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`'
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`
`(FACE)
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012, p.‘ 1
`
`'
`
`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED ,-'
`
`C
`
`[MIMI-r1 swim]
`
`1)
`.
`- U‘fc’w 5AA»
`WI”!
`
`[I a) The term cl this patent
`subsequent {a
`.
`has bean dischalmd.
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`
`
`
`
`

`

`6,141,010
`
`COMPUTER INTERFACE METHOD AND APPARATUS WITH TARGETED
`ADVERTISING
`
`Transaction History
`
`Transaction Description
`I Date
`
`Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) Filed
`7/17/1998
`
`Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) Filed
`7/ 17/ 1998
`Initial Exam Team nn
`7/22/ 1998
`7/30/1998
`
`8/28/1998
`
`
`
`IFW Scan 8: PACR Auto Security Review
`Application Dispatched from OIPE
`
`Correspondence Address Change
`Case Docketed to Examiner in GAU
`
`9/11/1998
`9/20/ 1998
`Preexamination Location Change
`10/22/ 1998
`8/26/1999 Mail Restriction Requirement
`8/26/1999
`Restriction/Election Requirement
`
`9/28/ 1999
`Response to Election / Restriction Filed
`Date Forwarded to Examiner
`10/7/1999
`11/22/1999
`11/30/1999
`3/21/2000
`Response after Non-Final Action
`5/4/2000
`Request for Extension of Time - Granted
`5/4/2000
`Date Forwarded to Examiner
`5/12/2000
`Mail Notice of Allowance
`
`
`6/5/2000
`
` Notice of Allowance Data Verification Completed
`6/5/2000
`
`Workflow - File Sent to Contractor
`7/27/2000
`
`
`Issue Fee Payment Verified
`9/8/2000
`
`
`
`9/8/2000
`Workflow - Drawings Finished
`
`Workflow - Drawings Matched with File at
`
`
`
`
`Contractor
`9/8/2000‘
`
`
`9/8/2000
`Workflow - Drawings Received at Contractor
`
`Workflow - Drawings Sent to Contractor
`9/8/2000
`
`Workflow - Complete WF Records for Drawings
`9/ 19/2000
`
`9/21/2000
`Application ls Considered Ready for Issue
`Issue Notification Mailed
`10/12/2000
`Recordation of Patent Grant Mailed
`10/31/2000
`
`Non-Final Rejection
`
`Mail Non-Final Rejection
`Case Docketed to Examiner in GAU
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012, p. 2
`
`

`

`
`
`
`IOU
`PTO
`.
`W31
`'/’
`
`0/110351
`
`930419.: WW”? '
`
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`
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`
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`mm-
`
`(Incl. 0. of M.)
`or
`Dat- lull-d
`
`'
`
`,
`
`'
`
`76.
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012. p. 3
`
`

`

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`
`SEARCHNOTES
`‘(INCLUDING SEARCH STRATEGY)
`
`5:}
`
`(RIGHT OUTSIDE}
`
`
`
`

`

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`If more than 150 claims or 10 aciions .
`staple additional sheel here
`
`(LEFT INSIDE)
`
`MPetitipner Samsung — Ex. 101 ..
`
`..
`
`

`

`U8006141010A
`,
`[11] Patent Number:
`6,141,010
`[19]
`United States Patent
`
` Hoyle [45] Date of Patent: Oct. 31, 2000
`
`
`[54] COMPUTER INTERFACE METHOD AND
`APPARATUS WITH TARGETED
`ADVERTISING
`
`OTHER PUBUCATIONS
`Brown, M. Using Netscape 3, special Edition p. 40, 43. 52.
`53, 58, 59, 62-64, 94-109, 1996.
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Martin David Hoyle, Destrehan, La.
`.
`.
`[73] Austen“! 355- Mutant. LDC. Bay C-ty.
`M'Ch
`
`[21] Appl. No.. 09/118,351
`[22] FM'
`Ju|.17,1998
`[51]
`Int. CL" ................................................ 6061?le
`[52] US. Cl. ......................... 345/356; 345/348; 345/357;
`707/501
`[53] Field of Search “1......________........ 707/501, 514;
`36/339,340, 341, 348, 349, 356, 357
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7/1986 Freeman .
`4,602,279
`9/1994 Fileppetal. .
`5,347,632
`5,572,643 11/1996 Judson.
`5,584,025 12/1996 KeithJey et al. .
`5.6411381
`2/1997 Root e! .1. r
`5,617,565
`4/1997 Augenhrauun et a]. .
`5,710,884
`1/1998 Dedrick .
`5,711,923
`2/1998 Dedrick .
`5,T24,521
`3/1998 Dedn'nk .
`5,732,218
`3/1998 Bland et al. .
`5,7 .549
`4/1998 Reilly et aL ..............mm... 705/14
`5,848,397 12/1998 Marsh eta]. ...............-............. 705/14
`5,890,172
`3/1999 Barman et at.
`...................... 701/501
`5,914,714
`6/1999 Brown m.................... 345/339
`5,917,491
`6/1999 Batterefeld mm...—
`.......... 345fl52
`.........
`............ 705/14
`5,933,311
`8/1999 Angles et al.
`
`8/1999 Nbcrta ........................em...» 705/14
`5,937,392
`5,948,061
`9/1999 'Merriman e1 I1. ammo—u...... 707/501
`5,963,208 10/1999 Doloa et al. ...-.-.................. 345/557
`5,9'nmo
`1/1999 Annual. m....m.._...e._ 345/340
`
`Primary Exanrlner—Jiaymond J. Bayerl
`Ase/slam thlo H Nguyen
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Reining. Ethioglon. Barnes,
`Kinetic, barman a MoCulioch. BC.
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A method and apparatus for providing an automatically
`upgndeable aoftware application that
`incindcs targeted
`adtrertising based upon demographics and use: ioterretjoo
`with the computer. The software application in a graphical
`user interface that includes a display region used {or banner
`advertising that is don-niaaded from time to time over a
`network such as the interact. The software application is
`aooeaaibie from a sertrer via the Internet and demographic
`information on the user is acquired by the server and used
`for determining what banner ldvertising will he sent to the
`user. The software application funiter targets the advertise-
`menu in response to normai user interrction, or use. of the
`computer. Associated with each banner advertisement is a
`set or data that is used by the software application in
`determining when a particular burner is to be displayed.
`This includes the specification of certain programs that the
`user may have an that. when the user runs the program (attach
`an I. Spreadsheet program), an aovenicernent will he dis~
`played that is relevant to that program (such an an adver-
`tisement for a stock brokerage). This provides two-tiered,
`real-time targeting of advertising—both demographically
`ant! reactiveiy.'1‘he unaware application includes program-
`ming that accesses the server on occasion to determine ifooe
`or more components of the application need upgrading to a
`newer venion. 11' so. the components are downioaried and
`installed without requiring any input or action by the user.
`
`22 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheet:
`
`
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012, p. 6
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`0am, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 of 14
`
`6,141,010
`
`FIG.1.
`
`
`
`
`Application
`
`Chem Sofiware
`
`UserData
`
`
`
`22
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012, p. 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent .
`
`Oct. 31, 2000
`
`Sheet 2 of14
`
`6,141,010
`
`
`
`gnUSmaSren.muhteP
`
`-
`
`101X.E
`
`2.
`
`8D..
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`0a. 31, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 14
`
`6,141,010
`
`g
`
`8
`.
`~50
`33
`gg
`
`§<
`
`3 m
`
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`9,
`
`8
`
`40
`
`Client
`
`40
`
`Client —0‘“
`
`42
`
`
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012. p. 9
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`her. 31, 2000
`
`Sheet 4 of 14
`
`
`
`2352339:.550=«
`
`”23muofiuoufi
`
`
`
`kllllIlllllllllolullllllulillllall|IIIIIIIIIIIIII
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012. p. 10
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 31, 2000
`
`Sheet 5 of 14
`
`6,141,010
`
`md
`E
`
`ww
`
`Emmi.
`
`.._l...am.manQ_.@@@l£@mfiuw_
`
`ow
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`9.“.33:}18H:69an
`
`vb
`
`__...._....
`
`
`
`
`I.
`
`on
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012, p. 11
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 31,2000
`
`Sheet 6 of 14
`
`m—m—_v——o——.—.fl——-.—.—
`
`,_.——_—.—————__—_u-
`
`C5
`
`LT-I
`
`“u-u—H—H-_—
`
`PetItIonerSamsung Ex 1012 p 12
`
`
`
`mmooo<uEEmbaD
`
`t....Eoo
`
`:9.
`
`f |l
`
`|
`
`IIII lI
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`
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`3
`
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`
`——._—-.-—_-—n--nu-———J
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`'Oct. 31, 2000
`
`Sheet 7 of 14
`
`6,141,010
`
`EE—
`—8§E3d03§5.333
`
`mN—zfioo.mac—.333
`
`Masha—Hm— btotm3583EASE
`
`
`3383as;5:2582:.ans..—
`
`3.88.>53E5
`
`onoua—I
`«ENE
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012, p. 13
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 31, 2000
`
`Sheet 8 of 14
`
`6,141,010
`
`
`
`
`
`138
`
`All
`
`
`
`
`Request Correction
`Required Fields
`
`
`ofForm
`Filled Out
`
`
`
`
`
`Assngn Unique
`
`
`ID to User
`
`
`
`
`
`Store ID Along
`142
`
`with Demographic
`Data
`
`
`
`
`Transmit Client
`
`
`Application to User
`
` FIG. 8
`
`
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012. p. 14
`
`Request
`
` User Download
`
`Send Form
`to User
`
`?
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 31, 2000
`
`Sheet 9 of 14
`
`6,141,010
`
`
`Password
`Correct
`
`
`?
`
`
`
`
`Access User Setup
`Preferences & Bookmarks
`
`
`from User Data Storage
`
`
` All
`
`Required Data
`
`Present
`?
`
`
`
` Report Demographic
`
`Data & Store New
`User Data
`
`Preferences & Bookmarks
`
`Access Default
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012, p. 15
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`oa.31,2ooo
`
`Sheet 10 of 14
`
`6,141,010
`
`FIG 10
`0
`
`
`
`182
`
`Report computer
`Usage Information
`
`Download
`New Banners
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` Internet
`Connection
`
`
`Available
`?
`
`186
`
`134
`
`Reset
`
`Flag Alert
`
`1 88
`
`
`
`
`Update
`Components
`?
`
`Yes
`
`Builder
`Routine
`
`l 9
`
`0
`
`
`
`User Input
`
` Process
`
`
`Select &
`DiSplay Banner
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012, p. 16
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`0ct,31, 2000
`
`Sheet 11 of 14
`
`6,141,010
`
`FIG. 11
`
`Banner
`
`Selected
`7
`
`Shortcut!
`Application
`Selected
`7
`
`Run Default
`
`Browser and open
`Banner Link
`
`198
`Set
`Priority = Medium
`
`200
`Execute Shortcut/
`Application
`
`Selected Link
`
`Run Default
`
`Browser and open
`
`
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012. p. 17
`
`

`

`{1.8. Patent
`
`Oct. 31,2000
`
`Sheet 12 01'14
`
`6,141,010
`
`a FIG 12
`
`Determine
`Priority Level
`
`
`
`.
`Detemune
`
`Banner Category
`
`220
`
`222
`
`224
`
`226
`
`228
`
`
`
`Select & Display
`Banner
`
`23 0
`
`Banners
`Expired
`
`No
`
`Record Event. Time,
`& Banner Display
`
`Banner Count
`
`Increment
`
`
`Move to Next
`Set of Banners
`
`
`
`
`
`Notify Flag
`
`Alert Component
`
`
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012. p. 18
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`oa.31,2ooo
`
`Sheet 13 MM
`
`6,141,010
`
`FIG. 13
`
`Access Version Numbers for
`each Upgradable Component
`in Client Application
`
`236
`
`238
`
`246
`
`
`Componentlis) Needed
` Determine New
`
`
`
`Pass Control to
`
`Auxiliary Module
`
`
`
` New
`Builder Module
`
`Needed
`
`?
`
`
`erminate Builde
`
`
`15 Updated
`Execution
`
`Blueprint Equal
`to current
`
`
`
`Blueprint '2
`
` Yea Download and Install
`
`New Component(s)
`
`No Upgrading
`Necessary
`
`
`
`240
`
`Access updated
`Blueprint from ADM
`Server
`
`252
`
`254
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012, p. 19
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 31, 2000
`
`Sheet 14 of 14
`
`6,141,010
`
`FIG. 14
`
`
`
`256
`
`Access Updated
`Blueprint ID
`from ADM Server
`
`
`
`260
`
`
`
`Send Current
`
` ID to ADM Server
`
`
`
`Download & Install
`Updated Component(s)
`
`
`
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012. p. 20
`
`

`

`6,141,010
`
`I
`commit INTERFACE METHOD AND
`APPARATUS WITH TARGETED
`ADVERTISING
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This invention relates in general to user interfaces for
`accessing computer applications and information resources
`and. in particular. to user interfaces that provide advertising
`obtained over a global computer network such as the Inter-
`net.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The contimt ing expansion of the Internet and other private
`and semi-private networks has led to the now widespread
`practice of electronic distribution of software to end users,
`whether as freeware. shareware, or fully paid-up licenSed
`software. Traditionally, freeware programs have generally
`been small. unsupported single-purpose programs that are of
`limited use. Since no income was derived from these
`programs. there was little incentive [or the creators of this
`type of antlware to undertake major development ell‘orts.
`More recently. however. a new type of free software has
`emerged which, while free to end users, does protridc
`income to the matter of the software via advertising incor-
`porated into the sol'naare.'thia is of benefit both to the earl
`user and advertiser. as the end user obtains usehtt softwm
`at no cost and the advertiser gets advertising exposure for its
`products or services. One well known example of this type
`of arrangement is in push technology products, such as
`Pointcast‘“. which permits a user to receive and display
`broadcasled information over
`the Internet. Using this
`software, new advertising is periodically received along
`with various requested types of news information (cg.
`financial. business. sports) and is slot-ed locally on the user's
`computer for later retrieval and display by the rampant.
`The netttr advertising medium provided by the totem et has
`a number of significant advantages for advertisers. First. the
`users of the software within which the advertising it placed
`have, on average. much mic disposable income to spend on
`products and services than the average user of other tradi.
`tional advenising media. such as television or print. Seco not,
`the advertising can. In some instances. be targeted in various
`ways. such an demographically or reactivcly. Art example of
`the laller of these is in push technology where the user
`requests certain types of information and this request is used
`to select the type of advertisement sent to the user along With
`the requested content. Third. the advertising can not only
`include audio and video elements as well as simple visual
`elements. but can also be interactive. For example. by
`clicking on the advert’nrentent. the user can he provided with
`additional
`information about
`the advertised predicts or
`services and can even be given the opportunity to purchase
`the productsor services electronically.
`One of the most common methods of advertising via the
`Internet is through the use of llnlta (cg, URLs) embedded
`within web pages. By using embedded links, the advertise—
`ments need not be located on the same server as the web
`pages themselves. When the web page is loaded or reloaded.
`the advertising server is accessed to obtain a new advertise-
`meet which is incorporated into the web page displayed on
`the user's screen. These advertisements are simple gra pltical
`images (each as animated gil's) that are retrieved from the
`advertising server along with an associated link to additional
`information about the advertised product or service. While
`this portraits new advertising to be displayed each time a web
`page is loaded or refreshed. and while this allows geographi-
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`catty unlimited attract-rising. It at most permits targeting of
`the advertisement based upon the type of information con-
`tained in the web page. Moreover. access to a new adver-
`tiaement is only available during the period of time that the
`client computer is connected to the Internet.
`Currently-available computer programs that incorporate
`advertising into their user interface include the necessary
`programming built
`into the snfiware itself. That
`is. the
`various parameters relating to the presentation of the adver-
`tisement is pro-determined and programmed into the soft-
`ware. These parameters may include such things as where on
`the screen the advertisement is displayed. the display size.
`the duration of display. the number of times a particular
`advertisement is displayed. the conditions under which a
`particular advertisement is to be displayed. the type of action
`taken upon a user eliciting on the advertisement. and so
`for1h. One problem with these currently available proyums
`is that these parameters can only be changed by replacement
`of the entire program with an updated. revised version.
`matting It dilficult to respond to desired changes in advero
`listing approaches.
`the
`To provide demographically-targeted advertising.
`advertiser or distributor of the advertising must obtain
`demographic data on in. end users. Perhaps the most corn-
`mnn way to acquire demographic data regarding users via
`the Internet in to request the information using a form written
`in btmt Olyper’l‘nra Harirup language) and provided to the
`user over the World-Wide Web (WWW) using hltp
`(Hyper’l'eat 'I‘rartsl'er Protocol). Tish is sometimes done as a
`prerequisite to allowing the user access to information
`resources or download software from a particular web site.
`While authentication of demograpr information obtained
`this way is difliculr and rarely done, it has been found that
`end users typically provide accurate demographic data in
`return for free download access to software. Futbermore,
`studies have shown that while people are concerned about
`privacy traces and. in particular, do not wish to provide
`specific information that identifies them {such as their name.
`retirees. or Social Security number]. they generally do not
`mind providing demographic information, nor do they mind
`monitoring of their computer usage as long as their usage is
`not associated with any specific infnn-oalinn that could be
`used to identify them.
`Various other arrangements barre been suggested for
`obtaining and reporting information about an end user over
`a computer networlt such as the Internet. For example. US.
`Pat. No. 5324.521 to Dedr'rclt discloses an electronic adver-
`tising system In which a user profile is created and trans
`ferred to a metering server where It is used along with other
`end user profiles to charge advertiser’s according to a
`consumer scale. The profile data isalsn used by the metering
`server to select advertisement titles that are sent to the end
`user for viewing at the request of the end user. When a user
`rcqtamls an sch-refinement, the metering server sench the
`advertisement to the end user. charges the advenr'ser. and
`provides the advertiser with profile data on that end usetflhe
`system can include client-aide software which acquire! and
`compiles information concerningtbe user’s interaction with
`the advertising or other content provided by the metering
`server.
`v.3. Pat. No. 5.132.218 to Bland or at. discloses a system
`for gathering data concerning an end-user's access to infor-
`mation mourners sort reporting the data back to the servers
`that contain the information resources. Data gathering at the
`client is accomplished using an applet, plug-in. or other
`browser extension that acquires the data and then reports
`that data to those servers accessed by the client. either
`
`
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012, p. 21
`
`

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`6.141.010
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`periodically or in response to a specific request by the
`servers. In this way. the servers being accessed for their
`information resources get reported back to them infomatiorl
`concerning lite end-user‘s use of that information. Limited
`demographic information (e.g.. lime ch, locale. client
`hardware) can be included in this reporting as well.
`One of the disadvantages of prior art systems that acquire
`data regarding an end-user's wmputer usage is that they are
`generally Limited to gathering intermation concerning only
`certain limited uses of the computer. For example. in Bland
`et al.. the focus of the gathering and use of end-user data is
`in the user's interaction with web pages. whether over the
`Internet or othemise. Similarly, in Dadrick. the ocmpflatiOn
`of data is directed to interaction between the end—user and
`the advertising or other content provided by the metering
`server itself. By limiting the reported data in this manner. it
`is difficult to develop acwrate profiles for the individual
`users that are useful in targeting the advertising.
`US. Pat. No. 5.347.632 to Filepp er al. discloses a
`reception system in which both user demographics and
`individual system usage informatinn can be used to target
`advenitting.
`llowevcr. this information is used to select
`which advertisements are to be placed into an advertisement
`queue from which advertisements are then accessed, appar-
`ently in the order in which they were placed in the queue.
`Thus, Ibis system permits targeling of advertising generally.
`but does not provide real time targeting of advertising based
`upon user actions.
`Except as may be explicitly indicated otherwise.
`following definitions shall apply:
`computer-An apparatus having a processing device that is
`capable of executing instructions.
`computer usage information—Data concerning a person's
`use of a computer, including such things as what programs
`they run. what information resources they access. what time
`of day or days of the Week they use the computer. and so
`forth.
`data set—A group of data items; for example,
`keywords. or entries in an address book.
`display object—Data capable of display by a camputer,
`including graphical images as well as multimedia presentav
`lions or other display data that includes audio in addition to
`visually-perceived data.
`graphical image—Viaually-peroeived data stored in a
`graphic format fog. jpeg. gif. bmp. tiff, pea. etc), including
`electronically-reproduced photographs. graphica,
`animations. icons, and textual messages.
`information resource—-A source of information stored on a
`server or other computer that is accessible to other comput-
`ers ever a network.
`keyword—A textual data item used in locating related
`sources of information.
`[into—A data item that identities the location or address of a
`program or information resource. A URL is a link. as is a
`path and filenerne of an information resource.
`non-volatile data storage device—A memory deVice that
`retains computer-readable data or programming code in the
`absence ofexternally-supplied power, including such things
`as a hard disk or a floppy disk. a compact disk read-only
`memory (CDROM). digital versatile disk (DVD). magneto-
`optical disk. and so forth.
`program component—Ase! of Instructions stored in a file in
`computer-readable formal. whether as object weir. or source
`code. and whether written in a compiled language. in byte
`code (such as Java"). or in a scripting or other interpreted ;
`language.
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`program module —One or more related program compo-
`nents.
`.
`programv—One or more related program modules.
`
`reactiver—irt response to some type of user input, such as
`a mouse elicit on a particular user application or on a link to
`an information resotuce.
`server—A computer on a network that answers requeats for
`informalion.
`software application—A program and associated libraries
`and other files; for example. a word processing application.
`I spreadsheet application. or a personal information man-
`agement application
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`in accordance with one aspect of the present invention
`there is provided an apparatus for use by a computer to
`vaide a user of the computer with access to information
`resources via the Internet or otherwise. The apparatus com-
`prises a non-volatile data storage device with first and
`eecoed program modules stored on the non—volatile storage
`devioe.1he first program module is operable upon execution
`to display a graphical user interface comprising a whrdow
`separated Into a number of regions. with a first one of the
`regions including a number of user‘selectable items. at least
`some of which are each associated with a difl'erent data set.
`The data sets are each representative of a dilferent category
`of information (e.g.. financial. news. sports. etc.) and each of
`the data eels comprise a number of user-selectable links to
`difl'erent information resources. For example. the data sets
`can be groups of related URLs. whereby the information
`resources comprise Web pages acocmible via the Internet. A
`second one of the regions comprises an information display
`region which can display such things as banner advertise-
`ments The second program module is operable upon execu-
`tion to select informational data to he diaplayed in the
`information dieplay region. The first program module is
`operable in response to selection of a first one oi the links to
`provide the user with access to its associated information
`resource and to notify the second program module of the
`selection of that first link. The second program module is
`operable in response to notifications from the first program
`module to select the informational data to be displayed from
`among a larger amount of informational data. and the second
`program module is further operable to store statistical data
`regarding the display of the selected informa lion a] data. This
`permits targeting of banner advertisements based upon the
`type of link (financial. news, sports. etc.) selected by the
`user.
`in accordance with another aspect of the invention. there
`is provided a computer-readable memory for use by a
`compurer
`to provide a user of the computer with an
`automatically-upgradeable software application. The com-
`puter readable memory comprises a non-volatile data stor-
`age device and a program that is separated into a plurality of
`program modules that Ire stored on the non-volatile data
`storage device. Some or all of the program modules have at
`least one version identifier associated with them. One of the
`program modules is operable upon execution to access the
`stored version identifier(s) and at least one updated version
`identifier from a server via a global public network such as
`the Internet. These updated version identifieror) represent
`updated program modules aeoeaaible from a aervor via the
`public network. This program module is further operable to
`download one ormcre updated program modules when the
`stored version identifier and the updated version identifier
`in: difierent. with the updated program module(s) replacing
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012. p. 22
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`6,141,010
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`These identifiers permit real time. reactively-targeted adver-
`tising since the program can respond to user interaction with
`the computer to determine whether the input relates to I
`particular category of information and, if so, can select
`advertising related to that category of information.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`5
`one or more of the program modules. In this way. software
`upgrades can he carried not automatically without any user
`action required. Also. upgrading can be accomplished with-
`out having to download and install
`the entire software
`package.
`In awordarroe with another aspect of the invention. I
`method is provided for supplying demographically-targeted
`advertising to a computer user. The method includes the
`steps of:
`‘
`is accessible via a computer
`providing I server that
`network such as the Internet.
`permitting I computer user to access the server via the
`computer network.
`acquiring demographic information about the user (which
`includes information specifically provided by the user
`in response to a request
`for the demographic
`information).
`providing the user With download acne“ to computer
`software that. when run on a computer. displays adver-
`tising content. records computer usage information
`concerning the user's utilization of the computer. and
`periodically requests additional advertising content.
`transferring a copy of the software to the computer in
`response to I download request by the user.
`providing I unique identifier to the computer. with the
`identifier uniquely Identifying information sent over
`the computer network from the computer to the server.
`associating the unique identifier with demographic infor-
`mation in I database.
`selecting advertising content for transfer to the computer
`In accordance with the demographic information asso-
`ciated with the unique identifier,
`transferring the advertising content from the server to the
`computer for display by the program,
`periodically acquiring the unique identifier and the com-
`puter usage information recorded by the software from
`the computer via the computer network. and
`associating the computer usage information with the
`demographic information using the unique identifier.
`In accordance with yet another nape-cl of the invention.
`there is provided I computer-readable memory for use by a
`computer to provide a user of the computer with targeted
`information. The memory comprises a non-volatile data
`storage define and a program atored thereon. The program
`is operable upon execution to display I window containing
`an informationdirplay region'nre program is also operable
`to select and display informational data (such as a banner
`advertisement) in the information display region. The infor-
`mational data comprises I plurality of diaplay objects with
`at least some of the display objects each having a data set
`associated therewith. The data sets each include one or more
`of the following data items:
`a category identifier that indicates I category of informa-
`tion to which the associated display object relates.
`wherein the program is operable in response to receiv-
`ing user input relating to one of the categories of
`information to display in the Information display region
`a display object having an associated category identifier
`that relates to that one category of information;
`I software application identifier that identifies a software
`application that may be acceaaible to the user via the
`cornpurer, wherein the program is operable in reapcose
`to user aeleclion ofthe eeltwate application to display
`in the information display region a display object
`associated with the selected software application.
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`A preferred exemplary embodiment of the preterit inven-
`tion will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the
`appended drawings. wherein like designations denote like
`elements, and:
`FIG. 1 is block diagram of I first embodiment of the
`invention depicting I client software application comprising
`two program modules located on a computer connected to a
`server by way of the Internet;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of second embodiment that is
`I modified form of the that shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting further details regard-
`ing use of the server shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is I block diagram of a third embodiment of the
`invention depicting a client software application broken into
`a number of modules including a builder module respoasible
`for upgrading and addition of any of the program modules;
`FIG. 5 is an exemplary view of the graphical user inter-
`face (GUI) generated by the client software application of
`FIG. 4;
`FIG. 5a is an exemplary view of I bookmark category
`window generated by the client software application of FIG.
`4:
`
`FIG. 6 is block diagram that provides additional detail
`regarding the client software application depicted in MG. 4',
`F103! depicts the structure of the bannerdatabase used by
`the client software application of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 8 depicts a merited for providing access to the client
`activate application and for obtaining and utilizing demo-
`graphic information regarding uscra of the software appli-
`cation:
`no. 9 is a flow chart of the portion of the client software
`application of HG.
`It that hlddles user login as well as
`acqu'mition of demograch information for new users of the
`application;
`FIG. 10 is a flow chart depicting an overview of the core
`operation of the client software application of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 11 is a flow chart ofthe processing of titer input that
`is carried out by the client software application of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 12 is a flow chart of the processing of key events that
`is carried out by the client software application of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 13 is a flow chart of the process used by the builder
`module of FIG. 4 to upgrade different program modules or
`components used in the client software application; and
`FIG. 14 is a flow chart era alternative process that can be
`used by the builder module of FIG. 4 to upgrade program
`modules or components used in the client software applica.
`tion.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODNEN’IS
`
`Referring first to FIG. 1. than: is shown an overview ola
`client aoftwaro application 10 comprising a graphical user
`interface (GUI) program module 11 and an advertising and
`data management (ADM) program module 14. Working
`together, these program modules act as I single software
`application that providea the computer user with a fully
`
`Petitioner Samsung - Ex. 1012, p. 23
`
`

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`6,141,010
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`integrated into iface to the other sollwate epptiea lions loaded
`on the user‘s computer 18.