United States Patent
`[19]
`[11] Patent Number:
`6,016,504
`
`Arnold et al.
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`US006016504A
`
`[54] METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRACKING
`THE PURCHASE OF A PRODUCT AND
`SERVICES OVER THE INTERNET
`
`[75]
`
`,
`,
`Inventors. John K. Arnold, Kent, John R.
`,
`Bennett, Seattle, Peter 0. Claar,
`Seattle; Kurt D. Dahl, Seattle; Jennifer
`L- DOPSOm Seattle; C_h_arles A-
`Fontame, Seattle; Philip H. Johanson,
`Seattle; Donald G. McGuire, Mount
`Vernon; Mary Swanson, Edmonds;
`David G. Wagner, Issaquah; Steve
`Wainright, Seattle, all of Wash.
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`InfoSpace.c0m, Inc., Redmond, Wash.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/704,143
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 28, 1996
`
`Int. C1.7 ............................. G06F 17/60; G06F 17/30
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl.
`.......................... 709/200; 709/202; 709/203;
`709/204; 709/217; 709/219; 709/227; 709/228;
`709/229; 705/26; 705/27
`[58] Field of Search ............................ 395/200.3—200.36,
`395/200.47—200.5, 20057—2006; 707/10;
`705/26—27, 39—40; 345/335; 709/200—206,
`217—219, 227—229, 245—246
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,590,197 12/1996 Chen et al.
`............................... 380/24
`5,603,029
`2/1997 Aman et al.
`..
`709/105
`
`5,623,656
`4/1997 Lyons ...................................... 709/206
`5,664,110
`9/1997 Green et al.
`.............................. 705/26
`5,671,279
`9/1997 Elgamal
`.................................... 380/23
`
`11/1997 Hogan ....................................... 705/27
`5,692,132
`1/1998 Levergood et al.
`.. 709/229
`5,708,780
`1/1998 Chelllah et al.
`.. 709/217
`5,710,887
`2/1998 Payne et al.
`380/24
`5,715,314
`2/1998 Graber et al.
`.. 709/227
`5,717,860
`3/1998 Gifford
`380/24
`5,724,424
`
`/1998 Klmgman
`705/26
`,
`,
`3
`.
`5 729 594
`
`..
`5/1998 Rose et a1.
`705/26
`5 757.917
`5/1998 Giovannoli ................................ 705/26
`5,758,328
`................................. 709/228
`5,826,242 10/1998 Montulli
`5,923,846
`7/1999 Gage et al.
`............................. 709/217
`
`
`
`Primary Examiner—Zarni Maung
`Assistant Examiner—Bharat Barot
`
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Christensen O’Connor Johnson
`& Kindness PLLC
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method for establishing and maintaining a Virtual outlet
`(“V0”) relationship on the Internet between an entity that
`controls and manages a Web site constituting a V0 and a
`merchant that controls and manages a different Web site. The
`V0 presents a series of V0 Web pages to customers that
`contain descriptive information about products from one or
`more merchants. Customers can link through the V0 Web
`pages directly to a merchant Web page provided to the
`customer computer by the merchant computer for the pur-
`pose of obtaining more detailed information about
`the
`product and for ordering the product. When the custom er has
`finished ordering a product, the customer computer returns
`to a V0 Web page. To the customer, it appears that the entire
`ordering process is conducted entirely Within the V0 Web
`pages. The merchant then credits the V0 for the sale of the
`product
`to the customer, charges the purchase to the
`customer, and sends the ordered product to the customer.
`
`28 Claims, 28 Drawing Sheets
`
`1AO4
`1110.?
`11402
`mm
`l
`l
`]
`CUSTOMER
`CUSTOIIER
`CUSTOMER
`CUSTOMER
`
`TEE
`TEE
`REE
`TEE
`ERONSER
`BROTSER
`EROESER
`BROWSER
`
`T
`
`
`
`1A05
`
`
`IAOO
`
`
`
`
`11110
`7
`
`VIRTUAL OUTLET
`VIRTUAL
`OUTLET
`
` EOMPONENT
`
`
`
`VIRTUAL
`OUTLET
`
`
`MANAOEMENT
`COMPONENT
`
`
`WORLD WIRE WEB
`
`{A09
`
`7 W
`
`1
`MERCHANT
`
`WRTUAL OUTLET
`HOME PAGE
`[.416
`SICN I/P
`COMPONENT
`
`1115
`MAINTENANCE
`COMPONENT
`
`T 1.41 1
`
`72114
`
`1A 17
`OROER
`PROCESSINC
`COMPONENT
`
`“120‘
`
`VIRTUAL OUTLET FEB PACE
`1311*
`ACME CYBERSTORE
`
`ACME CYBERSTORE
`
`
`
`1313-
`
`
`VIRTUAL OUTLET NEE PACE
`
`MERCHANT WEB PAGES
`ACME L‘YBERSTORE
`HABER
`DASHER Q00- PRICE: $49.99
`
`SIZES: Ill—XL
`COLORS: BLACK, WHITE
`PRICE: 3‘19.99
`SIZES: M—L
`COLORS: GREEN
`
`”7
`
`ACME CYBERSTORE
`7
`.
`MAD
`HATTER Q)
`CO.
`PRICE: $129.99 7
`‘0' SIZES: 7—9'11
`
`PRICE: 8.9.9.99
`
`SIZES: 7—9—1 1
`
`IMO
`
`Shopify Exhibit 1011
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`1A01
`
`IAOZ
`
`L403
`
`IAO4
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`CUSTOMER
`
` WEB
`
`BROWSER
`
`WEB
`
`BROWSER
`
`WEB
`
`BROWSER
`
`WEB
`
`BROWSER
`
`1AO5
`
`1A06
`
`1AO7
`
`1.408
`
`WORLD WIDE WEB
`
`1A09
`
`
`
`7IAII
`
`MERCHANT
`
`1A12
`
`VIRTUAL OUTLET W 4
`HOME PAGE
`
`1A10
`
`VIRTUAL UUTLRT
`
`VIRTUAL
`OUTLET
`
`COMPONENT
`
`COMPONENT SIGN UP
`
`1A13
`
`1AI6
`
`1A1?
`
`ORDER
`
`COMPONENT
`
`PROCESSING
`
`COMPONENT
`
`374?. 7,4
`
`
`
`VIRTUAL
`
`OUTLET
`
`MANAGEMENT
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 2 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`
`
`
`
`Muvmmm:$3.35.:35;
`
`
`
`macsmmmfiun.3,:
`
`ES55m$38
`
`$me”$38
`
`3.3SE
`
`fix$3
`
`$5dea®RE
`
`a;Mafia
`
`
`
`33ENE.8
`
`
`
`magim:szscoxm:
`
`MEEMENEUEs:
`
`em“:
`
`
`
`.MEEESsMfibcflsrumi
`
`Q§
`\.
`03‘
`
`cam:
`
`:1:“ENE
`
`3.3%”meand
`
`EQQMEWENEDES;
`
`:Ialu“mmflm
`
`3.3;,”Nonid/
`
`
`
`.8
`
`35
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`VO
`COMPONENT
`
`LISTEN FOR NEXT
`
`REQUEST OR FOR
`TERMINATION
`
`201
`
`202
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TERMINATION
`
`?
`
`203
`
`DISPLAY APPROPRIATE
`
`
`INCLUDING
`RESOURCE,
`WEB PA CES WITH
`
`EMBEDDED HOT LINKS
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 4 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`V0
`MANAGEMENT
`
`
`
`30!
`
`
`
`
`REQUEST HOME
`PAGE FROM
`
`MERCHANT AND
`
`ACCEPT DISPLAY
`
`USER
`
`TERMINA TES
`PROGRAM
`
`?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`USER
`REQUESTS
`
`3100; UP
`
`SIGN UP
`
`USER
`REQUESTS
`LOSIN
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 5 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`®
`
`56?. 4
`
`
`
`
`REQUEST SIGN UP
`SCREEN FROM
`MERCHANT AND
`ACCEPT DISPLAY
`SCREEN AND WAIT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`YES
`
`RETURN
`
`405
`
`NO
`
`
`
`406
`USER
`REQUESTS
`TERMINATION
`
`.
`
`
`
`YES
`
`USER
`REQUESTS
`EXIT
`?
`
`
`
`COLLECT INFORMATION
`FROM USER AND SEND
`
`TO MERCHANT
`
`
`
` ERROR
`SCREEN
`RETURNED
`?
`
`YES
`
`ACCEPT DISPLAY
`OF ERROR SCREEN
`
`
`MOVE
`SIGN-UP
`
`SCREENS
`
`
`
`NO
`
`
`
`
`REQUEST CONFIRMATION
`SCREEN FROM MERCHANT
`
`AND DISPLAY
`
`
` USER
`CONFQIRMS
`
`
`YES
`
`410
`
`SEND CONFIRMATION
`TO MERCHANT
`
`
`
`REQUEST AND DISPLAY
`THANK YOU
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 6 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`
`ELVirtual Outlet SignupExample-Microsoft Internet Explorer
`F_ile Edit View Go Favorites Help
`
`EIEIII
`
`n_ay‘s n IE ervices
`
`Tod
`
`Li ks
`
`5
`
`
`
`Search Favorites
`Forward
`Back
`Shop
`Refresh
`Home
`El'
`=> 8 I Q
`6=
`
`Address: http://wwwvirtualoutlet.com/Signup.htm
`
`Print
`
`Font
`
`Virtual Outlet Signup Form
`
`Li ks
`
`
`
`
`
`The purpose of this page is for you, the Webmaster, to submit a request to become a Virtual Outlet.
`
`To start, let’s establish who you are.
`
`Your organization name:
`
`This is the full name of your organization as you would like other Web users to see it (this is the "user friendly"
`representation of your organization name.) Example: "IBM" (not "International Busines Machines, Inc. '7
`
`Organization:
`
`UMall
`
`I
`
`Your organization's address:
`
`This is the address where we will be sending your commision checks.
`
`Official Org Name:
`Org's Tax ID:
`Address:
`
`IBO( Enterprises, Inc.
`'111-11-1111
`1234 Oak St.
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`Suite 202
`AddressZ:
`City: - state/Province
`Zip code:
`98121
`
`Your "handle":
`
`This "handle" will be used to identify you to us, and will be used Within the URL's query strings that you use to
`connect to us. Don not use spaces or strange characters. Alphanumerics only! Example: "MA YBERRY"
`
`Handle:
`
`UMall
`
`Your handle password:
`
`]
`
`Type in a password. This password will allow you (and only you) to access your account.
`
`IE)
`Password:
`Retype Password: El
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 7 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`Virtual Outlet Si- nup Example - Microsoft Internet Explorer
`file Edit yew go favorites
`flelp
`‘I v 5 A:
`Q
`@
`:9
`Sgch Favorites
`Home
`Back
`Forward
`Stop
`Refresh
`Print
`Font
`Address: lhttp://www.virtualoutlet.com/signup.htm
`
`Your logo:
`
`U
`-
`
`"'6
`
`l
`r
`-
`.TOdaYSLm
`
`a
`
`-
`services
`
`Type in the full URL of your logo, for example, "http:l/www.outpost.net/img/opn/OPLOGsm.GIF." You may leave
`this field blank, but your logo will not show on our pages.
`
`Logo:
`
`Ihttp://www.umall.com/graphics/logos/mainlogo.bmp
`
`I
`
`
`
`Screen customization:
`
`You may make our scrrns look just like an extension of your own Web Site by customizing colors and background
`images!
`
`All information here is optional. Leave the fields blank and we'll use our defaults!
`
`Background graphic:
`
`Type in the full path to a copy of your background. Example: "http://www.outpost.net/img/opn/chalk.gif"
`
`I
`Backgrnd:
`Text Colors:
`
`3
`
`Colors are defined in HTML as six digit hexadecimal numbers. Refer to an HTML manual for more details.
`
`Backgrnd:
`
`Text:
`
`Link: @325
`
`Visited:
`
`Click:
`
`Check everything over, and submit the form. If all is well, then we will display you an example page.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 8 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`E UMall-ExamplePa e- Microsofi Internet Explorer
`
`
`File Edit
`\_Iiew Go Favorites Help
`
`
`
`
`
`Bum-I
`
`nks_TodaysLlnksIQ SerVIces
`
`Font
`Search Favorites
`Forward
`Back
`Stop
`Refresh
`Home
`Print
`El 5
`=0 8 I Q
`<b
`
`
`
`Addressl::exe?umall&samplehttp://www.virtualoutlet.com/cgi-bin/vo_href.
`
`Li
`
`SAMPLE PAGE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`This is a sample page created for U Mall.
`
`Take a careful look at this page.
`Please ensure that you background color, GIFs, text, and company name are correct.
`
`Company Name: BCX Enterprises, Inc.
`
`
`Tax ID: lll—ll-llll
`Address: 1234 Oak St.
`AddressZ: Suite 202
`
`
`City: Seattle
`St: WA
`Zip: 98121
`
`
`Handle: UMALL
`Business Name: U Mall
`
`If any of these selections are incorrect, or you are not satisfied with the look of the page, press "BACK" to return to
`the Signup Page to change any values.
`
`If you are satisfied with this page, fill in the rest of the information and press the Continue button.
`
`Webmaster name:
`Webmaster e-mail:
`
`I
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 9 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`801
`
`
`
`REQUEST LOCIN SCREEN
`SCREEN FROM MERCHANT
`ACCEPT DISPLAY OF
`
`SCREEN AND WAIT
`
`FOR USER INPUT
`
`USER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`REQUESTS
`TO EX]T
`
`
`
`
`COLLECT INFORMATION
`FROM USER AND SEND
`TO MERCHANT AS
`
`
`
`USER
`REQUESTS
`
`
`TERMINATION
`a
`
`LOCIN REQUEST
`
`805
`
`306
`
`
`ERROR
`304
`SCREEN
`
`RETURNED
`9
`
`ACCEPT DISPLAY
`0F ERROR SCREEN
`
`
`
`807
`
`ACCEPT DISPLAY MENU
`
`SCREEN, WAIT FOR INPUT
`
`YES
`
`
`
`
`USER
`REQUESTS
`TO EXIT
`
`?
`
`
`
`
`SELECTION l PROCESS l
`
`MENU
`
`809
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 10 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`PROCESS MENU
`
`SELECTION
`
`REVIEW
`BILLING/CONTRACT
`
`
`REQLIEST
`
`BILLING
`
`
`
`
`PROCESS
`PAGE
`LAYOUT
`
`903
`
`ENABLE DISABLE
`
`PROCESS
`
`
`901
`
`
`902
`
`
`
`REVIEW
`PAGE LAYOUT
`
`
`
`REQUEST
`
`
`:2
`
`
`
` ACCOUNT
`4
`I ACCOUNT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PROCESS
`CHANGE
`PASSWORD
`
`
`CHANGE
`PASSWORD
`?
`
`
`
`CATALOGUE
`BROWSER
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18,2000
`
`Sheet 11 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`1E: Merchant Catalo- - MicrosoPc Internet Explorer
`file Edit
`\_flew
`go favorites
`fielp
`
`Ellillll
`
`eeOIéCvaé
`Back
`FonNard
`Stop
`Refresh
`Home
`Search Favorites
`Print
`
`Address: http://www.virtua|outlet.com/cgi-bin/vo_href.exe?umall&catalog
`
`Merchant Catalog
`
`INSTRUCTIONS
`
`1. Peruse the list below, identifying the items you wish to merchandise on your site.
`2. Click on the page link to see what your personalized page will look like or to gain a better understanding of
`the contents of the page.
`
`://www.virtualmall.com/c i-bin/vo href/UMALL&SYMPATHY
`
`Click on any ofthese links below to see your custom page!
`
`Index:
`
`GREETING CARDS—
`
`://www.virtualmall.corn/c '-bin/vo href/UMALL&BDAY
`Birthday: h
`Anniversary:htt
`://www.virtualmall.com/e i-bin/vo href/UMALL&ANNIV
`Sympathy: h
`
`5749,. 70
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 12 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`ASK USER
`WHETHER THE USER
`
`@ WANTS TO CHANGE
`
`BILLING 0R CONTRACT
`
`1101
`
`OR QUIT
`
`1 102
`
`USER
`
`WANTS T0 @
`0ng
`
`1103
`
`YES
`
`N0
`
`CHANCE
`BILLPINC
`
`REQUEST CONTRACT
`FROM MERCHANT
`
`REQUEST BILLING
`SCREEN FROM
`
`
`
`MERCHANT
`
`1105
`
`1 104
`
`
`
`
`
`USER
`USER
`WANTS TO QUIT
`WANTS TO QUIT
`
`
`
`OR ERROR
`OR ERROR
`
`
`? 1106‘
`?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`COLLECT INFORMATION
`
`FROM USER AND
`
`COLLECT INFORMATION
`
`FROM USER AND
`
`
`REQUESTING CHANCE
`
`
`1107
`ACCEPT
`
`
`
`
`ERROR
`ERROR
`
`SCREEN
`SCREEN
`DISPLAY
`
`
`
`
`RETURNED
`0F ERROR
`RETURNED
`
`
`
`
`SCREEN
`?
`?
`
`
`
`
`SEND TO MERCHANT
`
`
`REQUESTING CHANCE
`
`
`SEND TO MERCHANT
`
`
`
`NO
`
`fly. 7/
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 13 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`REQUEST APPROPRIATE
`DISPLAY SCREEN
`
`1201
`
`FROM MERCHANT
`
`
`USER
`WANTS TO QUIT
`
`QUIT OR ERROR SCREEN
`DISPLAYED
`9
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ACCEPT DISPLAY OF SCREEN -
`
`1203
`
`COLLECT INFORMATION FROM
`
`USER AND REQUEST TO
`UPDATE WITH MERCHANT
`
`
`
`1205
`
`
`
`ERROR
`DISPLA Y
`
`DISPLAY RETURNED
`
`FROM MERCHANT
`
`
`OF ERROR
`
`SCREEN
`
`ACCEPT
`
`fly. 72
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 14 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`
`
`MERCHANT_LNTERNET_SITE
`
` LISTEN FOR
`NEXT REQUEST OR
`FOR TERMINATION
`
`130 7
`
`TERMINA TION
`
`?
`
`
`
`
`
`I HANDLE_REQUEST I
`
`1303
`
`94:9. 73
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 15 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`HHNDLE_REQUEST
`
`1401
`
`REOgEST
`
`
`
`1402
`
`
`
`
`
`PAGE
`
`
`
`
`Tfi‘fi‘ffm
`
`
`
`
`COMPONENT
`?
`
`
`
`1403
`
`
`
`
`
`TO ffi?v%§vflNCE
`
`
`
`
`
`COMPONENT
`:2
`
`YES
`
`YES
`
`HANDLE
`
`SIGN—UP @
`
`COMPONENT
`REQUEST
`
`HANDLE
`
`MAINTENANCE @
`
`COMPONENT
`REQUEST
`
`1404
`
`
`T0 ORDIIEE'ERQgggg‘ESSING
`
`COMPONENT
`
`:2
`
`
`
`YES
`
`HANDLE
`
`ORDER PROCESSING @
`COMPONENT
`
`REQUEST
`
`912;. 74
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 16 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`HANDLE SIGN-UP
`COMPONENT REQUEST
`
`1501
`IS
`
`THIS A
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`REQUEST TO DISPLAY
`SIGN UP
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`FLAG FOR REVIEW
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`SCREEN
`
`1510
`
`DISPLAY
`THANK YOU
`
`0%
`
`.949. 75
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 17 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`INFORMATION STORED AT SIGN-UP
`
`VIRTUAL OUTLET NAME
`VIRTUAL OUTLET MAILING ADDRESS
`
`VIRTUAL OUTLET URL
`TAXPAYER ID
`
`SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
`VIRTUAL OUTLET EMAIL ADDRESS
`BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER
`PROPOSED PASSWARD
`URL OF LOGOS TO DISPLAY ON ORDER PAGE(S)
`URL FOR GRAPHICS FOR BACKGROUND
`COLORS FOR VARIOUS PARTS OF SCREEN
`
`BANNER ADVERTISING
`
`FONTS FOR TEXT
`
`OTHER CHARACTERISTICS FOR HTML DISPLAY
`
`NAVIGATION BAR
`
`542?. 76’
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 18 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`HMNDLE.MMLNTENANEE
`COMPONENT REQUEST
`
`
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`.929. 77
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 19 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`HANDLE LOGIN REQUEST
`
`1802
`
`
`
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`REQUEST
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`MAIN
`MENU
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`fly. 7c9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 20 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`HANDLE CATALOGUE REQUEST
`
`DISPLAY
`
`ERROR
`
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`CATALOGUE
`
`PACE
`
`fig? 79
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18,2000
`
`Sheet 21 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`HANDLE BILLING REQUEST
`
`56;. 20
`
`2001
`
`2002
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`
`2003
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`TO DISPLA Y
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`BILLING FOR VO
`BILLING
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`CONTRACT
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`STORE NEE
`BILLING
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`BILLING
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`INFORMATION
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`INFORMA TION
`
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`IN DATABASE
`CORRECTLY
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`BILLING
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`SPECIFIED
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`REVIEW AND
`?
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`?
`9
`EMAIL RESPONSE
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`2004
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`2005
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 22 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`
`
`HANDLE RAGE
`
`LAYOUT REQUEST
`
`
`
`
`
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`CORRECTLY
`
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`
`SPquUED
`
`574?. 27
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 23 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`
`
`HANDLE
`
`ACCOUNT REQUEST
`
`
`
`USER [D
`AND PASSWORD
`Kggb
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`
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`
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`DISPLAY ACCOUNT
`
`ENABLE/DISABLE
`
`SCREEN
`
`DISABLE
`ACCOUNT
`
`Egg. 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 24 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`HANDLE
`
`?
`
`
`REQUEST
`
`TO DISPLAY
`
`PA SS WORD
`
`SCREEN
`
`DISPLA Y
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`PASSWORD
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`fly. 23
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`
`
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`
`USER ID
`AND PASSWORD
`
`
`
`VALID
`
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`ERROR
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 25 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`HANDLE ORDER
`
`PROCESSING REQUEST
`
`2404A
`
`2401
`
`V0
`
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`NO
`IDENTIFIER
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`2406
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`TO DQISPLAY
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`DISPLAY
`
`ORDER
`CONFIRM
`SCREEN
`
`
`
`
`
`RETRIEVE V0
`
`
`INFORMATION AND
`CREATE TEMPLATE
`FOR V0 PACE
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`
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`w
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 26 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`General Store - Microsoft Internet Explorer
`file Edit
`\_liew go Favorites
`fielp
`<=
`=>
`Back
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`Stop
`Refresh
`Address: http://www.umall.com
`
`Q
`Ev 5 A?
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`
`\1W;
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`A
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`Links @Todayshnks
`
`-
`IE Servrces
`
`E
`E
`
`
`
`I DECORATION
`
`Handcrafted Shaker inspired filmiturc from the mountains of Wyoming! Looking for the perfect
`picture frame? Ever wonder how to find a great interior designer that can work within your
`budget? Decoration has the resources you need to make it happen.
`
`I Signed Sealed & Delivered
`Gift Baskets for any occasion. These baskets are beautifully designed to please any taste and
`palate. Perfect for holiday and corporate gift giving.
`
`I UMall Greeting Cards
`An easy way to send real greeting cards! Choose from our line of high-quality cards.
`
`I The Flower Stop
`The Intemet's flesh flower market.
`
`I Jones & Jones
`
`An independent handcrafted picture frame company.
`
`92;. 25
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 27 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
` lilillll
`[21 U Mall -- Greeting Cards -- Birthday - Microsoft Internet Explorer
`
`
`Eile Edit yiew go favorites
`flelp
`
`
`
`<=
`=>
`Back
`FonNard
`
`Stop
`
`Refresh
`
`a. a it
`é
`Home $01 Favorites
`Print
`Font
`
`.»
`-
`Links @TodaysLlnks
`
`>
`IQ SerVIces
`
` HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
`
`
`Price:$3.75
`
` Instructions:
`
`
`(click on card to see larger image)
`
`
`Show me an
`
`
`
`1. Choose a card by clicking the circle next to the card.
`2. Compose your message using our easy form.
`3. Fill out the name, address and order information.
`
`Card Choices
`
`379,. 26‘
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`Sheet 28 0f 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`
`
`
`Read to process... - Microsoft Internet Explorer
`file Edit
`jaw (50 Favorites help
`
`EiEllll
`
`©M§©Ev5fi-
`Back
`Forward
`Stop
`Refresh
`Home
`Search Favorites
`Print
`Font
`Links
`
`Tod'LiIG
`ays
`n
`
`I—Q‘l
`
`Se"
`[E mes
`
`
`
`
`Address: http://www.virtuaIoutlet.com/cgi-bin/CONFIRM.exe
`
`E
`
`
` Order Summary:
`
`
`
`To complete your order
`PRESS THE COMFIRM ORDER BUTTON
`
`
`
`
`Price (1 item(s) at 3.75 per item) :
`Order Total :
`US
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` If you do not wish to complete your order, you may press "Back” or navigate to another page. Your credit card will
`
`not be charge and your order cancelled.
`
`
`
` Virtual Outlet Cardshop Customer Service: custserv@virtualoutlet.com
`
`56?. 27
`
`

`

`6,016,504
`
`1
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRACKING
`THE PURCHASE OF A PRODUCT AND
`SERVICES OVER THE INTERNET
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to a computer method and
`system for tracking product sales, and more particularly to
`a method and system for tracking sales on the Internet.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The Internet and the World Wide Web
`
`The Internet comprises a vast number of computers,
`network links between the computers, and protocol and
`other interface standards that provide a communication
`network for computer representatives to exchange computer
`data with other computer representatives. The World Wide
`Web (“W”) was designed as an easy visual interface for
`representatives of the Internet. The W allows a server
`computer, called a Web site, to send graphical Web pages of
`information, called Web pages, to a remote representative’s
`computer and allows the remote representative’s computer
`to display the Web pages on a display. These Web pages may
`contain control regions, such as simulated push buttons, that
`allow the representative to acquire and display additional,
`related Web pages of information in a hypertext fashion.
`The Internet
`is based on information exchange from
`servers to clients. Each client and server has an Internet
`
`address called a Uniform Resource Locator (“URL"). An
`example of a URL address is “http://acmecom/pagel.” The
`URL has two parts: (1) a scheme and (2) a scheme-specific
`part. The scheme identifies the high-level protocol through
`which the information is to be exchanged, and the scheme-
`specific part contains additional information useful in estab-
`lishing a connection between a client and a server. The
`WWW uses the HTTP protocol. The “http” at the beginning
`of the example URL, above, is the scheme, and indicates that
`the Internet address specified by the example URL
`exchanges information using HTTP, and is therefore a
`WWW site. The remainder of the URL following the colon
`is the scheme-specific part that, for WW servers, generally
`indicates a host IITTP server name and the file system path
`to a Web page to be transferred. In this example, the host
`HTTP server is identified by “ acme .com” and the Web page
`is identified by “pagel.”
`Currently, a Web page is defined by a HyperText Markup
`Language (“HTML”) file. The software on a client
`that
`manages the Internet connections and interprets and effects
`the commands contained in HTML documents is called a
`
`10
`
`15
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`browser. When a representative indicates to the browser a
`desire to view a Web page, the browser initiates a client
`computer request that the server transfer to the client com-
`puter an HTML file that defines the Web page. When the
`requested HTML file is received by the client computer, the _
`browser uses the HTML file to construct the Web page and
`display it
`to the representative on the client computer
`display. The HTML file contains various commands for
`displaying text, graphics, controls, background colors for the
`Web page, and other displayed features. The HTML file may
`contain URL addresses of other Web pages available on the
`server, which allow the browser to offer to the representative
`hypertext-type selection and display of the other Web pages.
`In addition, the HTML file also may contain URL addresses,
`called hot links, to other Web pages at other Web sites. Thus,
`a representative may be able not only to navigate among
`Web pages available on the server to which he initially
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`connected, but also among Web pages on entirely different
`servers. Additional types of Web page description facilities,
`other than HTML, are either currently available or planned
`for future release.
`
`In general, the Web servers are stateless with respect to
`client transactions. In other words, at the HTTP protocol
`level, each transaction (e.g., request for an HTML file) is
`separate from all others.
`In other common networking
`system protocols, a client might initialize a connection to the
`server, conduct a series of requests from the server and
`receive information for each request, and then terminate the
`connection from the server, and the entire exchange, from
`the initialization to the termination of the connection, would
`be considered a transaction. In such systems, the client/
`server connection may be considered to be in one of several
`different states at any instance, depending on the nature of
`the requests and responses and their order. Such systems
`require that state information be saved by the server, and
`also usually by the client, and require time outs and other
`connection failure strategies. The stateless nature of the Web
`simplifies the server and client architectures.
`
`Marketing Products on the Internet
`
`The use and capabilities of the WWW have greatly
`increased in recent years. It is now a media that supports
`commerce and holds even greater promise for commerce in
`the future as a media that can connect buyers with sellers,
`can take actual orders, and can complete the associated
`payments.
`However, the WWW today has several problems in sup-
`porting large scale commerce. One of the key problems is
`simply putting the buyers and sellers in contact. Because of
`the vastness of the WWW, even if a person knows what they
`want,
`they may not be able to find it. And, even more
`importantly,
`the WWW lacks in the ability to create
`“impulse” type buying in which a customer stumbles upon
`a product or service that appeals to them at that moment, and
`then allows them to make an immediate purchase.
`For the sake of this discussion, the WWW can be divided
`into two kinds of Web sites: (1) those that attract Web surfers
`(i.e., potential customers) by providing rich content of
`specific interest to the Web surfer, and (2) those that actually
`are trying to sell a product or service. The content-rich sites
`vastly outnumber the selling sites. Aproblem for the selling
`sites is to get
`the potential customers who are at
`the
`content-rich sites to know that the selling site has a product
`that is available to be sold on the Web. However, a content-
`rich site typically needs some incentive (i.e., compensation)
`to put its Web surfers in contact with the selling sites.
`Currently, a content-rich site can be compensated using a
`couple of different compensation methods. The existing
`methods, however, have several problems associated with
`them and ultimately do not provide an adequate incentive.
`The first existing method is the WWW’s version of the
`traditional advertising model. With this method, a seller
`simply creates a small graphic image, called a banner ad, and
`has the content-rich site place the ad in a prominent position
`on a Web page of the content—rich site. The banner ad has a
`hot link to the selling site. A Web surfer (i.e., potential
`customer) will notice the ad, then “click” on it and thereby
`pass through to the selling site, where a purchase may be
`made. With this method, the content-rich Web site is com-
`pensated in the traditional advertising way. Typically, the
`content-rich site displaying the ad will receive a fixed fee
`based on the number of times the ad was presented to
`potential customers.
`
`

`

`6,016,504
`
`3
`There are several problems with banner advertising. A
`first problem is that when the Web surfer clicks on the
`banner ad, the surfer leaves the content-rich site and goes to
`the selling site and possibly will not return. This is a strong
`disincentive for the content-rich site owner because the
`
`owner wants the Web surfer to explore and to stay at its site
`for as long as possible.
`A second problem is that, when a purchase is made, the
`selling site collects and retains information about the Web
`surfer (e.g., home address and telephone number). The seller
`can then market to the Web surfer directly. The content-rich
`site, however, does not take advantage of this information
`and typically is not compensated if additional purchases are
`made by the Web surfer.
`A third problem is the standard problem of all traditional
`advertising—fairness. There is no connection between the
`compensation and the actual results of the ad. It may be that
`the selling site ended up making no sales at all to the people
`that were presented the ad, in which case the selling site paid
`money for no results. Conversely, perhaps many sales were
`made, in which case the content-rich site owner received too
`little compensation.
`The second existing method is a commission based com-
`pensation model. This method is designed to address the
`fairness of advertising issue raised above. In this method, the
`content—rich site still attracts Web surfers and then points
`them to a selling site, either by using the same kind of banner
`ad, by using a simple hypertext link, or by using an even
`more complex “co-branded” Web page that acts as a bridge
`between the content-rich site and the selling site. In any case,
`the content-rich site is compensated only when the customer
`that it delivered to the selling site actually makes a purchase
`directly after linking from the content-rich site (as opposed
`to, for example, returning to the selling site a week later to
`make a purchase, in which case the content-rich site receives
`no commission).
`This commission based method also has several prob-
`lems. The first two problems are the same problems as with
`the advertising method: failure of customers to return to the
`content-rich Web site and lack of access to customer infor-
`
`mation by the content-rich Web site.
`The third problem is again one of fairness. While it would
`appear that a commission on the sale is fair, a content-rich
`site owner is only compensated if the purchase is immediate.
`Once the potential purchaser has left the content—rich site
`and goes to the selling site, then from that moment on, they
`know about the selling site and how to get to it. The next
`time the purchaser wants to visit the selling site to make a
`purchase, the purchaser will simply go directly to the sellers
`site and bypass the content-rich site completely. When the
`Web surfer does this, the content-rich site will receive no
`commission on the later sales. So, in fact, the content—rich
`site owner receives a commission for delivering, at most,
`one sale; that is, the owner only receives a one-time com-
`mission if the customer purchases a product when the
`customer Visits the selling site through the content-rich site.
`The content-rich site may have delivered a customer, poten-
`tially a life-long customer, to the selling site, for which the
`content-rich site owner will receive no ongoing commission.
`Aneed has been recognized, therefore, for a way to track
`purchases on the Web that avoids the problems associated
`with the banner advertising method and the commission
`method. The invention described below addresses this need
`
`by providing an efficient, easily maintained, and flexible
`method for establishing a computer—based relationship
`between a content-rich site and a selling site.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`Ln‘1‘
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to a method for tracking
`a purchase by a customer of a product supplied by a
`merchant through what is referred to as a “virtual outlet,”
`where the merchant, virtual outlet owner, and customer each
`have a computer connected through a network and where the
`purchase is conducted as a transaction over the network. To
`purchase the product, the customer requests a Web page
`from the virtual outlet computer. The requested Web page
`typically has a visual indication of the product and a link
`associated with the product. The link identifies a merchant
`Web page available from the merchant computer, identifies
`the virtual outlet, and identifies a return Web page of the
`virtual outlet. When the customer computer receives the
`requested Web page from the virtual outlet, it displays the
`Web page. When the customer selects the product to pur-
`chase from the displayed Web page, the customer computer
`sends to the merchant computer a request for the merchant
`Web page identified by the link associated with the product.
`The merchant computer modifies the merchant Web page to
`contain a return link so that upon completion of the
`purchase, the customer computer displays the return Web
`page of the virtual outlet identified by the link and sends to
`the customer computer the modified merchant Web page.
`The modified merchant Web page is displayed at the cus-
`tomer computer to allow the customer to purchase the
`product from the merchant. The merchant computer credits
`the virtual outlet for the purchase. Upon completion of the
`purchase, the customer computer displays the return Web
`page identified by the return link in the modified merchant
`Web page.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a preferred com-
`puter system that includes the present invention.
`FIG. 1B illustrates the sequence of Web pages as seen by
`a customer of a virtual outlet.
`
`FIG. 2 displays a flow diagram for the virtual outlet
`component of the virtual outlet.
`FIG. 3 displays a high-level flow control diagram for the
`virtual outlet management component of the virtual outlet.
`FIG. 4 displays a flow diagram for the Sign-up routine.
`FIG. 5