Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PROMOTIONAL AND PRODUCT ON-~IN~ HELP METHODS VIA lN'~ KN~
RA~RG~OUND OF THE lNv~NllON
I. Field of The Invention
The present invention relates to a method for
providing sponsor promotion or on-line product help
services to consumers while simultaneously providing
consumers with Internet access. More particularly, a first
inventive promotion method includes the distribution of
Internet access software which allows a consumer to access
the Internet via an Internet Entry Server (IES), but which
access directs the consumer first to the sponsor's home
page for a mandatory tour. A second promotion method
includes the distribution of specialized calling cards. A
toll free telephone number is distributed along with the
calling cards which number can be called to connect to an
Enhanced Entry Server to order free or low cost software
for accessing the Internet. For sponsor promotions, the
Internet access software is designed such that, as the user
initially accesses the Internet, the sponsor's "home page"
and domain is automatically accessed as well. The
specialized calling card can be used for Internet access
time, for long distance calling time, or for any
combination of Internet time and calling time. Finally, in
~ an on-line help method, a purchaser of a consumer product,
such as software, for example, is provided with a
predetermined amount of prepaid Internet Access time to an
Internet Entry Server which automatically hot-links the
customer to the sponsor/vendor's domain and "Home Page".
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The customer can then access the sponsor/vendor's Home page
to get on-line help, either in real time or time delayed
via Electronic mail, for questions regarding the product.
II. DescriDtion of The Related Art
In marketing of consumer products, particularly in the
United States, it has long been common for manufacturers to
use promotions in the form of discount coupons,
sweepstakes, or other giveaways and contests. One object
of such promotions is to develop a customer profile
database which can yield valuable marketing information.
Another object is to develop consumer mailing lists to
identify customers who would be prime targets for
promotional materials.
Traditionally, mail-in rebates have been one method of
choice for developing such survey information and mailing
lists. Such rebates are traditionally distributed by
attaching refund offers directly to the product, or to
display them alongside the product on a retail shelf, which
refunds can be mailed into the manufacturer, along with a
proof of purchase, to get a refund or rebate on the
product. Some retail merchants provide a central bulletin
board where all of the rebate forms are placed, requiring
interested consumers to look through all of the forms to
locate the one or ones in which they are interested. In
addition to this time consuming search for relevant refund
offers, there are several additional disadvantages of this
rebate approach. Members of "discount or rebate clubs"
will often take an entire booklet of refund forms from a
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display for trade or sale within the club, thus totally
disrupting the manufacturer's promotional scheme. The
rebate forms must be printed and distributed by the
manufacturers to participating retailers, which represents
a significant ongoing cost. Often manufacturers can supply
only the largest retailers with refund forms, which
~;~;n;shes the effectiveness of promotions and information
gathering by virtually eliminating small merchants from the
marketing effort. Consumers often do not know of the
existence of the refund until he or she actually examines
the product or the display in the store. Furthermore,
since rebates are typically for nominal amounts, such as
$.25 or $.50, for example, the postage costs to mail in
these forms for a rebate are often prohibitive if the
consumer is asked to bear them or, if the manufacturer uses
prepaid postage, the postage will dramatically increase the
promotional costs. The requirement to send in a proof of
purchase, typically a store receipt, causes additional
inconvenience. Finally, where it is important to collect
consumer profile or mailing list information in a set time
frame, the rebate coupons are returned to a manufacturer
over a period of weeks, if not months. Once received, the
information on the forms must be coded in by personnel at
the manufacturer's collection facility, representing an
~ 25 added expense.
Recent advances in personal computer technology and
the ever increasing percentage of the population with
access to a personal computer have made the Internet a
viable alternative marketing tool. Many on-line computer
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services, such as Prodigy and America On-Line, provide, for
a fee as a part of their on-line service, software for
connecting to and accessing the Internet. There are
literally thousands of companies and organizations which
maintain Internet/World Wide Web sites or "domains" which
are accessible by users of the Internet. A problem with
using such Web Sites and associated "Home Pages" as a
marketing tool, is the huge number of options available to
a user. In other words, without some incentive or
direction for a user to access a particular company's home
page, there is little likelihood that a particular user
will access that home page, or even be aware of its
existence.
Recent competition in the long distance carrier market
has led to a proliferation of new products and marketing
techniques for selling long distance time. One recent
innovation is the sale of prepaid telephone calling cards
which entitle the bearer to a certain amount of long
distance time, typically within the continental United
States.
In marketing of many consumer products, including
software products, it is customary to provide the customer
with a limited amount of free access to on-line help
regarding the product. Typically this help is provided via
a toll free "800" telephone number or it can be accessed
via a customer paid telephone number, i.e. the help is free
but the customer pays for the telephone time. It is very
expensive for a software developer and vendor to maintain
adequate staffing of persons skilled enough technically to
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provide reliable software support, particularly to provide
real time support during peak inquiry times. Furthermore,
toll free telephone accounts can be very expensive,
particularly since access to them is typically open ended.
~ 5 It is apparent that a new marketing strategy and
method is needed to take advantage of the Internet to
provide a more desirable and convenient method of featuring
a company's (sponsor's) products or services while
providing a reliable source of consumer profile and mailing
list information. Such a method should limit, or even
eliminate, the requirement for printing and distributing
rebate coupons and should allow sponsors an opportunity to
feature, in real time, specific products or services. Such
a method should allow the sponsor to target likely
recipients for the Internet access at minimal cost. Such a
method should provide the potential for continued marketing
access to the customers for additional promotions at
m;nim~l or no additional cost to the sponsor.
Alternatively, an enhanced retail market for telephone
calling cards is needed to maximize card sales. Finally, a
reliable method for allowing purchasers of consumer
products to access on-line help via the Internet could
present significant savings for product manufacturers.
~ 25 Summary of the Invention
A first of the inventive methods involves promoting a
sponsor's products or services by providing a consumer or
potential consumer with sponsor-paid access to the Internet
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for a limited time. The method includes the step of
distributing, by mail, or in specially marked packages of
the sponsor's products, a floppy disc with Internet access
software thereon. Associated with the floppy disc is a
unique personal identification number (PIN) along with
instructions on installing and using the Internet access
software on a personal computer (PC). The Internet access
software accesses and "handshakes~ with an "Internet Entry
Server", which verifies the PIN number, provides the access
and times the user's access time. The Internet Entry
Server is programmed to recognize the PIN number as
entitling the user to a limited prepaid or "free" Internet
access time. Typically such a time period could be 30
minutes, for example, which is paid for by the sponsor. In
return, the Internet Entry Server performs a registration
process which includes a number of personal questions and
custom data gathering in the form of queries provided by
the sponsor for response by the user. The pertinent
answers are then immediately provided to the sponsor. The
Internet Entry Server also initially gives the user a
mandatory "guided tour" of the sponsor's Home Page and
domain where the user is exposed to any current product
promotion by the sponsor and can download promotional
coupons, product information, etc. After this mandatory
guided tour is completed, the user is allowed to access any
other information on the Internet. The Internet Entry
Server also tracks the locations visited by the user during
the allotted time period, which information is also
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provided to the sponsor. The other sites visited can also
provide valuable marketing data for the sponsor.
A second one of the inventive methods includes the
distribution, by either retail sales, or in a sponsor
promotion, of a specialized telephone calling card. The
calling card includes instructions on getting Internet
access software and provides for a certain amount of
Internet access time and/or long distance calling time. In
the event of a sponsor promotion, the cards are
distributed, e.g. by mail or in specially marked packages
of the sponsor's products, free or at low cost. For retail
sales, the specialized cards are sold at retail outlets or
in other standard marketing techniques. In either case,
the calling card includes a PIN number along with
instructions on dialling a toll free number to either order
some free or low cost Internet access software or make a
long distance call. The toll free number connects the
customer to an Enhanced Entry Server which can provide
either standard long distance calling or a connection to
the Internet. Once connected, the consumer is given verbal
instructions on selecting either a long distance call or
instructions for ordering the free or low cost software.
If the option of receiving software is selected, the
consumer is polled for name, address, etc., which is then
~ 25 associated with the assigned PIN number. The software, on
a floppy disc or CD ROM, is then sent to the consumer along
with instructions on installing and using the Internet
access software on a personal computer (PC).
Alternatively, the software can be directly downloaded to
-
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the consumer's PC. Telephone access to the Internet is
accomplished by utilizing the Internet access time
allocated by the calling card. The Internet access
software accesses and "handshakes" with the Enhanced Entry
Server, which verifies the PIN number, provides the access
and times the user's access time. The Enhanced Entry
Server is programmed to recognize the PIN number on the
calling card as entitling the user to either a limited
prepaid Internet access time and/or a time limited ordinary
long distance call within the continental U.S. Typically a
long distance time period could be 30 minutes, for example,
while the Internet access can be for 1 or 2 hours or even
days. If the consumer elects to use the calling card
solely for long distance calling and does not order the
Internet access software, then no further records are kept,
but the calling time is treated as simply a consumer
product or a sponsor giveaway. However, if the consumer
orders the Internet access software and uses it to dial the
Entry server, then the Enhanced Entry Server performs a
registration process which includes a number of personal
questions. Optionally, for sponsor paid cards, as in the
first method, custom data is gathered by the Enhanced Entry
- Server in the form of queries provided by the sponsor for
response by the user. The pertinent answers are then
immediately provided to the-sponsor. Also, in sponsor paid
promotions, the Enhanced Entry Server initially gives the
user a mandatory "guided tour" of the sponsor's Home Page
and domain where the user is exposed to any current product
promotion by the sponsor and can download promotional
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coupons, product information, etc. After this mandatory
guided tour is completed, the user is allowed to access
other information on the sponsor's home page, and is then
released to access any other information on the Internet.
The Enhanced Entry Server also tracks the other Internet
sites visited by the user during the allotted time period,
which information can often provide valuable marketing
data. The third of the inventive methods includes the
provision of on-line help services to purchasers of a
sponsor/vendor's consumer products by providing them with
vendor-paid access to the Internet for a limited time. The
method includes the step of distributing to purchasers,
along with the products, a floppy disc with Internet access
software thereon. Associated with the floppy disc is a
unique personal identification number (PIN) along with
instructions on installing and using the Internet access
software on a personal computer (PC). The Internet access
software accesses and "handshakes~ with an Internet Entry
Server, which verifies the PIN number, provides the access
and times the user's access time. The Internet Entry
Server is programmed to recognize the PIN number as
entitling the user to a limited prepaid or "free~ Internet
access time for on-line help services. Such a time period
could be for a total time period such as 1 hour or more, or
access to on-line help services can be unlimited for 90
days, 6 months, etc., for example, with the access time
paid for by the sponsor/vendor. The first time a customer
uses the on-line help service, the Internet Entry Server
performs a registration process which includes a number of
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personal questions and custom data gathering in the form of
queries provided by the sponsor/vendor for response by the
user. The pertinent answers are then immediately provided
to the sponsor/vendor. The Internet Entry Server then
~'hot-links" the customer to the sponsor/vendor's Internet
domain or Home Page for a mandatory "guided tour" where the
user is exposed to any current product promotion by the
sponsor/vendor and can download promotional coupons,
product information, etc. After this mandatory guided tour
is completed, the customer is allowed to enter queries for
help in installing or using the sponsor/vendor's product.
As an optional promotional service, upon termination of the
on-line help session, access to other information on the
Internet can be provided. All three methods share the
common characteristic of, once the prepaid time period is
up, prompting the user with one or more of a plurality of
options for extending the access period. For example, the
user can be prompted to enter a credit card number to which
access time will be charged; he or she can be given the
opportunity to answer additional survey information in
return for additional "free" or prepaid time; or a "900"
subscriber paid telephone access number can be provided
through which additional access will be billed via the
normal telephone company soo billing cycles.
Obiects and Advantaqes of the Invention
The principle objects and advantages of the invention
include: for the first, sponsor product promotion method,
to provide an improved method of featuring a sponsor~s
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products or services by providing "free" Internet access
time to a participating consumer or "user"; to provide such
an improved method in which the user is given Internet
access software for a PC which interfaces the PC with an
Internet Entry Server to provide access to the Internet; to
provide such a method in which a unique PIN number is
associated with the access software, which PIN number
entitles the user to the free Internet access time; to
provide such a method in which the Internet Entry Server
prompts the user, upon initial dial-up, to register by
answering a series of queries provided by the sponsor; to
provide such a method in which the user, once the queries
are answered, is given a mandatory "guided tour" of the
sponsor's home page and domain prior to being given general
"browsing" access to the Internet; to provide such a method
in which any browsing done by the user is also monitored
and reported back to the sponsor for additional marketing
information; and to provide such a method which achieves
effective exposure and marketing of a sponsor's products or
services with minimal expense; for the second, calling card
distribution method, to provide an improved method of
retailing a specialized calling card or of featuring a
sponsor's products or services by providing a free
specialized calling card to a consumer which allows either
of a limited Internet access time or ordinary long distance
calling; to provide such an improved method in which the
recipient of the prepaid calling card is given the option
of ordering free or low cost Internet access software for a
PC which interfaces the PC with an Enhanced Entry Server to
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provide access to the Internet; to provide such a method in
which a unique PIN number is associated with the prepaid
calling card, which PIN number entitles the user to the
limited Internet access time and/or calling time; to
provide such a method in which the Enhanced Entry Server
prompts a user of the Internet access software, upon
initial dial-up, to register by answering a series of
queries which can include customized survey questions in
the event of a sponsor promotioni to provide such a method
in which the user, once the queries are answered, is
optionally given a mandatory "guided tour~' of the sponsor's
home page and domain prior to being given general
"browsing" access to the Internet; to provide such a method
in which any browsing done by the user can also be
monitored and reported back to the sponsor for additional
marketing information; and, for the on-line help method, to
provide an improved method of providing on-line help for
customers of a sponsor/vendor's consumer products by
providing "free" Internet access time to a the customer; to
provide such an improved method in which the customer is
given Internet access software for a PC which interfaces
the PC with an Internet Entry Server to provide access to
the Internet; to provide such a method in which a unique
PIN number is associated with the access software, which
PIN number entitles the customer to the free Internet
access time and on-line help; to provide such a method in
which the Internet Entry Server prompts the customer, upon
initial dial-up, to register the software by answering a
series of queries provided by the sponsor/vendor; to
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13
provide such a method in which the customer, once the
registration is complete, is given a mandatory promotional
~guided tour" of the sponsor/vendor's home page and domain
prior to being given access to on-line help queries and
~ 5 personnel; to provide such a method in which any browsing
done by the customer is also monitored and reported back to
the sponsor/vendor for additional marketing information;
and to provide such a method which achieves effective
marketing of a sponsor/vendor's software products while
providing on-line help to the customers at m;n;m~l expense;
and, for all three methods, to provide such a method in
which, when the initial allotted on-line help or Internet
access time is used up, the customer is given one or more
options to acquire additional on-line help and/or Internet
access time.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will
become apparent from the following description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set
forth, by way of illustration and example,- certain
embodiments of this invention.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification
and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention
and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
Brief Descri~tion of the Drawinqs
Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the first
method in which sponsor paid Internet access time is
provided in return for the collection of marketing data and
the promotion of a sponsor's products and/or services.
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Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a the second
method involving the distribution of specialized calling
cards which offer a recipient the option of using the card
for either prepaid Internet time or ordinary long distance
calling.
Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the third
method of providing sponsor/vendor paid Internet access
time for on-line help services while simultaneously
promoting registration of the software and marketing the
sponsor/vendor's other products and/or services.
Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a first option
for extending a consumer/customer's access to on-line help
via the Internet past the initial sponsor/vendor paid
access time allotment.
Fig. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a second option
for extending a consumer/customer's access to on-line help
via the Internet past the sponsor/vendor paid access time
allotment.
Fig. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a third option
for extending a consumer/customer's access to on-line help
via the Internet past the sponsor/vendor paid access time
allotment.
Detailed Descri~tion of the Invention
As required, detailed embodiments of the present
invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be
understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely
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exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in
various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed
herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as
a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for
teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the
present invention in virtually any appropriate manner.
Referring to Fig. 1, the numeral 1 generally refers to
a method of providing a consumer or user with a sponsor-
paid Internet access time allotment while collecting
marketing data for the sponsor and featuring the sponsor's
products and/or special services.
At block 2, the sponsor provides the user with
Internet access software and a PIN number which authorizes
the user to access the Internet for the allotted time
period. Distribution can be accomplished in a number of
ways, including, but not limited to placing program floppy
discs, instructions and PIN numbers in specially marked
packages of a sponsor's product, providing a toll free
number which users can call to receive a package including
the floppy and PIN number, and/or distributing packages
through retail outlets which sell the sponsor's products.
At block 3, the user installs the program on his or her PC
and initiates the toll free call and log-in procedure to
the Internet Entry Server (IES) via the PC's modem. At
block 4, the IES receives the protocol handshake
automatically entered by the PC and verifies the user's PIN
number. At block 5, the IES prompts the user with a
customized "welcome" screen which preferably features the
sponsor's logo and other sponsor supplied information. At
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this point, the user is requested to register by supplying
answers to queries, including typical questions such as
name, address, age, gender, etc. as well as sponsor
supplied specialized survey queries. At block 6, the user
provides answers to the questions, wherein, at block 11,
the IES collects the information and compiles a database
profile for this user, forwards the profile to the sponsor,
and activates a timer to time the user's Internet access.
At block 12, the IES activates an Internet
navigational software "browser" program on the user's PC.
Such browser programs are widely available, and include
titles such as Netscape, Mosaic, etc. The IES directs the
browser program to directly connect (hot-link) the user to
the Internet ~o~;n/Home Page of the sponsor, signified by
block 13. At block 13, the user is conducted through a
mandatory "guided tour" of the sponsors domain where he or
she is exposed to any promotional information, coupon
retrieval options, etc., which the sponsor wants to
feature. After the sponsor ~o~-;n guided tour, at block
14, the IES returns control to the user who is now free to
visit other areas of interest within the sponsor's domain
and then, at block 15, the user is released to visit other
~om~;n~ or areas of interest within the Internet for the
rem~;n~ng time of the sponsor paid allotment. At block 21,
the IES provides an open link to the Internet for the
remainder of the time period and also keeps a record of
other dom~;n.~ visited by the user until the IES clock, at
block 22, times out the initial period and brings up a
predefined informational screen to the user, again
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preferably featuring the sponsor's logo and identifying
information. On this informational screen, one or more
alternatives ~Figs. 4-6) are provided to the user to extend
or llrefresh" the Internet access time. At block 23, the
user reads the informational interrupt screen and makes a
decision about logging off or refreshing his allotted time
period.
Referring to Fig. 2, the numeral 31 generally refers
to a method of providing a consumer or user with a
specialized prepaid calling card which allows the recipient
to make long distance calls and/or allows a limited
Internet access time. In addition, the card allows the
recipient to order free or low cost Internet access
software. For sponsor distributed cards, the method
includes collecting marketing data for the sponsor as well
as featuring the sponsor's products and/or special
services.
At block 32, the sponsor or a retailer distributes,
either independently or along with a sponsor product, a
telephone long distance calling card (not shown). For
sponsor promotions, the card can be distributed free but,
alternatively, the calling cards can simply be a value
added consumer item. The card, for example, can take the
form and size of an ordinary plastic credit card and can
include printed indicia including a personal identification
number ~PIN). An instruction set is preferably printed on
the card as well, but could be distributed in a separate
paper or card. The instruction set can read, for example,
as follows:
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18
THIS CARD ENTITLES THE BEARER TO 1N1~ ACCESS
SOFTWARE FOR YOUR PERSONAL COM~U 1~ AND TO 2 HOURS OF
lNl~NET ACCESS TIME. PLEASE DIAL 1-800-555-5555 AND
FO~LOWING THE VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS TO ORDER YOUR
INTERNET SOFTWARE. AS AN ALTERNATIVE, THIS CARD CAN
BE USED FOR 30 M1NU1~;S LONG DISTANCE CALLING WITHIN
THE CO~ NlAL U.S. BY DIALLING 1-800-555-5555 AND
ENTERING THE PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (PIN)
PRINTED ABOVE AND THEN FOLLOWING THE VERBAL CALLING
INSTRUCTIONS
The calling card thus provides the user with a PIN
number and instructions for ordering the Internet access
software. Once the Internet access software is received
and loaded, the PIN number can be used either for computer
access to the Internet for the allotted time period or for
ordinary long distance calls or any combination of the two
totalling the allotted time. Distribution of the telephone
calling cards can be accomplished in a number of ways,
including, but not limited to, placing them in specially
marked packages of a sponsor's product and/or distributing
them free, or selling them at retail through retail
outlets.
Referring again to Fig. 2, at block 32, the user dials
the toll free number and, at block 33, the Enhanced Entry
Server (EES) gives verbal instructions on either completing
the long distance call or ordering the software. For
example, the instructions might be "Please Dial 1 to
complete a long distance call or Dial 2 if you wish to
receive the free Internet software". If the user dials
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"1", at block 34 the EES instructs the user to enter the
PIN, verifies the entered PIN and allows the user to simply
dial any allowed long distance number and receive up to 30
minutes (for example) of long distance calling time, which
is timed by the EES. Alternatively, if the user is
interested in receiving the Internet access software, the
user dials 2 and, at block 35, the EES verifies the PIN
number, queries the user for their name, address, etc., and
forwards the software to the user. At block 40, the user
answers the queries and receives the software, either by
mail, or, optionally, by downloading to a computer. At
block 41, the user installs the access software on his or
her PC and initiates the toll free call and log-in
procedure to the EES via the PC's modem, preferably by
simply selecting a "hot button" on a menu screen. At block
42, the EES receives the protocol handshake automatically
entered by the PC and verifies the user's PIN number. Also
at block 42, the EES prompts the user with a customized
"welcome" screen which can be personalized to the user
since the user's name and address has already been
associated with the PIN number in the EES database. For
sponsor supplied cards, the welcome screen preferably
features the sponsor's logo and other sponsor supplied
information. At this point, the user is requested to
register by supplying answers to queries, including typical
questions such as address, age, gender, etc., and, again
for sponsor provided cards, additional sponsor supplied
specialized survey queries. The user provides answers to
the questions and the EES collects the information and
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compiles a database profile for this user and activates a
timer to time the user's Internet access.
Again, at block 42, the EES activates an Internet
navigational software "browser" program on the user's PC.
Such browser programs are widely available, and include
titles such as Netscape, Mosaic, etc. For sponsor supplied
cards, the EES optionally directs the browser program to
directly connect (hot-link) the user to the Internet
domain/Home Page of the sponsor, signified by block 44. At
block 44, the user is conducted through a mandatory "guided
tour" of the sponsor's ~o~;n where he or she is exposed to
any promotional information, coupon retrieval options,
etc., which the sponsor wants to feature. After the
optional sponsor domain guided tour, at block 45, the EES
returns control to the user who is now free to visit other
areas of interest, either within the sponsor's ~om~;n if he
or he has been hot-linked there, or elsewhere as the user
is released to visit other domains or areas of interest
within the Internet for the rem~;n;ng time-allotment
provided by the calling card. At block 51, the EES
provides an open link to the Internet for the remainder of
the time period and also keeps a record of other domains
visited by the user until the EES clock, at block 52, times
out the initial period and brings up a predefined
informational screen to the user. For sponsor provided
cards this screen can again feature the sponsor's logo and
identifying information. On this informational screen, as
in the method of Fig. 1, one or more alternatives (Figs. 4-
6) are provided to the user to extend or "refresh~ the
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Internet access time. At block 53, the user reads the
informational interrupt screen and makes a decision about
logging off or refreshing his allotted time period. Of
course, the user can log off of the Internet at any time
after registration and can reserve any remaining allotted
time for later Internet access use or for ordinary long
distance calling.
Referring to Fig. 3, the numeral 61 generally refers
to a method of providing a purchaser of a consumer product
with a sponsor/vendor-paid Internet access time allotment
for on-line service help with the software while promoting
registration of the customer and simultaneously providing
an effective marketing tool for marketing other products to
the customer.
At block 62, the customer purchases a product, such as
a software product, and, along with the product the vendor
or sponsor provides the customer with Internet access
software and a PIN number which authorizes the customer to
access the Internet for an allotted time period in order to
access on-line help services for the product. At block 63,
the customer loads the Internet access software and
initiates log-in. Log-in can be a requirement during the
set-up phase of the purchased software, for example, such
that registration is automatically accomplished. For
example, during set-up the software can cause the
customer's PC to automatically dial a toll free number to
access the sponsor's domain and registration can be
accomplished as described below for all customers.
Alternatively, log-in can be accomplished selectively by
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the customer only when he or she has a problem or question
for the sponsor/vendor about the product. It should be
noted here that, although the product is described herein
as software, any other suitable consumer product for which
on-line help is provided can be substituted. For example,
manufacturers of home appliances, automobiles, or other
products with relatively complex control systems can
provide customers with on-line help over the Internet by
using the method disclosed and described herein. If the
product is software, the Internet access software can be an
integral part of the purchased software package. In that
situation, step 3 would be accomplished simply by loading
and initializing the purchased software.
At block 64, the IES receives the protocol handshake
automatically entered by the PC and verifies the customer's
PIN number. At block 65, the IES prompts the customer with
a customized "welcome" screen which preferably features the
sponsor/vendor's logo and other sponsor/vendor supplied
information. At this point, the customer is requested to
register by supplying answers to queries, including typical
questions such as name, address, age, gender, etc. as well
as sponsor/vendor supplied specialized survey queries. For
purposes of receiving "time-shifted" help, as explained
below, the customer can be requested to enter an Electronic
mail address during registration as well. At block 66, the
customer provides answers to the questions, wherein, at
block 71, the IES collects the information and compiles a
database profile for this customer, forwards the profile to
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the sponsor, and activates a timer or starts a calendar to
time the customer's Internet on-line help access.
At block 72, the IES activates an Internet
navigational software ~browser" program on the customer's
PC. Such browser programs are widely available, and
include titles such as Netscape, Mosaic, etc. The IES
directs the browser program to directly connect (hot-link)
the customer to the Internet domain/Home Page of the
sponsor, signified by block 73. At block 73, the customer
is conducted through a mandatory "guided tour" of the
sponsors domain where he or she is exposed to any product
promotional information, coupon retrieval options, etc.,
which the sponsor wants to feature. After the sponsor
domain guided tour, at block 74, the customer now has
access to the on-line help features provided by the
sponsor. The customer can type in questions and receive
answers in one of two ways. At block 75, when help staff
is available for real time answers, i.e. as a question is
entered, someone on the sponsor's staff has a "live"
discussion with the customer and provides immediate answers
to the questions. Block 76 illustrates an alternative in
which the sponsor provides "time shifted" responses. For
example, when all staff are busy or during off hours,
queries can be logged in and answered later via Electronic
mail. The customer's Electronic mail address can be
provided as a feature of the log-on or registration
procedure, as described above. At block 81, the customer
can repeat the access to the sponsor's domain for
additional help inquiries at any time during which he is
CA 02223787 1997-12-0~ .
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24
still entitled to on-line help. For example, each customer
can be given a total of 2 hours of help time which can be
used at any time, or he or she can be given unlimited
access to on-line help during the first 90 days after
purchase and registration. At block 82, the IES clock or
calendar times out the initial period and brings up a
predefined informational screen to the customer, again
preferably featuring the sponsor's logo and identifying
information. On this informational screen, one or more
alternatives (Figs. 4-6) are provided to the customer to
extend or '~refresh" the time during which access to on-line
help is available via the Internet.
Referring to Fig. 4, a block diagram of a first option
for refreshing the Internet time allotment is illustrated.
In this option, the user can give a credit card number to
which additional Internet access time will be billed via
the normal IES or EES billing procedure. At block 91, the
user chooses the credit card option from a menu of refresh
options and provides his or her credit card information as
well as a time purchase to the IES or EES. At block 92,
the IES (or EES) receives the credit card information,
performs an on-line validation from a credit card
validation database (block 93), provides confirmation to
the user and credits the user' s PIN account with the
additional time. At block 94, the user reactivates the
browser program and continues the Internet access or logs
off and reserves the purchased time for later use. At
block 95, each time the user reactivates the Internet
browser program, a screen is presented which features the
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spon~or's logo or other identifying data and an option to
hot-link to the sponsor's domain, possibly for no charge
during the sponsor domain access. At block 96, the user is
billed during the normal credit card billing cycle.
Fig. 5 illustrates a block schematic diagram of a
second option for refreshing the user's Internet time
.allotment. In this option, the user can take an additional
"survey", answering additional questions and/or providing
further information solicited by the sponsor, and, in
return, receives an additional sponsor paid Internet time
allotment. At block 101, the user chooses the Survey
refresh option and, at block 102, the EES connects the user
to a survey screen or hot-links the user to the sponsor
domain where the user interactively provides the required
information. Once the additional survey is complete, the
sponsor, again at block 103, authorizes the additional
Internet connect time allotment to the user. At block 104,
the user reactivates the browser program and re-accesses
the Internet or logs off and reserves the additional time
20 for later use. At block 105, as in block 95 in Fig. 4,
each time the user logs on, a sponsor tailored information
screen is displayed with sponsor hot-link options.
Fig. 6 illustrates a block schematic diagram of a
third option for refreshing the user~s Internet time
- 25 allotment. In this option, the user can access the EES via
a '~9o0~ subscriber pay number where Internet access time
will be billed through the user's telephone company 900
billing procedures. At block 111, the 900 number option is
selected, whereupon the user logs off and, either
CA 02223787 1997-12-0~
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immediately or at a future time, calls the assigned 900
number, using a touch-tone telephone. The 900 call
proceeds through normal call channels including, at blocks
112 and 113,respectively, the user's local central office
and long distance carrier, terminating at an EES linked
audiotext computer system at block 114. At block 115 the
EES assigns a new PIN number, or, alternatively, at block
121, prompts the entry of the old, originally assigned PIN
number. At block 122, the PIN information is used to open
a new account. Finally, at block 123, billing is done via
normal long distance carrier and/or telephone company 900
billing procedures at a billing rate provided by the EES.
Subsequent to access time being credited to user, he logs
on via new or refreshed PIN. For sponsor provided cards,
at block 124, Internet access screens are provided which
preferably include the sponsor's logo or other information
and a hot-link option to access the sponsor's domain with
each log-on by the user. Again, the time consumed by the
user in visiting the sponsor's domain can be provided free
of charge.
The inventive promotion method allows a sponsor to
accurately and efficiently target likely recipients for
their Internet access promotion by eliminating those
customers with no interest in, or no ability to access the
Internet. In other words, the prepaid telephone calling
cards are much more economical to distribute than the
Internet access software, now called "sampleNet~". By
first distributing the telephone calling cards, now called
"phoneNet~" cards, along with instructions on how to order
the Internet acccess software; the software is distributed
only to those customers interested and equipped to use it.
Furthermore, since the calling cards have an intrinsic
value which is greater than a standard prepaid calling
card, i.e. the long distance calling time and the Internet
access time and software, they can actually be sold over
retail counters, either as a stand alone consumer product,
or to recoup a portion of the sponsor's costs, and/or as an
incentive for retailers to participate in the sponsor's
promotional program. The Enhanced Entry Server is equipped
to allow either Internet access or long distance calling or
any combination thereof by confirming the same PIN number.
The customer who acquires and uses the Internet access
software gains a free or low cost, "hassle-free" entry into
the Internet while the customer who is not interested or
who is not equipped to use the software gets a valuable
long distance calling card.
It is to be understood that while certain forms of the
present invention have been illustrated and described
herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or
arrangement of parts described and shown.
