Content distribution system

• US 20040143667A1
• Filed: 01/17/2003
• Published: 07/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Relevant Media PHO LLC
• Original Assignee: Relevant Media LLC
• Inventors: Jerome, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 7,526,545 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/228
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9558 Details of hyperlinks; Management of linked annotations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0257 User requested
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A system and method for distribution of content on a computer network between a plurality of content providers and a plurality of users. A plurality of content provider packets provided by one or more of the content providers are stored, and a link provided to users for access to the content provider packets. When a user activates the link the selected content provider packet is displayed and the user may store the content provider packet in a personal showcase display for future access by the user. Showcase access is syndicated across web enabled devices through revenue sharing agreements.

Claims

1. A method for content distribution on a computer network between a plurality of content providers and a plurality of users accessing the network via user terminals, the method comprising:

storing a plurality of content provider packets provided by one or more of the content providers;

displaying a link to a user for access to a content provider packet;

detecting the user'"'"'s activation of the link;

providing information to the user'"'"'s terminal for display of the selected content provider packet to the user; and

storing data indicating a request by the user to store the content provider packet for future access by the user.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing a link to the user for access to a plurality of content provider packets stored for the user.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the link for access to a content provider packet comprises an icon.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the icon to access a content packet showcase is provided in a browser toolbar or main menu on the user terminal.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the link is provided on a web site accessed by the user.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the link is displayed adjacent to search engine results of a search conducted by the user relating to at least one of the content provider packets selected by the user.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more content provider packets provided by the content providers are presented to the user in display positions allocated at least in part according to bids received from the content providers.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein a first content provider packet provided by a first content provider is displayed above a second content provider packet provided by a second content provider where a first bid from the first content provider is higher than a second bid from the second content provider.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the one or more content provider packets are arranged in categories, the position of the content provider packets within each category being allocated at least in part according to bids received from the content providers.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, within a first category, a first content provider packet provided by a first content provider is displayed above a second content provider packet provided by a second content provider where a first bid from the first content provider is higher than a second bid from the second content provider.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein each content provider packet from a content provider is displayed as a customizable display area containing informational statements from the content provider and links for access to additional information from the content provider.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the content provider packets comprise:

at least one line of plain text;

at least one link to a web site for the content provider providing the content provider packet; and

at least one link to forward the content provider packet via email.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user terminals include portable network access devices and at least a portion of the content provider packets are adapted for display on portable network access devices.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

updating a content provider packet with data provided by a content provider subsequent to the creation of the content provider packet.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information is provided to the user terminal for display of the content provider packets to the user in a single display comprising one or more pages.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein information is provided to the user terminal for presentation of the one or more content provider packets to the user arranged in categories.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the display position of the content provider packets within each category is allocated at least in part according to bids received from the content providers.

18. The method according to claim 1, further comprising storing demographic information relating to the user;

and

storing a demographic profile associated with at least one of the content provider packets; and

wherein providing the information to the user terminal for display of the content provider packet comprises selecting from a plurality of content provider packets based at least in part on the demographic information and demographic profile.

19. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

measuring a number of users who request to store a first content provider packet; and

charging a content provider providing the first content provider packet a fee related to the measurement.

20. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

measuring a number of times a first content provider packet is displayed to users; and

charging a content provider providing the first content provider packet a fee related to the measurement.

21. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

providing a link in a first content provider packet for access to another page;

measuring a number of times users select the link; and

charging a content provider providing the first content provider packet a fee related to the measurement.

22. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

providing a link in a first content provider packet for access to a first content provider'"'"'s web site;

detecting a user'"'"'s access to the first content provider'"'"'s web site via the link;

measuring an amount of money spent by the user to purchase products or services from the first content provider'"'"'s web site; and

charging the first content provider a fee related to the measurement.

23. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:

receiving a fee from a content provider providing the content provider packet; and

paying a portion of the fee to a web site displaying the link.

24. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

providing means for transmitting the content provider packet to one or more recipients selected by the user.

25. A method for communication of information between a plurality of users and a plurality of content providers on a computer network, the method comprising:

receiving from at least one of the content providers a content provider packet;

receiving from at least one of the users data indicating a selection of one of the content providers from which to receive a content provider packet;

forwarding the content provider packet only to those users selecting the content provider; and

storing data indicating the selection of the content provider by the at least one of the users to enable future access by the at least one of the users to the content provider packet.

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising providing a link to the at least one of the users for access to a plurality of content provider packets from content providers selected by the user.

27. The method according to claim 25, wherein the link for access to a content provider packet comprises an icon.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the icon to access a content packet showcase is provided in a browser toolbar or main menu on the user terminal.

29. The method according to claim 25, wherein the link is displayed adjacent to search engine results of a search conducted by the user relating to at least one of the content provider packets.

30. The method according to claim 25, wherein the one or more content provider packets provided by the content providers are presented to the user in display positions allocated at least in part according to bids received from the content providers.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein a first content provider packet provided by a first content provider is displayed above a second content provider packet provided by a second content provider where a first bid from the first content provider is higher than a second bid from the second content provider.

32. The method according to claim 30, wherein the one or more content provider packets are arranged in categories, the position of the content provider packets within each category being allocated at least in part according to bids received from the content providers.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein, within a first category, a first content provider packet provided by a first content provider is displayed above a second content provider packet provided by a second content provider where a first bid from the first content provider is higher than a second bid from the second content provider.

34. The method according to claim 25, wherein each of the content provider packets comprise:

at least one line of plain text;

at least one link to a web site for the content provider providing the content provider packet; and

at least one link to forward the content provider packet via email.

35. The method according to claim 25, further comprising:

updating a content provider packet with data provided by a content provider subsequent to the creation of the content provider packet.

36. The method according to claim 25, wherein the content provider packets forwarded to the users are arranged in categories.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the display position of the content provider packets within each category is allocated at least in part according to bids received from the content providers.

38. The method according to claim 25, further comprising

storing demographic information relating to the at least one of the users;

and

storing a demographic profile associated with at least one of the content provider packets; and

wherein forwarding the content provider packet comprises selecting from a plurality of content provider packets based at least in part on the demographic information and demographic profile.

39. The method according to claim 25, further comprising:

measuring a number of times a first content provider packet is displayed to users; and

charging a content provider providing the first content provider packet a fee related to the measurement.

40. The method according to claim 25, further comprising:

providing a link in a first content provider packet for access to another page;

measuring a number of times users select the link; and

charging a content provider providing the first content provider packet a fee related to the measurement.

41. The method according to claim 25, further comprising:

providing a link in a first content provider packet for access to a first content provider'"'"'s web site;

detecting a user'"'"'s access to the first content provider'"'"'s web site via the link;

measuring an amount of money spent by the user to purchase products or services from the first content provider'"'"'s web site; and

charging the first content provider a fee related to the measurement.

42. The method according to claim 26, further comprising:

receiving a fee from a content provider providing the content provider packet; and

paying a portion of the fee to a web site displaying the link.

43. The method according to claim 25, further comprising:

providing means for transmitting the content provider packet to one or more recipients selected by the user.

44. A method accessing content on a computer network from a plurality of content providers and a plurality of users accessing the network via user terminals, the method comprising:

storing a plurality of content provider packets provided by one or more of the content providers;

displaying a link for access to a content provider packet with search engine results of a search conducted by a user, the link located adjacent to an item in the search engine results or a sponsored link relating to the content provider packet;

detecting the user'"'"'s activation of the link;

providing information to the user'"'"'s terminal for display of the selected content provider packet to the user; and

storing data indicating a request by the user to store the content provider packet for future access by the user.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein the link for access to a content provider packet comprises an icon.

46. The method according to claim 44, wherein the one or more content provider packets provided by the content providers are presented to the user in display positions allocated at least in part according to bids received from the content providers.

47. The method according to claim 46, wherein a first content provider packet provided by a first content provider is displayed above a second content provider packet provided by a second content provider where a first bid from the first content provider is higher than a second bid from the second content provider.

48. The method according to claim 46, wherein the one or more content provider packets are arranged in categories, the position of the content provider packets within each category being allocated at least in part according to bids received from the content providers.

49. The method according to claim 48, wherein, within a first category, a first content provider packet provided by a first content provider is displayed above a second content provider packet provided by a second content provider where a first bid from the first content provider is higher than a second bid from the second content provider.

50. The method according to claim 44, wherein each content provider packet from a content provider is displayed as a customizable display area containing informational statements from the content provider and links for access to additional information from the content provider.

51. The method according to claim 44, wherein each of the content provider packets comprise:

at least one line of plain text;

at least one link to a web site for the content provider providing the content provider packet; and

at least one link to forward the content provider packet via email.

52. The method according to claim 44, wherein the user terminals include portable network access devices and at least a portion of the content provider packets are adapted for display on portable network access devices.

53. The method according to claim 44, further comprising:

updating a content provider packet with data provided by a content provider subsequent to the creation of the content provider packet.

54. The method according to claim 44, wherein the information is provided to the user terminal for display of the content provider packets to the user in a single display comprising one or more pages.

55. The method according to claim 44, wherein information is provided to the user terminal for presentation of the one or more content provider packets to the user arranged in categories.

56. The method according to claim 44, wherein the display position of the content provider packets within each category is allocated at least in part according to bids received from the content providers.

57. The method according to claim 44, further comprising storing demographic information relating to the user;

and

storing a demographic profile associated with at least one of the content provider packets; and

wherein providing the information to the user terminal for display of the content provider packet comprises selecting from a plurality of content provider packets based at least in part on the demographic information and demographic profile.

58. The method according to claim 44, further comprising:

measuring a number of users who request to store a first content provider packet; and

charging a content provider providing the first content provider packet a fee related to the measurement.

59. The method according to claim 44, further comprising:

measuring a number of times a first content provider packet is displayed to users; and

charging a content provider providing the first content provider packet a fee related to the measurement.

60. The method according to claim 44, further comprising:

providing a link in a first content provider packet for access to another page;

measuring a number of times users select the link; and

charging a content provider providing the first content provider packet a fee related to the measurement.

61. The method according to claim 44, further comprising:

providing a link in a first content provider packet for access to a first content provider'"'"'s web site;

detecting a user'"'"'s access to the first content provider'"'"'s web site via the link;

measuring an amount of money spent by the user to purchase products or services from the first content provider'"'"'s web site; and

charging the first content provider a fee related to the measurement.

62. The method according to claim 44, further comprising:

receiving a fee from a content provider providing the content provider packet; and

paying a portion of the fee to a web site displaying the link.

63. The method according to claim 44, further comprising:

providing means for transmitting the content provider packet to one or more recipients selected by the user.

64. A server computer for communication of information between content providers and users on a computer network, the server computer operatively coupled to a plurality of user terminals and one or more content provider terminals, the server computer comprising:

a first memory for storing a plurality of content provider packets provided by or more of the content providers via the one or more content provider terminals;

a second memory for storing a plurality of content provider packet selections from one or more users via one or more of the user terminals;

a first program module for providing a link for access to a content provider packet; and

a second program module for providing information to a user'"'"'s terminal for display of the content provider packet to the user upon the user'"'"'s activation of the link.

65. The method according to claim 64, wherein the link for access to a content packet showcase is provided in a browser toolbar or main menu on the user terminal.

66. The server according to claim 64, wherein the link is displayed adjacent to search engine results of a search conducted by the user relating to at least one of the content provider packets selected by the user.

67. The server according to claim 64, wherein the one or more content provider packets provided by the content providers are presented to the user in display positions allocated at least in part according to bids received from the content providers.

68. The server according to claim 67, wherein a first content provider packet provided by a first content provider is displayed above a second content provider packet provided by a second content provider where a first bid from the first content provider is higher than a second bid from the second content provider.

69. The server according to claim 67, wherein the one or more content provider packets are arranged in categories, the position of the content provider packets within each category being allocated at least in part according to bids received from the content providers.

70. The server according to claim 64, wherein each of the content provider packets comprise:

at least one line of plain text;

at least one link to a web site for the content provider providing the content provider packet; and

at least one link to forward the content provider packet via email.

71. The server according to claim 64, wherein the user terminals include portable network access devices and at least a portion of the content provider packets are adapted for display on portable network access devices.

72. The server according to claim 64, further comprising a third program module for updating a content provider packet with data provided by a content provider subsequent to the creation of the content provider packet.

73. The server according to claim 64, wherein the information is provided to the user terminal for display of the content provider packets to the user in a single display comprising one or more pages, the content provider packets arranged in categories within the display.

74. The server according to claim 73, wherein the display position of the content provider packets within each category is allocated at least in part according to bids received from the content providers.

75. The server according to claim 64, wherein the server computer includes a user information database having at least one user record comprising demographic information provided by the user.

76. The server according to claim 75, wherein the content provider provides a demographic profile associated with at least one of the content provider packets, the server computer mapping the demographic profile associated with the content provider packet to the demographic information in the user information database of users selecting to receive information from the content provider, and routing the content provider packet if the mapping identifies substantial correspondence.

77. The server according to claim 64, further comprising a fourth program module for measuring a number of times a first content provider packet is displayed to users and charging a content provider providing the first content provider packet a fee related to the measurement.

78. The server according to claim 64, further comprising a fifth program module for measuring a number of times users select a link in a first content provider packet for access to another page and charging a content provider providing the first content provider packet a fee related to the measurement.

79. The server according to claim 64, further comprising a sixth program module for detecting a user'"'"'s access to a first content provider'"'"'s web site via a link in a first content provider packet for access to the first content provider'"'"'s web site, measuring an amount of money spent by the user to purchase products or services from the first content provider'"'"'s web site, and charging the first content provider a fee related to the measurement.

80. The server according to claim 64, further comprising further comprising a seventh program module for allocating a portion of a fee received from a content provider providing the content provider packet to a web site displaying the link.

81. The server according to claim 64, further comprising an eighth program module for transmitting the content provider packet to one or more recipients selected by the user.