Presentation of messages to end-users in a computer network

• US 20040254834A1
• Filed: 06/16/2003
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Accessify, LLC (Ascend Innovation Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Claria Corporation
• Inventors: Wohlers, Robert W., Eagle, Scott G., Amber, Lee E., Silverberg, Marc E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,249,053 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0257 User requested
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

In one embodiment, a first message and a second message are sequentially displayed in the same presentation vehicle. Initially, the first message may be displayed in the presentation vehicle. The second message may replace the first message in the presentation vehicle if the presentation vehicle is about to be closed. Sequentially displaying two messages in the same presentation vehicle minimizes the number of presentation vehicles on a computer screen and provides at least two chances to attract an end-user'"'"'s attention. It provides end-users with another alternative choice without taking up any more display space. When employed to display advertisements, for example, this provides more value to end-users and enables more advertisers to reach their target audience.

Claims

1. A method of presenting messages to an end-user in a computer network, the method comprising:

displaying a first message in a presentation vehicle;

detecting when the presentation vehicle is about to be closed; and

when the presentation vehicle is about to be closed, displaying a second message in the presentation vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the presentation vehicle comprises a window displayed in a client computer.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the first message and the second message are sequentially displayed in the presentation vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first message comprises an advertisement for a product.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the second message replaces the first message in the presentation vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the second message comprises an interface for performing a search.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first message comprises an advertisement for a first product and the second message comprises an advertisement for a second product.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the computer network includes an Internet.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the presentation vehicle comprises a pop-up window.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting when the presentation vehicle is about to be closed comprises detecting a cursor on a close button.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the cursor comprises a cursor of a pointing device.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the pointing device comprises a mouse.

13. A method of presenting messages to an end-user in a computer network, the method comprising:

displaying a first advertisement in a window; and

displaying a second advertisement in the window in response to an end-user action indicative of a desire to close the window.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the computer network comprises an Internet.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the first advertisement and the second advertisement are sequentially displayed in the window.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the second advertisement comprises an interface for performing a search.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the second advertisement replaces the first advertisement in the window.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the first advertisement and the second advertisement are for related products.

19. A client computer for presenting messages to an end-user in a computer network, the client computer having memory comprising:

computer-readable program code for displaying a first message in a presentation vehicle;

computer-readable program code for detecting when the presentation vehicle is about to be closed; and

computer-readable program code for displaying a second message in the presentation vehicle when the presentation vehicle is about to be closed.

20. The client computer of claim 19 wherein the presentation vehicle comprises a window.

21. The client computer of claim 19 wherein the presentation vehicle comprises an advertising window delivered over an Internet.

22. The client computer of claim 19 wherein the first message comprises an advertisement.

23. The client computer of claim 19 wherein the second message comprises an interface for performing a search.

24. A system for presenting messages to an end-user, the system comprising:

a server computer configured to deliver a first message and a second message to a client computer; and

a client computer configured to display the first message in a presentation vehicle, the client computer further configured to replace the first message with the second message in the presentation vehicle when the presentation vehicle is about to be closed.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the presentation vehicle comprises an advertising window.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein the presentation vehicle comprises a pop-up window.

27. The system of claim 24 wherein the first message comprises an advertisement delivered over an Internet.

28. The system of claim 24 wherein the first message and the second message comprise related advertisements.

29. The system of claim 24 wherein the second message comprises an interface for performing a search.

30. The system of claim 24 wherein the second message comprises a product advertisement.