Method, system, and software for geographically focused network advertising

• US 8,412,576 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2012
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Heavy Hammer Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Heavy Hammer Incorporated
• Inventors: Urbanski, Michael William, Dent, Charles David
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMPAGNE, DONALD
• Application Number:
  US13/608,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20120330753A1
• Time in Patent Office: 204 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14.49, 705/14.54, 705/14.55, 705/14.58
• US Class Current: 705/14.49
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0256 User search
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0257 User requested
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0259 based on store location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0266 based on the position of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices

Abstract

A software based system and method of displaying location based information from an information site on a network by determining location data of a user of the location based information on the network. The location based information is generated based on the determined location data of the user; and generated location based information is provided to the user over the network.

Claims

1. A computer server for communicating information over a network comprising:

a memory; and

a processor that;

provides a new first information site hosted by the computer server on the network, the first information site being characterized by a new network address, the network address relating to a particular subject matter, wherein the first information site is one of a web page, a television communication site, a radio communication site, an electronic billboard, a web-based television site, an Internet-enabled communication site, a network gaming site, an interactive gaming site, and an Internet radio application site;

receives at the first information site an information request from a mobile communication device connected through the network, wherein the information request includes an information request and information retrieved from the memory;

determines at least one particular geographic area for relevant information to be provided in answering the information request, the information request relating to the particular subject matter and the at least one particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from at least one of the mobile communication device'"'"'s derived geographic location, a location from the user'"'"'s data file, the mobile communication device'"'"'s location stored in the memory, the mobile communication device'"'"'s network address, the information request, and the particular subject matter;

retrieves answer information from one or more databases, the answer information comprising information responsive to the information request and advertiser information, the advertiser information being based on the determined at least one particular geographic area for relevant information; and

provides the answer information from the first information site to the mobile communication device.

2. The computer server in claim 1, wherein the advertiser information comprises sponsored information.

3. The computer server in claim 2, wherein the sponsored information is sponsored for specific geographic locations.

4. The computer server in claim 1, wherein the processor determines the at least one particular geographic area for relevant information independent of a physical location of the mobile communication device.

5. The computer server in claim 1, wherein the processor stores the at least one particular geographic area for relevant information in memory.

6. The computer server in claim 5, wherein providing the first information site causes advertiser information from the stored at least one particular geographic area to be displayed.

7. The computer server in claim 1, wherein the processor assigns answer information to categories and at least one advertiser information provider is assigned to each category for an answer to an information request.

8. The computer server in claim 7, wherein the processor assigns at least one advertiser information provider to each the category until an event alters the identity of the at least one advertiser information provider for the category.

9. The computer server in claim 7, wherein the processor assigns at least one advertiser information provider to each the category for a particular time period.

10. The computer server in claim 7, wherein the processor periodically conducts an auction for a right to be assigned as the at least one advertiser information provider.

11. The computer server of claim 1, wherein the one or more databases include at least one database that contains answer information and at least one database that contains advertiser information.

12. The computer server of claim 1, wherein the particular geographic area is determined by a zip code in the information request.

13. The computer server of claim 12, wherein the information request is a Real Estate information request with real estate advertiser information.

14. The computer server of claim 1, wherein the particular geographic area is determined by address information in the information request.

15. The computer server of claim 14, wherein the information request is a Real Estate information request with real estate advertiser information.

16. The computer server of claim 1, wherein the particular geographic area is determined by a location on a map in the information request.

17. The computer server of claim 16, wherein the information request is a Real Estate information request with real estate advertiser information.

18. The computer server of claim 1, wherein the information request is input by voice recognition.

19. The computer server of claim 1, wherein the advertiser information contains a link to connect the mobile communication device to the advertiser'"'"'s web page, the advertiser'"'"'s web page relating to the particular subject matter.

20. The computer server of claim 1, wherein the network is one of an interactive television network, the Internet, a mobile communications network, and a radio network.

26. The method in claim 15, wherein providing the first information site causes advertiser information from the stored at least one particular geographic area to be displayed.

21. A method of electronically providing information to a mobile communication device comprising:

providing a new first information site hosted by a computer server on the network, the first information site being characterized by a new network address, the network address relating to a particular subject matter, wherein the first information site is one of a web page, a television communication site, a radio communication site, an electronic billboard, a web-based television site, an Internet-enabled communication site, a network gaming site, an interactive gaming site, and an Internet radio application site;

receiving at the first information site an information request from a mobile communication device connected through the network, wherein the information request includes an information request and information retrieved from the memory;

determining at least one particular geographic area for relevant information to be provided in answering the information request, the information request relating to the particular subject matter and the at least one particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from at least one of the mobile communication device'"'"'s derived geographic location, a location from the user'"'"'s data file, the mobile communication device'"'"'s location stored in the memory, the mobile communication device'"'"'s network address, the information request, and the particular subject matter;

retrieving answer information from one or more databases, the answer information comprising information responsive to the information request and advertiser information, the advertiser information being based on the determined at least one particular geographic area for relevant information; and

providing the answer information from the first information site to the mobile communication device.

22. The method in claim 21, wherein the advertiser information comprises sponsored information.

23. The method in claim 22, wherein the sponsored information is sponsored for specific geographic locations.

24. The method in claim 21, wherein the at least one particular geographic area for relevant information is determined independent of a physical location of the mobile communication device.

25. The method in claim 21, further comprising:

storing the at least one particular geographic area for relevant information in memory.

27. The method in claim 21, further comprising:

assigning answer information to categories and at least one advertiser information provider is assigned to each category for an answer to an information request.

28. The method in claim 27, further comprising:

assigning at least one advertiser information provider to each the category until an event alters the identity of the at least one advertiser information provider for the category.

29. The method in claim 27, further comprising:

assigning at least one advertiser information provider to each the category for a particular time period.

30. The method in claim 27, further comprising:

periodically conducting an auction for a right to be assigned as the at least one advertiser information provider.

31. The method of claim 21, wherein the one or more databases include at least one database that contains answer information and at least one database that contains advertiser information.

32. The method of claim 21, wherein the particular geographic area is determined by a zip code in the information request.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the information request is a Real Estate information request with real estate advertiser information.

34. The method of claim 21, wherein the particular geographic area is determined by address information in the information request.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the information request is a Real Estate information request with real estate advertiser information.

36. The method of claim 21, wherein the particular geographic area is determined by a location on a map in the information request.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the information request is a Real Estate information request with real estate advertiser information.

38. The method of claim 21, wherein the information request is input by voice recognition.

39. The method of claim 21, wherein the advertiser information contains a link to connect the mobile communication device to the advertiser'"'"'s web page, the advertiser'"'"'s web page relating to the particular subject matter.

40. The method of claim 21, wherein the network is one of an interactive television network, the Internet, a mobile communications network, and a radio network.

41. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for controlling a computing device for electronically providing information to a mobile communication device, the instructions comprising:

providing a new first information site hosted by a computer server on the network, the first information site being characterized by a new network address, the network address relating to a particular subject matter, wherein the first information site is one of a web page, a television communication site, a radio communication site, an electronic billboard, a web-based television site, an Internet-enabled communication site, a network gaming site, an interactive gaming site, and an Internet radio application site;

receiving at the first information site an information request from a mobile communication device connected through the network, wherein the information request includes an information request and information retrieved from the memory;

determining at least one particular geographic area for relevant information to be provided in answering the information request, the information request relating to the particular subject matter and the at least one particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from at least one of the mobile communication device'"'"'s derived geographic location, a location from the user'"'"'s data file, the mobile communication device'"'"'s location stored in the memory, the mobile communication device'"'"'s network address, the information request, and the particular subject matter;

retrieving answer information from one or more databases, the answer information comprising information responsive to the information request and advertiser information, the advertiser information being based on the determined at least one particular geographic area for relevant information; and

providing the answer information from the first information site to the mobile communication device.

42. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 41, wherein the advertiser information comprises sponsored information.

43. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 42, wherein the sponsored information is sponsored for specific geographic locations.

44. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 41, wherein the at least one particular geographic area for relevant information is determined independent of a physical location of the mobile communication device.

45. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 41, further comprising:

storing the at least one particular geographic area for relevant information in memory.

46. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 45, wherein providing the first information site causes advertiser information from the stored at least one particular geographic area to be displayed.

47. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 41, further comprising:

assigning answer information to categories and at least one advertiser information provider is assigned to each category for an answer to an information request.

48. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 47, further comprising:

assigning at least one advertiser information provider to each the category until an event alters the identity of the at least one advertiser information provider for the category.

49. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 47, further comprising:

assigning at least one advertiser information provider to each the category for a particular time period.

50. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 47, further comprising:

periodically conducting an auction for a right to be assigned as the at least one advertiser information provider.

51. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 41, wherein the one or more databases include at least one database that contains answer information and at least one database that contains advertiser information.

52. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 41, wherein the particular geographic area is determined by a zip code in the information request.

53. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 52, wherein the information request is a Real Estate information request with real estate advertiser information.

54. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 41, wherein the particular geographic area is determined by address information in the information request.

55. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 54, wherein the information request is a Real Estate information request with real estate advertiser information.

56. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 41, wherein the particular geographic area is determined by a location on a map in the information request.

57. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 56, wherein the information request is a Real Estate information request with real estate advertiser information.

58. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 41, wherein the information request is input by voice recognition.

59. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 41, wherein the advertiser information contains a link to connect the mobile communication device to the advertiser'"'"'s web page, the advertiser'"'"'s web page relating to the particular subject matter.

60. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 41, wherein the network is one of an interactive television network, the Internet, a mobile communications network, and a radio network.

61. A computer server for communicating information over a network comprising:

a memory; and

a processor that;

provides a new first information site hosted by a server on a network, the first information site being characterized by a new network address, at which customers seek information relating to particular subject matter and a particular geographic area for relevant information, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from at least one of the communication device'"'"'s derived geographic location, the communication device'"'"'s network address, the information request, and the particular subject matter;

offers an advertiser an option to provide a link to the advertiser'"'"'s webpage to be placed on the first information site, the advertiser'"'"'s webpage relating to the particular subject matter and the particular geographic area for relevant information, wherein if the advertiser accepts the offer,

places the link on the first information site on behalf of the advertiser.

62. The computer server of claim 61, wherein offering an advertiser an option involves an auction process whereby one or more bidders are permitted to have links placed on the first information site.

63. The computer server of claim 61, wherein the communication device is one of a processing device, a computer, a laptop, a server, a mobile communication device, and a personal digital assistant (PDA).

64. The computer server of claim 61, wherein the advertiser'"'"'s webpage includes at least one of a video advertisement and an interactive advertisement.

65. The computer server of claim 61, wherein the at least one particular geographic area for relevant information is determined independent of a physical location of the communication device.

66. The computer server of claim 61, wherein the network is one of an interactive television network, the Internet, a mobile communications network, and a radio network.

67. A method of providing advertisers access to customers based on customer geographic preferences, comprising the steps of:

providing a new first information site hosted by a computer server on a network, the first information site being characterized by a new network address, at which customers seek information relating to particular subject matter and a particular geographic area for relevant information, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from at least one of the communication device'"'"'s derived geographic location, the communication device'"'"'s network address, the information request, and the particular subject matter;

offering an advertiser an option to provide a link to the advertiser'"'"'s webpage to be placed on the first information site, the advertiser'"'"'s webpage relating to the particular subject matter and the particular geographic area for relevant information, wherein if the advertiser accepts the offer,

placing the link on the first information site on behalf of the advertiser.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein offering an advertiser an option involves an auction process whereby one or more bidders are permitted to have links placed on the first information site.

69. The method of claim 67, wherein the communication device is one of a processing device, a computer, a laptop, a server, a mobile communication device, and a personal digital assistant (PDA).

70. The method of claim 67, wherein the advertiser'"'"'s webpage includes at least one of a video advertisement and an interactive advertisement.

71. The method of claim 67, wherein the at least one particular geographic area for relevant information is determined independent of a physical location of the communication device.

72. The method of claim 67, wherein the network is one of an interactive television network, the Internet, a mobile communications network, and a radio network.

73. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for controlling a computing device for providing advertisers access to customers based on customer geographic preference, the instructions comprising:

providing a new first information site hosted by a computer server on a network, the first information site being characterized by a new network address, at which customers seek information relating to particular subject matter and a particular geographic area for relevant information, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from at least one of the communication device'"'"'s derived geographic location, the communication device'"'"'s network address, the information request, and the particular subject matter;

offering an advertiser an option to provide a link to the advertiser'"'"'s webpage to be placed on the first information site, the advertiser'"'"'s webpage relating to the particular subject matter and the particular geographic area for relevant information, wherein if the advertiser accepts the offer,

placing the link on the first information site on behalf of the advertiser.

74. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 73, wherein offering an advertiser an option involves an auction process whereby one or more bidders are permitted to have links placed on the first information site.

75. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 73, wherein the communication device is one of a processing device, a computer, a laptop, a server, a mobile communication device, and a personal digital assistant (PDA).

76. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 73, wherein the advertiser'"'"'s webpage includes at least one of a video advertisement and an interactive advertisement.

77. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 73, wherein the at least one particular geographic area for relevant information is determined independent of a physical location of the communication device.

78. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 73, wherein the network is one of an interactive television network, the Internet, a mobile communications network, and a radio network.

79. A computer server for communicating information over a network comprising:

a memory; and

a processor that;

compiles a database of a plurality advertisements;

provides one or more of the plurality of advertisements to a new first information site hosted by the computer server on the network, the first information site being characterized by a new network address, the network address relating to a particular subject matter, wherein the first information site is one of a web page, a television communication site, a radio communication site, an electronic billboard, a web-based television site, an Internet-enabled communication site, a network gaming site, an interactive gaming site, and an Internet radio application site,

wherein the first information site receives an information request from a communication device connected through the network, wherein the information request includes an information request and information retrieved from the memory, determines at least one particular geographic area for relevant information to be provided in answering the information request, the information request relating to the particular subject matter and the at least one particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from at least one of the communication device'"'"'s derived geographic location, a location from the user'"'"'s data file, the communication device'"'"'s location stored in the memory, the communication device'"'"'s network address, the information request, and the particular subject matter, retrieves answer information from one or more databases, the answer information comprising information responsive to the information request and the provided one or more of the plurality of advertisements from the compiled database, the one or more of the plurality of advertisements being based on the determined at least one particular geographic area for relevant information, and provides the answer information from the first information site to the communication device.

80. The computer server of claim 79, wherein the one or more of the plurality of advertisements are provided based an auction process whereby one or more bidders are permitted to have advertisements provided with the answer information.

81. The computer server of claim 79, wherein the communication device is one of a processing device, a computer, a laptop, a server, a mobile communication device, and a personal digital assistant (PDA).

82. The computer server of claim 79, wherein the one or more of the plurality of advertisements includes at least one of a video advertisement and an interactive advertisement.

83. The computer server of claim 79, wherein the at least one particular geographic area for relevant information is determined independent of a physical location of the communication device.

84. The computer server of claim 79, wherein the network is one of an interactive television network, the Internet, a mobile communications network, and a radio network.

85. The computer server of claim 79, wherein the one or more of the plurality of advertisements are provided to the new first information by one of pushing the one or more of the plurality of advertisements to the new first information and the first information site pulling the one or more of the plurality of advertisements from the compiled database.

86. A method of electronically providing advertisements to a communication device, comprising:

compiling a database of a plurality advertisements;

providing one or more of the plurality of advertisements to a new first information site hosted by a computer server on the network, the first information site being characterized by a new network address, the network address relating to a particular subject matter, wherein the first information site is one of a web page, a television communication site, a radio communication site, an electronic billboard, a web-based television site, an Internet-enabled communication site, a network gaming site, an interactive gaming site, and an Internet radio application site,

wherein the first information site receives an information request from a communication device connected through the network, wherein the information request includes an information request and information retrieved from the memory, determines at least one particular geographic area for relevant information to be provided in answering the information request, the information request relating to the particular subject matter and the at least one particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from at least one of the communication device'"'"'s derived geographic location, a location from the user'"'"'s data file, the communication device'"'"'s location stored in the memory, the communication device'"'"'s network address, the information request, and the particular subject matter, retrieves answer information from one or more databases, the answer information comprising information responsive to the information request and the provided one or more of the plurality of advertisements from the compiled database, the one or more of the plurality of advertisements being based on the determined at least one particular geographic area for relevant information, and provides the answer information from the first information site to the communication device.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein the one or more of the plurality of advertisements are provided based an auction process whereby one or more bidders are permitted to have advertisements provided with the answer information.

88. The method of claim 86, wherein the communication device is one of a processing device, a computer, a laptop, a server, a mobile communication device, and a personal digital assistant (PDA).

89. The method of claim 86, wherein the one or more of the plurality of advertisements includes at least one of a video advertisement and an interactive advertisement.

90. The method of claim 86, wherein the at least one particular geographic area for relevant information is determined independent of a physical location of the communication device.

91. The method of claim 86, wherein the network is one of an interactive television network, the Internet, a mobile communications network, and a radio network.

92. The method of claim 86, wherein the one or more of the plurality of advertisements are provided to the new first information by one of pushing the one or more of the plurality of advertisements to the new first information and the first information site pulling the one or more of the plurality of advertisements from the compiled database.

93. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for controlling a computing device for electronically providing advertisements to a communication device, the instructions comprising:

compiling a database of a plurality advertisements;

providing one or more of the plurality of advertisements to a new first information site hosted by a computer server on the network, the first information site being characterized by a new network address, the network address relating to a particular subject matter, wherein the first information site is one of a web page, a television communication site, a radio communication site, an electronic billboard, a web-based television site, an Internet-enabled communication site, a network gaming site, an interactive gaming site, and an Internet radio application site,

wherein the first information site receives an information request from a communication device connected through the network, wherein the information request includes an information request and information retrieved from the memory, determines at least one particular geographic area for relevant information to be provided in answering the information request, the information request relating to the particular subject matter and the at least one particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from at least one of the communication device'"'"'s derived geographic location, a location from the user'"'"'s data file, the communication device'"'"'s location stored in the memory, the communication device'"'"'s network address, the information request, and the particular subject matter, retrieves answer information from one or more databases, the answer information comprising information responsive to the information request and the provided one or more of the plurality of advertisements from the compiled database, the one or more of the plurality of advertisements being based on the determined at least one particular geographic area for relevant information, and provides the answer information from the first information site to the communication device.

94. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 93, wherein the one or more of the plurality of advertisements are provided based an auction process whereby one or more bidders are permitted to have advertisements provided with the answer information.

95. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 93, wherein the communication device is one of a processing device, a computer, a laptop, a server, a mobile communication device, and a personal digital assistant (PDA).

96. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 93, wherein the one or more of the plurality of advertisements includes at least one of a video advertisement and an interactive advertisement.

97. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 93, wherein the at least one particular geographic area for relevant information is determined independent of a physical location of the communication device.

98. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 93, wherein the network is one of an interactive television network, the Internet, a mobile communications network, and a radio network.

99. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 93, wherein the one or more of the plurality of advertisements are provided to the new first information by one of pushing the one or more of the plurality of advertisements to the new first information and the first information site pulling the one or more of the plurality of advertisements from the compiled database.