WO2000075847A1

WO2000075847A1 - Methods and hardware for doing business

Info

Publication number: WO2000075847A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/000271
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert D. Lamson; Robert G. Harrison
Original assignee: Lamson Robert D; Harrison Robert G
Priority date: 1999-06-07
Filing date: 2000-01-05
Publication date: 2000-12-14
Also published as: AU3469600A; WO2000075847A8

Abstract

Methods and apparatus (20) for selling products and services over the Internet. A home page which cannot be circumvented by a user of the apparatus (20) is connected to the Internet. This home page may be linked to other web pages of controlled content. A formula for calculating equipment cost and Internet access fees to meet objectives of suppliers and vendors is also disclosed.

Description

METHODS OF AND HARDWARE FOR DOING BUSINESS

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION In one aspect the present invention relates to novel appliances equipped to control a user's access to the Internet.

In a second aspect the present invention relates to novel methods and hardware for controlling the content of: (1) a web site home page automatically displayed on said hardware when a user logs onto the Internet and, (2) optionally, pages linked to the home page.

And, in a third affect, the present invention relates to a novel, improved method of valuing goods and services.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Pending U.S. patent application No. 09/046,947 filed 23 March 1999, and provisional application No. 60/115,197 filed 6 January 1999, disclose novel appliances having an Internet mode which can be activated by pressing a corresponding mode button.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to appliances of the character disclosed in the just identified pending applications which are designed to display a home page of controlled when a user selects the Internet mode of appliance operation. The content of the home page is selected by the manufacturer (or other supplier) of the appliance; the appliance user does not have the option of altering the content of the appliance home page. Nor can the user opt for a different home page. The manufacturer can thereby insure that advertising and/or other messages placed by it on the home page are brought to the attention of the appliance user.

Additional control over information presented to the appliance user can be had by placing on the home page links which will lead the appliance user to other web sites with contents dictated by the appliance manufacturer. At the same time, a virtual keyboard, or a real keyboard, or both may be provided so that the appliance user can reach web sites not addressed by making a selection available from the home page or a linked page.

Another feature that can be incorporated in appliances embodying the principles of the present invention is an identifier of the source from which each particular real keyboard, or both may be provided so that the appliance user can reach web sites not addressed by making a selection available from the home page or a linked page.

Another feature that can be incorporated in appliances embodying the principles of the present invention is an identifier of the source from which each particular appliance is purchased. This information can be employed for a variety of important business purposes. For example, this information can be employed by the manufacturer to configure the home page of the appliances marketed by a particular retailer to include messages dictated by the retailer. At the same time, this can be done in a manner which desirably allows the manufacturer to retain ultimate control over the home page content and all linked pages content.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it gives the manufacturer the ability to implement marketing protocols which are effective, versatile, and attractive to retailers. These protocols, in an Internet setting, allow the pricing of the appliance and the cost of Internet access to achieve goals set by the manufacture such as growth of its customer base and the maximization of revenue streams.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a pictorial view showing the components of an appliance having a home page with a content dictated, typically, by the appliance manufacturer; this appliance (or system) has the capability of operating in a user-selected one of plural operating modes including an Internet mode; the appliance is constructed in accord with, and embodies, the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows, diagrammatically, the inputs to which a video monitor and speakers of the FIG. 1 system are switched when different ones of the available operating modes are selected;

FIG. 3 shows the relationship between FIGS. 3A and 3B which, taken together, schematically depict the components of an integrated unit (or module); the integrated unit is a component of the FIG. 1 appliance;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a remote control; this remote control is an optional but customarily employed component of the FIG. 1 appliance;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of an optional virtual keyboard; this keyboard is employed in the Internet operating mode of the FIG. 1 appliance to compose e-mail messages and to reach web sites not identified by "click-on" options appearing on the home page of the manufacturer's web site or on pages linked to the home page; FIG. 6 is a pictoπal view of an OPTIONS menu from which the display of the FIG 5 virtual keyboard can be selected,

FIG 7 is a pictoπal view of a representative home page that is displayed when the FIG 1 appliance is entered into the INTERNET mode,

FIG 8 shows a representative one of what may be several pages linked to the home page of the web site,

FIG 9 shows one of another level of pages that may be linked in accord with the pπnciples of the present invention to a web site page as shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows one of yet another set of web site pages; these pages are linked to the web site page shown m FIG. 9,

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing how the contents of a web site home page are controlled in accord with the pπnciples of the present mvention;

FIG. 12 shows the relationship of FIGS. 12A and 12B which, together, constitute a flow diagram of the steps earned out when an appliance as shown in FIG. 1 is first connected to the Internet; and

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing what happens when the same appliance is subsequently connected to the Internet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One currently representative and important application of the present invention is the provision of appliances which are designed for use in a kitchen. A system or appliance suitable for this (and other) applications of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 and identified by reference character 20.

Exemplary system 20 can be operated any one of five user-selected modes.

These modes and the function of appliance 20 m each of these modes appear below.

Mode Function

ENTERTAINMENT Allows the user to watch analog or digital television

CD Allows the user to play a conventional audio (or audio/visual) disk, in this mode the user can also play a disk of the character descπbed U.S. patents Nos. 5,724,102 and 5,801,784 to retπeve lessons on a particular subject or information on performing a task from the disk

APPLIANCE Gives system 20 control over one or more appliances— as examples only, a kitchen range, refrigerator, central heating system, air conditioner, or central vacuuming system. Also, diagnostic information on the controlled appliance(s) may be gathered and made available on a display screen of the appliance and at a service or repair facility.

SECURITY Allows one to visually identify and converse with a person at an entry way and to unlock a door at the entry way, all from the location of the appliance as disclosed in corresponding application No. 09/1 16,825. In this mode, one can also monitor a selected area ~ for example, a baby's bedroom.

INTERNET Allows a user to log onto and navigate the Internet, to send and receive e-mail messages, to download and upload information, and to take advantage of the other opportunities afforded by the

Internet.

The major components of system 20 are: an integrated unit (or module) 22, a remote control 24, and a laser readable disc 26. As mentioned above, disk 26 may be a conventional CD or other optically readable disk from which an appliance user can retrieve information on an available task or subject.

The illustrated system 20 also has an optional keyboard 28. This keyboard is employed by a system user with system 20 in its INTERNET mode of operation in sending e-mail messages and to reach web sites which can not be accessed by clicking on a link on a home page 30 (see FIG. 7) of controlled context. This home page is automatically brought up when the INTERNET operating mode of appliance 20 is entered. The system user cannot select an alternate home page or change the content of the supplier-configured home page.

Integrated unit 22 includes a television unit 32 which has a CRT (cathode ray tube) with a screen 33 (or a LED display) and a video compact disc player 34, both housed in the same cabinet 36. Conventional onboard controls 38 for television 32 are located on the front panel 40 and the right-hand side panel 42 of cabinet 36, and onboard controls 44 for disc player 34 are also located on front cabinet panel 40. A conventional tray 46 is used to load disc 26 into player 34.

The operating components of integrated unit 26 and ancillary items activated in different operating modes of system 20 are depicted schematically in FIGS. 2, 3A. and 3B and collectively identified by reference character 56. These components include a mode selection register 58 and a video/audio switch 59, both activated when a particular one of the system 20 operating modes is selected to channel the input available in the selected mode to the screen 33 and speakers 60 of system 20. As a single example, when the ENTERTAINMENT mode is selected, a connection to a source for a television signal such as an antenna, a cable, and/or a VCR is made.

Operating system 56 also has a controller board 61 with an INTERNET mode chip 62 and an identification memory chip 63 which can receive data from and transmit data to mode chip 62 Identification chip 63 is used as descπbed above and in more detail below to identify the particular appliance in which the chip is incorporated.

The ENTERTAINMENT, CD, APPLIANCE, SECURITY / MONITOR, and INTERNET modes of operation may be selected by the user of system 20 with push button controls 64, 66, 68, 70, and 72 of remote control 24 (see FIG. 4). Remote control 24 also has a numeπcal keypad 74 with push buttons (1) through (0) and two groups of push buttons respectively identified by reference characters 76 and 78. The push buttons of group 76 are employed m the ENTERTAINMENT mode of operation. They function in the same manner as the similar designated controls of a conventional television set. The PAUSE, REV, and FWD buttons 80, 82, and 84 of group 78 are employed in the CD mode of operation in the same manner as their conventional CD player counterparts.

HOME button 86 returns the system user to the beginning of a disk and thus to the beginning of its content in the CD mode of operation for system 20. In the INTERNET mode of operation, this button returns the user to a home page 30.

STOP button 88 is employed in the same manner as its conventional counterpart in the CD mode of operation. In the INTERNET mode of operation, this button is used to stop an operation m progress - for example, the downloading of a file from the Internet.

PREVIOUS and NEXT buttons 90 and 92 are used in the CD mode of operation for the purposes described in the '947 application; and the remaining buttons in group 78 are employed in the INTERNET mode of operation, again for the purposes descπbed in the '947 application.

Keyboard 28 (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 5) has a frame and a pπnted circuit board (PCB) mounted to the frame. An elastomeric keypad with character and function keys overlies the PCB. Pressing a key completes a corresponding electπcal circuit on the PCB; the result is the transmission of an appropπate signal to the appliance serviced by the keyboard.

A base and a battery cover complete the configuration of the keyboard and isolate its internal components from the surrounding environment. One advantage of keyboards as shown in the drawings is that they are essentially completely resistant to penetration by water and other foreign substances. This makes the keyboard 28 suited for use in kitchens and other environments where foreign substances are apt to be present.

Keyboards of the character under discussion are disclosed in more detailed in copending provisional application No. 60/115,006 filed 6 January 1999.

A keyboard as just described can be supplemented or replaced by a virtual keyboard. A keyboard of that character is shown in FIG. 5 and identified by reference character 94.

Virtual keyboard 94 is brought up for display on screen 33 by first pressing the OPTIONS button 95 on remote control 24 or the OPTIONS button 96 on keyboard 28. This brings up a multiple choice OPTIONS menu such as the one shown in FIG. 6 and identified by reference character 97. The "keyboard" option is selected, and the virtual keyboard is consequentially displayed.

The virtual keyboard also has a CANCEL button 120. This button functions in the same manner as the similarly named button of an application running on a programmed general purpose computer.

The UP, DOWN, LEFT, and RIGHT buttons 98, 100, 102, and 104 of remote control 24 or the corresponding buttons 106, 108, 1 10, and 112 of keyboard 28 are then employed to move a cursor 114 around the virtual keyboard and select character and command buttons from virtual keyboard 28.

The character or command on which the cursor is placed is highlighted as by an orange square so the user can identify the selected character or command.

The user presses GO button 116 of remote control 24 or the GO button 117 of keyboard 28 to enter a character in URL entry field 118 or to execute a command.

As was pointed out above, a home page designated by the manufacturer is automatically displayed on screen 33 when a user presses mode button 72 to log onto the Internet. A representative home page 30 is depicted in FIG. 7.

A key feature of the present invention is that each appliance can be identified and the content of that unit's home page 30 and the content of web pages linked to the home page 30 controlled by the manufacturer (or other supplier) of system 20. This is important because, as an example, this allows the units sold by a particular retailer (or other) vendor to be identified. Then, the contents of the home pages for those units and the pages linked to the home pages can be customized by the manufacturer to include an advertising or other message selected by the vendor, a specifically distinct customer contact advantage of obvious import to the vendor This ability to customize web site pages is also important to the manufacturer as it can provide a significant source of revenue to the manufacturer from vendors

For the same reasons, the ability to identify each appliance and control the content of those pages linked to a particular home page appliance is also important Again, a specific group of purchasing customers can be identified, and messages targeting that group can be placed on the linked pages

In the herein disclosed embodiment of the invention, web pages corresponding to the numbers 1 through 4 are linked to home page 30 These web pages can selected with the numeπcal buttons of the remote control numeπcal keypad 74.

A representative one of these linked pages is illustrated m FIG. 8 and identified by reference character 128.

Links can also be provided to jump from each or all of the linked pages available from home page 30 to a further array of web site pages. FIG. 9, for example, shows a web page 130 that can be jumped to from web page 128 by pressing the corresponding button (0) on key pad 74 of remote control 24.

Links can also be established from a home page as shown in FIG. 9 to yet another set of web site pages. Such a page is illustrated in FIG. 10 and identified by reference character 131.

This additional set of links allows the manufacturer to further customize the Internet operation of targeted systems and generate additional revenue streams by controlling and selling to vendors specific portions (or real estate) of those customized pages.

In the interest of clarity and brevity, systems embodying the pπnciples of the present invention including system 20 will for the most part hereinafter be referred to as "A2k" systems.

As will be apparent to the reader, the purchaser of a system embodying the pπnciples of the present invention gets not only hardware, but also an associated portal such as "cmi.Advantage.net" composed of a seπes of web pages that are linked together in a logical, topical fashion. This portal comes up automatically when system 20 is put m the INTERNET mode. This is automatic because it is determined by a manufacturer or other supplier of the system.

The consumer does not have the option of choosing a different ISP (Internet

Service Provider) or a different home page (as is the case for general purpose computers). In a sense the portal is "hard wired" to the appliance system hardware. The manufacturer therefore controls how each web page in its portal looks. As a consequence the manufacturer can assure that the consumer will always at least begin from a home page that the manufacturer specifies when the INTERNET option is selected.

Customers can always enter any other web address (into a URL address box brought up on the screen with OPTIONS button 95, (or OPTIONS button 96) and launch off to that address and out into the Internet in general. If the customer chooses not to do this, however, the customer goes directly to where the manufacturer dictates according to whether the customer "clicks on" one of the advertising spots or selects one of the numbered menu selections.

The manufacturer controls completely: (1) the link of its portal to its hardware and (2) the look and feel of its portal. Only the manufacturer can chose the home page, the links to other portal pages, how each of its web pages looks and what is located where.

That the manufacturer therefore has substantial web 'real estate' it controls completely (advertising spots and numbered menu locations) and can sell this real estate to on-line commerce companies, traditional "brick and mortar' retailers, and other vendors.

Representative fields of web site pages 30 (FIG. 7),128 (FIG. 8), and 130 (FIG. 9) which are available for the purposes just described are identified by reference characters 132 (FIG. 7), 134 (FIG. 7), 136 (FIG. 8), 138 (FIG. 9), and 140 (FIG. 10).

Because each system 20 has a unique unit identification chip (or alternatively a unique manufacturer controlled memory location) storing a unique number corresponding, or otherwise related, to that unit's serial number or the same as the serial number, the manufacturer can confidently identify the source from which that unit was placed into the consumer's hands (e.g., by Sears, by direct sale over the Internet, by Safeway, or whomever).

Therefore, the manufacturer can customize its portal look and feel to give agreed to priority locations on its web pages to specific distributors vendors of its units. For example, units distributed by Sears can come with a portal which gives Sears Ownership' of whichever advertising spots and numbered menu locations that Sears and the manufacturer agree to. Sears can put an advertisement or other message onto its own web server and communicate that message to the manufacturer's web server. The manufacturer can then direct that advertisement/ message from its server to those customers who got their units from Sears.

The steps typically employed in customizing web pages of an A2k system are shown diagrammatical ly in FIG. 1 1. Turning then to that figure, in a typical scenario, the manufacturer or other supplier of System 20 ("MFR") introduces the business model as just descπbed to a vendor ("ABC") and structures a portal (ABC.advantange.net) for the distributor.

ABC sells and/or distributes the A2k systems to consumers and/or others in the distribution chain.

Each A2k unit distributed by ABC contains a unique identifier which is employed by MFR to direct the purchasers of the systems distributed by ABC to the home page ABC.advantage.net.

ABC creates whatever directed messages, commerce offers, and other information it may select and agreed to by MFR and places that information on the ABC web server. That server communicates the information to MFR's web server. MFR pulls the information from its web server and transfers the ABC information via the Internet to those A2k systems sold and/or distributed by ABC. MFR also tracks the response of each consumer (or user) to the information supplied by ABC. Typically, as shown at the bottom of FIG. 11, the result will be that the user acts on the message, offer, or other information developed by ABC.

The results found by MFR are communicated to ABC as is also shown at the bottom of FIG. 11. In response, ABC may make adjustments in its material to increase consumer response. The modified material is communicated to MFR as shown by line 142.

Referring still to the drawing, FIG. 12 shows in more detail the steps involved in implementing the business model described above. In the typical scenario presented by way of illustration in FIGS. 12A and 12B, ABC orders an A2k system from MFR. MFR then enters into its database data pertaining to the unit to be shipped to ABC, typically: the serial number of the unit, the URL of MFR's registration server, a user name, a password, and a toll-free telephone number the customer can call for information. MFR then ships the A2k unit to ABC, which sells the unit to its customer.

When the customer logs onto the Internet for the first time with the purchased unit (box 144 in FIG. 12A), the A2k unit dials the 800 number supplied by MFR and connects the unit to the MFR web server. Once this connection is established, the browser of the A2k unit appends the serial number of that unit to the URL and sends the serial number to the MFR server, which strips the serial number from the URL. Typically at the same time that the data discussed above is entered into the MFR database, the serial number eof the A2k unit is linked to ABC in the MFR database. Turning then to FIG. 12B, in the "first log-on" under discussion, and with the A2k unit connected to the MFR server, the server presents a sign-up page on the screen 33 of the A2k unit This page is designed to collect "customer data" such as the customer's first and last names, the customer's address and telephone number, credit card information, the hobbies and other interests of the customer, and the customer's date of birth and gender

Completion of the sign-up page results the generation of a new entry in the MFR database and in a cookie being loaded into the A2k unit to identify the customer to the MFR server

Once the sign-up procedure is completed, the customer will typically either disconnect from the Internet or proceed to the MFR-supp ed home page.

In the process just described, only access to MFR's registration URL allowed. When the user first powers up the user's A2k unit, that unit dials the toll free number. Upon establishing a modem connection, the browser of the A2k unit loads the registration URL and appends the unit ED number of the unit to the URL in such a way that MFR's scπpt can stπp it off. The browser then loads this URL. The browser goes to a cgi scπpt that retπeves the A2k ID number. This number has the form: zzzzzzzzzzzOOOOOOOOl, where the last nine digits are the unit ID number. The z's are only padding at this point . The registration script disregards the z's and now has the unit's ID. It then generates 11 digits of random numeric characters and appends them to the D number. The extra characters make spoofing someone else's ID number more difficult once someone discovers the setup screen The oπginal numeπcal ED is placed before the randomized characters to allow for sorting on the ED.

The oπginal numeπcal ED is also assigned at the factory in a non-sequential manner to further complicate ED spoofs.

The ED now looks like: 00000000184610453746. The registration script records this number as a new entry in the MFR database and assigns the A2k unit browser a cookie containing this new ED number. This cookie acts as an identity badge as the user continues through the registration process.

The scπpt then gives a page to the user. This page consists of a simple html form asking for the user's first and last name. The user supplies this information, clicks "Continue," and is given a new page asking for the user's address This process continues until the scnpt has collected the user's name, address, phone, credit card information, interests, local dialup number, date of birth, and gender At each stage, the new information is added to the user's entry in the MFR database. Next, the script finds a dialup number for the user. To determine the user's dialup number, the script consults the MFR's ISP point of presence database for the POP number closest to the user.

In order, the heuristics for choosing the closest POP are:

1. If the user's area code and prefix match a POP number, choose that number.

2. If the user's area code matches multiple POP numbers, give the user a list; and ask the user to choose from that list.

3. If the user's state matches multiple POP numbers, give the user a list; and ask the user to choose from that list.

4. Inform the user that MFR has no local number for the user. Refer the user to customer service for possible 800 access.

Once a dialup number has been established, and all user information is in the MFR user database, the script creates a new e-mail account on the MFR portal server for this user. Next, the script builds a special URL containing this user's new ED number, user name, password, dialup number, and home URL. This special URL may have the following form: http://www.mykitchen.net:2211 /autoreg CMI822reg755success.html?EN=006&U N=cmi6^@onebutton.com&PW=cmi&PN=9713055&UR^:=httρ://www.mvkitchen.net: 1123 /cgi-bin portal.cgilN = ID Number UN = User name PW = Password PN = Dialup phone number UR = Home URL

The browser of the A2k unit is programmed to recognize any attempt to load a URL of this type and to respond by stripping out the five pieces of customer data. The browser then writes this data into the unit's flash memory, where it stays until rewritten.

The user's A2k system is now programmed to automatically: (a) dial the user's local access number, (b) log onto the ISP with the user name and password, and (c) go to the MFR portal. The MFR server recognizes the user and can now tailor the web page advertising design(s) to the requirements of MFR and the retailer who sold the A2k unit to the customer.

What happens when the customer subsequently logs onto the Internet is shown in flow diagram form in FIG. 13. Specifically, when the customer selects the INTERNET mode of operation as by pressing the Internet button 72 on remote control 24, the ISP

(Internet Service Provider) is automatically dialed, connecting the A2k unit to the Internet and directing the browser of that unit to the MFR server. The server detects the cookie placed in the A2k unit when that unit was first logged on to the Internet and looks up the customer data in its database. In the application of the invention under discussion, it is found that ABC is the retailer from which the A2k unit was purchased. This results in the customer's web pages (home page and pages linked to the home page by MFR) being customized to display the material supplied by MFR and ABC.

Because systems embodying the principles of the present invention are uniquely identified, because the home pages of the units can be customized, and because the linked web pages can also be customized, the manufacturer has the ability to implement the unique business model involving both consumers and vendors, as described below. This is an important feature of the invention.

Definitions:

Let a,b,c,d = dollar ($) valued parameters as defined below; u,v,w, z = variables as defined below;

Then, z = a + bx where z = the total cost to the consumer of having an A2k system in his or her home; a = the net cost to the consumer of obtaining the A2k unit; b = the net cost per month to the consumer for the manufacturer's Internet access and portal membership; x = the number of months in a specified period (for example a year) the unit is used by the consumer. Next, solved is the equation a = c - (d + ey + fw) where c = the normal (not subsidized) selling price of the A2k unit under a conventional business model; d = the $ value to the retailer (vendor) of 'owning' one of the advertising spots on the manufacturer's portal home page for the specified period; e = the $ value to the retailer of Owning' advertising spots on other of the manufacturer's web pages (i.e. on other than the home page) for the specified period; y = the number of advertising spots on other of the manufacturer's web pages

'owned' by the retailer; f = the $ value to the retailer of a placement in a numerically identified menu location on the manufacturer's web pages; w = the number of numbered menu locations 'owned' by the retailer throughout the manufacturer's portal. Then solved equation, b = g - (h + iv + ju) where g = the normal (not subsidized) retail customer monthly ISP/portal rate (for access to the manufacturer's portal); h = monthly S value to the retailer of 'messaging' in one of the manufacturer's advertising spots on its portal "home" page; i = the monthly $ value to the retailer of 'messaging' in advertising spots on other of the manufacturer's portal pages (i.e. not the home page); v = the number of monthly messaging spots allocated to the retailer by the manufacturer; j = the monthly $ value to the retailer of having a numbered menu placement on a portal page; u = the number of monthly numbered menu placement allocated to the retailer by the manufacturer.

Any one of the dollar value parameters or the variables relating to portal locations can be greater than or equal to zero. The dollar value parameters are determined initially by negotiation between the manufacturer and the retailer and then more and more by the market that develops as the hardware installed base grows and as the number of competing retailers/ vendors grows. This subsidy model means that what a customer ultimately pays for having an A2k system in her/his home for a specified period (for example a year) can range from the full normal retail price and full normal monthly ISP/ portal cost at one end of the spectrum to zero cost for the unit and free monthly ISP/ portal access at the other end with different amounts of hardware and or monthly ISP/portal subsidy provided by the retailer between these two extremes- -depending upon how the purveyor of the A2k system to the consumer: (1 ) values the various dimensions of the manufacturer's portal while having the system in one of its customer's homes, and (2) wants to subsidize the hardware and/or monthly access costs to the consumer.

The manufacturer's revenues come from: (1) sale of the A2k hardware to retailers for distribution (at normal full price or free or somewhere in between) to the retailer's customers, (2) the monthly ISP/portal fees collected by the manufacturer either directly from the customers or alternatively from the retailer who subsidized (as shown above) the product to the customer, (3) sales commission, (4) sale of its portal 'real estate' not allocated to the retailer for its subsidy scheme, or all of the above. What amount of revenue accrues to the manufacturer from what source depends upon what the manufacturer and the retailer agree to do with the subsidy model presented above.

This totally unique business model affords the manufacturer the opportunity to both grow its installed base of A2k systems quite rapidly, assisted by unique subsidy schemes it can develop with each retailer for its hardware and to maximize its total revenues/ margins (whether hardware or after-market portal based) in a way not yet achieved anyplace in the world of Internet-related commerce. This is because of the uniqueness of the A2k system - in particular: ( 1 ) the hard link between hardware and Intern et/portal access, and (2) the related ability to control customize portal look and feel for each of many retailers. This fully controlled portal access arid look and feel of the manufacturer's portal in terms of exposure for the retailer gives the manufacturer the ability to attract retailers (i.e. providers of A2k hardware to customers) to subsidize either both the hardware and/or the monthly ISP portal charges.

The portal is thus essentially 'hard wired' to the hardware in such a way that the manufacturer can customize its portal simultaneously for different retailers, allowing each to choose its own particular way of: (1) subsidizing the placement of hardware in its customers' homes, and (2) there accessing those customers through a dependable (i.e. not altered by the customer) gateway.

In the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it was assumed for the purposes of brevity and clarity that it is the manufacturer that customizes the customer web pages. It will be appreciated that this function can instead be performed by another entity selected or agreed to by the manufacturer.

Patents Nos. 5,724,102 and 5,801,784 and corresponding applications Nos. 08/046,947; 09/116,285; 60/115,006; and 60/115,197 are hereby incorporated in this application by reference.

The invention may be embodied in many forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method of setting up a device for operation in an Internet mode, said method including the step of so configuring said device as to control the contents of a home page which is invariably brought up when a user of said device logs onto the Internet.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 in which: each of a plurality of devices as aforesaid has a unique identifier stored in read only memory; and it is those devices with particular identifiers which are so configured that a home page with a specific content is brought up when users of said devices log onto the Internet.

3. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein: said device is configured to include a specific link to a second Internet page; and the page brought up when the link is activated is so controlled that the content of said page is not alterable by a user of the device.

4. A method as defined in claim 1 in which an input device is so made available as to allow a user of the device to log onto Internet pages which are not reachable by activating said specific link.

5. A method as defined in claim 4 in which the input device is a virtual keyboard,

A method as defined in claim 4 in which the input device is an actual keyboard, A method as defined in claim 4 in which the input device is a remote control.

8. A method as defined in claim 1 in which said web site page comprises real estate in which advertising material can be displayed.

9. A method as defined in claim 8 in which the page is a home page.

10. A method as defined in claim 8 in which the page is linked to a home page or to a page linked to the home page with links selected or controlled by a supplier of the system.

11. A method as defined in claim 1 in which the portal through which a user of the system logs onto the Internet is controlled by the supplier of the system.

12. A method as defined in claim 1 which includes the steps of: identifying those systems obtained by system users from a specified source; and placing on said home page information selected by said source.

13. A method as defined in claim 12 in which: said source communicates the selected information from a web server controlled by the source to a web server controlled by the supplier of the systems; and said supplier places the information on the home pages of those systems information provided by the source.

14. A method for selling products over the Internet, said method comprising the steps of: providing a device which has Internet access; and configuring the device such that a home page of controlled content always appears when the device logs onto the Internet; the content of the home page comprising material prescribed by the provider of the device.

15. A method as defined in claim 14 in which: the material prescribed by the provider of the unit is transmitted to a supplier of the unit; and the supplier loads the home page comprising said material into the device.

16. A method as defined in claim 15 in which: the supplier creates a portal specific to the provider; and said device is directed to that portal when the device is logged onto the Internet.

17. A method as defined in claim 15 in which the supplier of the device tracks the response(s) of each user of the device to the material prescribed by the provider of the device and transmits said response(s) to the provider of the device.

18. A method as defined in claim 15 in which: multiple devices are provided to users by said provider; each of said devices is assigned a unique serial number that is retrievable by the supplier of the device; and all of the devices provided by said provider are directed to the portal created by the supplier of the devices.

19. A method as defined in claim 14 in which the supplier of the device maintains a database in which the unique identifier of the device is linked to the provider of the device.

20. A method as defined in claim 14 in which the supplier places a cookie in the device when that device is first logged onto the internet to identify the device to the supplier.

21. A method as defined in claim 21 which includes the step of associating with said device a display on which said page of controlled content can be placed.

22. A system which comprises: a display; a device for selecting an INTERNET mode of operation of the system; and components for so connecting said system to the Internet that a specific home page which has a content that is beyond the control of the system user is placed on said display when the INTERNET mode of operation is selected.

23. A system as defined in claim 22 in which the display and the components for connecting to the Internet are integrated into the same module.

24. A system as defined in claim 22 which has a single Internet portal selected by the supplier of the system.

25. A system as defined in claim 22 which has at least one of the following additional modes of operation: an entertainment mode in which a viewer can watch analog or digital television, a CD mode in which one can play a laser readable disk, an appliance mode in which an appliance can be monitored and/or controlled, and a security mode in which one can monitor an entry way and/or other selected location.

26. A system as defined in claim 22 which has a memory device for storing data identifying the system in which the memory unit is incorporated.

27. A system as defined in claim 22 which has a remote control for controlling the operation of said system.

28. A system as defined in claim 22 which comprises an actual keyboard for inputting commands and data to said system.

29. A system as defined in claim 22 which compπses a user selectable virtual keyboard for inputting commands and data to the system.

30. A method pricing a combination of product selling price and Internet access, said method comprising the steps of: solving the equation z = a + bx where: z = the total cost to the consumer of the product; a = the net cost to the consumer of the product; b = the net cost per month to the consumer for Internet access and portal membership; x = the number of months in a specific period the product is used by the consumer; next solving the equation a = c (d + ey + fw) where: c = the selling price of the product as calculated by a conventional business model; d = the dollar value to a vendor of owning an advertising spot on the product supplier's home page for the specific period; e = the dollar value to the vendor of owning advertising spots on manufacturer's web pages linked to said home page for the specified period; y = the number of advertising spots on said linked web pages owned by the retailer; f = the dollar value to the vendor of a replacement in a numerically identified menu location on the supplier's web pages; w = the number of numbered menu locations owned by the vendor throughout the supplier's portal; and then solving the equation b = g - (h + iv +ju) where: g = the normal monthly ISP/ rate for access to the supplier's portal; h = the monthly dollar value to the vendor of placing a message in one of the supplier's advertising spots on said supplier's portal "home" page; l = the monthly dollar value to the vendor of placing a message in advertising spots on linked ones of the supplier's portal pages; v = the number of monthly messaging spots allocated to the vendor by the supplier; j = the monthly dollar value to the vendor of having a numbered menu on one of the supplier's portal pages; and u = the number of monthly numbered menu placements allocated to the vendor by the supplier.

31. A method as defined in claim 30 in which a ranges from zero to full retail price and b ranges from zero to full monthly ISP/portal cost.