Method for providing sponsor paid internet access and simultaneous sponsor promotion
First Claim
1. A method of providing a sponsor paid Internet connect time allotment to a user while simultaneously collecting survey data for the sponsor comprising the steps of:
- a. distributing sponsor provided Internet access software to the user;
b. providing a PIN number to the user which PIN number entitles the user to log on to an Internet Entry Server via said sponsor provided software;
c. prompting the user to answer a series of queries, with the answers forming said survey data as the user logs on to the Internet Entry Server via said sponsor provided software; and
d. allowing the user to access the Internet for a predetermined time via said sponsor provided software and said Internet Entry Server once the user has responded to all of the queries.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for promoting a sponsor'"'"'s products by providing a consumer or potential consumer with sponsor-paid access to the Internet includes the step of distributing a floppy disc with Internet access software thereon. Associated with the floppy disc is a unique PIN number along with instructions on installing and using the Internet access software on a personal computer (PC). The Internet access software accesses and "handshakes" with an "Internet Entry Server", which verifies the PIN number, provides the access and times the sponsor paid Internet access time. In return, the Internet Entry Server performs as registration process which includes a number of personal questions and custom data gathering queries tailored by the sponsor for response by the user and initially gives the user a mandatory "guided tour" of the sponsor'"'"'s Internet Home Page and domain where the user is exposed to current products and/or services of the sponsor and can download promotional coupons, product information, etc. The user is then released to browse the Internet and, after the free time is over, user paid refresh options are provided.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of providing a sponsor paid Internet connect time allotment to a user while simultaneously collecting survey data for the sponsor comprising the steps of:
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a. distributing sponsor provided Internet access software to the user; b. providing a PIN number to the user which PIN number entitles the user to log on to an Internet Entry Server via said sponsor provided software; c. prompting the user to answer a series of queries, with the answers forming said survey data as the user logs on to the Internet Entry Server via said sponsor provided software; and d. allowing the user to access the Internet for a predetermined time via said sponsor provided software and said Internet Entry Server once the user has responded to all of the queries. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of providing a sponsor paid Internet connect time allotment to a user while simultaneously collecting survey data for the sponsor comprising the steps of:
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a. distributing sponsor provided Internet access software to the user; b. providing a PIN number to the user which PIN number entitles the user to log on to an Internet Entry Server via said sponsor provided software; c. prompting the user to answer a series of queries, with the answers forming said survey data as the user logs on to the Internet Entry Server via said sponsor provided software; d. allowing the user to access the Internet for a predetermined time period via said sponsor provided software and said Internet Entry Server once the user has responded to all of the queries; and e. initially hot linking said user to an Internet domain or Home Page of the sponsor upon initial Internet access. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of providing a sponsor paid Internet connect time allotment to a user while simultaneously collecting survey data for the sponsor comprising the steps of:
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a. distributing sponsor provided Internet access software to the user; b. providing a PIN number to the user which PIN number entitles the user to log on to an Internet Entry Server via said sponsor provided software; c. prompting the user to answer a series of queries, with the answers forming said survey data as the user logs on to the Internet Entry Server via said sponsor provided software; d. initially hot linking said user to an Internet domain or Home Page of the sponsor via said sponsor provided software and said Internet Entry Server upon initial Internet access; e. conducting said user through a guided tour of the sponsor'"'"'s Internet domain; and f. allowing said user to browse other Internet sites via said sponsor provided software and said Internet Entry Server only after said guided tour is concluded. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification