METHOD AND SYSTEM OF DIRECTED ADVERTISING

• US 20090254426A1
• Filed: 04/07/2008
• Published: 10/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Embedded Brand, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Embedded Brand, Inc.
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Augustin, Desandre, Philippe
• Granted Patent: US 8,190,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.260
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders

Abstract

A method is provided for directed advertising on a shipment tracking status webpage. Advertisements are received and categorized based on preselected criteria. Shipping orders are received and tracking numbers associated with the shipping orders are provided. Tracking status information is received for the shipping orders. A tracking status request for a shipping order is received based on a tracking number. The tracking status information for the shipping order associated with the tracking number is accessed. The tracking information for the shipping order and at least one advertisement, which is selected based on the preselected criteria, is provided for display on the shipment tracking status webpage.

Claims

1. A method for providing directed advertising on a shipment tracking status webpage, the method comprising:

receiving advertisements;

categorizing the received advertisements based on preselected criteria;

receiving shipping orders;

providing tracking numbers associated with the shipping orders;

receiving tracking status information for the shipping orders;

receiving a tracking status request for a shipping order based on a tracking number;

accessing tracking status information for the shipping order associated with the tracking number; and

providing the tracking information for the shipping order and at least one advertisement which is selected based on the preselected criteria for display on the shipment tracking status webpage.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the preselected criteria for the advertisement include one or more aspects of shipping information for a shipping order.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the preselected criteria for the advertisement include one or more aspects of at least one of shipping, transaction, and client information for a shipping order.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the preselected criteria for the advertisement includes at least one of a range of days of the week, dates, and time of day during which the advertisement is to be displayed.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the advertisements are maintained in a database.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the database is maintained by one of the shipping carrier, the shipper, and a third party.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the advertisement selected for display is an advertisement for the shipper or a third party advertiser.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein a third party advertisement is not selected for display if the preselected criteria for the advertisement directly conflicts with the type of business of the shipper associated with a shipping order.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein when the advertisement is displayed, the advertiser is charged a fee.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein when a user clicks on a displayed advertisement, the advertiser is charged a fee.

11. A system for providing directed advertising on a shipment tracking status webpage, the system comprising:

a shipment tracking system for receiving shipping orders, generating tracking numbers associated with the shipping orders, receiving tracking information for the shipping orders, and communicating tracking information and shipping order information based on the tracking number; and

an advertisement system for receiving advertisements, categorizing the received advertisements based on preselected criteria, and selecting an advertisement from shipping order information based on the preselected criteria,

wherein in response to a tracking status request based on a tracking number, the tracking information for a shipping order and at least one advertisement selected from the advertisement system are provided for display on the shipment tracking status webpage.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the preselected criteria for the advertisement includes one or more aspects of shipping information for a shipping order.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the preselected criteria for the advertisement includes one or more aspects of at least one of shipping, transaction, and client information for a shipping order.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the preselected criteria for the advertisement includes at least one of a range of days of the week, dates, and time of day during which the advertisement is to be displayed.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the advertising system is maintained by one of the shipping carrier, the shipper, and a third party.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the advertisement selected for display is an advertisement for the shipper or a third party advertiser.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein a third party advertisement is not selected for display if the preselected criteria for the advertisement directly conflicts with the type of business of the shipper associated with a shipping order.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein when the advertisement is displayed, the advertiser is charged a fee.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein when a user clicks on a displayed advertisement, the advertiser is charged a fee.