United States Patent [19J
`Arnold et al.
`
`I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006016504A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,016,504
`Jan.18,2000
`
`[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. Dobson, Seattle; Charles A.
`Fontaine, 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.com, Inc., Redmond, Wash.
`
`[21]
`
`Appl. No.: 08/704,143
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 28, 1996
`
`[51]
`[52]
`
`[58]
`
`Int. Cl.7 ............................. G06F 17/60; G06F 17/30
`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
`Field of Search ............................ 395/200.3-200.36,
`395/200.47-200.5, 200.57-200.6; 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
`
`............................... 380/24
`5,590,197 12/1996 Chen et al.
`2/1997 Aman et al. ............................ 709/105
`5,603,029
`5,623,656
`4/1997 Lyons ...................................... 709/206
`9/1997 Green et al. .............................. 705/26
`5,664,110
`5,671,279
`9/1997 Elgamal .................................... 380/23
`
`5,692,132
`5,708,780
`5,710,887
`5,715,314
`5,717,860
`5,724,424
`5,729,594
`5,757,917
`5,758,328
`5,826,242
`5,923,846
`
`11/1997 Hogan ....................................... 705/27
`1/1998 Levergood et al.
`........ ...... ...... 709 /229
`1/1998 Chelliah et al. ........................ 709/217
`2/1998 Payne et al. .............................. 380/24
`2/1998 Graber et al. .. ...... .... ...... ...... ... 709 /227
`3/1998 Gifford ...................................... 380/24
`3/1998 Klingman .................................. 705/26
`5/1998 Rose et al. ................................ 705/26
`5/1998 Giovannoli ................................ 705/26
`10/1998 Montulli ................................. 709/228
`7/1999 Gage et al.
`............................. 709/217
`
`Primary Examiner-Zarni Maung
`Assistant Examiner-Bharat Barnt
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm---Christensen O'Connor Johnson
`& Kindness PLLC
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method for establishing and maintaining a virtual outlet
`("VO") relationship on the Internet between an entity that
`controls and manages a Web site constituting a VO and a
`merchant that controls and manages a different Web site. The
`VO presents a series of VO Web pages to customers that
`contain descriptive information about products from one or
`more merchants. Customers can link through the VO Web
`pages directly to a merchant Web page provided to the
`customer computer by the merchant computer for the pur(cid:173)
`pose of obtaining more detailed information about the
`product and for ordering the product. When the customer has
`finished ordering a product, the customer computer returns
`to a VO Web page. To the customer, it appears that the entire
`ordering process is conducted entirely within the VO Web
`pages. The merchant then credits the VO 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
`
`IAOI
`
`IA02
`
`IA03
`
`IA04
`
`MERCHANT WEB PAGES
`
`ACME CYBERSTORE
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`IB20
`
`VIRTUAL OUTLET WEB PAGE
`ACME CYBERSTORE
`
`IBll
`
`IBl2
`
`IBl3
`
`HABER Q
`A SIZES: M-XL
`u SIZES: M-L
`
`DASHER
`CO.
`
`( DONE )
`
`PRICE: $49.99
`
`COLORS: BLACK, WBITE
`PRICE: $19.99
`
`COLORS: GREEN
`
`VIRTUAL OUTLET WEB PAGE
`ACME CYBERSTORE
`
`IAIO
`
`IAI I
`
`IBIO
`
`VIRTUAL OUTLET
`
`MERCHANT
`
`VIRTUAL OUTLET
`HOME PAGE
`
`IAl4
`
`IAl2
`
`IAl3
`
`ACME CYBERSTORE
`
`~TERQ (RETURN)
`co.
`..o._ PRICE: $129.99
`SIZES: 7-9-11
`
`._Cl PRICE: $99.99
`SIZES: 7-9-11
`
`IB30
`
`IB40
`
`Page 1 of 38
`
`PRICELINE.COM LLC et al.
`Exhibit 1011
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18, 2000
`
`Sheet 1of28
`
`6,016,504
`
`1A01(
`
`1A02(
`
`fA03(
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`fA04(
`.----_.__-----.
`CUSTOMER
`
`nB
`BROWSER
`
`nB
`BROWSER
`
`UB
`BROWSER
`
`UB
`BROWSER
`
`1A05-._
`
`1A06--
`
`i....r-1A07
`
`---tAOB
`
`WORLD Jf/DE JfEB
`
`1A09
`
`1 A10(
`
`)°tAt 1
`
`VIRTUAL OUTLET
`
`MERCHANT
`
`_ / r--fAf 2
`
`_ / r--fAf 3
`
`VIRTUAL
`OUTLET
`COMPONENT
`
`VIRTUAL
`OUTLET
`MANAGEMENT
`COMPONENT
`
`VIRTUAL OUTLET i....--tA 14
`HOME PAGE
`
`1A15l
`
`1A16l
`
`MAINTENANCE
`COMPONENT
`
`SIGN UP
`COMPONENT
`
`f 1A17
`ORDER
`PROCESSING
`COMPONENT
`
`Page 2 of 38
`
`

`

`Ul = ~
`~~-/$/ ~
`
`....
`0--,
`
`CIO
`N
`0 .....,
`N
`~ .....
`'Jl =(cid:173)~
`
`N c c c
`~CIO
`"'""
`?
`~
`~
`
`~ = .....
`~ .....
`~
`•
`\JJ.
`d •
`
`1B40
`
`1J A _o__
`
`Q
`
`ACME CYBERSTORE
`
`VIRTUAL OUTLET WEB PAGE
`
`1B30
`
`SIZES: 7-9-11
`Il PRICE: $99.99
`
`.J___L. SIZES: 7-9-11
`f\ PRICE: $129.99
`
`f:'\ (RETURN)
`
`co.
`HATTER~
`MAD
`
`ACME CYBERSTORE
`
`1B15
`
`1B14
`
`1B10
`
`1B13
`
`-
`
`I
`
`1B12
`
`LJ COLORS: GREEN
`~SIZES: M-L
`PRICE: 819.99
`
`tB11--U ACME CYBERSTORE I I
`VIRTUAL OUTLET WEB PAGE
`
`....
`
`(/ \) COLORS: BLACK, WHITE
`
`~---•I D
`CO.
`DASHER~
`HABER f:'\ ( DONE)
`
`SIZES: M-XL
`PRICE: 849.99
`
`ACME CYBERSTORE
`
`MERCHANT WEB PAGES
`
`1B20
`
`Page 3 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`201
`
`LISTEN FOR NEXT
`REQUEST OR FOR
`TERMINATION
`
`203
`
`DISPLAY APPROPRIATE
`RESOURCE, INCLUDING
`WEB PAGES WITH
`EMBEDDED HOT LINKS
`
`Page 4 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 4 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`301
`
`REQUEST HOME
`PAGE FROM
`MERCHANT AND
`ACCEPT DISPLAY
`
`303
`
`304
`
`SIGN UP
`
`306
`
`LOGIN
`
`Page 5 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 5 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`REQUEST SIGN UP
`SCREEN FROM
`MERCHANT AND
`ACCEPT DISPLAY
`SCREEN AND WAIT
`
`401
`
`402
`
`403
`
`COLLECT INFORMATION
`FROM USER AND SEND
`TO MERCHANT
`
`405
`
`YES
`
`A.CCEPT DISPLAY
`OP ERROR SCREEN
`
`NO
`
`RETURN
`
`408
`
`REQUEST CONFIRMATION
`SCREEN FROM MERCHANT
`AND DISPLAY
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`410
`
`SEND CONFIRMATION
`TO MERCHANT
`REQUEST AND DISPLAY
`THANK YOU
`
`Page 6 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 6 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`I@ Virtual Outlet Signup Example - Microsoft Internet Explorer
`File Edit View Go Favorites ~elp
`!'.:!:!· a Ji, II Un~ @ Today's Un~ @ Services
`c::> ® ~ ~ @.
`¢::i
`I
`Forward Stop
`Back
`Refresh Home
`Search Favorites Print
`Address: I http://www.virtualoutlet.com/signup.htm
`
`Font
`
`CJ[Q]~j
`
`I
`"'I
`... -
`
`=
`
`-"
`
`'
`
`Virtual Outlet Signup Form
`
`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.")
`
`Organization:
`
`luMall
`
`Your organization's address:
`
`I
`
`This is the address where we will be sending your commision checks.
`
`Official Org Name: I BCX Enterprises, Inc.
`I 111-11-1111
`I 1234 Oak St.
`I suite 202
`I Seattle
`198121
`
`Org's Tax ID:
`Address:
`Address2:
`City:
`Zip code:
`
`I
`
`I
`
`State/Province: ~
`
`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: ''MAYBERRY"
`
`Handle:
`
`luMall
`
`Your handle password:
`
`J
`
`Type in a password. This password will allow you (arid only you) to access your account.
`I
`I
`
`Password:
`
`Retype Password:
`
`I****
`I****
`
`Page 7 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 7 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`bJIQl[g]I
`
`I~ Virtual Outlet Si~nup Example - Microsoft Internet Explorer
`-
`File Edit View ~o Eavorites
`-
`-
`!:!elp
`[1J ~ ~ ttJ .. a ~ II Links @ Today's Links @ Services
`¢ ®
`I ¢:i
`Stop
`Forward
`Address: I http://www.virtualoutlet.com/signup.htm
`Your logo:
`
`I
`...
`... ...
`
`I=
`
`.--...
`
`Back
`
`Refresh Home
`
`Favorites Print
`
`Font
`
`Type in the full URL of your logo, for example, "http:1/www.outpost.net/img/opn/OPLOGsm.GIF." You may leave
`this field blank, but your logo will not show on our pages.
`
`Logo: I http://www.umall.com/graphics/logos/mainlogo.bmp
`
`I
`
`Screen customization:
`
`You may make our scrms look just like an extension or 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/irng/opn/chalk.git"
`
`Backgrnd: I
`
`Text Colors:
`
`:=J
`
`Colors are defined in HTML as six digit hexadecimal numbers. Refer to an HTML manual for more details.
`
`Backgrnd: I COCOCO I Text: lcococo I Link:~~ Visited: 1400080 I Click: I FFOOOO I
`
`Check everything over, and submit the form. If all is well, then we will display you an example page.
`
`Page 8 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 8 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`I~ U Mall - Example Pa2e - Microsoft Internet Explorer
`File Edit View Go Eavorites
`!:!elp
`
`c::> ® ~ ~ ca
`r!::i· ~ Ii. I Links @I Today's Links
`¢:i
`Forward Stop
`Back
`Refresh Home
`Search Favorites Print
`Font
`Address: I http://www.virtualoutlet.com/cgi-bin/vo_href.exe?umall&sample
`
`Dll:ll~I
`
`@I Services
`
`131
`
`I SHOP I SEARCH I CONTACT I ABOUT I SPECIAL! I
`
`SAMPLE PAGE
`
`This is a sample page created fol" 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.
`TaxID: 111-11-1111
`Address: 1234 Oak St.
`Address2: 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 e-mail:
`
`Webmaster name: '-;::::===================================::::..
`[ Continue 11
`
`...
`
`Page 9 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 9 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`801
`
`REQUEST LOGIN SCREEN
`SCREEN FROM MERCHANT
`ACCEPT DISPLAY OF
`SCREEN AND WAIT
`FOR USER INPUT
`
`802
`
`803
`
`COLLECT INFORMATION
`FROM USER AND SEND
`TO MERCHANT AS
`LOGIN REQUEST
`
`RETURN
`
`805
`
`YES
`
`ACCEPT DISPLAY
`OF ERROR SCREEN
`
`NO
`
`807
`
`ACCEPT DISPLAY MENU
`SCREEN, WAIT FOR INPUT
`
`YES
`
`809
`
`PROCESS
`MENU
`SELECTION
`
`NO
`
`USER
`REQUESTS
`TERMINATION
`?
`
`YES
`
`Page 10 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 10 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`BILLING
`
`PROCESS
`PAGE
`LAYOUT
`
`PROCESS
`ACCOUNT
`
`PROCESS
`CHANGE
`PASSWORD
`
`CATALOGUE
`BROWSER
`
`Page 11 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 11 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`@ Merchant Catalo2 - Microsoft: Internet Explorer
`File Edit View ~o Eavorites
`!:!elp
`-
`-
`-
`t!J .. ~ Ii. I Links ~ Today's Links ~ Services
`¢ ® ~ ~ @.
`¢:i
`Back
`Forward Stop
`Refresh Home
`Search Favorites Print
`Font
`Address: I http://www.virtualoutlet.com/cgi-bin/vo_href.exe?umall&catalog
`
`DIQJ~I
`
`GI
`
`I SHOP I SEARCH I CONTACT I ABOUT I SPECIAL! I
`
`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.
`
`Click on any of these links below to see your custom page!
`
`Index:
`
`GREETING CARDS-
`
`Birthday: http://www.virtualmall.com/cgi-bin/vo hreti'UMALL&BDAY
`Anniversary: http://www.virtualmall.com/cgi-bin/vo hreti'UMALL&ANNIV
`Sympathy: http://www.virtualmall.com/cgi-bin/vo hreti'UMALL&SYMP ATHY
`
`~'?· ;tO
`
`Page 12 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 12 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`BILLING
`
`1101
`
`ASK USER
`WHETHER THE USER
`WANTS TO CHANGE
`BILLING OR CONTRACT
`OR QUIT
`
`REQUEST CONTRACT
`FROM MERCHANT
`
`1104
`
`REQUEST BILLING
`SCREEN FROM
`MERCHANT
`
`COLLECT INFORMATION
`FROM USER AND
`SEND TO MERCHANT
`REQUESTING CHANGE
`
`COLLECT INFORMATION
`FROM USER AND
`SEND TO MERCHANT
`REQUESTING CHANGE
`
`1108
`
`YES
`
`ACCEPT
`DISPLAY
`OF ERROR
`SCREEN
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`NO
`
`Page 13 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 13 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`REQUEST APPROPRIATE
`DISPLAY SCREEN
`FROM MERCHANT
`
`1201
`
`ACCEPT DISPLAY OF SCREEN -
`COLLECT INFORMATION FROM
`USER AND REQUEST TO
`UPDATE WITH MERCHANT
`
`1203
`
`1205
`
`ACCEPT
`DISPLAY
`OF ERROR
`SCREEN
`
`Page 14 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 14 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`MERCHANT _Il1TERNET _SITE
`
`LISTEN FOR
`NEXT REQUEST OR
`FOR TERMINATION
`
`1301
`
`NO
`
`1303
`
`HANDLE_REQUEST
`
`Page 15 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 15 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`HANDLE_REQUEST
`
`YES
`
`DISPLAY
`HOME
`PAGE
`
`HANDLE
`SIGN-UP
`COMPONENT
`REQUEST
`
`YES
`
`YES
`
`YES
`
`HANDLE
`ORDER PROCESSING
`COMPONENT
`REQUEST
`
`Page 16 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 16 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`HANDLE SIGN-UP
`COMPONENT REQUEST
`
`1504
`
`STORE
`SIGN UP
`INFORMATION
`
`1505
`
`1502
`
`DISPLAY
`SIGN UP
`PAGE
`
`RETURN
`
`1507
`
`DISPLAY
`CONFIRM
`PAGE
`
`1509
`
`STORE INFORMATION
`FLAG FOR REVIEW
`AND FOR SENDING
`EMAIL TO CONFIRM
`OR DENY SIGN UP
`
`1510
`
`DISPLAY
`THANK YOU
`SCREEN
`
`Page 17 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 17 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`INFORMATION STORED AT SIGN-UP
`VIRTUAL OUTLET URL
`VIRTUAL OUTLET NAME
`TAXPAYER ID
`VIRTUAL OUTLET MAILING ADDRESS
`SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
`VIRTUAL OUTLET EMAIL ADDRESS
`BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER
`PROPOSED PASSWARD
`URL OF LOCOS TO DISPLAY ON ORDER PACE(S)
`URL FOR GRAPHICS FOR BACKGROUND
`COLORS FOR VARIOUS PARTS OF SCREEN
`FONTS FOR TEXT
`OTHER CHARACTERISTICS FOR HTML DISPLAY
`NAVIGATION BAR
`BANNER ADVERTISING
`
`Page 18 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 18 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`HANDLE MAINTENANCE
`COMPONENT REQUEST
`
`HANDLE
`LOGIN
`REQUEST
`
`HANDLE
`CATALOGUE
`REQUEST
`
`HANDLE
`BILLING
`REQUEST
`
`HANDLE
`PAGE LAYOUT
`REQUEST
`
`HANDLE
`ACCOUNT
`REQUEST
`
`HANDLE
`PASSWORD
`REQUEST
`
`Page 19 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 19 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`HANDLE LOGIN REQUEST
`
`1802
`
`YES
`
`DISPLAY
`LOGIN
`SCREEN
`
`NO
`
`1804
`
`YES
`
`DISPLAY
`ERROR
`SCREEN
`
`1805
`
`NO
`
`DISPLAY
`MAIN
`MENU
`
`Page 20 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 20 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`HANDLE CATALOGUE REQUEST
`
`1902
`
`DISPLAY
`ERROR
`SCREEN
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`NO
`
`1904
`
`DISPLAY
`REQUESTED
`CATALOGUE
`PACE
`
`Page 21 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 21 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`HANDLE BILLING REQUEST
`
`NO
`
`DISPLAY
`ERROR
`SCREEN
`
`YES
`
`DISPLAY
`CURRENT
`BILLING FOR VO
`
`YES
`
`DISPLAY
`CURRENT
`CONTRACT
`FOR VO
`
`2002
`
`YES
`
`DISPLAY
`ERROR
`SCREEN
`
`NO
`
`RETURN
`
`YES
`
`STORE NEW
`BILLING
`INFORMATION
`IN DATABASE
`AND FLAG FOR
`REVIEW AND
`EMAIL RESPONSE
`
`YES
`
`STORE NEW
`CONTRACT
`INFORMATION
`IN DATABASE
`AND FLAG FOR
`REVIEW AND
`EMAIL RESPONSE
`
`Page 22 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
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`Sheet 22 of 28
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`6,016,504
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`DISPLAY
`CURRENT
`PACE LAYOUT
`
`HANDLE PACE
`LAYOUT REQUEST
`
`DISPLAY
`ERROR
`SCREEN
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`STORE
`NEW
`PACE
`LAYOUT
`
`NO
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`Page 23 of 38
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
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`Sheet 23 of 28
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`6,016,504
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`HANDLE
`ACCOUNT REQUEST
`
`NO
`
`DISPLAY
`ERROR
`SCREEN
`
`YES DISPLAY ACCOUNT
`ENABLE/DISABLE
`SCREEN
`
`YES
`
`DISABLE
`ACCOUNT - - - - -
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`NO
`
`ENABLE
`ACCOUNT
`
`Page 24 of 38
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 24 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`HANDLE
`PASSWORD REQUEST
`
`DISPLAY
`ERROR
`SCREEN
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`DISPLAY
`>--.._ PASSWORD
`SCREEN
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`STORE NEW
`PASSWORD
`
`Page 25 of 38
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 25 of 28
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`6,016,504
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`HANDLE ORDER
`PROCESSING REQUEST
`
`2404A
`
`DISPLAY
`ERROR
`SCREEN
`
`YES
`
`2404B
`
`RETRIEVE VO
`INFORMATION AND
`CREATE TEMPLATE
`FOR VO PAGE
`
`2405
`
`DISPLAY
`VO PACE TO
`CUSTOMER
`
`2407
`
`YES
`
`DISPLAY
`ORDER
`CONFIRM
`SCREEN
`
`2409
`
`CONFIRM
`ORDER
`
`NO
`
`NO
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`Page 26 of 38
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 26 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`l@I General Store - Microsoft Internet Explorer
`Ble £dit ~iew §o Eavorites J::!elp
`rn ~ ca ~.. ~
`¢ ®
`¢:i
`Back
`Forward Stop
`Refresh Home
`Address: I http://www.umall.com
`
`Search Favorites Print
`
`Ji. I Links ~ Today's Links ~ Services
`
`Font
`
`.
`
`13
`
`I SHOP I SEARCH I CONTACT I ABOUT I SPECIAL! I
`
`•DECORATION
`Handcrafted Shaker inspired furniture 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.
`•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.
`
`• UMall Greeting Cards
`An easy way to send real greeting cards! Choose from our line of high-quality cards.
`• The Flower Stop
`The Internet's fresh flower market.
`•Jones & Jones
`An independent handcrafted picture frame company.
`
`Page 27 of 38
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 27 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`I@ u Mall -- Greeting cards -- Birthday - Microsoft Internet Explorer
`t!elp
`Eile ~dit yiew §o Eavorites
`¢l ~ ® ~ ~ ca
`l!J.. ~ Ii. I Links @ Today's Links @ Services
`
`Back
`
`Forward Stop
`
`Refresh Home
`
`Search Favorites Print
`
`Font
`
`.
`
`I SHOP I SEARCH I CONTACT I ABOUT I SPECIAL! I
`
`fuppy BIRTHDAY!
`
`Price:$3.75
`
`Instructions:
`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
`
`(click on card to see larger image)
`Show mean
`
`...
`
`Page 28 of 38
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.18,2000
`
`Sheet 28 of 28
`
`6,016,504
`
`I~ Ready to process ... - Microsoft Internet Explorer
`file ~dit View Go
`tavorites
`!jelp
`q ® ~ ~ @. r!J·
`(!j
`¢:i
`Forward
`Stop
`Refresh Home
`Search Favorites Print
`Back
`Address: I http://www.virtualoutlet.com/cgi-bin/CONFIRM.exe
`
`fi. I Links ~ Today's Links ~ Services
`
`Font
`
`.
`
`To complete your order
`PRESS THE COMFIRM ORDER BUTTON
`I Confirm Order 11
`
`Order Summary:
`
`Price (1 item(s) at 3.75 per item) :
`Order Total:
`US
`
`$
`
`3.75
`3.75
`
`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
`
`13
`
`...
`
`Page 29 of 38
`
`

`

`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
`
`5
`
`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
`10 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/
`15 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
`20 connection failure strategies. The stateless nature of the Web
`simplifies the server and client architectures.
`
`30
`
`35
`
`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 ("WWW") was designed as an easy visual interface for
`representatives of the Internet. The WWW 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 25
`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://acme.com/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(cid:173)
`specific part contains additional information useful in estab(cid:173)
`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 40
`WWW site. The remainder of the URL following the colon
`is the scheme-specific part that, for WWW servers, generally
`indicates a host HTTP 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 45
`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 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(cid:173)
`puter an HTML file that defines the Web page. When the
`requested HTML file is received by the client computer, the 55
`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 60
`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, 65
`a representative may be able not only to navigate among
`Web pages available on the server to which he initially
`
`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(cid:173)
`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. A problem 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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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.
`
`Page 30 of 38
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`

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`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 5
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`lems. The first two problems are the same problems as with
`the advertising method: failure of customers to return to the 40
`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. 45
`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 50
`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- 55
`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(cid:173)
`tially a life-long customer, to the selling site, for which the
`content-rich site owner will receive no ongoing commission. 60
`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 65
`method for establishing a computer-based relationship
`between a content-rich site and a selling site.
`
`35
`
`4
`SUMMARY OF IBE 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
`10 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
`15 requested Web page from the virtual outlet, it displays the
`Web page. When the customer selects the product to pur(cid:173)
`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.
`20 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.
`25 The modified merchant Web page is displayed at the cus(cid:173)
`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
`30 page identified by the return link in the modified merchant
`Web page.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. lA is a block diagram illustrating a preferred com(cid:173)
`puter system that includes the present invention.
`FIG. lB 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 displays an example sign-up Web page.
`FIG. 6 displays an example sign-up Web page.
`FIG. 7 displays an example confirmation Web page.
`FIG. 8 shows a flow control diagram for the Login
`routine.
`FIG. 9 shows a flow control diagram for Process_Menu_
`Selection.
`FIG. 10 shows an example merchant catalog Web page.
`FIG. 11 shows a flow control diagram for the routine
`Billing.
`FIG. 12 shows a flow control diagram for the routine
`Process.
`FIG. 13 shows a flow control diagram for the merchant
`portion of the virtual outlet retailing system.
`FIG. 14 shows a flow control diagram for the routine
`Request.
`FIG. 15 shows a flow control diagram for the Sign-up_
`