Method and apparatus for automating the conduct of surveys over a network system

• US 6,754,635 B1
• Filed: 11/15/1999
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dynamiclogic, LLC
• Original Assignee: IX LLC
• Inventors: Hamlin, Charles B., Smith, LeRoy Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alvarez, Raquel
• Application Number:
  US09/439,382
• Time in Patent Office: 1,681 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/7, 705/10, 345/333, 345/524, 710/10, 710/102, 710/506, 710/507, 709/217
• US Class Current: 705/7.32
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0203 Market surveys; Market polls
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0204 Market segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0205 Location or geographical consideration
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/02 of the type wherein the student is expected to construct an answer to the question which is presented or wherein the machine gives an answer to the question presented by a student

Abstract

A method and apparatus for automating surveys over a network system causes an interface to be displayed to a particular client of the network system. This interface can be used by the particular client to define a survey. In response to the client interacting with the interface, a sequence of steps is automatically performed. The sequence of steps includes generating a survey based on information received over the network system from the particular client interacting with the interface; fielding the survey to a group of target users on the network system; gathering results of from network users participating in the survey; and providing the particular client, over said network system, with data that reflects the results of the survey.

Claims

1. A method for providing an automated survey mechanism over a network system, the method comprising the steps of:

causing an interface to be displayed at a particular client of said network system, wherein the interface allows a user of said particular client to define a survey;

creating, at a server that is remotely located from said particular client, a survey that is based on information received in response to said user interacting with said interface;

wherein the automated survey mechanism automatically fields the survey;

wherein the step of automatically fielding the survey performed by the automated survey system includes identifying one or more target locations on said network, wherein said one or more target locations are associated with one or more target resources; and

inviting participation in said survey by causing one or more links to said survey to be embedded in said one or more target resources to allow users of said network to request participation in said survey by accessing one of said target resources over said network and activating said link in said one of said target resources.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of gathering results of said survey over said network.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of providing, to said particular client over said network system, data that reflects said results.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of providing data that reflects said results includes the steps of delivering to said particular client over said network system a set of compiled statistics based on said survey results.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of providing data that reflects said results includes the step of posting the data at one or more particular locations on the network system, wherein the particular client can access information located at the one or more particular locations.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of providing data that reflects said results includes the steps of emailing the results to said particular client over said network system.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the step of identifying one or more target locations includes the step of identifying a group of network users who should take the survey; and

the step of inviting participation in said survey includes the step of requesting that a banner that is linked to the survey be launched at one or more particular locations that are selected based on the identified group of users.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inviting participation in the survey includes the steps of:

identifying a group of users that should take the survey;

defining a banner based on the identified group, wherein the banner solicits the group of users to participate in the survey; and

determining one or more locations on the network system to launch the banner.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of causing an interface to be displayed includes the step of sending interface data over said network to said particular client from said server in response from a request from said client.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of sending interface data that specifies the interface includes the step of sending interface data that contains one or more question types, wherein said user of said particular client may define the survey by selecting questions from the one or more question types.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of sending interface data that specifies the interface further includes the step of allowing said user of said particular client to define a survey response number, wherein the survey response number represents a specific number of people that the particular client requires to respond to the survey.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of sending interface data that specifies the interface further includes the step of allowing said user of said particular client to define a survey response time, wherein the survey response time represents a specific duration that the survey is to be fielded over the network.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of sending interface data that specifies the interface further includes the step of allowing said user of said particular client to define a particular target group, wherein the particular target group identifies a group of users that the particular client would like to respond to the survey.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of creating the survey includes the step of creating the survey as one or more electronic document pages, wherein network users may interact with the electronic document pages to participate in the survey.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inviting participation in the survey includes the steps of:

receiving, from the particular client, data that specifies a particular set of criteria; and

attaching, to Web pages that have content of particular interest to network users that satisfy said particular set of criteria, a link to said survey.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of creating the survey includes the step of dynamically generating a survey price, wherein the survey price is based upon survey parameters selected by the particular client.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inviting participation in the survey includes the steps of:

identifying a group of network users who should take the survey; and

offering an incentive for network users in the identified group to participate in the survey.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inviting participation in the survey includes the steps of:

identifying a group of network users who should take the survey; and

automatically distributing incentives to network users in the identified group who participate in the survey.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inviting participation in the survey includes the steps of:

examining the number of responses received from a group of network users who should take the survey;

determining if additional responses from the group of network users who should take the survey are required; and

if no additional responses are required, then requesting that banners that are linked to the survey be removed from the network system.

20. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions for providing an automated survey mechanism over a network system, the one or more sequences of one or more instructions including instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

causing an interface to be displayed at a particular client of said network system, wherein the interface allows a user of said particular client to define a survey;

creating, at a server that is remotely located from said particular client, a survey that is based on information received in response to said user interacting with said interface;

wherein the automated survey mechanism automatically fields the survey;

the step of automatically fielding the survey performed by the automated survey system includes identifying one or more target locations on said network, wherein said one or more target locations are associated with one or more target resources; and

inviting participation in said survey by causing one or more links to said survey to be embedded in said one or more target resources to allow users of said network to request participation in said survey by accessing one of said target resources over said network and activating said link in said one of said target resources.

21. A computer system for providing an automated survey mechanism over a network system, the computer system comprising:

a memory;

one or more processors coupled to the memory; and

a set of computer instructions contained in the memory, the set of computer instructions including computer instructions which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of;

causing an interface to an automated survey mechanism to be displayed at a particular client of said network system, wherein the interface allows a user of said particular client to define a survey;

in response to the user interacting with said interface displayed at said particular client, automatically performing the steps of

creating, at a server that is remotely located from said particular client, a survey that is based on information received in response to said user interacting with said interface;

automatically fielding the survey using said automated survey mechanism, including identifying one or more target locations on said network, wherein said one or more target locations are associated with one or more target resources; and

inviting participation in said survey by causing one or more links to said survey to be embedded in said one or more target resources to allow users of said network to request participation in said survey by accessing one of said target resources over said network and activating said link in said one of said target resources.

22. A method for providing an automated survey mechanism over a network system, the method comprising the steps of:

causing an interface to be displayed at a particular client of said network system by sending interface data from a server over said network system to said particular client, wherein the interface allows a user of said particular client to define a survey;

in response to a user interacting with said interface displayed at said particular client, the automated survey mechanism automatically performing the steps of

creating the survey based on information from said interface;

selecting a target group for requesting participation in said survey;

based on said target group, identifying a web site for including a link to said survey; and

causing a link to said survey to be inserted at said web site.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of providing, to said particular client over said network system, data that reflects results from respondents in said group of target users.

24. A method for providing an automated survey mechanism over a network system, the method comprising the steps of:

causing an interface to be displayed at a particular client of said network system, wherein the interface allows a user of said particular client to define a survey and to specify a target group for participating in the survey without identifying individual members of said target group, and a desired number of responses from said target group;

in response to a user interacting with said interface displayed at said particular client, automatically performing the step of creating the survey based on information received from said interface;

wherein the automated survey mechanism performs the steps of

inserting a link to said survey in a resource that is accessible over said network,

gathering results of said survey from respondents in said target group; and

removing said link to said survey in said resource in response to receiving said desired number of responses from said target group.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of providing, to said particular client over said network system, data that reflects said results.

26. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions for providing an automated survey mechanism over a network system, the one or more sequences of one or more instructions including instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

causing an interface to be displayed at a particular client of said network system by sending interface data from a server over said network system to said particular client, wherein the interface allows a user of said particular client to define a survey;

in response to a user interacting with said interface displayed at said particular client, automatically performing the steps of

creating the survey based on information from said interface;

selecting a target group for requesting participation in said survey;

based on said target group, identifying a web site for including a link to said survey; and

causing a link to said survey to be inserted at said web site.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 26 further comprising instructions for performing the step of providing, to said particular client over said network system, data that reflects said results.

28. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions for providing an automated survey mechanism over a network system, the one or more sequences of one or more instructions including instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

causing an interface to be displayed at a particular client of said network system, wherein the interface allows a user of said particular client to define a survey and to specify a target group for participating in the survey without identifying individual members of said target group, and a desired number of responses from said target group;

in response to a user interacting with said interface displayed at said particular client, automatically performing the steps of

creating the survey based on information received from said interface;

inserting a link to said survey in a resource that is accessible over said network,

gathering results of said survey from respondents in said target group; and

removing said link to said survey in said resource in response to receiving said desired number of responses from said target group.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 28 further comprising instructions for performing the step of providing, to said particular client over said network system, data that reflects said results.

30. A computer system for providing an automated survey mechanism over a network system, the computer system comprising:

a memory;

one or more processors coupled to the memory; and

a set of computer instructions contained in the memory, the set of computer instructions including computer instructions which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of;

causing an interface to be displayed at a particular client of said network system by sending interface data from a server over said network system to said particular client, wherein the interface allows a user of said particular client to define a survey;

in response to a user interacting with said interface displayed at said particular client, automatically performing the steps of

creating the survey based on information from said interface;

selecting a target group for requesting participation in said survey;

based on said target group, identifying a web site for including a link to said survey; and

causing a link to said survey to be inserted at said web site.

31. The computer system of claim 30 further comprising the step of providing, to said particular client over said network system, data that reflects said results.

32. A computer system for providing an automated survey mechanism over a network system, the computer system comprising:

a memory;

one or more processors coupled to the memory; and

a set of computer instructions contained in the memory, the set of computer instructions including computer instructions which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of;

causing an interface to be displayed at a particular client of said network system, wherein the interface allows a user of said particular client to define a survey and to specify a target group for participating in the survey without identifying individual members of said target group, and a desired number of responses from said target group;

in response to a user interacting with said interface displayed at said particular client, automatically performing the steps of

creating the survey based on information received from said interface;

inserting a link to said survey in a resource that is accessible over said network,

gathering results of said survey from respondents in said target group; and

removing said link to said survey in said resource in response to receiving said desired number of responses from said target group.

33. The computer system of claim 32 further comprising the step of providing, to said particular client over said network system, data that reflects said results.

34. A method for dynamically selecting surveys for presenting to users of a network system, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

receiving, at an automated survey mechanism, data over said network system that is associated with user identification information that identifies a particular network user;

retrieving previously stored characteristic information based on said user identification information;

the automated survey mechanism determining a target group for said particular network user based on said previously stored characteristic information; and

the automated survey mechanism inviting said particular network user to participate in a survey, wherein said survey includes content that is directed to individuals of said target group.

35. The method of claim 34 further comprising the steps of:

collecting characteristic information about users of said network system; and

maintaining a repository of said collected characteristic information for determining characteristic traits of users of said network system.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein the step of receiving data over said network system comprises the steps of receiving a request from said particular network user, wherein said request is associated with said user identification information.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of receiving a request from said particular network user comprises the steps of receiving cookie information from said particular network user, wherein said cookie information includes said user identification information.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of receiving a request from said particular network user comprises the steps of receiving a request for access to an electronic document associated with said network system.

39. The method of claim 34 wherein the step of inviting said particular network user to participate in a survey comprises the steps of transmitting to said particular network a web page that is associated with a banner that is linked to said survey.

40. The method of claim 34 wherein the step of inviting said particular network user to participate in a survey comprises the steps of transmitting electronic document information to said network user, wherein said electronic document information is associated with said survey.

41. A method for providing surveys over a network system, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

receiving, at an automated survey mechanism, from a network user a request for access to a resource that is associated with said network system;

in response to receiving said request, transmitting from said automated survey mechanism data to said network user that includes one or more questions about said network user;

receiving at said automated survey mechanism response data from said network user based on one or more response to said one or more questions from said network user;

the automated survey mechanism dynamically selecting a survey for presenting to said network user based on said response data.

42. The method of claim 41 further comprising the step of transmitting survey data over said network system to present said survey to said network user.

43. The method of claim 41 wherein the step of receiving from a network user a request for access to a resource comprises the step of receiving a request for access to content within a web page that is associated with the network system.

44. The method of claim 41 wherein the step of receiving from a network user a request for access to a resource comprises the step of receiving a request for access to content that is associated with a banner that has been made available over said network system.

45. The method of claim 41 wherein the step of transmitting data to said network user that includes one or more questions about said network user comprises the step of transmitting interface data that causes an interface to be display to said network user, wherein said interface includes said one or more questions about said network user.

46. The method of claim 41 wherein the step of dynamically selecting a survey comprises the step of dynamically creating said survey based on said response data received from said network user.

47. A method for assigning a respondent to one or more target groups, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

receiving, at an automated survey mechanism, a request from said respondent, wherein the request is associated user identification information that identifies said respondent;

the automated survey mechanism retrieving a set of characteristic information based on said user identification information; and

the automated survey mechanism selecting a survey for presenting to said respondent based on said set of characteristic information.

48. A method for providing an automated survey mechanism over a network system, the method comprising the steps of:

causing an interface to be displayed at a particular client of said network system, wherein the interface allows a user of said particular client to define a survey;

in response to the user interacting with said interface displayed at said particular client, automatically performing the step of creating a survey at a server that is remotely located from said particular client based on information received over said network system from said interface;

the automated survey mechanism identifying one or more target locations on said network, wherein said one or more target locations are associated with one or more target resources; and

the automated survey system inviting participation in said survey by causing one or more links to said survey to be embedded in said one or more target resources to allow users of said network to request participation in said survey by accessing one of said target resources over said network and activating said link in said one of said target resources.

49. A method for inviting participation in surveys over a network system, the method comprising the steps of:

causing an interface to be displayed at a particular client of said network system, wherein the interface allows a user of said particular client to define a survey;

after causing the interface to be displayed, and in response to the user interacting with said interface displayed at said particular client, creating said survey at a server that is remotely located from said particular client based on information received over said network system from said particular client;

reading electronic information for use in determining where to field surveys;

after reading said electronic information, using the electronic information to request participation in said survey by one or more users; and

after requesting participation in the survey, gathering results from participation in said survey by said one or more users.

50. The method of claim 49 further comprising the step of, after gathering the results, providing over said network system, data that reflects said results.