Systems and methods of network operation and information processing, including user engagement and profiling features

• US 20090249458A1
• Filed: 09/18/2006
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Feeva Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Feeva Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Patel, Amul, Shah, Nitin, Patel, Brijesh, Ma, Cleveland, Banga, Jasminder
• Application Number:
  US11/523,374
• Publication Number:
  US 20090249458A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles

Abstract

Embodiments of a system and method for network operation and information processing, including user engagement and profiling features are described. A method includes transmitting a request for authorization to use a public-access network from a computer, including, with the request, identifier information regarding the user. Data including additional information, such as a terms and conditions page, a splash page, relevant information based on user-specific information such as user location, and other like information is then transmitted over the network. The data to be transmitted is determined by processing software as a function of the identifier information regarding the user. A network connection is then opened up for the user of the computer.

Claims

1. A method of engaging users of a public-access network, the method comprising:

associating a processing component within the public-access network, wherein processing software is associated with the processing component;

transmitting a request, associated with a user of an access device, to authorize use of the public-access network, including transmission, in association with the request, of identifier information regarding the user;

transmitting first data wherein the first data to be transmitted is determined by the processing software as a function of the identifier information; and

opening up a connection for the user;

wherein the processing software determines whether the user is a first time user or a returning user as a function of the identifier information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, for first time users, the first data transmitted is a terms and conditions page and an information-gathering process/request/survey, and a custom landing page is generated as a function of the identification information and/or other information gathered regarding the user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing software checks one or more profile databases to determine if the user is a first time user/has an existing profile.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the profile databases include a temporary/local profile database and a main profile storage database.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data transmitted includes at least one further information-gathering process/request if the time elapsed since the user'"'"'s last login is greater than an expiration period.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the user is provided unrestricted access to the Internet.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the user is provided conditional access to the Internet.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein data based on the location of the ads delivered is saved and used to charge advertising entities based on the effectiveness of the delivery/ad.

16. The method of any of claim 8 wherein data based on the location of the ads delivered is saved and used to charge advertising entities based on the effectiveness of the delivery/ad.

9. A method of engaging/becoming associated with users of a public-access network, comprising:

(a) associating a processing component within the public-access network, wherein processing software is executed in connection with the processing component;

(b) transmitting a request, associated with a user of the access device, for authorization to use the public-access network, including transmission of identification information for the user with the request;

(c) determining whether the user is a first time user or a returning user as a function of the identification information;

(d) transmitting first data wherein the first data to be transmitted is determined by the processing software as a function of the user'"'"'s identification information;

(e) providing access to the network for that specific user.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, for first time users, the first data transmitted is a terms and conditions page and an information-gathering process/request/survey, and a custom landing page is generated as a function of the identification information and/or other information gathered regarding the user.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the processing software checks one or more profile databases to determine if the user is a first time user/has an existing profile.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the profile databases include a temporary/local profile database and a main profile storage database.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the first data transmitted includes at least one further information-gathering process/request if the time elapsed since the user'"'"'s last login is greater than an expiration period.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the user is provided unrestricted access to the Internet.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the user is provided conditional access to the Internet.

17. A method of engaging/becoming associated with users of a public-access network, comprising:

(a) associating a processing component within the public-access network, wherein processing software is executed in connection with the processing component;

(b) transmitting a request, associated with a user of the access device, for authorization to use the public-access network, including transmission of identification information for the user with the request;

(c) determining whether the user is a first time user or a returning user as a function of the identification information;

(d) transmitting first data wherein the first data to be transmitted is determined by the processing software as a function of the user'"'"'s identification information;

(e) providing access to the network for the user.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, for returning users, the first data transmitted is a terms and conditions page and an information-gathering process/request/survey, and a custom landing page is generated as a function of the identification information and other information gathered regarding the user including whether or not all previous survey questions have been answered.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein, when a returning user has answered all previous survey questions, a connection is opened/Internet is accessed without requesting/receiving any additional user information.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the profile databases include a temporary/local profile database and a main profile storage database.

21-32. -32. (canceled)