US007065555B2
`
`(12)
`
`United States Patent
`Foulger et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,065,555 B2
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD RELATED TO
`GENERATING AND TRACKING AN EMAIL
`CAMPAIGN
`
`(75) Inventors: Michael G. Foulger, Novato, CA (US);
`Thomas R. Chipperfield, Petaluma,
`CA (US); Jeremy S. Cooper, Petaluma
`CA (US). Andrew C. Storms
`s
`Petaluma, CA (US)
`(73) Assignee: IC Planet Corporation, San Rafael,
`CA (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`-
`0
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 696 days.
`21) Appl. No.: 09/841186
`(21) Appl. No
`9
`(22) Filed:
`Apr. 25, 2001
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2002fOO32738 A1
`Mar. 14, 2002
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/199,355, filed on Apr.
`25, 2000.
`
`(51) Int. Cl
`(2006.01)
`G06F 5/16
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 709/206: 709/201: 709/203
`(58) Field of Classification Search ........ 709/206-207,
`709/223 225, 201–203
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,265,033 A * 11/1993 Vajk et al. .................. TO9,206
`5,793972 A * 8/1998 Shane ........................ TO9,219
`5,818.447 A 10, 1998 Wolf et al.
`5.937,162 A * 8/1999 Funk et al. ................. TO9,206
`5,966,695 A * 10/1999 Melchione et al. ........... 70.5/10
`5,978,799 A 11, 1999 Hirsch
`
`6,055,510 A * 4/2000 Henrick et al. ............... TO5/14
`6,101,485 A * 8/2000 Fortenberry et al. .......... 705/27
`6,170,011 B1* 1/2001 Macleod Beck et al. ... 709/224
`6,360,254 B1* 3/2002 Linden et al. .............. TO9,219
`6,377,936 B1 * 4/2002 Henrick et al. ............... TO5/14
`6,449,635 B1* 9/2002 Tilden et al. .....
`... 709,206
`6,549,950 B1* 4/2003 Lytle et al. ....
`... 709,206
`6,618,747 B1 * 9/2003 Flynn et al. ................ TO9,206
`
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`WO
`
`WOOO,20975 A1
`
`4, 2000
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Anderson, D., “E-mail or Me-Mail?” The Industry Standard,
`IDG.net, Printed from http://www.thestandard/com/article/
`s
`display/0,1151,12422,00.html. 4 pages (Mar. 6, 2000).
`
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner Bharat Barot
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Sterne Kessler Goldstein &
`FOX PLLC
`OX,
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method and sy
`forg
`ing and tracking
`il
`method and SVStem Or generating and track1ng an ema1
`campaign is described. An email campaign generator gen
`erates an email campaign template from an email target
`database. The email target database comprises at least one
`email target. An email campaign engine generates a custom
`email corresponding to each of the at least one email target.
`The custom email is formed from the email campaign
`template. The email campaign engine sends to each of the at
`least one email target the corresponding custom email. A
`campaign tracker receives at least one response correspond
`ing to the sent custom email. The campaign tracker creates
`a campaign tracking list that includes the received at least
`one response.
`
`17 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`110
`
`S
`
`-zo
`
`Email Campaign
`Generator
`
`
`
`Email Campaign
`Engine
`
`Compaign
`Tracker
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.1
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`US 7,065,555 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6,668.281 B1* 12/2003 Ayyadurai .................. TO9,206
`6,694,353 B1* 2/2004 Sommerer .................. TO9,206
`6,721,784 B1 * 4/2004 Leonard et al. ............. TO9,206
`6,854,007 B1 * 2/2005 Hammond .................. TO9,206
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Cross, R. and Nassef, A., “E-Mail Direct Marketing Comes
`of Age.” Direct Marketing, Hoke Communications, vol. 62,
`No. 6, pp. 44-45 (Oct. 1999).
`
`
`
`“Top Ten Strategies for Direct Email Success. Boldfish
`Corporation, Printed from http://www.boldfish.com/BF
`emguide/top-ten.html, 7 pages (Jan. 1, 2000).
`English-Language Abstract of Japanese Patent Publication
`No. 2000020421, European Patent Office, 1 page (Jan. 21,
`2000 Date of publication of application).
`Copy of International Search Report from PCT Application
`No. PCT/US01/13137, 7 pages, mailed Aug. 28, 2002.
`* cited by examiner
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.2
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 of 14
`
`US 7,065,555 B2
`
`
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.3
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`Sheet 2 of 14
`
`US 7,065,555 B2
`
`0
`9
`
`uôIDduIDO
`J93|00]]
`
`
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.4
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`Sheet 3 of 14
`
`US 7,065,555 B2
`
`
`
`210
`
`Email Compaign
`Generotor
`
`310
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Emoil
`Target List
`
`320
`
`Text Message:
`Text
`Tags:
`<full nomes
`<edit URL>
`-
`
`
`
`.cfgFile:
`Invariont doto
`Voriant doto
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`350
`
`FIG.3A
`
`210
`
`340
`
`URL Generotor
`
`FIG.3B
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.5
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`Sheet 4 of 14
`
`US 7,065,555 B2
`
`Text Message 320
`
`.cfg file 330
`
`220
`
`Email Campaign
`Engine
`
`
`
`FIG.4
`
`410
`
`
`
`Emoil
`MeSSOQe
`9
`
`Email Campaign
`Doto 290
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.6
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`Sheet 5 of 14
`
`US 7,065,555 B2
`
`Firewall 510
`
`
`
`230
`
`270
`
`Campaign Tracker
`
`
`
`520
`250 Campaign list:
`Campaign #1
`Campaign #2
`
`Email Compaign
`Doto 290
`
`Stotistical
`Dota
`
`610
`
`
`
`- Campaign ID
`- Version ID
`- C ID (userid)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Private Key
`Private Key
`670
`
`630
`/
`32 Bytes Total
`B
`as
`16 Bytes
`6 Bytes
`
`620
`Hosh
`Generator
`
`650
`
`640
`Host Web address v
`Customized URL 660
`
`FIG.6
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.7
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`Sheet 6 of 14
`
`US 7,065,555 B2
`
`
`
`700
`
`710
`
`730
`
`740
`
`Resume
`Porser
`
`Fine
`Categorizer
`
`Dotobose
`inserter
`
`Email De
`duplicator
`
`FIG.7
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.8
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`Sheet 7 of 14
`
`US 7,065,555 B2
`
`-816
`31 1
`
`4.56%
`
`3 11
`
`2.10%
`
`o5 O
`
`20.00%
`
`29 1
`
`24.00%
`
`29
`
`2.56%
`
`INTRANET HOME
`EMAIL STATISTICS HOME
`EMAIL CAMPAIGN HISTORY 800
`802
`-806
`cAMPAIGHTS' SUBJECf
`WE FOUND YOUR
`RESUME (W/NAME)
`Pt. 2
`WE FOUND YOUR
`RESUME (FOLLOW
`UP TO 31.1)
`WE FOUND YOUR
`RESUME (W/NAME)
`pt. 1
`WE FOUND YOUR
`RESUME (W/NAME)
`WE FOUND YOUR
`RESUME (W/NAME:
`FOLLOW-UP 1
`TO 29.1)
`WE FOUND YOUR
`RESUME
`WE FOUND YOUR
`RESUME (FOLLOW
`UP 1 TO 28.1)
`WE FOUND YOUR
`RESUME
`WE FOUND YOUR
`RESUME
`WE FOUND YOUR
`RESUME (FOLLOW
`UP 1 TO 27.1)
`WE FOUND YOUR
`RESUME (FOLLOW
`UP 1 TO 27.2)
`WE FOUND YOUR
`RESUME
`WE FOUND YOUR
`RESUME
`
`28
`
`14.00%
`
`28 11
`
`16.09%
`
`27
`
`17.00%
`
`27 2
`
`4.00%
`
`27 11
`
`11.90%
`
`27 21
`
`9.20%
`
`1
`
`1
`
`31.91%
`
`11 2
`
`17.20%
`
`FIG.8A
`-812
`MESSAGE TEXT
`
`-814
`DEMOGRAPHICS
`
`ICSolicitotion03.01.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion051.011.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion030.01.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion029.01.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion029.01.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion028.01.txt
`
`CHART
`
`CSolicitotion028,011.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion027.01.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion.027.02.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion027,011.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion027,021.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion01.01.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion01.02.txt
`
`CHART
`
`-808
`DATE
`GENERATED
`2000-03-05
`17:05:00
`
`2000-03-14
`13:46:00
`
`2000-03-03
`16:15:00
`
`2000-02-14
`16:31:00
`2000-02-23
`16:02:00
`
`2000-01-28
`18:25:00
`
`2000-02-04
`18:55:00
`
`2000-01-25
`19:39:00
`2000-01-28
`18:22:00
`
`2000-02-04
`18:54:00
`
`2000-02-04
`18:55:00
`
`1999-0-19
`18:24:00
`1999-10-22
`16:05:00
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.9
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`US 7,065,555 B2
`
`
`
`006 :NOWdWO SIHI NI INES ($) TWWE
`
`
`
`
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.10
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`Sheet 9 of 14
`
`US 7,065,555 B2
`
`An email torget dotobose is received
`
`910
`
`
`
`An email campaign template reloted to ot leost One emoil torget in
`the received emoil torget dotobase is generated
`
`920
`
`
`
`An email customized for each email torget is sent to each email torget, wherein each
`customized email is formed from the emoil campaign template
`
`930
`
`The sent Custom email is tracked
`
`940
`
`FIG.9
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.11
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`Sheet 10 of 14
`
`US 7,065,555 B2
`
`1010
`
`At least One raw document is collected
`
`
`
`
`
`1020
`
`The collected at least one document is parsed
`
`
`
`O30
`
`The parsed ot least One document is cotegorized into at least one Category
`
`
`
`
`
`1040
`
`At least One document is inserted into O dotobose
`
`1050
`
`Documents Ore removed from the dotobose
`corresponding to duplicate email addresses
`
`FIG.10
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.12
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`Sheet 11 of 14
`
`US 7,065,555 B2
`
`1110
`
`A message template is generated
`
`A configuration file is generated to contain doto related to each email target, wherein the doto for
`each emoil torget is insertable in the generoted message template
`
`FIG. 1 1A
`
`
`
`1130
`
`A custom uniform resource locator address is generated for each email target
`
`140
`
`The generated custom uniform resource locator address for each
`email target is inserted into the configurotion file
`
`FG, 11B
`
`1150
`
`A 32-byte hosh is generated from a campaign ID, a message template version ID, a user
`reference D, and a privote key, for each email torget
`
`
`
`
`
`1160
`
`The first 16-byte of the generated 32-byte hash for each email torget
`is oppended to a host web Oddress to form the custom uniform
`resource locotor Oddress for each target
`FIG. 1 1 C
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.13
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`Sheet 12 of 14
`
`US 7,065,555 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`N
`
`Dae
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.14
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`
`
`
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.15
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`Sheet 14 of 14
`
`US 7,065,555 B2
`
`1442
`
`1440
`-1
`
`
`
`
`
`O O. O. O. O. O.
`O
`O
`O
`O
`O
`O
`O
`O O. O. O. O. O.
`O
`
`O
`O
`O
`PROCESSOR O
`O
`O
`O
`O
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`INFRASTRUCTURE
`
`1444
`
`1446
`
`1448
`
`
`
`- 1454.
`1450
`1452
`HARD DISK DRIVE
`S->
`REMOVABLE t1, REMOVABLE
`STORAGEDRME St’ StoRAGE UNIT
`REMOVABLE
`
`
`
`1466
`
`1462
`
`1468
`
`COMMUNICATION
`INTERFACE
`
`1464
`
`FIG. 14
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.16
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`1.
`SYSTEMAND METHOD RELATED TO
`GENERATING AND TRACKING AN EMAIL
`CAMPAIGN
`
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional 5
`Application No. 60/199,355, filed Apr. 25, 2000.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention is directed to marketing via email,
`and, in particular, to generating and tracking marketing
`related email.
`2. Background Art
`The ability to market a product or service to individuals 15
`who are accessible on the Internet is becoming increasingly
`important. Effective ways of contacting these individuals are
`being sought. For instance, to market to these individuals,
`email may be sent to the individuals over the Internet, to
`provide information related to the product or service. Email 20
`systems exist today for sending email to a target set of email
`addresses for purposes such as marketing, information
`acquisition, and otherwise. A system for sending email to a
`number of email targets for Such purposes may be called an
`email campaign.
`Present email campaigns may suffer from difficulties in
`locating a pool of relevant individuals to be contacted. In a
`Small email campaign, each email sent is critical to the
`Success of the campaign, and needs to be carefully created.
`In other situations, large numbers of individuals to be 30
`contacted may have been found. This may result in increased
`difficulty in tailoring the large number of required email
`messages to the individuals for more effective contact.
`Furthermore, once an email campaign has been initiated,
`difficulties in measuring Success of the email campaign are 35
`presented. Effective ways for determining whether email
`recipients have received email from the email campaign
`have been sought. Also, effective ways for allowing the
`email recipients to provide feedback have also been sought.
`It may be desirable for the email recipients to be able to 40
`respond with feedback, and for the quantity and content of
`the responses to be monitored and tracked.
`In light of the foregoing, what is needed is an efficient way
`to create and track a email campaign.
`
`25
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`45
`
`The present invention is directed to a system for gener
`ating and tracking an email campaign. An email campaign
`generator generates an email campaign template from an 50
`email target database. The email target database includes at
`least one email target. An email campaign engine generates
`a custom email corresponding to each of the email targets in
`the email target database. The custom email are formed from
`the email campaign template. The email campaign engine 55
`sends each custom email to the corresponding email target.
`A campaign tracker receives at least one response corre
`sponding to one or more of the sent custom email. The
`campaign tracker creates a campaign tracking list that
`includes the received at least one response.
`The present invention is further directed to a method for
`an email campaign. An email target database is received. An
`email campaign template related to at least one email target
`in the received email target database is generated. An email
`customized for each email target is sent to the respective 65
`email target. Each customized email is formed from the
`email campaign template. The sent custom email is tracked.
`
`60
`
`US 7,065,555 B2
`
`2
`The email campaign template can be generated by gen
`erating a message template, and generating a configuration
`file to contain data related to each email target. The data for
`each email target is insertable in the generated message
`template. The data may include a custom resource locator
`address. The custom uniform resource locator (URL)
`address can be generated for each email target. The gener
`ated custom URL address for each email target is inserted
`into the configuration file. A message authentication code
`can be generated for each email target. All or a portion of the
`generated message authentication code for each email target
`can be appended to a host web address to form the custom
`URL address for each target.
`Further features and advantages of the invention as well
`as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the
`present invention are described in detail below with refer
`ence to the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE
`DRAWINGSFFIGURES
`
`The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated
`herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the
`present invention and, together with the description, further
`serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable
`a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the
`invention.
`FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computer network accord
`ing to the present invention.
`FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary email campaign generator
`and tracker, according to an embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 3A illustrates structure and operation of an exem
`plary email campaign generator, according to an embodi
`ment of the present invention.
`FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary email campaign genera
`tor, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 4 illustrates structure and operation of an exemplary
`email campaign engine, according to an embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 5 illustrates structure and operation of an exemplary
`campaign tracker, according to an embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 6 illustrates generation of a customized URL
`address, according to an example embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary email target database
`generator, according to an embodiment of the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 8A illustrates an example email campaign history,
`according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 8B illustrates an example email campaign Summary,
`according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of operation
`according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of operation
`for generating an email target database, according to an
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIGS. 11A-C are flowcharts illustrating sequences of
`operation related to generating an email campaign template,
`FIG. 12 is a diagram of an example Internet environment
`according to the present invention.
`FIG. 13 shows a simplified four-layered communication
`model Supporting Web commerce.
`FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a computer system accord
`ing to an example implementation of the present invention.
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.17
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`US 7,065,555 B2
`
`3
`The present invention will now be described with refer
`ence to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like
`reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar
`elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference
`number identifies the drawing in which the reference num
`ber first appears.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`10
`
`4
`an email target database from raw documentation, such as
`one or more resumes obtained from the Internet. Email
`campaign generator and tracker 110 generates a custom
`email for one or more of the email targets in the email target
`database, and sends each custom email to the corresponding
`email target. Email campaign generator and tracker 110 then
`tracks and organizes responses from the email targets. Email
`campaign generator and tracker 110 as described in this
`section and elsewhere herein can be achieved using any
`number of structural implementations, including hardware,
`firmware, software, or any combination thereof. For
`example, email campaign generator and tracker 110 may
`reside and operate in a computer system. The details of Such
`structural implementations will be apparent to persons
`skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained
`herein.
`Email campaign generator and tracker 110 is coupled to
`network 120 via first communications link 160. First com
`munications link 160 can be any Suitable communications
`link for interfacing a computer system or other hardware
`with a network, such as network 120, as would be apparent
`to a person skilled in the relevant art(s) from the teachings
`herein.
`Network 120 can be any communications network known
`to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) from the teachings
`herein. For instance, network 120 can be a network such as
`a local area network (LAN), an intranet, or the Internet.
`Examples embodiments for network 120 are further
`described herein. An example network 120 can include an
`Internet 1200, which is illustrated in FIG. 12 as described
`more fully below.
`First, second, and third user computer systems 130, 140,
`and 150 are coupled to network 120 via a second, a third, and
`a fourth communications link 170, 180, and 190, respec
`tively. First, second, and third user computer systems 130,
`140, and 150 can be any computer systems that are config
`ured to receive and send email, and can access web pages.
`Suitable computer systems would be apparent to a person
`skilled in the relevant art(s). Any number of user computer
`systems may interface with network 120, according to
`embodiments of the present invention.
`Second, third, and fourth communications links 170, 180,
`and 190 can be any suitable communications links for
`interfacing a computer system or other hardware with a
`network, such as network 120, as would be recognized by
`persons skilled in the relative art(s) from the teachings
`herein. Various Suitable communication links for first, sec
`ond, third, and fourth communications links 160, 170, 180,
`and 190 are described below in relation to FIGS. 12–14.
`Description in these terms is provided for convenience
`only. It is not intended that the invention be limited to
`application in this example network environment. In fact,
`after reading the following description, it will become
`apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art(s) how to
`implement the invention in alternative environments known
`now or developed in the future.
`Email Campaign Generator and Tracker
`FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary email campaign generator
`and tracker 110, according to an embodiment of the present
`invention. Email campaign generator and tracker 110
`includes an email campaign generator 210, an email cam
`paign engine 220, and a campaign tracker 230.
`Email campaign generator 210 receives an email target
`database 295. In embodiments, the email campaign genera
`tor 210 generates an email campaign template 280 from
`email target database 295. Email target database 295
`
`15
`
`Overview
`The present invention is directed to a method and system
`for generating and tracking an email campaign. An email
`campaign generator generates an email campaign template
`from an email target database. The email target database
`includes one or more email targets. An email campaign
`engine generates a custom email corresponding to each of
`the email targets in the email target database. The custom
`email are formed from the email campaign template. The
`email campaign engine sends each custom email to the
`corresponding email target. A campaign tracker receives at
`least one response corresponding to one or more of the sent
`custom email. The campaign tracker creates a campaign
`tracking list that includes the received at least one response.
`In an example embodiment, the email campaign is related
`to permission-based marketing. For example, the email
`campaign may be related to permission-based marketing of
`resumes. The resumes may have been collected by an email
`campaign host or manager from the Internet by Spider
`engines, or otherwise. The invention determines email tar
`gets or email addresses for each resume. This allows the
`email campaign host or manager to send a custom email to
`each resume owner, to request their permission to post the
`resume owner's resume on the email campaign hosts web
`site, for example. The resume owner may provide their
`permission via a custom uniform resource locator (URL)
`address provided to the resume owner in the custom email.
`The resume owner may select the custom URL address,
`which will open a custom web page displaying the resume
`owner's collected resume. The resume owner may then
`optionally edit their collected resume on the web page. The
`resume owner may also decline to have their resume posted
`via email or the custom URL.
`The invention is also adaptable to information and docu
`ments other than resumes, as would be understood persons
`skilled in the relevant art(s) from the teachings herein. The
`alternative information and documents should have an email
`address associated with them, so that the information and
`document owners may be contacted by email, as described
`according to the present invention herein.
`The invention is adaptable to any type of web, Internet,
`network, and other form of electronic communication used
`for marketing of information, information broadcasting, and
`any other form of communication tracking and handling.
`System Level Description
`FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computer network 100,
`according to embodiments of the present invention. Com
`puter network 100 includes an email campaign generator
`and tracker 110, a network 120, a first user computer system
`130, a second user computer system 140, and a third user
`computer system 150.
`Email campaign generator and tracker 110 generates and
`tracks an email campaign, according to the present inven
`tion. In embodiments, email campaign generator and tracker
`110 receives an email target database. In alternate embodi
`ments, email campaign generator and tracker 110 generates
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.18
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`US 7,065,555 B2
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`5
`includes a plurality of email targets (email addresses, for
`example). In an embodiment where the email campaign is
`related to a collection of resumes, email target database 295
`may include one or more resumes, each with a correspond
`ing email address for the resume owner.
`FIG. 3A illustrates operation and structure of exemplary
`email campaign generator 210, according to an embodiment
`of the present invention. Email campaign generator 210
`receives an email target list 310. In an embodiment, email
`campaign generator 210 requests email target list 310
`according to a structured query language (SQL) statement,
`as would be understood by persons skilled in the relevant
`art(s) from the teachings herein. Email target database 295
`may include email target list 310.
`Email campaign generator 210 outputs a text message file
`320 and a configuration file 330. Text message file 320 and
`configuration file 330 are included in email campaign tem
`plate 280.
`Text message file 320 is a customized text message for the
`current email campaign. Hence, text message file 320 con
`tains a textual message for an email recipient. Text message
`file 320 also contains a series of custom tags to be filled in
`with email recipient specific data, such as the recipient's full
`name, other recipient specific data, and a custom URL.
`When a custom email is received from the current email
`campaign, the recipient may select the custom URL in the
`received email, which will open a web page for the recipient
`that the email campaign manager desires the recipient to
`V1eW.
`Configuration file 330 is generated to contain data related
`to each email target or recipient. The data for each email
`target is insertable in the message template created from text
`message file 320. This data may include invariant data and
`variant data, as shown in FIG. 3A. Invariant data may
`include information such as the subject line of the email
`message (i.e., “we found your resume”), and other items in
`the email message that will not vary from email to email in
`a particular email campaign. The invariant data may also
`include email source server information. Variant data may
`40
`include custom information used to fill in the custom tags of
`text message file 320, such as full name="John Jones”.
`In an embodiment, email campaign generator 210 creates
`a custom URL. FIG. 3B illustrates an example email cam
`paign generator 210, according to an embodiment of the
`45
`present invention. Email campaign generator 210 includes a
`URL generator 340. In an embodiment, URL generator 340
`uses an MD5 hash to create a custom URL for each email
`target or recipient. Other message authentication code gen
`erators other than MD5 may be adapted for this use, as
`would be recognized by persons skilled in the relevant art(s)
`from the teachings herein.
`FIG. 6 illustrates generation of a customized URL 660,
`according to an example embodiment of the present inven
`tion. For example, URL generator 340 may operate accord
`ing to the operation and structure shown in FIG. 6. A custom
`URL address is typically generated for each email target,
`although in Some situations it may be advantageous to
`provide the same URL address to one or more recipients.
`The generated custom URL address for each email target is
`inserted as data into configuration file 330.
`As shown in FIG. 6, a hash generator 620 receives ID file
`610. ID file 610 includes a campaign ID, a version ID, and
`an IC (independent contractor) ID (userid). The campaign
`ID is unique for each email campaign conducted. The
`version ID is the current version of text message file 320.
`The IC ID is a unique ID for the current email target.
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`Hash generator 620 further receives a private key 670.
`Private key 670 is a private key or password unique to the
`email campaign host, as would be understood by persons
`skilled in the relevant art(s) from the teachings herein.
`Hash generator 620 generates a 32-byte hash 630 from the
`campaign ID, the version ID, the IC ID, and the private key
`670, for each email target. For example, hash generator 620
`may use MD5 to create hash 630. The invention is applicable
`to hash sizes other than 32-bytes, although a 32-byte hash is
`provided as an example herein.
`16 bytes of the generated 32-byte hash 630 are appended
`to a host web address 680 to form customized URL 660 for
`each email target. Either a first 16 bytes 640 or a second 16
`bytes 650 of 32-byte hash 630 may be appended to host web
`address 680. Other portions of generated hash 630 may also
`be used
`Various host web addresses may be used for host web
`address 680. In an example embodiment, a generic host web
`address 680 is equal to:
`hostname/module?token
`where “hostname'. “module', and “token are replaceable
`parameters. “hostname may be replaced by any addressable
`Internet address, such as “www.icplanet.com'. “module'
`may be replaced by any identifier or filename for software
`that handles execution of the link of customized URL 660
`when it is selected by the email recipient. "token may be
`replaced with any collection of numbers or letters that
`identify unique information related to customized URL 660.
`For example, host web address 680 may be equal to:
`
`where "hostname' is equal to "www.hostname.com'."mod
`ule' is equal to “rz.cfm’, and token is equal to
`“&a=&b=&c=’.
`When an email target or recipient receives customized
`URL 660 in the custom email message, the recipient may
`select it, to view their custom web site, which is hosted at the
`email campaign host. The email campaign host compares the
`incoming URL address request to local data tables to verify
`the validity of the URL recipient, to allow the recipient
`access to the web page. Once the recipient is verified, the
`recipient may view and edit the web site. For example, when
`the web page represents the recipient's resume, the recipient
`may edit their posted resume.
`In the described embodiment, 16 bytes of the 32 byte hash
`are utilized because, in tools such as Eudora and Outlook,
`text is cut off at 72 characters, and then does a word wrap.
`Hence, a "clickable URL sent via email that is longer than
`72 characters would wrap, and may then become an unex
`ecutable link. Using 16 bytes of the 32 byte hash keeps the
`URL address length below the 72 character limit, avoiding
`word wrap.
`As shown in FIG. 2, email campaign engine 220 receives
`email campaign template 280, and outputs email 260 and
`email campaign data 290. Email 260 includes one or more
`custom email messages. Email campaign data 290 is
`described more fully elsewhere herein. FIG. 4 illustrates
`operation and structure of an exemplary email campaign
`engine 220, according to an embodiment of the present
`invention. Email campaign engine 220 receives text mes
`sage file 320 and configuration file 330.
`Email campaign engine 220 generates a custom email
`message 410 corresponding to each email target in email
`target database 295. Email message 410 is formed from
`email campaign template 280 (text message file 320 and
`configuration file 330). Email campaign engine 220 copies
`text message file 320, and replaces each custom tag in text
`
`American Airlines, Ex. 1001, p.19
`American Airlines v. Advanced Transactions
`IPR2023-01366
`
`

`

`US 7,065,555 B2
`
`10
`
`15
`
`7
`message file 320 with corresponding data in configuration
`file 330, to generate custom email message 410. For
`example, customized URL 660 may be inserted for a cor
`responding custom tag in custom email message 410. Email
`campaign engine 220 sends each custom email message 410
`to a corresponding email target.
`Email campaign engine 220 also outputs email campaign
`data 290. For example, email campaign data 290 includes
`any data that may be utilize