or preferred network
configuration, on-line traffic, location, schedule, or affiliation.
Clients are classified into sets per criteria for contextual
mapping of particular sets to corresponding targeted on-line
messages. Client sensor interface provides mobile location, medical
condition, or other attribute for adaptive classification of client
into sets by comparing attribute to set groupings. Updated client
classification provides adaptive context mapping of sets to
directed transactions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is general block diagram for network system
implementing present invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is logic flow diagram of operational methodology for
implementing present invention.
[0007] FIG. 3 is database diagram according to present
invention.
[0008] FIG. 4 is block diagram of client interface according to
present invention.
[0009] FIG. 5 is flow chart of operational steps for group analysis
overlay according to present invention.
[0010] FIG. 6 is flow chart of operational steps for network
download dynamic display according to present invention.
[0011] FIG. 7 is flow chart of operational steps for directed
offering transaction according to present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] FIG. 1 block diagram shows network system 4 having one or
more server processors or nodes 2 and one or more client processors
or nodes 10, 20, 30, coupled thereto preferably according to
standard Internet Protocol or other conventional digital networking
and data communications scheme, which publicly available
specifications are hereby referenced, as appropriate.
[0013] Preferably, client 10 represents network interface for
vehicular or other mobile processing application, client 20
represents network interface for medical or other personal
processing application, and client 30 represents network interface
for appliance or other embedded processing application.
[0014] It is contemplated herein that network 4 may be embodied in
conventional and/or proprietary, wired and/or wireless, hardware
and/or software, integrated and/or modular means for sending and
receiving digital data and/or electronic signals between
processors, nodes or other addressable network sites coupled
thereto. Moreover, it is contemplated that server or client
processing functionality may be embodied in one or more processing
machines or devices, and a single processing machine or device may
perform functionality of multiple server and/or client
processors.
[0015] FIG. 2 flow chart shows process for network configuration
and resource control 40, client interface and secure access 50,
operational processing and sensing 60, network download and dynamic
display 70, group analysis overlay 80, directed offering and
transaction 90, and database access 100.
[0016] In accordance with present invention, network 4, including
server(s) 2 and client(s) 10, 20, 30 employ software and/or other
functionally equivalent firmware, hardware, or electronics for
directing or targeting on-line messages or electronic signals to
selected or classified client set or group adaptively or
dynamically according to monitored or specified set characteristics
or attributes. Preferably, such software functionality is
implemented using embedded or real-time operating (RTOS) code
convention, JAVA, C/C++, Windows/CE, or other equivalent digital
signal processing instruction scheme, according to operational
definition described herein.
[0017] Such software or functionality may use or cooperate for
read/write operations with one or more digital memory or
functionally equivalent network-accessible electronic storage to
store data or attribute signals about one or more client 10, 20, 30
associated with previously stored, currently measured, or preferred
network or node configuration, on-line network traffic, actual
location, schedule events, or subscribed or qualified
affiliation.
[0018] Preferably, clients 10, 20, 30 are classified into or
otherwise associated with sets, super-sets, sub-sets, groups,
super-groups, sub-groups, or other hierarchical category according
to pre-specified or dynamically defined criteria for qualification
therein. Particular set or sets may be logically mapped, assigned
contextually or otherwise related to one or more corresponding
targeted on-line message or electronic network signals, as
described herein. In particular, client sensor interface may
provide various monitored still images, live video, audio, states,
data or attribute signals representative thereof, such as mobile
location, medical condition, or other detectable attribute for
adaptive or responsive classification of subject client into set(s)
by comparing attribute and classifying appropriately into set
groupings. For example, sensor may include one or more keyboard,
screen or mouse entry, microphone, digital imaging or video camera,
or position locator or navigational electronics, such as Global
Positioning Satellite system (GPS) receiver functionality to
provide certain dimensional and temporal (i.e., time and place)
signals and values.
[0019] Additionally, client interface user interface is preferably
implemented as dial-up or dedicated network connection web browser
software, which provides secured access according to authenticated
and/or encrypted user identification or messages. Optionally, user
identification may be achieved by client interface determination of
unique user physical or biological characteristic, such as
sensor-sampled or input-verified personal genetic sequence.
[0020] Moreover, updated or modified client classifications
effectively provide adaptive or dynamic context mapping of sets to
directed transactions, messages, or signals representative thereof.
For example, directed message, transaction or network signal may
include commercial offering, application program, still image, or
video stream.
[0021] Hence, during software operation of preferred
implementation, one or more client attribute or signal is
determined or generated initially, so that subject client may be
classified in a set according to subject attribute (i.e., currently
monitored or generated attribute signal); then, a message or
transaction signal representative thereof is sent to clients
classified in that set. Generally, subject attribute or generated
signal may represent one or more monitored signals, data, or
values, such as client location, elapsed or actual time, client or
user entry selection, physical, mechanical, medical or other
objective condition, as well as any affiliation or subscription
associated with subject client.
[0022] More particularly, subject attribute value or signal may be
provided by one or more client sensor, wherein such attribute is
provided in digital memory or functionally equivalent electronic
storage. Client may be classified by comparing the attribute with
another attribute stored in memory to determine equivalence or
non-equivalence, such that client is classified or not classified
in the set, for example, according to pre-determined substantial
similarity determined therebetween.
[0023] Additionally, a second attribute of the client may be
determined, wherein the client then may be classified in another or
same set according to the second attribute. Another or same message
or transaction signal may be sent to one or more clients classified
in the second set. Moreover, a second attribute may be determined
for another client, wherein such other client is classified in the
second set according to the second attribute, and a second message
or transaction signal is thereby sent to clients classified in the
second set.
[0024] FIG. 3 diagram represents database 100 of base server(s)
102, user client(s) 104, traffic operations 106, and group registry
108, which are one or more separately or collectively stored or
accessible object-oriented and/or relational information modules or
other networking or processing system cache or repositories, value
or signals representative of functional activity associated
respectively with one or more servers 2, client interfaces 10, 20
30, network 4 communications and configurations, and client set
groupings, as described herein.
[0025] In particular, base server data module 102 includes
electronically-accessible expert, service catalog, knowledge
library, or other on-line or user self-service resource pool; and
network-downloadable text, audio, still images, video clips or
streams; or any update or revision thereof. User client or sensor
site module 104 includes network client or server connection and
configuration; client and/or group identifier or reference
indicator; network usage or transaction history or pattern;
monitored or sensed client attributes (e.g., time, location,
temperature, available resources, etc.); client sensor
configuration, status and condition, or client specified or
inferred preferences.
[0026] Traffic operations or network manager module 106 includes
client or sensor sites set-up sequence, configuration or log;
security or authentication sequence, configuration or log; data
transfer or signal transmission download or communication sequence,
configuration or log; offering transaction sequence, configuration
or log; and network operation or performance monitor or log. Client
or user group or set registry module 108 includes group or set
search interface sequence, configuration or log; user or client
attribute tracking or monitoring; group or set classifications or
criteria; or context mapping or other directed message
association.
[0027] FIG. 4 diagram shows client or site interface 10, 20, 30,
including interface; coupling or application, controller or
embedded processor; storage, cache or memory; and one or more
network-accessible sensors. Such included client functionality may
be provided in one or more integrated, programmable,
reconfigurable, electronic devices, circuit, firmware, software
and/or other equivalent implementation. Preferably controller 14 is
implemented as programmed embedded digital signal processor,
microprocessor, or reduced instruction set computing (RISC)
microcontroller, such as commercial parts: 43001 from NEC
Electronics (Santa Clara, Calif.), 4640/4650 from Integrated Device
Technology (Santa Clara, Calif.), RS000/R8000/10000 from MIPS
Technology (Mountain View, Calif.), PPC603/604 from IBM
Microelectronics (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) and Motorola (Austin,
Tex.), 486DX4/486DX5 from Advanced Micro Devices (Austin, Tex.),
PentiumPro/PentiumII from Intel (Chandler, Ariz.), UltraSPARC
II/III from Sun Microsystems (Mountain View, Calif.), or Alpha
21164/21264 from Digital Equipment (Maynard, Mass.).
[0028] Generally, present embodiment may be implemented and/or
performed using any digital local or wide-area network 4 wherein
one or more addressable nodes (i.e., client and/or server) are
coupled thereto for communication or transmission of packets,
cells, frames, signals, or other electronic messages therebetween.
Preferred network uses so-called Internet convention and World-Wide
Web networking protocol for sending files, for example, according
to specified formats, such as hypertext file transfer protocol
(HTTP), universal resource locator (URL), hypertext markup language
(HTML), extensible markup language (XML), transmission control
protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), etc. Thus, in this network
arrangement, one or more servers and/or clients may remotely or
locally access one or more servers coupled directly or indirectly
thereto.
[0029] Initially, for functional operation of present embodiment,
one or more client interface 10, 20, 30 is coupled to network 4,
and such network is configured 40 wherein one or more informational
expertise or data signal resources, such as provided centrally or
distributedly by one or more modules 102, 104, 106, 108 in database
100.
[0030] For example, during or after initial set-up, resource pool
in base server 102 may specify one or more expertise repositories
or catalogs which may provide client-requested or downloadable
text, audio, video, or other digital data. Moreover, during or
after initial set-up, user client database 104 may be updated to
indicate network connectivity and configuration between any servers
and/or clients coupled thereto, as well as connectivity and
configuration of any sensor or equivalent devices associated with
one or more such clients. Furthermore, during or after initial
set-up, user client database 104 may indicate one or more
user-preferred network configuration, transaction selection, or
sensor-related attribute. Additionally, during or after initial
set-up, traffic operations module 106 may indicate client setup,
network configuration, and security access parameters. In addition,
during or after initial set-up, group registry module 108 may
indicate client tracking state and client classification or
grouping.
[0031] Preferably, one or more client interfaces 10, 20, 30 are
configured and coupled in accordance with secure access channel and
protocol 50 to network 4 to provide selectable access to one or
more sensor 18 associated with particular client. Depending on
client interface type, application or specific embodiment, for
example, client interface 10 may serve as network interface for
non-fixed pedestrian, vehicular or other moving processing site;
client interface 20 may serve as network interface for personal,
patient, medical or other tele-medicine computing or communications
environment; or client interface 30 may serve as network interface
for multimedia equipment, residential appliance, office processing
equipment, or other embedded controller or local processing
application.
[0032] Hence, when client-server network is configured 40 for
controlling expert resource or database access, and various client
interface and sensors are coupled and accessible securely 50
thereto, then one or more applications programs may execute,
preferably according to client and corresponding sensor
implementation type, according to present invention to enable
effectively adaptive direct transaction or messaging for one or
more networked client group.
[0033] Sensor input signals from one or more client sites may be
received continuously, scheduled at regular times, triggered by
specified alarms or conditions, selectably activated by client or
server, or adaptively or proportionately increased or decreased in
sensing activity according to pre-specified or associated
attributes, current related activity, or specified or monitored
client group or set conditions or monitored activity.
[0034] In embodiment case of vehicle client interface 10,
operational processing and sensing uses one or more microprocessor
or embedded controller 14 electronically to monitor, diagnose
and/or control data signals, alarm or out-of-specified range
condition, pre-specified states, or other objectively detectable or
attributes. Preferably, such sensed signal monitoring process is
achieved using one or more local or embedded processing programs or
applications provided in storage 16 executable by controller 14 for
real-time access of one or more sensors or other signal feedback
detector coupled thereto, such as temperature, pressure,
accelerometer or movement sensors, (such as commercial integrated
silicon or micromachined parts: AD741X and AD781X temperature
sensors from Analog Devices (Norwood, Mass.), LM80, LM56, LM75
thermal sensors from National Semiconductor (Santa Clara, Calif.),
XTR106 pressure sensors from Burr-Brown (Tucson, Ariz.),
MPX10/50/100/2010/210d0/2700/5010/5006/5100/5700 pressure sensors
from Motorola (Phoenix, Ariz.), or 7257AT accelerometer sensor from
Endevco (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.), 40PC/4000PC pressure sensor
from Honeywell (Freeport, Ill.), 19(C,U)005G pressure sensor from
Sensym (Milpitas, Calif.), Titan pressure sensor from Lucas Control
Systems (Hampton, Va.), DMU Turbo accelerometer sensor from
Crossbow Technology (San Jose, Calif.), or MAP1452/XKP1260 pressure
transducers from Integrated Sensor Solutions (San Jose,
Calif.)).
[0035] It is contemplated that such client sensors 18 may be
implemented in automotive, trucking or other terrestrial, airborne
and/or marine transport systems or subsystems, such as mechanical
(e.g., internal combustion engine timing, mechanical linkage stress
or strain, transmission, and related drive train monitor, vehicle
braking or brake anti-locking, fuel delivery and storage, passenger
restraint, emergency condition, seatbelt securement or airbag
deployment, or impact detection, diagnosis and/or control thereof),
and/or electrical (e.g., engine ignition, lighting, thermal
cooling/heating, entertainment, communication, dispatching, or
navigational appliance or device, and/or other electronic module
monitor, diagnosis and/or control thereof), etc.
[0036] In embodiment case of personal or patient client interface
20, operational processing and sensing uses one or more
microprocessor or embedded controller 14 electronically to monitor,
diagnose and/or control data signals, alarm or out-of-specified
range condition, pre-specified states, or other objectively
detectable or attributes through one or more sensors or other
signal feedback detector, as described herein. Preferably, such
sensed signal monitoring process is achieved using one or more
local or embedded processing programs or applications provided in
storage 16 and executable by controller 14 for real-time access of
one or more sensors or other signal feedback detector coupled
thereto.
[0037] It is contemplated that such client sensors 18 may be
implemented in remote clinical, biometric, ambulatory medical,
consultation, monitoring or communications systems or subsystems,
particularly record-forwarding, patient-communication and
observation, patient vital measurements, radiograph and other
diagnostic image-transmission, for various specialties, such as
radiology, dental, cardiorespiratory, constitutional, dermatology,
ear-nose-throat, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, gynecological,
musculoskeletal, neuropsychiatric, etc.
[0038] Optionally, sensors 18 may serve to detect or identify
client-provided or specified organic material, particularly by
obtaining probed or receiving analyzed input of one or more genetic
sequence data of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or protein of subject
client, for example, for subsequent database alignment and/or
comparison for similarity or matching against known identifiable
sequences.
[0039] In embodiment case of office, home or school appliance
client interface 30, operational processing and sensing uses one or
more microprocessor or embedded controller 14 electronically to
monitor, diagnose and/or control data signals, alarm or
out-of-specified range condition, pre-specified states, or other
objectively detectable or attributes through one or more sensors or
other signal feedback detector, as described herein. Preferably,
such sensed signal monitoring process is achieved using one or more
local or embedded processing programs or applications provided in
storage 16 and executable by controller 14 for real-time access of
one or more sensors or other signal feedback detector coupled
thereto.
[0040] It is contemplated that such client sensors 18 may be
implemented for accessing, communicating with, monitoring, and
controlling operations in multimedia entertainment, home or small
office automation equipment, residential appliance devices, systems
or subsystems, such as digital video disk players or recorders,
personal computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, digital
television, set-top boxes, security monitoring and alarm, etc.
[0041] Preferably, such electronic sensor-implementing components
employ controller 14 processing code to interface to network 4 for
sensor and interface access, signaling and control according to
communication or signaling protocol, such as universal serial bus
(USB), IEEE 1394 (i.e., FireWire), or other similar comparable
interface specification. For example, such preferred interface for
client appliance interface 30 complies with home audio/video
interoperability (HAVI) architecture, which published specification
is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0042] According to application program execution during
operational processing and sensing 60, as described herein, client
or user input and/or output (I/O) interface is provided,
particularly to deliver signal or data download from network using
dynamic display mechanism 70. Informational download, such as text
(e.g., ASCII or Word processor format), audio (e.g., Real Audio
format), still image (e.g., joint picture experts group (JPEG), 2
or 3 dimensional format), video (e.g., moving picture experts group
(MPEG), or other catalog, expertise data pool, resource files or
electronic digital material, are accessed from database 100 modules
102, 104, 106, 108. Optionally, such network client interface
includes web browser software, such as available commercially from
Microsoft (e.g., Internet Explorer) or Netscape (e.g.,
Communicator/Navigator).
[0043] FIG. 6 flow chart shows group download display embodiment,
wherein one or more servers initially setup to determine one or
more clients associated with or belonging to specified sets or
groups, thereby updating database client grouping 104, database
registry client tracking 108, as well as any database traffic
operation client setup and network configuration 106.
[0044] In particular, such determining server(s) may create and
maintain current group or task manager, preferably as data table or
system process to identify and monitor communications with or other
network download to specified group members. Thus, based on initial
client-server parameter setup, as well as subsequent updates
thereto, accessing such task manager may provide effectively
real-time organization of multi-member grouping data, and
facilitates relatively fast informative response to authorized
client or server query to determine current group definitions and
members actively categorized therein. Additionally, such task
manager program may serve to balance processing between group
members, for example, such that directed messages or other
transaction offerings are delivered more frequently or earlier to
less-busy or higher-processing capacity client sites, as indicated
in current database 100.
[0045] Further, display downloading scheme 70 includes
faster-memory caching 74 of relatively larger data files, such as
still image (e.g., .GIF, .JPG) and compressed video (e.g., MPG)
files from database module download library 102. In addition,
display downloading may include feedback signaling or equivalent
communication 76 from one or more subject clients, which belong to
common group client members, to provide accelerated current group
membership indication to like group members. In this feedback-loop
manner, group members may relatively quickly be alerted and display
appropriate membership or non-membership status.
[0046] Preferably, network download dynamic display operations 70
provide subject server or client relatively high-resolution,
flat-panel screen output with interactive multi-media capability
(i.e., text, audio, still image, video, 3-D graphic or virtual
media format, etc.), for example, using personal computer equipment
or engineering workstation with processing encoded and compressed
media signals, or interactive digital television having
network-ready Internet or equivalent communications interface and
applications protocol. Optionally, particular client may select to
screen, block, filter or exclude from receiving one or more classes
or attributes of incoming directed messages, such as undesirable
commercial or immoral content.
[0047] FIG. 5 flow chart shows operational steps for group analysis
or system overlay thereof, according to important aspect of present
invention, generally wherein Internet-based client interface 10,
20, 30 and associated database 100 effectively provide group
analysis processing to monitor client-server web traffic and
deliver direct marketing services to client group. As per
alternative instances described herein, client car, patient, office
or school sensors and interfaces provide attribute processing
system overlay for database comparison to classify usage pattern,
location, timing, or family for targeted messaging for enhanced
service from server source. Database 100 group registry tracks
client classification and provides adaptive context mapping
according to set attribute relative to targeted on-line
transaction.
[0048] Generally, group analysis 80 may be invoked automatically
upon schedule or per directed request, thereby operating to
determine groupings by comparing sensed 60 operational values with
associated values stored in database 100. When group analysis 80
and subsequent directed offering transaction operations 90 are so
invoked, for example, by network client or server with proper
requesting authorization, preferably, one or more candidate client
sites 10, 20, 30 are identified accordingly for classification. For
example, in case of vehicle client interface 10, one or more
clients having certain sensed or specified characteristics or other
attributes, such as having certain serial or model numbers, tracked
geographic location, etc., may be designated as candidate sites
when considered for possible vehicle or product defect, repair,
upgrade, or recall.
[0049] Initially, to perform proper group analysis, subject server
2 (or other network processor with access to database 100 and one
or more candidate clients for present comparison) examines database
100, which may be implemented in one or more network-accessible
data repositories, to determine 82 existence of any specified
supergroups, groups, subgroups, in present network, and
particularly search database modules 104, 108 recognize any such
grouping which includes client to be evaluated for membership.
Moreover, such subject server 2 may further search such database
modules 104, 108 to determine and monitor existence of any or each
sensor and characteristics thereof associated with each subject
client for evaluation.
[0050] Then, database compare and set classify operations 84 are
performed by subject server 2, whereby representative attributes or
other sensed characteristics of candidate client(s) are logically
compared to equivalent data field representations of other
pre-registered or tracked clients in database 100 to determine
matching or recognize substantial qualification for set groupings
or non-groupings. Group registry 108 provides functional or
graphical interface for searching fields for client and sensor
attributes.
[0051] For example, in case of patient client interface 20,
candidate patient sensed or specified attributes, such as
geographical location, demographic family, race or ethnicity,
medical insurance coverage, age, sex, etc. may be compared against
other clients to generate certain groupings for subsequent targeted
messaging or commercial offerings. Similarly, in case of appliance
client interface 30, candidate appliance sensed or specified
attributes, such as appliance model number, multimedia play-back
capacity, entertainment preferences, usage pattern, budget
allowance, schedule availability, etc. may be compared against
other client to generate certain groupings. Upon candidate grouping
classification, database 100 modules 104, 108 may be updated to
reflect client membership accordingly.
[0052] Optionally, to provide network system client grouping
scalability, when candidate client is determined not to be
classifiable as analyzed, subject server 2 may modify group
registry 108 to define set changes and create new super-group,
group, or sub-group, as required by subject server.
[0053] Preferably, database registry 108 provides group
classification with corresponding context mapping or topic
relevance matching, thereby enabling directed matching for adaptive
messages 86. Although such context mapping may be applied in
case-specific manner, wherein specific rules or requirements for
defining groups or clients having certain specified or sensed
attributes are designated to receive targeted message broadcast,
preferably, such context mapping may be achieved using less precise
qualification scheme, such as fuzzy or statistical logical or
topical association to generate list of possible candidates for
targeted messaging. Upon completion of such context mapping, group
registry 108 is updated. Additionally, context mapping scheme may
be adapted to focus target candidates or reduce such directed
client list for more precise marketing effect, preferably in
response to real-time specified or sensed group or client
attributes.
[0054] FIG. 7 flow chart shows directed offering transaction
operation 90, wherein subject server 2 (or alternate network
processor) generates and/or sources one or more directed or
targeted message, which may include commercial, promotional, or
marketing symbol, audio, text, still image, video, or other media
content or signal for context-mapped or other designated clients
within specified grouping(s). In particular, such directed messages
may be downloaded from module 102, or other network source, and
transmitted 92 through network 4 to designated client sites
according to database 100 user client and grouping configurations
and network connections specified in module 104, whereupon database
100 traffic operations module 106 is appropriately updated or
reconfigured to reflect completed messaging.
[0055] Optionally, such directed messaging may be invoked by
subject server 2 in response to one or more network searches or
queries 92, for example, from other authorized server or client, or
network search agent software application or process thereof,
accessing group registry module 108 search interface to locate or
identify one or more target groupings or clients therein, which
qualify under certain specified or sensed attributes. Directed
transactional messages 70 may be sent to targeted grouping(s), as
well as client members therein, for prompt network download and
display 70.
[0056] Furthermore, in auction style or similar bidding procedure,
one or more such searching or querying network nodes or sources, or
client members in particular grouping, may be designated or
qualified to participate in on-line bidding or auction transaction,
whereby highest price or other parameter bidder is provided
specified merit rights or transaction.
[0057] In addition, when one or more such searching or querying
network node or sources, or client members in particular grouping,
is so designated or qualified, customized commercial terms, for
example, for transacting so-called micro-sale or comparable limited
per-use service billing 96 may be charged to such on-line customer
according to actual network distribution or execution of transacted
application service. In such micro-sale transaction, subject server
2 may prioritize access or directed messaging resources to targeted
clients to achieve group balancing, whereby network computing
performance, database resource access, and/or application or other
service delivery are optimized.
[0058] Foregoing described embodiments of the invention are
provided as illustrations and descriptions. They are not intended
to limit the invention to precise form described. In particular,
Applicants contemplate that functional implementation of invention
described herein may be implemented equivalently in hardware,
software, firmware, and/or other available functional components or
building blocks. Other variations and embodiments are possible in
light of above teachings, and it is thus intended that the scope of
invention not be limited by this Detailed Description, but rather
by Claims following.
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