Method, system, and software for geographically focused network advertising

• US 8,190,476 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2011
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Heavy Hammer Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Heavy Hammer Incorporated
• Inventors: Urbanski, Michael William, Dent, Charles David
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMPAGNE, DONALD
• Application Number:
  US13/309,089
• Publication Number:
  US 20120077524A1
• Time in Patent Office: 180 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14.49, 705/14.54, 705/14.55
• 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;

receives at a new first information site an information request from a communications device connected through the network, the first information site being characterized by a new network address, the information request and the new network address relating to a particular subject matter;

determines a particular geographic area for relevant information to be provided in answering the information request, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from an input to the communication device, the input to the communication device being at least one of a selection on a displayed map, input of a postal code, and input of address information;

produces answer information, the answer information comprising

     1) information responsive to the determined geographic area for relevant information and the particular subject matter and

     2) advertiser information, the advertiser information being based on the determined particular geographic area for relevant information and containing a link to connect the communication device to a webpage of an advertiser relating to the particular subject matter for the determined geographic area for relevant information, wherein at least a portion of the answer information is variable and is provided to the communication device from at least two or more data sources.

2. The computer server in claim 1, wherein the processor determines the particular geographic area for relevant information from the input to the communication device and at least one of the information request, a cookie, and a file read by a browser.

3. The computer server in claim 1, wherein the advertiser information concerns at least one of mortgage company advertiser information, title company advertiser information, home insurance advertiser information, real estate agent advertiser information, real estate brokers advertiser information, real estate company advertiser information, and home improvement advertiser information.

4. The computer server in claim 1, wherein the processor determines the particular geographic area for relevant information from the input to the communication device and a file stored on the user side, wherein the file is a cookie.

5. The computer server in claim 1, wherein the webpage is located within a website.

6. The computer server in claim 1, wherein the advertiser information concerns at least one of home builder advertiser information, and real estate developer advertiser information.

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

a memory; and

a processor that;

receives at a new first information site an information request from a communications device connected through the network, the first information site being characterized by a new network address, the information request and the new network address relating to a particular subject matter;

determines a particular geographic area for relevant information to be provided in answering the information request, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from an input to the communication device, the input to the communication device being at least one of a selection on a displayed map, input of a postal code, and input of address information;

produces answer information, the answer information comprising

     1) information responsive to the determined geographic area for relevant information and the particular subject matter and

     2) advertiser information, the advertiser information being based on the determined particular geographic area for relevant information, and provides a form in which a user enters information that is then provided to an advertiser relating to the particular subject matter for the determined geographic area for relevant information, wherein at least a portion of the answer information is variable and is provided to the communication device from at least one two or more data sources.

8. The computer server in claim 7, wherein the processor determines the particular geographic area for relevant information from the input to the communication device and at least one of the information request, a cookie, and a file read by a browser.

9. The computer server in claim 7, wherein the advertiser information concerns at least one of mortgage company advertiser information, title company advertiser information, home insurance advertiser information, real estate agent advertiser information, real estate brokers advertiser information, real estate company advertiser information, and home improvement advertiser information.

10. The computer server in claim 7, wherein the processor determines the particular geographic area for relevant information from the input to the communication device and a file stored on the user side, wherein the file is a cookie.

11. The computer server in claim 7, wherein the webpage is located within a website.

12. The computer server in claim 7, wherein the form is populated at least in part with the user'"'"'s contact information.

13. The computer server in claim 7, wherein the advertiser information concerns at least one of home builder advertiser information, and real estate developer advertiser information.

14. A computer server for communication information over a network comprising:

a memory; and

a processor that;

receives at a new first information site an information request from a communications device connected through the network, the first information site being characterized by a new network address, the information request and the new network address relating to a particular subject matter;

determines a particular geographic area for relevant information to be provided in answering the information request, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from an input to the communication device, the input to the communication device being at least one of a selection on a displayed map, input of a postal code, and input of address information;

produces answer information, the answer information comprising

     1) information responsive to the determined geographic area for relevant information and the particular subject matter and

     2) advertiser information, the advertiser information being based on the determined particular geographic area for relevant information and containing information usable by a user to contact the advertiser relating to the particular subject matter for the determined geographic area for relevant information, wherein at least a portion of the answer information is variable and is provided to the communication device from at least two or more data sources.

15. The computer server in claim 14, wherein the processor determines the particular geographic area for relevant information from the input to the communication device and at least one of the information request, a cookie, and a file read by a browser.

16. The computer server in claim 14, wherein the advertiser information concerns at least one of mortgage company advertiser information, title company advertiser information, home insurance advertiser information, real estate agent advertiser information, real estate brokers advertiser information, real estate company advertiser information, and home improvement advertiser information.

17. The computer server in claim 14, wherein the processor determines the particular geographic area for relevant information from the input to the communication device and a file stored on the user side, wherein the file is a cookie.

18. The computer server in claim 14, wherein the webpage is located within a website.

19. The computer server in claim 14, wherein the advertiser information concerns at least one of home builder advertiser information, and real estate developer advertiser information.

20. A method of electronically providing information to a communication device connected through a network, comprising:

receives at a new first information site an information request from the communications device, the first information site being characterized by a new network address, the information request and the new network address relating to a particular subject matter;

determining a particular geographic area for relevant information to be provided in answering the information request, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from an input to the communication device, the input to the communication device being at least one of a selection on a displayed map, input of a postal code, and input of address information;

producing answer information, the answer information comprising

     1) information responsive to the determined geographic area for relevant information and the particular subject matter and

     2) advertiser information, the advertiser information being based on the determined particular geographic area for relevant information and containing a link to connect the communication device to a webpage of an advertiser relating to the particular subject matter for the determined geographic area for relevant information, wherein at least a portion of the answer information is variable and is provided to the communication device from at least ene two or more data sources.

21. The method in claim 20, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from the input to the communication device and at least one of the information request, a cookie, and a file read by a browser.

22. The method in claim 20, wherein the advertiser information concerns at least one of mortgage company advertiser information, title company advertiser information, home insurance advertiser information, real estate agent advertiser information, real estate brokers advertiser information, real estate company advertiser information, and home improvement advertiser information.

23. The method in claim 20, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from the input to the communication device and a file stored on the user side, wherein the file is a cookie.

24. The method in claim 20, wherein the webpage is located within a website.

25. The method in claim 20, wherein the advertiser information concerns at least one of home builder advertiser information, and real estate developer advertiser information.

26. A method of electronically providing information to a communication device connected through a network, comprising:

receives at a new first information site an information request from the communications device, the first information site being characterized by a new network address, the information request and the new network address relating to a particular subject matter;

determining a particular geographic area for relevant information to be provided in answering the information request, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from an input to the communication device, the input to the communication device being at least one of a selection on a displayed map, input of a postal code, and input of address information;

producing answer information, the answer information comprising

     1) information responsive to the determined geographic area for relevant information and the particular subject matter and

     2) advertiser information, the advertiser information being based on the determined particular geographic area for relevant information, and provides a form in which a user enters information that is then provided to an advertiser relating to the particular subject matter for the determined geographic area for relevant information, wherein at least a portion of the answer information is variable and is provided to the communication device from at least ene two or more data sources.

27. The method in claim 26, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from the input to the communication device and at least one of the information request, a cookie, and a file read by a browser.

28. The method in claim 26, wherein the advertiser information concerns at least one of mortgage company advertiser information, title company advertiser information, home insurance advertiser information, real estate agent advertiser information, real estate brokers advertiser information, real estate company advertiser information, and home improvement advertiser information.

29. The method in claim 26, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from the input to the communication device and a file stored on the user side, wherein the file is a cookie.

30. The method in claim 26, wherein the webpage is located within a website.

31. The method in claim 26, wherein the form is populated at least in part with the user'"'"'s contact information.

32. The method in claim 26, wherein the advertiser information concerns at least one of home builder advertiser information, and real estate developer advertiser information.

33. A method of electronically providing information to a communication device connected through a network comprising:

receives at a new first information site an information request from the communications device, the first information site being characterized by a new network address, the information request and the new network address relating to a particular subject matter;

determining a particular geographic area for relevant information to be provided in answering the information request, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from an input to the communication device, the input to the communication device being at least one of a selection on a displayed map, input of a postal code, and input of address information;

producing answer information, the answer information comprising

     1) information responsive to the determined geographic area for relevant information and the particular subject matter and

     2) advertiser information, the advertiser information being based on the determined particular geographic area for relevant information and containing information usable by a user to contact the advertiser relating to the particular subject matter for the determined geographic area for relevant information, wherein at least a portion of the answer information is variable and is provided to the communication device from at least two or more data sources.

34. The method in claim 33, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from the input to the communication device and at least one of the information request, a cookie, and a file read by a browser.

35. The method in claim 33, wherein the advertiser information concerns at least one of mortgage company advertiser information, title company advertiser information, home insurance advertiser information, real estate agent advertiser information, real estate brokers advertiser information, real estate company advertiser information, and home improvement advertiser information.

36. The method in claim 33, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from the input to the communication device and a file stored on the user side, wherein the file is a cookie.

37. The method in claim 33, wherein the webpage is located within a website.

38. The method in claim 33, wherein the advertiser information concerns at least one of home builder advertiser information, and real estate developer advertiser information.

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

receives at a new first information site an information request from the communications device, the first information site being characterized by a new network address, the information request and the new network address relating to a particular subject matter;

determining a particular geographic area for relevant information to be provided in answering the information request, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from an input to the communication device, the input to the communication device being at least one of a selection on a displayed map, input of a postal code, and input of address information;

producing answer information, the answer information comprising

     1) information responsive to the determined geographic area for relevant information and the particular subject matter and

     2) advertiser information, the advertiser information being based on the determined particular geographic area for relevant information and containing a link to connect the communication device to a webpage of an advertiser relating to the particular subject matter for the determined geographic area for relevant information, wherein at least a portion of the answer information is variable and is provided to the communication device from at least two or more data sources.

40. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 39, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from the input to the communication device and at least one of the information request, a cookie, and a file read by a browser r.

41. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 39, wherein the advertiser information concerns at least one of mortgage company advertiser information, title company advertiser information, home insurance advertiser information, real estate agent advertiser information, real estate brokers advertiser information, real estate company advertiser information, and home improvement advertiser information.

42. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 39, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from the input to the communication device and a file stored on the user side, wherein the file is a cookie.

43. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 39, wherein the webpage is located within a website.

44. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 39, wherein the advertiser information concerns at least one of home builder advertiser information, and real estate developer advertiser information.

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

receives at a new first information site an information request from the communications device, the first information site being characterized by a new network address, the information request and the new network address relating to a particular subject matter;

determining a particular geographic area for relevant information to be provided in answering the information request, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from an input to the communication device, the input to the communication device being at least one of a selection on a displayed map, input of a postal code, and input of address information;

producing answer information, the answer information comprising

     1) information responsive to the determined geographic area for relevant information and the particular subject matter and

     2) advertiser information, the advertiser information being based on the determined particular geographic area for relevant information and provides a form in which a user enters information that is then provided to an advertiser relating to the particular subject matter for the determined geographic area for relevant information, wherein at least a portion of the answer information is variable and is provided to the communication device from at least two or more data sources.

46. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 45, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from the input to the communication device and at least one of the information request, a cookie, and a file read by a browser.

47. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 45, wherein the advertiser information concerns at least one of mortgage company advertiser information, title company advertiser information, home insurance advertiser information, real estate agent advertiser information, real estate brokers advertiser information, real estate company advertiser information, and home improvement advertiser information.

48. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 45, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from the input to the communication device and a file stored on the user side, wherein the file is a cookie.

49. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 45, wherein the webpage is located within a website.

50. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 45, wherein the form is populated at least in part with the user'"'"'s contact information.

51. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 45, wherein the advertiser information concerns at least one of home builder advertiser information, and real estate developer advertiser information.

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

receives at a new first information site an information request from the communications device, the first information site being characterized by a new network address, the information request and the new network address relating to a particular subject matter;

determining a particular geographic area for relevant information to be provided in answering the information request, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from an input to the communication device, the input to the communication device being at least one of a selection on a displayed map, input of a postal code, and input of address information;

producing answer information, the answer information comprising

     1) information responsive to the determined geographic area for relevant information and the particular subject matter and

     2) advertiser information, the advertiser information being based on the determined particular geographic area for relevant information and containing information usable by a user to contact the advertiser relating to the particular subject matter for the determined geographic area for relevant information, wherein at least a portion of the answer information is variable and is provided to the communication device from at least two or more data sources.

53. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 52, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from the input to the communication device and at least one of the information request, a cookie, and a file read by a browser.

54. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 52, wherein the advertiser information concerns at least one of mortgage company advertiser information, title company advertiser information, home insurance advertiser information, real estate agent advertiser information, real estate brokers advertiser information, real estate company advertiser information, and home improvement advertiser information.

55. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 52, wherein the particular geographic area for relevant information is determined from the input to the communication device and a file stored on the user side, wherein the file is a cookie.

56. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 52, wherein the webpage is located within a website.

57. The non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 52, wherein the advertiser information concerns at least one of home builder advertiser information, and real estate developer advertiser information.