Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document 1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page 1 of 26 PageID 57
`Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page1of26 PagelD 57
`
`EXHIBIT 2
`EXHIBIT 2
`
`

`

`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`(73)
`
`(*)
`
`(21)
`(22)
`(65)
`
`(63)
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`Inventors: Michael G. Foulger, Novato, CA (US);
`Thomas R. Chipperfield, Petaluma,
`CA (US); Jeremy S. Cooper, Petaluma,
`CA (US); Andrew C. Storms,
`Petaluma, CA (US)
`Assignee: Archeron Limited LLC, Wilmington,
`DE (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`Notice:
`
`Appl. No.: 11/452,431
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 14, 2006
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2007/002217O A1
`Jan. 25, 2007
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation of application No. 09/841,186, filed on
`Apr. 25, 2001, now Pat. No. 7,065,555.
`Provisional application No. 60/199,355, filed on Apr.
`25, 2000.
`
`Int. C.
`(2006.01)
`G06F 5/16
`U.S. Cl. ....................... 709/206: 709/201: 709/203
`Field of Classification Search ........ 709/201-203,
`709/206. 207, 223 225
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,164,897 A 11/1992 Clark et al.
`
`Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document 1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page 2 of 26 PageID 58
`
`310
`
`
`
`210
`
`Emoil
`Target List
`
`Email Campaign
`Generator
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Foulger et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,386,594 B2
`*Jun. 10, 2008
`
`USOO738.6594B2
`
`SYSTEMAND METHOD RELATED TO
`GENERATING AN EMAIL CAMPAIGN
`
`5,265,033. A 11/1993 Vajk et al.
`5,583,995 A 12/1996 Gardner et al.
`
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`
`O9895O1 A2
`
`9, 1999
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Anderson, D., “E-mail or Me-Mail?” The Industry Standard, IDG.
`net, printed from thestandard?.com/article/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
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method and system for generating an email campaign is
`described. An email campaign generator generates 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 cam
`paign engine sends to each of the at least one email target the
`corresponding custom email. A campaign tracker receives at
`least one response corresponding to the sent custom email.
`The campaign tracker creates a campaign tracking list that
`includes the received at least one response.
`
`15 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
`320
`
`Text Message:
`Text
`Tags:
`{full nomex
`Kedit URL>
`
`
`
`.cfgFile:
`InvOriont doto
`Voriant doto
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`330
`
`

`

`US 7,386,594 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,793,972
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`6,055,510
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`6,377,936
`6,397.219
`6,401,075
`6,449,635
`6,462,676
`6,466,940
`6,523,021
`6,539,080
`6,549,950
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`6,578,022
`6,587,832
`6,594,666
`6,618,747
`6,657,558
`6,662,194
`6,668,281
`6,681,255
`6,694,353
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`6,751,606
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`6,854.007
`7,007,010
`7,065,555
`2001 OO11226
`2001/00395.08
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`2002fOO16730
`2002fOO16809
`2002fOO73343
`2002fOO82923
`2002/0103698
`2002fO147637
`2002/0152238
`2002fO156779
`2003/0037158
`2003/0046148
`2003/O128297
`2003/0145100
`2003/0229.638
`2004/0010484
`2004/0210589
`
`8, 1998
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`Wolf et al.
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`
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`
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`JP
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`WO
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`WOOO,20975 A1
`4/2000
`WO
`WO 01/13069 A1
`2, 2001
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`WO O1 (65426 A1
`9, 2001
`
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`2009-1090-98.0549.html tag=ne,404 (downloaded May 15, 2006-3
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`Intelligent Search Intermediary” Proceedings of the AI Systems in
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`on the Internet, 1999, IEEE.
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`
`Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document 1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page 3 of 26 PageID 59
`
`

`

`US 7,386,594 B2
`Page 3
`
`International Search report for Application No. PCT/US01 12510
`Apr. 18, 2001, 6 pgs mailed Sep. 5, 2002.
`Ju, J and Wang Y., “Scheduling PVM Tasks,” XP000627434,
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`York, NY. vol. 30, No. 3, Jul. 1, 1996, pp. 22-31.
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`3S products/mental ray2.htm>, internet, retrieved on Apr. 8,
`2002.
`Taylor, A., “Press Release—Avid Announces New Release of
`softimage/3d 3.8sp2,” XP002 195543, <. Softimage.com/commu
`
`nity/xsi/discuss/Archives/3dgames.archive.9907/msg0000.htm>.
`internet), retrieved on Apr. 8, 2002.
`Ganesh, Sathy, Google Groups, “Re: Group Scheduling Software
`for PC's and mac's', Sep. 22, 1994, Newsgroups: bitlistserv, novell.
`Foulger, Michael G. et al. U.S. Appl. No. 09/551,746, filed Apr. 18.
`2000 entitled "Method, System, and Computer Program Product for
`Propagating Remotely Configurable Posters of Host Site Content”.
`* cited by examiner
`
`Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document 1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page 4 of 26 PageID 60
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`US 7,386,594 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`0||
`
`| '0||
`
`0
`9
`|
`
`Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document 1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page 5 of 26 PageID 61
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 2 of 14
`
`US 7,386,594 B2
`
`
`
`Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document 1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page 6 of 26 PageID 62
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 3 of 14
`
`US 7,386,594 B2
`
`
`
`210
`
`310
`
`
`
`240
`
`
`
`Emoil
`Target List
`
`Email Campoign
`Generator
`
`320
`
`Text Message:
`Text
`Togs:
`<full nomex
`kedit URL>
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`.cfgFile:
`InVOriont doto
`Voriont doto
`
`
`
`330
`
`FIG.3A
`
`210
`
`Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document 1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page 7 of 26 PageID 63
`
`340
`
`URL Generotor
`
`FIG.3B
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 4 of 14
`
`US 7,386,594 B2
`
`Text Message 520
`
`
`
`.cfg file 550
`
`220
`
`Email Campaign
`Engine
`
`
`
`FIG.4
`
`410
`
`
`
`Emoil
`MessOOe
`9
`
`Email Compaign
`Doto 290
`
`Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document 1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page 8 of 26 PageID 64
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 5 of 14
`
`US 7,386,594 B2
`
`Firewol. 510
`
`230
`
`270
`
`Campoign Tracker
`
`520
`250 Compaign List:
`Campaign #1
`Campaign #2
`
`Email Campaign
`Doto 290
`
`530
`
`Stotisticol
`Doto
`
`FIG.5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`610
`
`- Campaign ID
`- Version D
`- IC ID (userid)
`
`
`
`Private Key
`
`Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document 1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page 9 of 26 PageID 65
`
`670
`
`630
`
`/
`32 Bytes Total
`16 Bytes
`16 Bytes
`
`620
`
`Generotor
`
`Host Web address v
`Customized URL 660
`
`FIG.6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 6 of 14
`
`US 7,386,594 B2
`
`
`
`700
`
`710
`
`750
`
`740
`
`File
`OrSer
`
`Fine
`categorizer
`
`Dotobose
`Inserter
`
`Emqil De
`duplicator
`
`FIG.7
`
`Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document 1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page 10 of 26 PageID 66
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 7 of 14
`
`7,386,594 B2
`US
`
`-816
`31 1
`
`4.56%
`
`31 11
`
`2.10%
`
`30
`
`20.00%
`
`29 1
`
`24.00%
`
`29 11
`
`2.56%
`
`INTRANET HOME
`EMAIL STATISTICS HOME
`EMAIL CAMPAIGN HISTORY 800 N.
`-806
`HIS?
`suBECf
`802
`CAMPAIGN
`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
`
`4.00%
`
`28 11
`
`16.09%
`
`27
`
`17.00%
`
`27 2
`
`14.00%
`
`Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document 1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page 11 of 26 PageID 67
`
`27 1
`
`11.90%
`
`272
`
`9.20%
`
`11 1
`
`31.91%
`
`11 2
`
`17.20%
`
`FIG.8A
`-812
`MESSAGE TEXT
`
`-814
`DEMOGRAPHICS
`
`ICSolicitotion051.01.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion01.011.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion050.01.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion029.01.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion029.011.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion028.01.txt
`
`CHART
`
`CSolicitotion028,011.txt
`
`CHART
`
`CSolicitotion027.01.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion027.02.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion027,011.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion027,021.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion01.01.txt
`
`CHART
`
`ICSolicitotion01102.txt
`
`CHART
`
`-808
`DATE
`GENERATED
`2000-03-05
`17:05:00
`
`2000-03-14
`13:46:00
`
`2000-03-05
`16:13:00
`
`2000-02-14
`16:51:00
`2000-02-25
`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
`
`1999-10-19
`18:24:00
`1999-10-22
`16:05:00
`
`

`

`Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document 1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page 12 of 26 PageID 68
`Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document 1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page 12o0f26 PagelD 68
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 8 of 14
`
`US 7,386,594 B2
`
`
`
`NMOONW3NEALVIS
`
`
`
`(%2\'St)——vO(121¢)£1—
`
`
`
`(“Sr'oZ)—XL(%6¢°72)OL—
`
`
`
`(%10°Z1)-90(y0vz1)S$
`
`
`
`(4¢6'L)-VM(%2E'L)¢-
`
`
`
`(%z£°Z)-40(4201)¢-
`
`(%0)0
`
`(%00°0)0(49Gb)Ir
`
`
`
`
`
`‘G3ONNOGLWHL(S)TIWW3
`
`
`
`NMOONVSYEAYOIILWO
`
`YSHLO-LI
`
`Y3HLO
`
`ONINSSNIONG/LOSLIHONY
`
`INANS9OVNVN/SALLND3X3
`
`JALVULSININGY
`
`
`
`‘SISAINsSS30ONS
`
`
`
`‘Sisanday3137130
`
`
`
`“SlvigdYaHlUns
`
`
`
`
`
`(%Z1'2)-AN(%98'r)2-
`
`(%10°Z)-fN(“498'r)Z:
`
`Ud/ONISLLUSAGY/ONLY
`
`ONLINNOD0V/JONVNIA
`
`(%L6'1)-YW(%rr'2)|-
`
`
`IN3NdOT3A30SS3NISNE/SIWS
`
`q$Old
`
`(%rr'Z)|-
`
`VATAREL
`
`(%bb'2)|.
`
`
`YGINIOTYO/JOINN3SY3NOLSND
`
`006
`
`‘NOIWdINVDSIHLNILN3S(S)TIVW3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Z‘id(INVN/M)3WNS3YYNOAGNNOS3MNoe
`
`
`AIVNWNSNOIWANVDTVW
`
`
`
`
`
`JWOHSOWSUVISTIVAS
`
`
`
`LINVULNI
`JWOH
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 9 of 14
`
`US 7,386,594 B2
`
`An email torget database is received
`
`910
`
`
`
`
`
`An email compoign template reloted to at leost one emoil target in
`the received emoil target databose is generated
`
`920
`
`An email customized for each email torget is sent to each email target, wherein each
`customized email is formed from the email compaign template
`
`930
`
`
`
`940
`
`FIG.9
`
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 10, 2008
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`Sheet 10 of 14
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`US 7,386,594 B2
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`1010
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`At least One row document is Collected
`
`
`
`
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`1020
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`The collected at least one document is parsed
`
`
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`O30
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`The parsed ot leost One document is categorized into ot feast one cotegory
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`
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`1040
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`At least one document is inserted into odotobose
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`1050
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`Documents Ore removed from the dotobose
`corresponding to duplicate email addresses
`
`FIG.10
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`Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document 1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page 14 of 26 PageID 70
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 11 of 14
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`US 7,386,594 B2
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`1110
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`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 generated message template
`
`F.G. 1 1A
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`
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`1130
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`A custom uniform resource locator Oddress is generated for each email target
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`1140
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`The generated custom uniform resource locator Oddress for each
`email target is inserted into the configuration file
`
`FIG, 11B
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`1150
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`
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`A 32-byte hosh is generated from o compaign ID, a message template version ID, o user
`reference D, and o private key, for each email torget
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`Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document 1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page 15 of 26 PageID 71
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`
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`1160
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`The first 16-byte of the generated 32-byte hash for each email target
`is Oppended to a host web Oddress to form the custom uniform
`resource locator address for each target
`FIG. 11 C
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`US 7,386,594 B2
`
`On
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`Cs
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`ll
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`as
`Ol
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`N
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`Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document 1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page 16 of 26 PageID 72
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 10, 2008
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`Sheet 13 of 14
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`US 7,386,594 B2
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`9 | '0||
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`Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document 1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page 17 of 26 PageID 73
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 10, 2008
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`Sheet 14 of 14
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`US 7,386,594 B2
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`1444
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`1446
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`1448
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`COMMUNICATIONS
`INFRASTRUCTURE
`
`
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`
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`1450
`1454
`1452
`HARD DISK DRIVE
`t 1 REMOVABLE
`SP REMOVABLE
`STORAGEDRME STY STORAGENT
`REMOVABLE
`1460 O INTERFACE Stje SORAGE UNIT
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`
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`Case 4:23-cv-00576-P Document 1-2 Filed 06/08/23 Page 18 of 26 PageID 74
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`1466
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`1462
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`1468
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`COMMUNICATION
`INTERFACE
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`1464
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`FIG. 14
`
`

`

`1.
`SYSTEMAND METHOD RELATED TO
`GENERATING AN EMAIL CAMPAIGN
`
`US 7,386,594 B2
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica
`tion Ser. No. 09/841,186, filed Apr. 25, 2001, which claims
`the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/199,355,
`filed Apr. 25, 2000. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/841,
`186 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
`
`10
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`15
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`25
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`30
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention is directed to marketing via email,
`and, in particular, to generating marketing related email.
`2. Background Art
`The ability to market a product or service to individuals
`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
`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
`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
`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
`respond with feedback, and for the quantity and content of
`45
`the responses to be monitored and tracked.
`In light of the foregoing, what is needed is an efficient way
`to create an email campaign.
`
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`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`50
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`55
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`The present invention is directed to a system for gener
`ating an email campaign. An email campaign generator
`generates an email campaign template from an 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 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.
`The present invention is further directed to a method for
`65
`an email campaign. An email target database is received. An
`email campaign template related to at least one email target
`
`60
`
`2
`in the received email target database is generated. An email
`customized for each email target is sent to the respective
`email target. Each customized email is formed from the
`email campaign template.
`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.
`
`

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`US 7,386,594 B2
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`3
`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.
`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.
`10
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`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 by
`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.
`
`4
`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
`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 relevant 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
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`6
`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.
`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: