Abstract: The present invention is a method for taking content in text, HTML, or related format from Web pages or documents and searching it for words or phrases that advertisers have contracted to have hyperlinked to their Web pages or documents. These words and phrases are then hyperlinked in HTML format to the advertiser's Web site, in a preferred embodiment involving routing through a tracking URL to track the number of times the hyperlink is clicked on. In a browser-based embodiment, the content is then published on the Internet and readers seeing the content have the option of clicking on the hyperlink and visiting the contracted advertiser's Web site. The hyperlinking of words can be implemented by (i) an ad server overwriting existing content HTML files, (ii) a script overwriting existing files, (iii) coding in existing HTML files referencing the ad server to determine hyperlinked words, or (iv) redirecting users to an ad server page with appropriately altered HTML files.

Abstract: A method for teaching an anomaly detecting mechanism in a system comprising observable elements (302), at least one of which has a periodic time-dependent behaviour, the anomaly detecting mechanism comprising a computerized learning mechanism (314). The method comprises assembling indicators (304) indicating the behaviour of the elements (302) and arranging the assembled indicators such that each observable element's indicators are assigned to the same input data component. The learning mechanism (314) is taught so that the input data of the learning mechanism comprises the input data components which are based on the assembled indicators (304). Points which approximate the input data are placed in the input space. A presentation of time (420-424) is incorporated into at least one input data component wherein the presentation of time is periodic, continuous and un-ambiguous within the period of the at least one element with periodic time-dependent behaviour.

Abstract: A method and system of arranging advertisements on a network for a potential media owner or affiliate to sell ad space on a network media to an advertiser. The advertiser's conditions and the affiliate's acceptance are made on the network through an agent's server. The server provides an invitation page for entry of the advertiser's conditions. The conditions are disclosed to the affiliate on the network. When the affiliate accepts the conditions on the network, the agent's server responds to make an advertisement contract, and allocates an advertiser's web site to the ad space of the network media. The number of the responses made to the advertisement is counted at the agent's server, which delivers statistical data of the counted responses on the network to the advertiser and the affiliate for determination of the payment and for evaluation of the effectiveness of the advertisement.

Abstract: A method for providing customized network interface and targeted marketing forum. Consumers are provided with a graphical interface tailored in appearance and content based solely on the consumer's specifications. In addition, advertisers and other commercial entities are provided with a targeted audience of consumers having an increased likelihood of interest in the advertisement or commercial object.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for redeeming virtual coupons by associating the coupons with consumers' credit cards for redemption. In disclosed methods, coupon databases are associated with consumers and associated with the consumers' credit cards. Coupon offers are stored in the coupon databases and are redeemed by consumers by the use of the credit cards that are associated with the consumers' coupon databases.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for producing an advertisement that is optimized to a particular user or group of users for a current transaction and is presented to such users at the point of sale or transaction terminal at a public location. The transaction terminal produces current transaction data that includes customer identity, and goods/services being purchased and their prices. The current transaction data is sent to an advertisement server via a network such as the Internet. The advertisement server implements a user database device, a goods database and an advertisement database to locate an existing advertisement or create a new advertisement that is optimized according to common characteristics of the particular group. The optimized advertisement is sent to the transaction terminal for presentation to the user on a monitor or like display device or, printed on a sales receipt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to managing advertising inventory. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for managing advertising inventory so as to enhance total ad revenue. In a preferred embodiment, one or more restrictions are selectively applied to limit the respective availability levels of one or more selected categories of advertisements within the advertising inventory. Typically, the selected categories of advertisements which are subject to the restrictions are at the lowest end of the pricing levels. By limiting the respective availability levels of selected categories of advertisements, unnecessary displacements of other categories of advertisements which are priced at the higher end of the pricing levels are reduced, thereby enhancing the total ad revenue that can be generated.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a system and method for enabling a user to quickly access personalized data specifically created and updated for the user with network tracking techniques. The tracking techniques provide quick and accurate location and updating of previously generated data associated with a particular user. New and updated data related to the previously generated data and specific to the particular user is regenerated so that the personalized data is automatically and dynamically updated in response to trackable remote user input. Also, portions of the data can be displayed as interactive data with client side processing. This allows real time interaction and manipulation of the personalized data values. Namely, the user can dynamically compute and generate personalized results from a remote location by interacting with displayed data.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for providing access to electronic works over a network. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention offers a user access to electronic copies of works, such as songs, albums, movies, or music videos, over a network. The user responds to the offer by requesting to access to a particular work. Before such a request is granted, the present invention may verify that the user is authorized to access to the work. In one embodiment, the user verifies that they are authorized to access an electronic copy of the work by demonstrating that they possess a physical copy of the work. In another embodiment, the user verifies that they are authorized to access an electronic copy of the work by demonstrating that they ordered or purchased a copy of the work. If a user's authorization is verified, the user may then be provided with access to an electronic copy of the work by such techniques as downloading or streaming.

Abstract: An electronic advertisement method and system for an Internet browser with a book-like page-based flipping interface. Full pages of electronic advertisements presented on the computer screen are possible without obstructing the viewing and reading of other contents. This benefits both the viewer as well as the advertiser. An advertisement matching/delivery system provides a novel method of inserting advertisements into content as well as a novel method for revenue sharing among the parties involved.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a first message and a second message are sequentially displayed in the same presentation vehicle. Initially, the first message may be displayed in the presentation vehicle. The second message may replace the first message in the presentation vehicle if the presentation vehicle is about to be closed. Sequentially displaying two messages in the same presentation vehicle minimizes the number of presentation vehicles on a computer screen and provides at least two chances to attract an end-user's attention. It provides end-users with another alternative choice without taking up any more display space. When employed to display advertisements, for example, this provides more value to end-users and enables more advertisers to reach their target audience.

Abstract: A method and system to manage the operation of multiple item promotions which provide a benefit to a customer who purchases a specified combination of items. The present invention monitors purchases in conjunction with Point Of Sale (POS) processing in a retail store and determines when purchase combination promotions are satisfied by a customer's purchase selections. The present invention stores a description of the items purchased in conjunction with the promotion, stores the cost of the promotion to be charged to each sponsor for each benefit or discount provided, and tracks future redemption of coupons or paperless equivalents that were issued in conjunction with a purchase combination promotion.

Abstract: The present invention makes it easy to collect, manage, and communicate with consumers using e-mail and other forms of push-based messaging as the primary vehicle for communication of marketing content. The software makes it simple to offer bounties or other types of compensation to any participant interested in referring new users to into the system as well as offer a multiple tier referral system so that those participants can refer others as well. The present invention: makes it possible to track the entire path of a communication and all of the actions inside of it for modeling and other analytical purposes; simplifies the process for generating custom marketing communications in large capacity; simplifies the process of enabling the selection, insertion and delivery of marketing communications inside of the main communication layer and enables an administrator to easily administer all aspects of the software from an intuitive web based interface.

Abstract: A publishing system is disclosed that can provide direct marketing advertising together with material generated by members of an on-line community, editorial content or material generated by special guests. Individualized electronic mail messages addressed to members of an on-line community can be generated. Each individualized electronic mail message includes information from one or more of advertising submitted by vendors via electronic mail, electronic mail messages received from community members and special guests, and editorial content. The information included in a particular individualized electronic mail message depends on values assigned to the messages from community members, to the advertising from vendors and to the editorial content. The assigned values are indicative of the relevance of the community member messages, the advertising and editorial content, respectively, to particular segments of the on-line community.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for scheduling the delivery of multiple items of content selectively to online users. Expected values relating to each user being online during a given time period are determined. An ordered list of the items of content to be selectively delivered to the users is generated based on the expected values. The list is prioritized to meet delivery requirements associated with the items of content.

Abstract: An electronic advertisement method and system for an Internet browser with a book-like page-based flipping interface. Full pages of electronic advertisements presented on the computer screen are possible without obstructing the viewing and reading of other contents. This benefits both the viewer as well as the advertiser. An advertisement matching/delivery system provides a novel method of inserting advertisements into content as well as a novel method for revenue sharing among the parties involved.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides computer-aided processing of a rebate on a product. The system includes a rebate processing center communicating over a network with a manufacturer, a distributor, and a consumer. The rebate processing center maintains a promotion table and a transaction table in order to facilitate processing of product rebates and to offer the consumer a choice of disbursement options.

Abstract: An individually targeted content delivery system and methods which allows content to be delivered to at least one set top box while preserving the privacy of the set top box users. The system and methods of the present invention determine one or more user models for a set top box based on user interactions with the set top box and content to be displayed on the set top box is selected based on the user model. The present invention also allows a set top box to determine when content has been experienced by a set top box user, and to require a set top box user to experience at least one pre-defined content before other content can be viewed.

Abstract: A system for providing cash to users in a self-service environment such as in dispensing motor fuel, includes a self-service dispensing machine (12). A user is enabled to dispense merchandise from the self-service dispensing machine and is also enabled to selectively receive cash value by charging the amount of such value to a monetary source associated with a machine readable article (80, 82). A user may receive cash value by presenting a printed voucher or other item to a service provider located at a facility (14) at which the service provider exchanges the voucher or other item for cash. Alternatively, cash may be dispensed to the user directly from the self-service dispensing machine.

Abstract: Internet promotion redemption (10) for business cards (112), coupons (212), greeting cards (312) and phone books enabling a user to enter in a identification code which is specific to a vendor displaying promotion vendor name and promotion vendor discount.