U.S. patent application number 16/015273 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-18 for systems, devices, and/or methods for managing messages.
The applicant listed for this patent is Fusion Company. Invention is credited to Ram Dasari, Robert M. Dufour, Steven John Metsker.
Application Number | 20180300423 16/015273 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40885562 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180300423 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dufour; Robert M. ; et
al. |
October 18, 2018 |
Systems, Devices, and/or Methods for Managing Messages
Abstract
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising
automatically rendering a message to a webpage user, the message
created by a webpage operator via an automatic merger of a
customized message content that corresponds to a
message-generator-selected message identifier with a message
template that corresponds to a message-generator-selected message
template identifier, the message-generator-selected message
identifier and the message-generator-selected message template
identifier provided by the message generator to the webpage
operator responsive to receipt of data gathered from the webpage
user by the webpage operator.
Inventors: |
Dufour; Robert M.;
(Richmond, VA) ; Dasari; Ram; (Midlothian, VA)
; Metsker; Steven John; (Richmond, VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fusion Company |
Richmond |
VA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
40885562 |
Appl. No.: |
16/015273 |
Filed: |
June 22, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12743914 |
Feb 15, 2011 |
10019532 |
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PCT/US08/51030 |
Jan 15, 2008 |
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16015273 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0251 20130101;
G06Q 30/0253 20130101; G06F 16/9577 20190101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30; G06Q 30/02 20060101 G06Q030/02 |
Claims
1. A method configured to cause an internet-based checkout process
of a webpage operator to render, to a webpage user, message content
selected by a message generator and customized by the webpage
operator, the checkout process configured to sell any of a
plurality of products of the webpage operator, the method
comprising: responsive to the webpage user initiating the checkout
process; for at least one product from the plurality of products of
the webpage operator, automatically providing data obtained from
one or more information devices of the webpage user to one or more
information devices of the message generator; and automatically
causing an automatically-created message to be rendered to the
webpage user during the checkout process via the one or more
information devices of the webpage user; wherein: the
automatically-created message is created by one or more information
devices of the webpage operator via an automatic merger of a
customized message content that corresponds to a
message-generator-selected message identifier with a message
template that corresponds to a message-generator-selected message
template identifier; a message tag corresponding to the
message-generator-selected message identifier defines where the
customized message content appears in the automatically-created
message; the message tag is provided by the message generator; and
the message-generator-selected message identifier and the
message-generator-selected message template identifier are
automatically provided by one or more information devices of the
message generator to the one or more information devices of the
webpage operator responsive to receipt of the data obtained from
the one or more information devices of the webpage user by the one
or more information devices of the webpage operator.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the customized message content
is a result of a modification by the one or more information
devices of the webpage operator of a selected suggested message
content from a plurality of suggested message contents provided to
the one or more information devices of the webpage operator by the
one or more information devices of the message generator.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein: the message-generator-selected
message template identifier is one of a plurality of message
template identifiers provided to the one or more information
devices of the webpage operator by the one or more information
devices of the message generator.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein: each of the plurality of
message-generator-selected message template identifiers corresponds
to a message template provided to the one or more information
devices of the webpage operator by the one or more information
devices of the message generator.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein: each of the webpage user, the
webpage operator, the message generator, and the fulfillment
provider is distinct from one another.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein: each of the one or more
information devices of the webpage user, the one or more
information devices of the webpage operator, and the one or more
information devices of the message generator physically is distinct
from one another.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: responsive to the
webpage user following an instruction to initiate a purchase of a
product, of a message generator, that is described by the
automatically-created message, sending information to a fulfillment
provider, the information sufficient to initiate fulfillment of the
purchase.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the one
or more information devices of the webpage operator, from the one
or more information devices of the message generator, a plurality
of suggested message contents.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the one
or more information devices of the webpage operator, from the one
or more information devices of the message generator, a plurality
of suggested message contents, each suggested message content from
the plurality of suggested message contents having a corresponding
message identifier.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the
one or more information devices of the webpage operator, from the
one or more information devices of the message generator, a
plurality of message templates.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the
one or more information devices of the webpage operator, from the
one or more information devices of the message generator, a
plurality of message templates, each message template from the
plurality of message templates having a corresponding message
template identifier.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: modifying, at the
one or more information devices of the webpage operator, a selected
suggested message content from a plurality of suggested message
contents to form the customized message content.
13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining the data
from the one or more information devices of the webpage user.
14. The method of claim 1, further comprising: automatically
providing the data to the one or more information devices of the
message generator.
15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: based on the data,
automatically requesting, from the one or more information devices
of the message generator, the message-generator-selected message
identifier and the message-generator-selected message template
identifier.
16. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in accord with the
message tag, automatically merging, at the one or more information
devices of the webpage operator, the customized message content
that corresponds to the message-generator-selected message
identifier with the message template that corresponds to the
message-generator-selected message template identifier.
17. A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising machine
instructions configured to cause an internet-based checkout process
of a webpage operator to render, to a webpage user, message content
selected by a message generator and customized by the webpage
operator, the checkout process configured to sell any of a
plurality of products of the webpage operator, the instructions
configured for activities comprising: responsive to the webpage
user initiating the checkout process; for at least one product from
the plurality of products of the webpage operator, automatically
providing data obtained from one or more information devices of the
webpage user to one or more information devices of the message
generator; and automatically causing an automatically-created
message to be rendered to the webpage user during the checkout
process via the one or more information devices of the webpage
user; wherein: the automatically-created message is created by one
or more information devices of the webpage operator via an
automatic merger of a customized message content that corresponds
to a message-generator-selected message identifier with a message
template that corresponds to a message-generator-selected message
template identifier; a message tag corresponding to the
message-generator-selected message identifier defines where the
customized message content appears in the automatically-created
message; the message tag is provided by the message generator; and
the message-generator-selected message identifier and the
message-generator-selected message template identifier are
automatically provided by one or more information devices of the
message generator to the one or more information devices of the
webpage operator responsive to receipt of the data obtained from
the one or more information devices of the webpage user by the one
or more information devices of the webpage operator.
18. A system configured to cause an internet-based checkout process
of a webpage operator to render, to a webpage user, message content
selected by a message generator and customized by the webpage
operator, the checkout process configured to sell any of a
plurality of products of the webpage operator, the system
comprising: a message processing circuit configured to, responsive
to the webpage user initiating the checkout process; for at least
one product from the plurality of products of the webpage operator,
automatically provide data obtained from one or more information
devices of the webpage user to one or more information devices of
the message generator; and a message rendering circuit configured
to automatically cause an automatically-created message to be
rendered to the webpage user during the checkout process via the
one or more information devices of the webpage user; wherein: the
automatically-created message is created by one or more information
devices of the webpage operator via an automatic merger of a
customized message content that corresponds to a
message-generator-selected message identifier with a message
template that corresponds to a message-generator-selected message
template identifier; a message tag corresponding to the
message-generator-selected message identifier defines where the
customized message content appears in the automatically-created
message; the message tag is provided by the message generator; and
the message-generator-selected message identifier and the
message-generator-selected message template identifier are
automatically provided by one or more information devices of the
message generator to the one or more information devices of the
webpage operator responsive to receipt of the data obtained from
the one or more information devices of the webpage user by the one
or more information devices of the webpage operator.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0001] A wide variety of potential practical and useful embodiments
will be more readily understood through the following detailed
description of certain exemplary embodiments, with reference to the
accompanying exemplary drawings in which:
[0002] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an
advertisement;
[0003] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of an exemplary initial setup
method;
[0004] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of an exemplary runtime
method;
[0005] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
system 4000;
[0006] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an
information device 5000; and
[0007] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method
6000.
DEFINITIONS
[0008] When the following terms are used substantively herein, the
accompanying definitions apply. These terms and definitions are
presented without prejudice, and, consistent with the application,
the right to redefine these terms during the prosecution of this
application or any application claiming priority hereto is
reserved. For the purpose of interpreting a claim of any patent
that claims priority hereto, each definition (or redefined term if
an original definition was amended during the prosecution of that
patent), functions as a clear and unambiguous disavowal of the
subject matter outside of that definition. [0009] a--at least one.
[0010] accord--consistent. [0011] according--pursuant to and/or
consistent with. [0012] activity--an action, act, deed, function,
step, and/or process and/or a portion thereof [0013]
adapted--suitable, fit, and/or capable of performing a specified
function. [0014] and/or--either in conjunction with or in
alternative to. [0015] animation--humanly visible and varying
graphics. [0016] apparatus--an appliance or device for a particular
purpose [0017] associate--to join, connect together, and/or relate.
[0018] audio--humanly audible sound. [0019] automatic--performed
via an information device in a manner essentially independent of
influence and/or control by a user. [0020] automatically--acting
and/or operating in a manner essentially independent of external
human influence and/or control. For example, an automatic light
switch can turn on upon "seeing" a person in its view, without the
person manually operating the light switch. [0021] based--being
derived from. [0022] can--is capable of, in at least some
embodiments. [0023] cause--to produce an effect. [0024] circuit--an
electrically conductive pathway and/or a communications connection
established across two or more switching devices comprised by a
network and between corresponding end systems connected to, but not
comprised by the network. [0025] comprises--includes, but is not
limited to, what follows. [0026] comprising--including but not
limited to, what follows. [0027] configure--to make suitable or fit
for a specific use or situation. [0028] content--text. [0029]
convert--to transform, adapt, and/or change. [0030] correspond--to
be related, associated, accompanying, similar in purpose and/or
position, conforming in every respect, and/or equivalent and/or
agreeing in amount, quantity, magnitude, quality, and/or degree.
[0031] corresponding--related, associated, accompanying, similar in
purpose and/or position, conforming in every respect, and/or
equivalent and/or agreeing in amount, quantity, magnitude, quality,
and/or degree. [0032] create--to make, form, produce, generate,
bring into being, and/or cause to exist. [0033] customer--a
potential customer who may purchase the product advertised on the
partner's web site (e.g., a traveler wishing to purchase insurance)
[0034] customer-matched advertisement--a combination of a product
identifier and/or description and its respective message content
and price, presented according to a selected template to market the
product to the partner's customer. The sponsor can determine the
message content for the customer-matched advertisement based on
data entered by the partner's customer. The sponsor can apply an
algorithm and/or other sponsor-supplied business rules to determine
the selected message content and/or template for the
customer-matched advertisement. [0035] customized--unique. [0036]
data--information represented in a form suitable for processing by
an information device. [0037] data structure--an organization of a
collection of data that allows the data to be manipulated
effectively and/or a logical relationship among data elements that
is designed to support specific data manipulation functions. A data
structure can comprise meta data to describe the properties of the
data structure. Examples of data structures can include: array,
dictionary, graph, hash, heap, linked list, matrix, object, queue,
ring, stack, tree, and/or vector. [0038] define--to establish the
outline, form, or structure of [0039] determine--to obtain,
calculate, decide, deduce, and/or ascertain. [0040]
determined--found and/or decided upon. [0041] device--a machine,
manufacture, and/or collection thereof. [0042] each--every one of a
group considered individually. [0043] embodiment--an
implementation. [0044] exemplary--serving as a model. [0045]
format--(v) to set the arrangement and/or structure of data for
storage or display. [0046] from--used to indicate a source. [0047]
further--in addition. [0048] gather--to collect, obtain, and/or
receive. [0049] generate--to create, produce, give rise to, and/or
bring into existence. [0050] haptic--involving the human sense of
kinesthetic movement and/or the human sense of touch. Among the
many potential haptic experiences are numerous sensations,
body-positional differences in sensations, and time-based changes
in sensations that are perceived at least partially in non-visual,
non-audible, and non-olfactory manners, including the experiences
of tactile touch (being touched), active touch, grasping, pressure,
friction, traction, slip, stretch, force, torque, impact, puncture,
vibration, motion, acceleration, jerk, pulse, orientation, limb
position, gravity, texture, gap, recess, viscosity, pain, itch,
moisture, temperature, thermal conductivity, and thermal capacity.
[0051] identifier--a group of symbols that are unique to a
particular entity, object, activity, service, relationship,
characteristic, information item, and/or document. An identifier
can be human and/or machine readable and/or understandable, such as
for example, a number, alphanumeric string, code, bar code, RFID,
etc. [0052] identify--to specify, recognize, detect, and/or
establish the identity, origin, nature, and/or definitive
characteristics of. [0053] image--an at least two-dimensional
representation of an entity and/or phenomenon. [0054] information
device--any device capable of processing data and/or information,
such as any general purpose and/or special purpose computer, such
as a personal computer, workstation, server, minicomputer,
mainframe, supercomputer, computer terminal, laptop, wearable
computer, and/or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), mobile terminal,
Bluetooth device, communicator, "smart" phone (such as a Treo-like
device), messaging service (e.g., Blackberry) receiver, pager,
facsimile, cellular telephone, a traditional telephone, telephonic
device, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and/or
peripheral integrated circuit elements, an ASIC or other integrated
circuit, a hardware electronic logic circuit such as a discrete
element circuit, and/or a programmable logic device such as a PLD,
PLA, FPGA, or PAL, or the like, etc. In general any device on which
resides a finite state machine capable of implementing at least a
portion of a method, structure, and/or or graphical user interface
described herein may be used as an information device. An
information device can comprise components such as one or more
network interfaces, one or more processors, one or more memories
containing instructions, and/or one or more input/output (I/O)
devices, one or more user interfaces coupled to an I/O device, etc.
[0055] initialize--to prepare something for use and/or some future
event. [0056] input/output (I/O) device--any sensory-oriented input
and/or output device, such as an audio, visual, haptic, olfactory,
and/or taste-oriented device, including, for example, a monitor,
display, projector, overhead display, keyboard, keypad, mouse,
trackball, joystick, gamepad, wheel, touchpad, touch panel,
pointing device, microphone, speaker, video camera, camera,
scanner, printer, haptic device, vibrator, tactile simulator,
and/or tactile pad, potentially including a port to which an I/O
device can be attached or connected. [0057] machine
instructions--directions adapted to cause a machine, such as an
information device, to perform one or more particular activities,
operations, or functions. The directions, which can sometimes form
an entity called a "processor", "kernel", "operating system",
"program", "application", "utility", "subroutine", "script",
"macro", "file", "project", "module", "library", "class", and/or
"object", etc., can be embodied as machine code, source code,
object code, compiled code, assembled code, interpretable code,
and/or executable code, etc., in hardware, firmware, and/or
software. [0058] machine-readable medium--a physical structure from
which a machine, such as an information device, computer,
microprocessor, and/or controller, etc., can obtain and/or store
data, information, and/or instructions. Examples include memories,
punch cards, and/or optically-readable forms, etc. [0059] may--is
allowed and/or permitted to, in at least some embodiments. [0060]
memory device--an apparatus capable of storing analog or digital
information, such as instructions and/or data. Examples include a
non-volatile memory, volatile memory, Random Access Memory, RAM,
Read Only Memory, ROM, flash memory, magnetic media, a hard disk, a
floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical media, an optical disk, a
compact disk, a CD, a digital versatile disk, a DVD, and/or a raid
array, etc. The memory device can be coupled to a processor and/or
can store instructions adapted to be executed by processor, such as
according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [0061] merge--to
combine, blend, and/or unite into a single entity. [0062]
message--a combination of information comprising a unique message
ID, a message tag, and message text, used for advertising a product
to a partner's customer. Message text can, but typically does not,
include images, animation, audio, and/or video, etc. Message
templates, however, can contain images, animation, audio, and/or
video, etc. Each message typically includes a tag, such as HEADER
or INTRO, that lets a message template determine where the message
belongs in an advertisement. Each message text can be reviewed
and/or approved by the partner and placed on the partner's web site
where it can be displayed to the partner's customer when a web page
is viewed by that customer. Via the message ID, the sponsor can
maintain a reference to all messages stored on the partner's web
server, but the partner can change the content of the message
(e.g., the message text) without approval from the sponsor. That
is, the message ID and the message text can be supplied by the
sponsor to the partner. The partner can be free to change the
message text but not the message ID. An exemplary message pack
(table) containing exemplary messages (rows) is shown below: [0063]
Message ID Message Text [0064] 400000 "Recommended: Protect Your
Trip" [0065] 400001 "Protect your investment with Access America.
[0066] Coverage is available for a non-refundable airline [0067]
ticket up to $3,000." [0068] 400002d "See Terms and Conditions"
[0069] 400007 "Satisfaction Guaranteed: Receive a refund on your
premium within 10 days of purchase if you decide to cancel your
coverage and you have not filed a claim or departed on your trip"
[0070] 400003 "Yes, add insurance for" [0071] 400004 "Price" [0072]
400005d "How was this Calculated?" [0073] 400006 "No, thank you."
[0074] message generator--an entity that provides suggested
messages and corresponding message identifiers, as well as message
templates and corresponding message template identifiers, to a
webpage operator. [0075] message template--a form, typically
developed by the sponsor and approved for use by the partner,
adapted for defining the design, formatting, etc. one or more
messages advertising a product offered by the sponsor. A message
template can determine where messages appear in an advertisement,
based on the tags of the messages and the order in which the
message tags appear in a Quote Pack. At runtime, message tags can
be referenced within the Quote Pack to a partner-approved message
text to produce a product advertisement for display on the
partner's web site. The quote pack can include an indication of
which message template to use. The message template can determine
the placement of the messages, and may determine design,
formatting, coloring, and/or emphasis of the messages. [0076]
method--a process, procedure, and/or collection of related
activities for accomplishing something. [0077] modification--an
alternation, change, and/or adjustment to a content of an
electronic file. [0078] modify--to change, cause to change, edit,
alter, replace, delete, and/or correct. [0079] network--a
communicatively coupled plurality of nodes. A network can be and/or
utilize any of a wide variety of sub-networks, such as a circuit
switched, public-switched, packet switched, data, telephone,
telecommunications, video distribution, cable, terrestrial,
broadcast, satellite, broadband, corporate, global, national,
regional, wide area, backbone, packet-switched TCP/IP, Fast
Ethernet, Token Ring, public Internet, private, ATM, multi-domain,
and/or multi-zone sub-network, one or more Internet service
providers, and/or one or more information devices, such as a
switch, router, and/or gateway not directly connected to a local
area network, etc. [0080] network interface--any device, system, or
subsystem capable of coupling an information device to a network.
For example, a network interface can be a telephone, cellular
phone, cellular modem, telephone data modem, fax modem, wireless
transceiver, ethernet card, cable modem, digital subscriber line
interface, bridge, hub, router, or other similar device. [0081]
packet--a discrete instance of communication. [0082] partner--a
party who is displaying advertisements on a web page (e.g., Delta
or Continental in the case of Elvia). [0083] plurality--the state
of being plural and/or more than one. [0084]
predetermined--established in advance. [0085] processor--a device
and/or set of machine-readable instructions for performing one or
more predetermined tasks. A processor can comprise any one or a
combination of hardware, firmware, and/or software. A processor can
utilize mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, magnetic,
optical, informational, chemical, and/or biological principles,
signals, and/or inputs to perform the task(s). In certain
embodiments, a processor can act upon information by manipulating,
analyzing, modifying, converting, transmitting the information for
use by an executable procedure and/or an information device, and/or
routing the information to an output device. A processor can
function as a central processing unit, local controller, remote
controller, parallel controller, and/or distributed controller,
etc. Unless stated otherwise, the processor can be a
general-purpose device, such as a microcontroller and/or a
microprocessor, such the Pentium IV series of microprocessor
manufactured by the Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif. In
certain embodiments, the processor can be dedicated purpose device,
such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or a
Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) that has been designed to
implement in its hardware and/or firmware at least a part of an
embodiment disclosed herein.
[0086] product--one or more goods and/or services. [0087]
project--to calculate, estimate, or predict. [0088] provide--to
furnish, supply, give, convey, send, and/or make available. [0089]
quote pack--a runtime response package describing and/or
identifying the product offered, the message template, and/or the
messages that should be used to advertise the product. The Quote
Pack can be created dynamically by the sponsor in response to a
quote request from the partner and/or partner's customer. The Quote
Pack can be the input into the weaving process, which can be
performed on the partner's web server, before rendering the
advertisement to the partner's customer. [0090] receive--to gather,
take, acquire, obtain, accept, get, and/or have bestowed upon.
[0091] recommend--to suggest, praise, commend, and/or endorse.
[0092] render--to display, annunciate, speak, print, and/or
otherwise make perceptible to a human, for example as data,
commands, text, graphics, audio, video, animation, and/or
hyperlinks, etc., such as via any visual, audio, and/or haptic
mechanism, such as via a display, monitor, printer, electric paper,
ocular implant, cochlear implant, speaker, etc. [0093]
repeatedly--again and again; repetitively. [0094] request--(v.) to
express a need and/or desire for; to inquire and/or ask for. (n.)
that which communicates an expression of desire and/or that which
is asked for. [0095] responsive--reacting to an influence and/or
impetus. [0096] result--an outcome and/or consequence of a
particular action, operation, and/or course. [0097] select--to make
a choice or selection from alternatives. [0098] selected--a chosen
item. [0099] set--a related plurality. [0100] signal--information,
such as machine instructions for activities and/or one or more
letters, words, characters, symbols, signal flags, visual displays,
and/or special sounds, etc. having prearranged meaning, encoded as
automatically detectable variations in a physical variable, such as
a pneumatic, hydraulic, acoustic, fluidic, mechanical, electrical,
magnetic, optical, chemical, and/or biological variable, such as
power, energy, pressure, flowrate, viscosity, density, torque,
impact, force, frequency, phase, voltage, current, resistance,
magnetomotive force, magnetic field intensity, magnetic field flux,
magnetic flux density, reluctance, permeability, index of
refraction, optical wavelength, polarization, reflectance,
transmittance, phase shift, concentration, and/or temperature, etc.
Depending on the context, a signal and/or the information encoded
therein can be synchronous, asychronous, hard real-time, soft
real-time, non-real time, continuously generated, continuously
varying, analog, discretely generated, discretely varying,
quantized, digital, broadcast, multicast, unicast, transmitted,
conveyed, received, continuously measured, discretely measured,
processed, encoded, encrypted, multiplexed, modulated, spread,
de-spread, demodulated, detected, de-multiplexed, decrypted, and/or
decoded, etc. [0101] sponsor--a party generating the advertising
content for their product (e.g., Elvia for travel insurance), that
content to be displayed on the partner's web page. [0102] store--to
place, hold, and/or retain data, typically in a memory. [0103]
subplurality--a subset. [0104] substantially--to a great extent or
degree. [0105] suggested content--text that will be used if the
webpage operator specifies no overriding text. [0106] system--a
collection of devices, machines, articles of manufacture, and/or
processes, the collection designed to perform one or more
practical, concrete, tangible, and useful functions. [0107]
tag--(n) a piece of text that describes the semantics, structure,
and/or format of a unit of data (element) in HTML, XML, and/or
other markup language; (v) to label, describe, identify, and/or
classify. [0108] template--an electronic file with a predesigned,
customized format and structure, ready to be completed with text.
[0109] transmit--to send as a signal, provide, furnish, and/or
supply. [0110] user--a person, organization, process, device,
program, protocol, and/or system that uses a device, system,
process, and/or service. [0111] user interface--any device for
rendering information to a user and/or requesting information from
the user. A user interface includes at least one of textual,
graphical, audio, video, animation, and/or haptic elements. A
textual element can be provided, for example, by a printer,
monitor, display, projector, etc. A graphical element can be
provided, for example, via a monitor, display, projector, and/or
visual indication device, such as a light, flag, beacon, etc. An
audio element can be provided, for example, via a speaker,
microphone, and/or other sound generating and/or receiving device.
A video element or animation element can be provided, for example,
via a monitor, display, projector, and/or other visual device. A
haptic element can be provided, for example, via a very low
frequency speaker, vibrator, tactile stimulator, tactile pad,
simulator, keyboard, keypad, mouse, trackball, joystick, gamepad,
wheel, touchpad, touch panel, pointing device, and/or other haptic
device, etc. A user interface can include one or more textual
elements such as, for example, one or more letters, number,
symbols, etc. A user interface can include one or more graphical
elements such as, for example, an image, photograph, drawing, icon,
window, title bar, panel, sheet, tab, drawer, matrix, table, form,
calendar, outline view, frame, dialog box, static text, text box,
list, pick list, pop-up list, pull-down list, menu, tool bar, dock,
check box, radio button, hyperlink, browser, button, control,
palette, preview panel, color wheel, dial, slider, scroll bar,
cursor, status bar, stepper, and/or progress indicator, etc. A
textual and/or graphical element can be used for selecting,
programming, adjusting, changing, specifying, etc. an appearance,
background color, background style, border style, border thickness,
foreground color, font, font style, font size, alignment, line
spacing, indent, maximum data length, validation, query, cursor
type, pointer type, autosizing, position, and/or dimension, etc. A
user interface can include one or more audio elements such as, for
example, a volume control, pitch control, speed control, voice
selector, and/or one or more elements for controlling audio play,
speed, pause, fast forward, reverse, etc. A user interface can
include one or more video elements such as, for example, elements
controlling video play, speed, pause, fast forward, reverse,
zoom-in, zoom-out, rotate, and/or tilt, etc. A user interface can
include one or more animation elements such as, for example,
elements controlling animation play, pause, fast forward, reverse,
zoom-in, zoom-out, rotate, tilt, color, intensity, speed,
frequency, appearance, etc. A user interface can include one or
more haptic elements such as, for example, elements utilizing
tactile stimulus, force, pressure, vibration, motion, displacement,
temperature, etc. [0112] via--by way of and/or utilizing. [0113]
video--humanly visible and varying images. [0114] weaving--a
process via which, at runtime, a partner can initiate a transaction
by sending a request for an offer to a sponsor. The sponsor can
return a customer-matched Quote Pack to the partner, who can merge
together the product, message, and/or message template identified
in the Quote Pack to produce a dynamic advertisement for the
customer. [0115] webpage operator--an entity that controls a server
adapted to provide, via Hypertext Transport Protocol, a message,
document, entry screen, and/or information that is identified via a
specific Uniform Resource Locator. [0116] wherein--in regard to
which; and; and/or in addition to.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0117] Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method
comprising automatically rendering a message to a webpage user, the
message created by a webpage operator via an automatic merger of a
customized message content that corresponds to a
message-generator-selected message identifier with a message
template that corresponds to a message-generator-selected message
template identifier, the message-generator-selected message
identifier and the message-generator-selected message template
identifier provided by the message generator to the webpage
operator responsive to receipt of data gathered from the webpage
user by the webpage operator.
[0118] Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method, herein
called "weaving", that can allow two parties (partner and sponsor)
to agree on parameters for Internet-based advertisements without
agreeing on specifics about each advertisement that appears on the
partner's web site (which could number in the thousands). Weaving
can allow each party to control specific parameters about the
advertisement that matter most to them.
[0119] Via certain exemplary embodiments, the partner can
pre-approve all advertising content by placing the content in a
special location on the partner's web server. When a partner's web
page is viewed on the Internet, the sponsor can supply the
customer-matched advertisement based on a proprietary algorithm,
but instead of sending the partner the advertisement containing
content, the sponsor can send a reference to the customer-matched
template and the customer-matched message to use for each product
advertised on the partner's web site. As the page is rendered
dynamically in the partner's web server, the actual content for the
advertisement can be chosen from the pre-approved content on the
partner's web site.
[0120] Via certain exemplary embodiments, the partner can
pre-approve the specific advertisement message text elements that
might appear to their customers and the advertisement's location on
the web page. This can be important because partners can be
extremely reluctant to delegate control to an outside party
(sponsor) over the content (and possibly design) of advertisements
on the partner's web site. Partners can spend lots of resources
ensuring their customers get a consistent message and the
customer's experience on the partner's web site is pleasant.
Allowing an outside party to control critical pieces like the
advertising message content (and possibly design) (including the
ability to make changes without the partner's approval) can be
viewed as risky because it can give up too much control of the
customer's experience to an outside party.
[0121] Written from the perspective of the partner, weaving can
help answer the question: "how do we delegate the appropriate
permissions to an outside party (sponsor) to generate the "customer
matched" advertisement based on their expertise while ensuring we
retain full control over the advertisement messages and placement
presented to our customers?"
[0122] Via certain exemplary embodiments, the sponsor can control a
proprietary algorithm that can create a "customer matched"
advertisement based on input parameters from the partner's
customer, and/or which message template and/or message tag the
partner uses when rendering a specific advertisement. The sponsor
can spend lots of resources researching, testing, and/or refining
the set of product and message text combinations that have a
substantial and/or the greatest chance for generating a sale for
the sponsor. As experts in this area, they often want to ensure
that each opportunity with a customer is maximized, thus they often
want to determine the optimal selection of products and message
presented to the customer in order to maximize sales.
[0123] Written from the perspective of the sponsor, weaving can
help answer: "how do we dynamically create a customer matched
advertisement for our partners and their customers that yields
strong and/or the most sales (based on our expertise with what
products and messages work well and/or the best) while allowing our
partners to pre-approve the content elements (and possibly design)
of the advertisement on their web page?"
[0124] The weaving process can strike a balance between these
competing needs such that both parties can be ensured that a
customer-matched advertisement appears to the partner's customers
in language approved by the partner.
[0125] Via certain exemplary embodiments, the partner can create an
advertisement from pre-approved component parts. This can guarantee
that the partner has pre-approved all textual content (from
messages) and potentially all design (e.g., layout, fonts, look and
feel, etc. (from message templates)). Through a business process,
the sponsor and partner can agree in advance which messages and
templates are acceptable. The sponsor and partner can
collaboratively introduce new messages and/or new message templates
at any time, without requiring any change in the software
technology in use by either the partner or sponsor. This can avoid
either sponsor or partner having to wait for development resources
when new and/or revised message text and/or messages templates are
desired. Certain exemplary embodiments can utilize an information
exchange tool that is stable, open source, and/or standard, such as
XSLT.
[0126] What follows describes the logic of exemplary XSLT code of
an exemplary message template, which specifies how to process the
information in an exemplary Quote Pack, and that emits (outputs)
HTML text designed to become part of an exemplary web page.
[0127] The XSLT code can contain rules that, when run against an
XML document, result in a piece of HTML text designed to become
part of the web page. The original XML is typically unchanged, and
the HTML is typically generated ("printed") as output from the XSLT
transformation, although results of the transformation can be
provided in any graphics language, print language, video language,
and/or any other media language that can be rendered via webpage,
graphic, print, video, and/or any other media.
[0128] The XSLT rules can use pattern matching. That is, they can
look for specific sections of the source XML document, those
sections marked by start and end tags, and print the output HTML
based on the contents of those marked sections.
[0129] The following describes how this transformation can work on
an exemplary Quote Pack.
TABLE-US-00001 Initial Rule: Find an element in the quote pack
marked "HeavyQuotePackData" (this section will have a start tag of
<HeavyQuotePackData> and an end tag of
</HeavyQuotePackData>) Print starting div tag (<div>;
div is short for division and is used to organize sections of HTML)
Run all other rules against any element marked
"TemplateMessageList" (this section will have a start tag of
<TemplateMessageList> and an end tag of </Template
MessageList>) Run all other rules against any element marked
"HeavyQuotes" (this section will have a start tag of
<HeavyQuotes> and an end tag of </HeavyQuotes>) Run all
other rules against any element marked
"TemplateMessageList/HeavierMessageData" (this indicates a section
marked HeavierMessageData that is inside of a section marked
TemplateMessageList) Print ending div tag (</div>) Rule: Find
an element in the quote pack marked "TemplateMessageList" (this
section will have a start tag of <TemplateMessageList> and an
end tag of </TemplateMessageList>) For each contained element
marked "HeavierMessageData" (this section will have a start tag of
<HeavierMessageData> and an end tag of
</HeavierMessageData>) If this element's "tag" has a value of
"HEADER" Print starting header tag (<h2>) Print the value of
the "Text" element Print ending header tag (</h2>) Print line
break tag (<br/>) Print starting paragraph tag (<p>)
For each element marked "HeavierMessageData" If this element's
"tag" has a value of "INTRO" If this element has a non-empty "Url"
element Print an anchor tag with a link to that URL with the
element's Text value as the hypertext ("clickable") Otherwise Print
starting label tag (<label>) Print this element's "Text"
element Print ending label tag (</label>) Print ending
paragraph tag (</p>) Rule: Find an element in the quote pack
marked "HeavyQuotes" Run all rules against elements marked
"HeavyQuoteData" Rule: Find an element in the quote pack marked
"HeavyQuoteData" Print starting paragraph tag (<p>) Print
radio button tag with the name attribute set to "RadioGroup" and
the id attribute set to the text of the contained element marked
"ProductID". (<input type="radio" name="RadioGroup" id="text of
element marked ProductID" />) For each element marked
"Messages/HeavierMessageData" (these sections If this element's
"Tag" value is "OPTION" If this element has a non-empty "Url"
element Print an anchor tag with a link to that URL with the
element's Text value as the hypertext ("clickable") Otherwise Print
starting label tag (<label>) Print this element's "Text"
element Print ending label tag (</label>) Print ending
paragraph tag (</p>) If this element's "Tag" has a value of
"PRICE" Print starting strong tag (<strong>; indicates text
should be bold) Print the value of the current element's "Text"
field Print ending strong tag (</strong>) Print ending
paragraph tag (</p>) Rule: Find an element in the quote pack
marked "TemplateMessageList/HeavierMessageData" If this element's
"Tag" has a value of "FOOTER" Print starting paragraph tag
(<p>) Print starting label tag (<label>) If this
element has a non-empty "Url" element Print an anchor tag with a
link to that URL with the element's Text value as the hypertext
("clickable") Otherwise Print this element's "Text" element Print
ending label tag (</label>) Print ending paragraph tag
(</p>)
[0130] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an
advertisement 1000 generated based on a weaving of an exemplary
template and exemplary messages that were identified in an
exemplary Quote Pack. That is, when the partner runs the XSLT
transform against a Quote Pack, the emitted HTML can result in a
customer-matched advertisement, such as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0131] Note that the message template can specify attributes such
as radio button design, background color, link button to purchase,
link to view details, and where to place "HEADER" and "FOOTER"
messages, etc. The message template can specify the "look" of the
advertisement and how it will appear to the end customer. There can
be multiple message templates, each one with a different "look".
Each message template can have a unique identifier.
[0132] An exemplary embodiment of the weaving process can start
when a partner sends the following exemplary customer-provided
information to the sponsor. The exemplary information can come from
the partner's customer who has input this data on the partner's web
site. The customer's data can be sent to the sponsor in XML
format:
TABLE-US-00002 Passenger Name Record Fields Example Customer Data
Partner Airlines Booking Date Sep. 11, 2007 Travel Start Date Dec.
21, 2007 Travel End Date Dec. 28, 2007 Zip Code 23220 Home Country
USA Trip Origination DCA Trip Destination LAX Number of Passengers
2 Purchase Segments Air Class of Service Coach Cost of Trip by
Segment $1,230 Customer ID 983937221833
[0133] This data can be received by the sponsor who can run an
algorithm to determine products the sponsor desires to offer this
customer based on the customer data provided. The sponsor's offer
can be returned to the partner in the form of a Quote Pack (table)
containing, in this exemplary case, two products (rows):
TABLE-US-00003 Template Indicator TI-001 Message Id Message Tag
Offer Pack Messages 400000 HEADER 400001 INTRO 400002d INTRO 400007
FOOTER Offer Messages for the "Yes" Offer 400003 OPTION 400004
PRICE 400005d OPTION Offer Messages for the "No" Offer 400006
OPTION
[0134] As described above, during initial setup, the sponsor can
provide a suggested configuration of messages for the partner to
utilize. The partner can accept the suggested messages (and/or
message text) to use and/or can customize desired messages for
their customers. The sponsor can provide a message template to use
for transforming one or more messages into an advertisement.
Depending on how their relationship is negotiated, in some cases,
the partner may edit desired message templates, and in other cases,
only the sponsor may edit any message template. In any event, the
partner can approve these messages and/or templates by uploading
them to the partner's web server(s).
[0135] During runtime, the partner can send a request via the
Internet to the sponsor with data gathered from the customer. The
sponsor in near real-time (<2.5 seconds) can determine the
customer-matched product for the partner based on a proprietary
algorithm. The sponsor can return a response to the partner in the
form of a Quote Pack. On the partner's web server, the Quote Pack
can be woven together with the identified partner-approved message
and message template to create an HTML-coded Internet advertisement
for rendering via the partner's web site.
[0136] Certain exemplary embodiments can allow the partner to
pre-approve the advertisement's message content displayed to their
customers while delegating the decision about which product to
advertise to the sponsor (who can use their customer match
algorithm to determine the product, message, and template for the
advertisement). Conversely, the sponsor can control which product
is displayed on the partner's web site and can influence (but not
completely control) the message content (and/or design of that
content) used to market the product to the customer. This can be
done by referencing, in the Quote Pack, a specific message ID
(and/or message template ID) to use when creating the
advertisement. Using this process can allow each party to retain
control of information that is important to them while delegating
control of the information most important to the other party. It
can enable each party to unilaterally make changes to the parts
they control without the consent of the other party.
[0137] The weaving processes can be considered in two parts:
initial setup and runtime. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of an
exemplary initial setup method 2000, which can be preconditioned on
obtaining a signed contract identifying appropriate terms and
conditions. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of an exemplary runtime
method 3000, which can be preconditioned on completing the set-up
process and/or integration testing.
[0138] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show how the parties (sponsor and partner)
can collaborate to provide a customer-matched advertisement (one
that the sponsor believes will increase the likelihood of a product
sale) that appears to the partner's customers in language approved
and controlled by the partner.
[0139] Certain exemplary embodiments can be used with a product
(such as the Travel Insurance 2.0 product from Elvia (a sponsor) of
Richmond, Va.), to supply advertisements to the sponsor's customers
(e.g., partners) for the sponsor's products. Certain exemplary
embodiments can allow the partners to display advertisements to
their customers for products provided by the sponsor.
[0140] In certain exemplary embodiments, the sponsor can implement
the initial setup process by providing the initial message
templates and/or messages (which can be customized by the partner)
to the partner and ensuring that the sponsor can generate a Quote
Pack in response to a request from the partner's web server.
[0141] The partner can implement the initial setup process by
reviewing and uploading the approved message content and/or
templates to their web site and configuring their web servers to
send requests to the sponsor's service at the appropriate time
during the customer's checkout.
[0142] The partner can implement the runtime process by having the
industry-standard Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformation
(XSLT) technology installed and configured to weave together
sponsor-approved message templates and messages provided in Quote
Packs with partner-approved content and/or layouts for the
advertisements. XSLT can transform the Extensible Markup Language
(XML) Quote Packs and message templates into Hypertext Markup
Language (HTML) code used to create, provide, transmit, and/or
render web pages viewable on the Internet.
[0143] In certain exemplary embodiments, a sponsor can create an
advertisement (in HTML code) containing text and/or images to
advertise their products on the Internet. The sponsor can find a
partner who is willing to put this advertisement on the partner's
web site during for display during the partner's customer's
checkout process in order to cross-sell products from the sponsor
to the partner's customer. The sponsor and the partner can enter
into a contract whereby the sponsor agrees to deliver a
"customer-matched" advertisement to the partner's web server (for
viewing on the partner's web site) in exchange for the partner
getting a percentage of all revenue originating from customers of
the partner who followed the instructions in the advertisement and
purchased the sponsor's products.
[0144] The sponsor can manually decompose the Internet
advertisement into four logical parts: [0145] The location of the
advertisement (i.e., where it's displayed on the page). The partner
and sponsor can negotiate the best placement of the advertisement
within the checkout process and the partner can modify their web
site to place the appropriate Internet advertisement-rendering code
(supplied by the sponsor) on the appropriate page in the checkout
process. [0146] The message content in the advertisement (e.g.,
what words, images, audio, video, and/or animations, etc., are
displayed to market the product to the customer). The sponsor can
provide a suggested set of messages to the partner where each
message has a unique message ID and message content. Partners can
make and/or request adjustments to the message content and when
they are satisfied with the message content, they can upload
messages to their web site. The partner's uploading of their
modified messages to their web site can complete their approval
process. [0147] The design of the advertisement (e.g., layout,
height, width, colors, font, look and feel, etc.). The partner and
sponsor can negotiate a template that specifies the design of the
advertisement as it will appear on the partner's web site. The
sponsor can create code, such as in the form of HTML, that can
cause the advertisement to be rendered on the partner's web site
per the agreed design and/or template. In some cases, the partner
can be empowered to edit some and/or all aspects of the template.
Note: if desired, images, audio, video, and/or animations need not
be part of the message content, can be specified via the template,
and/or can be partially and/or completely controlled by the
partner. [0148] The product advertised, potentially including
instructions for purchasing the product, the price of the product,
available quantities of the product, available dates and/or
unavailable dates for the product, actual and/or potential
discounts and/or rebates available, characteristics of the product,
and/or terms and/or conditions of sale, etc.
[0149] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the sponsor can design a
process for allowing both parties to collaborate on the four parts
but ultimately giving the partner control over at least the message
content for the advertisement while giving the sponsor control over
what products are advertised and potentially the resulting
advertisement's design (such as in the form of sponsor-supplied
XSLT message templates). To make the process operational, the
sponsor can develop components such as: [0150] The sponsor can
create message templates (e.g., XSLT code) that dynamically can
create HTML code to render the agreed-upon Internet advertisement
on the partner's web site. Each template can have a unique logical
key and/or identifier so more than one type of template can be
supported. The template code (e.g., XSLT code), once sent to the
partner and installed and configured on the partner's web site, can
be used to weave sponsor-provided Quote Pack data that identifies
which "customer matched" products, messages, and/or message
templates to use from XML into an HTML internet advertisement or
display on the partner's web site. [0151] The sponsor can develop a
web service that accepts as input information (e.g., in XML format)
about, for example, a traveler, their trip, and/or the partner, and
returns in response (e.g., in XML format), one or more
advertisements for one or more products that provides the "customer
match" based on customer segmentation rules, product and pricing
tables, and/or historical data on which past offers generated the
most sales. Data sent from the partner to the sponsor's service can
include, for example: departure and/or arrival destinations
(airport code and/or countries), dates and/or times of travel,
number of passengers traveling, whether they are purchasing airline
tickets, hotel reservation and/or renting a car, their country
and/or residence, and/or partner-unique code, etc. Data returned
can include, for example: the matched products, their prices and/or
descriptions, the desired content to market those products (and/or
a message content logical key(s) that reference that content), the
desired Internet advertisement template to use (and/or a message
template logical key that references that template), and/or a
hyperlink to use for purchasing the products. Data sent between the
sponsor and partner and/or between the partner and sponsor can be
in a standard format, such as XML, that conforms to a standard
format definition (e.g., XML Schema). The sponsor can create the
XML Schema for both the input request (from the partner) and output
response (to the partner). [0152] The sponsor can provide the
standard format definition (e.g., XML Schema), suggested messages
(such as in XML code), message templates (such as in XSLT code),
and/or the Internet address for invoking the service (in the form
of Uniform Resource Location or URL) to the partner.
[0153] With this information, the partner can modify the checkout
process on their web site to invoke the sponsor's service (URL),
passing the desired customer input data (e.g., in XML format,
adhering to the XML Schema specification) to the sponsor. Upon
receipt of the Quote Pack response back from the sponsor (e.g., in
XML format), an industry-standard XSLT engine installed on the
partner's web server(s) can utilize the information contained
and/or referenced in the Quote Pack to weave the identified local
partner-approved message template with the local partner-approved
message content to produce an Internet advertisement (e.g., HTML
code) for display on the partner's web site.
[0154] Once the partner has modified their web site to integrate
the sponsor-supplied messages and message templates, the partner
can test their updated checkout process to ensure that customer
information is sent to the sponsor at the appropriate point and the
resulting internet advertisement for the "customer matched"
products are displayed.
[0155] Once the initial setup process is tested, the partner can
roll-out the sponsor-supplied advertisements to their customers and
the runtime process (previously described) can be used for the
lifetime of the sponsor-partner partnership as defined by terms in
the contract between the sponsor and partner.
[0156] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
system 4000, which can comprise a customer information device 4100,
4200, 4300, which can run a web browser 4120 to render a web page
4140 displaying an advertisement 4160, and which can be connected
to a network 4400, such as the Internet.
[0157] Also connected to network 4400 can be one or more partner
information devices 4500, 4600, either of which can run a message
processor 4520, 4620 and/or a web page server adapted to generate,
transmit, and cause to be rendered advertisement 4140, based on
message content 4540, 4640 and/or message templates 4560, 4660
stored and/or referenced in memory device 4580, 4680.
[0158] Also connected to network 4400 can be one or more sponsor
information devices 4700, 4800, either of which can run
customer-matched advertisement selection software 4720, 4820, which
can be adapted to evaluate, select, and transmit a message content
4740, 4840 (and/or an identifier thereof) and/or a message template
4760, 4860 (and/or an identifier thereof) stored in memory device
4780, 4780 to one or more partner information device 4500,
4600.
[0159] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an
information device 5000, which in certain operative embodiments can
comprise, for example, customer information device 4100, 4200,
4300, partner information device 4500, 4600, and/or sponsor
information device 4700, 4800 of FIG. 4. Information device 5000
can comprise any of numerous circuits and/or components, such as
for example, one or more network interfaces 5100, one or more
processors 5200, one or more memories 5300 containing instructions
5400, one or more input/output (I/O) devices 5500, and/or one or
more user interfaces 5600 coupled to I/O device 5500, etc.
[0160] In certain exemplary embodiments, via one or more user
interfaces 5600, such as a graphical user interface, a user can
view a rendering of information related to researching, designing,
modeling, creating, developing, building, manufacturing, operating,
maintaining, storing, marketing, selling, delivering, selecting,
specifying, requesting, ordering, receiving, returning, rating,
and/or recommending any of the products, services, methods, and/or
information described herein.
[0161] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method
6000. At activity 6100, a partner (which can be considered a
"webpage operator") can request, receive, and/or store one or more
sponsor-generated: suggested message contents, corresponding
message identifiers, message tags, message templates, and/or
corresponding message template identifiers, etc. At activity 6200,
the partner can modify and store a selected portion of the
suggested message contents and/or a selected portion of the message
templates. At activity 6300, from a customer visiting the partner's
web site, the partner can gather data regarding that customer
(which can be considered a "webpage user") and/or another customer,
person, and/or entity. At activity 6400, the partner can provide
gathered customer data to the sponsor (which can be considered a
"message generator"). At activity 6500, the partner can
automatically receive from the sponsor one or more customer-matched
message tags, message identifiers, and/or template identifiers,
those tags and/or identifiers determined by the sponsor based on
the customer data and/or information regarding the partner. At
activity 6600, the partner can automatically: look-up the message
contents and message template(s) corresponding to the received
identifiers, merge the identified message contents into the
identified message template(s), potentially according to any
received message tags, and/or generate a customer-matched
advertisement that is formatted according to the
sponsor-determined, partner-approved, and/or partner-modified
message template and/or contains the sponsor-determined,
partner-approved, and/or partner-modified message contents. At
activity 6700, the partner can automatically: post the
customer-matched advertisement to the partner's web site, transmit
the customer-matched advertisement to the customer's information
device, and/or cause the customer's information device and/or
browser to render the customer-matched advertisement.
Note
[0162] Still other substantially and specifically practical and
useful embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in
this art from reading the above-recited and/or herein-included
detailed description and/or drawings of certain exemplary
embodiments. It should be understood that numerous variations,
modifications, and additional embodiments are possible, and
accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments
are to be regarded as being within the scope of this
application.
[0163] Thus, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title,
field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure,
etc.) of this application, unless clearly specified to the
contrary, such as via explicit definition, assertion, or argument,
with respect to any claim, whether of this application and/or any
claim of any application claiming priority hereto, and whether
originally presented or otherwise: [0164] there is no requirement
for the inclusion of any particular described or illustrated
characteristic, function, activity, or element, any particular
sequence of activities, or any particular interrelationship of
elements; [0165] any elements can be integrated, segregated, and/or
duplicated; [0166] any activity can be repeated, any activity can
be performed by multiple entities, and/or any activity can be
performed in multiple jurisdictions; and [0167] any activity or
element can be specifically excluded, the sequence of activities
can vary, and/or the interrelationship of elements can vary.
[0168] Moreover, when any number or range is described herein,
unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is
approximate. When any range is described herein, unless clearly
stated otherwise, that range includes all values therein and all
subranges therein. For example, if a range of 1 to 10 is described,
that range includes all values therebetween, such as for example,
1.1, 2.5, 3.335, 5, 6.179, 8.9999, etc., and includes all subranges
therebetween, such as for example, 1 to 3.65, 2.8 to 8.14, 1.93 to
9, etc.
[0169] When any claim element, of this application or any
application to claim priority hereto, is followed by a drawing
element number, that drawing element number is exemplary and
non-limiting on claim scope.
[0170] Any information in any material (e.g., a United States
patent, United States patent application, book, article, etc.) that
has been incorporated by reference herein, is only incorporated by
reference to the extent that no conflict exists between such
information and the other statements and drawings set forth herein.
In the event of such conflict, including a conflict that would
render invalid any claim herein or seeking priority hereto, then
any such conflicting information in such incorporated by reference
material is specifically not incorporated by reference herein.
[0171] Accordingly, every portion (e.g., title, field, background,
summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this
application, other than the claims themselves, is to be regarded as
illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
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