WO2002039213A2

WO2002039213A2 - Decision-making and execution system operating on an electronic network

Info

Publication number: WO2002039213A2
Application number: PCT/US2001/043363
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard D. Harrison, Jr.; Kathryn L. W. Ingerly
Original assignee: Minute Makers L.L.C.
Priority date: 2000-11-10
Filing date: 2001-11-09
Publication date: 2002-05-16
Also published as: WO2002039213A3; AU2002228611A1

Abstract

A system operating on a network, such system including at least one source having at least one presentation link (14); at least one decision site (16) hosted by a decision server; and at least one execution site (32). Electronic network users can reach presentation links or presentations included at presentation sites (26). At a decision site (16), users can select and input certain decisions introduced by such presentation links or presentations and later execute those decisions at an execution site (18).

Description

DECISION-MAKING AND EXECUTION SYSTEM OPERATING ON AN

ELECTRONIC NETWORK

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a system which enables users to input and execute decisions, such as purchasing products or services, which are presented to users through electronic sources and, more specifically, to a system operating on a network which enables network users to decide to carry out a course of action presented in electronic form and to transfer that decision to a site on the network where the user can subsequently execute that decision.

Since the advent of computer networks, commonly used by companies, universities and other large organizations, people with access to these networks have been able to receive information from other people or sources. Initially, people received information in the form of electronic mail. Today, with the Internet, Internet users are able to receive not only electronic mail, but users can also receive a vast amount of information available at websites or sites on the World Wide Web.

In a commercial context, this information is often in the form of promotions and advertisements provided by manufacturers, such as consumer product companies (CPCs) as well as service providers. Because many CPCs generally do not engage in retail sales, presently their primary purpose for providing promotions is to establish brand-name recognition of particular products. For instance, a CPC may post numerous electronic banners for a new basketball shoe named "Uptown" at various sites on the World Wide Web. As consumers reach these banners, the CPC will generate brand-name recognition for its Uptown shoe.

Though useful for brand-name recognition, with the current technology such promotions are not useful to CPCs for directly generating or driving product sales. This is because CPCs generally sell their products through retailers, and there is no direct connection between retail sites and the CPCs or their electronic promotions. For example, a consumer might see an Uptown shoe banner and decide to purchase the shoe. To make the purchase, the consumer must leave the current site, locate a retailer site for the shoe, visit that retailer site, open an account there and then make the purchase. This process is time consuming, inconvenient and often frustrating for consumers. Furthermore, in order for CPCs to drive sales with the existing technology, they must build their own distribution and delivery facilities. These facilities can require a relatively substantial investment. Many CPCs find such an effort not financially feasible or desirable. Moreover, for less expensive products such as the purchase of one to five dollar products, handling and delivery of such products individually by the CPC is not economically practical.

Many CPCs have used quasi-distribution and delivery facilities to avoid having to upgrade their own facilities and operate their own facilities. Here, they contract with various retailers with national distribution service. The CPC typically has a page on its site which includes links of certain retailers who carry the CPCs products. When a consumer visits a CPCs site and decides to purchase a product, the consumer can link to a listed retailer. Once the consumer reaches the retailer's site, the consumer may purchase a product. The primary disadvantage to this technique is that the CPC excludes numerous retailers, thus creating conflict amongst the retail distribution channels. The retailers who do not have contractual relationships with CPCs are excluded from the retail distribution channels of the CPCs. This exclusion creates channel conflict. With the goal of driving product sales through as many channels as possible, CPCs generally seek to avoid channel conflict.

Furthermore, those CPCs without internal distribution capabilities are unable to capture reliable consumer data. For instance, the CPCs cannot store information regarding a consumer's retailer preferences, product consumption, location, etc. Generally, only the retailers have access to this data. In both commercial and non-commercial contexts, presently when a network user decides to act upon information received electronically, such as a solicitation to purchase a product or a proposal to carry out any other course of action, the user must memorize or otherwise record this information and then visit an appropriate site where the user can input this information and obtain a course of action such as the purchase of a particular product or the activation of any other activity controlled by that site. There is currently no known technique or system which enables electronic network users to receive specific information and act upon such information immediately in real-time by inputting certain decisions presented in that information and then transferring these decisions to a site which is capable of carrying out or executing these decisions for users. Consequently, there is a need to provide network users with a system having this capability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the above shortcomings by providing a decision-making and execution system (hereafter, "system") which enables information providers to provide network users with electronic information in such a manner that users can: (a) instantly act upon that information (i.e., decide to purchase a product) at the point where they receive the information; and (b) subsequently execute that same decision at an appropriate site. In a commercial context, manufacturers, such as CPCs and service providers, can provide electronic promotions to users. When a user reaches a promotion of a product or service at a particular location on the network, from that very location the system of the present invention enables the user to create a purchase order for that product or service. The purchase order will appear at a retailer site chosen by the user without requiring the user to visit that retailer site. At any time, the user can visit the retailer site and execute that purchase order. In this sense, the system acts as a conduit or intermediary which facilitates the process of receiving electronic information, acting upon that information (i.e., making a decision) and implementing or executing that decision.

One preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention includes: (a) a network, preferably enabling a plurality of servers and client computers to communicate; (b) one or more sources available on the network; (c) one or more, and preferably a plurality of presentation links available on the network; (d) one or more decision servers which host one or more decision sites; and (e) one or more, and preferably a plurality of execution sites hosted by one or more servers. The network is preferably the World Wide Web portion of the

Internet; however, the network can be any information delivery vehicle, preferably based upon a client-server model. The client computer is any computer system or other network-access device which enables a user to access a network. Preferably, the client computer enables a network user to send and/or receive information over or through the network, utilizing one or more servers which are connected to that network. Preferably, the client computer is a personal computer or other Internet access device connected to the Internet which uses browser or other suitable software to send requests and receives responses from servers. The term source, as used herein, includes an electronic vehicle, such as a site or electronic mail, which includes a presentation link for a user. The presentation link preferably includes text and/or images prompting the user to activate the link. Presentation links preferably link users to a presentation site, which includes a presentation for a user. The presentation available on the presentation site includes subject matter or content and is preferably a description of or discussion related to one or more decisions which a user can input at a decision site. The decision server, described below, can host both the decision site and the presentation site. It should be appreciated that the system can be adapted so that the presentation link connects a user directly to a decision site, without involving a presentation site or a presentation. Preferably in a commercial context, a presentation includes a description or a discussion related to a product, service or a related or unrelated series of products or services which a user can purchase. In a non-commercial context, a presentation preferably includes a description or discussion about proposals, solutions, or other courses of action which a user can carry out or implement.

The decision server includes at least one processor and one or more memory devices which include one or more databases. The decision server hosts the decision site and preferably hosts the presentation site as well. However, any server can host the presentation site. The decision site is the site at which a user can make or input certain decisions described in the presentations. Preferably, the decision sites are graphically presented to users in such a manner that users receive the impression that decision sites are not separate from particular source sites, presentation sites or other particular sites visited by the user.

When a user is visiting a decision site, the system enables the user to select a desired execution site where the user can ultimately implement or execute a decision. In one preferred embodiment, the execution site is preferably a retailer site which services the same or surrounding postal code area of the user. The term "retailer site," as used herein, includes any commerce-related site, such as a distributor site which involves the distribution of products or services by distributors or a provider site which involves the provision of products or services by providers. As such, while at the decision site, a user can add a product to a decision list such as an electronic purchase order or electronic shopping cart. The user can then later purchase that product at the retailer site where the user placed that purchase order. If the retailer site does not enable electronic purchases, the purchase order could be an electronic shopping list which a user can print and use at a physical retail store. In operation, a source such as a site or electronic mail introduces the user to a presentation in the form of a hyper text markup language (HTML) hyperlink or other network linking activator, referred to herein as a link. The presentation link preferably includes text and/or images and a message such as, "Why You Should Winterize Your Car." In this example, in order to learn more about winterizing a car, the user can activate the presentation link available at that source. The user then preferably moves from the source to a presentation site. However, as discussed earlier, it should be appreciated that the presentation link can be adapted to link the user directly to a decision site.

The presentation site exhibits the entire presentation to the user. In the car winterization example, the presentation may include two or three pages of discussion about the importance of winterizing cars and what parts and supplies are necessary to do so. After reviewing the presentation, if the user chooses to purchase parts and supplies, the user can activate a decision link available at the presentation site. In one preferred embodiment, the decision link gives users the impression that they can execute a decision immediately by activating the decision link. For example, a decision link may include the statement, "Buy Now."

After activating the decision link, the user then reaches the decision site where the user can input decisions involving which parts and supplies to purchase. Preferably, it does not appear to the user that the decision site is a site separate from the presentation site or any particular source site. While at the decision site, the user can select an auto parts retailer which services a particular region where the user chooses to receive the parts and supplies. The term "receiving area," as used herein, includes a particular region located where a user chooses to receive or obtain products or services. Preferably the user selects a receiving area by entering a postal code or a desired distance from a postal code. It should

^■ be appreciated that the user could have a product or service provided to another person or entity. The user can also open an account at the retailer's site if the user does not already have an account there. When the user successfully inputs a decision at a decision site, the decision server transfers or adds a product to a decision list associated with the execution site. Here, the execution site is the site of the chosen auto retailer, and the decision list is preferably in the form of an electronic purchase order or shopping cart. The decision list can be located at the retailer site or at a separate site from the retailer site, though accessible at the retailer site.

At this point, the user can then move to the auto retailer site by activating an execution site link available at the decision site. Alternatively, the user can revisit a source site preferably by closing the window of the decision site or by activating a source site link available at the decision site. In either case at any time the user can visit the retailer site and purchase the products added to the user's decision list. The preferred method by which the system transfers a decision to an execution site is through the use of a decision transfer program. The decision transfer program includes: (a) session initiation code; (b) account creation code; and (c) transfer code stored and used by the decision server. The session initiation code is a set of instructions which the decision server uses to prompt users for the information necessary to initiate a session with a particular execution site. For example, this information may include a username and a password. The account creation code is a set of instructions which directs the decision server to ask the user for the information necessary to become authorized to enter an execution site and make a decision. The transfer code is a set of instructions which the server can use to communicate with the server of the execution site. This code is consistent with the existing code of the execution site.

By using the session initiation code, account creation code and transfer code, the decision server emulates a user initiating a session with the execution site, using a client computer browser. The execution site thus treats the decision server as a browser of the user's client computer. As such, the decision server is capable of accessing the execution site and performing a decision transfer. in an electronic grocery shopping embodiment of the present invention, the presentation located at a presentation site includes a description of or discussion related to grocery products, and the execution site is a grocery retailer site. At the decision site, the user can select a grocery retailer which services the user's receiving area. The user can also specify which and how many of the presented products the user has decided to purchase. As described in the above example, the user can create an account at a grocery retailer's site if necessary. The user can transfer or add products to the user's decision list which is accessible at a selected grocery retailer site. Preferably, the decision list is graphically represented by an electronic shopping cart. At any time following the decision input, the user can enter the retailer site and purchase the products on the decision list or in the electronic shopping cart. Preferably, the user can do so by activating an execution site link available at the decision site which links the user to the retailer site.

The decision server database stores data corresponding to decisions which a user can execute at an execution site. The system uses this data to enable a user to transfer a decision to an execution site where the user can later execute that decision. In the electronic grocery shopping embodiment discussed above, the database includes a catalog of product data carried by the various grocery retailers on the network (which are selectable at the decision site). The product data includes product descriptions and prices and the corresponding Universal Product Codes (UPCs) and any other product categories or identifiers. The system uses this data to enable a user to transfer or add a particular product to an electronic shopping cart or decision list accessible at a particular grocery retailer site. All of this data can be gathered manually from each retailer site or electronically. Data can be gathered electronically by using a computer system to read the HTML code of a retailer site. Such a computer system would, with relatively reasonable accuracy, locate a product description such as by name and parse out the product identification data used at the retailer site. In addition to enabling users to transfer and execute decisions, the system also gathers user or consumer data. The decision server monitors the activities of the users, preferably by collecting data regarding the users' source of entry and their activities at various sites, including the decision site. Preferably, the server stores the Web Uniform Resource Locators (URL's) used by users, in addition to user response activities with respect to particular presentations, retailer preferences, product preferences and data specific to particular users.

The system of the present invention includes one or more presentations provided to users on an electronic network. The presentations prompt the users to make certain decisions. The users can input one or more of these decisions at a decision site. After inputting a decision, the decision server which hosts the decision site transfers the decision to an execution site. The users can then execute the transferred decision at the execution site and also execute other decisions and carry out other activities as enabled by the execution site.

It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a system which enables manufacturers of products and service providers to provide promotions of their products and services wherein users, without having to visit a retailer site, can decide to purchase such promoted products in real-time by transferring the products into a purchase order or electronic shopping cart or list accessible at a retailer site where the user can later purchase the product or service.

Another advantage of the present invention is to enable CPCs to directly drive and generate retail product sales through the use of electronic presentations made available to network users.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide users with a convenient method for making and executing decisions which include information which is relatively difficult to memorize or otherwise inconvenient to record, such as decisions involving multiple ingredients, medications or materials.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide users with an electronic method of receiving, reviewing, accepting and executing certain decisions. Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system which enables users to transfer courses of actions from an electronic source to a site in such a fashion that the site can implement such courses of action. Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system which is capable of providing manufacturers of products and service providers with consumer data, particularly consumer data related to the activities of consumers with respect to promotions posted on sites, response to marketing tactics, retailer preferences and other consumer- related data.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system which enables manufacturers and service providers to electronically drive product and service sales through retailers without creating retail distribution channel conflict. Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system which enables manufacturers and service providers without internal distribution capabilities to capture consumer data related to retail activity.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the system of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of the system of the present invention;

Figures 3A through 3E are general flow diagrams for various applications of the system for various embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an electronic grocery shopping embodiment of the system of the present invention; Figure 5 is a flow diagram of an electronic grocery shopping embodiment of the system of the present invention;

Figure 6A is a top plan view of a search engine site of an electronic grocery shopping embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6B is a top plan view of a presentation site of an electronic grocery shopping embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6C is a top plan view of a product selection page of an electronic grocery shopping embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6D is a top plan view of a product specification page of an electronic grocery shopping embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6E is a top plan view of a success page of an electronic grocery shopping embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 6F is a top plan view of a grocery retailer site of success page of an electronic grocery shopping embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The System of the present invention, illustrated generally in Figure 1 as system 10, includes: (a) a network (not shown), which preferably enables a plurality of servers (not shown) and client computers (not shown) to communicate with one another; (b) one or more sources 12 which are available to users on the network; (c) one or more, and preferably a plurality of presentation links 14 which are available to users on the network; (d) one or more decision servers (not shown) which host one or more decision sites 16; and (e) one or more, and preferably a plurality of execution sites 18 which are hosted by one or more of the servers, preferably a server other than the decision server.

The network can be any information delivery vehicle which enables a plurality of parties to electronically transfer information to and from one another. The network can be a local area network, wide area network or any other type of network. Preferably, the network is the Internet, including any portion of the Internet such as the World Wide Web or the high-speed portion of the Internet under development commonly known as Internet2 or any Intranet which provides entities and users with access to the Internet. A user can access the network by operating a client computer which is any computer system connected to the network which enables a user to send and receive information from any server on that network. Preferably, the client computer is a personal computer or other internet access device which includes the contemporary browser software necessary to send and receive information from servers over a network.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, in operation while the network user is visiting various sites on a network and viewing, for example, a news-related item at a news site, or while checking the user's electronic mail, the user reaches a source 12, as identified by block 20 in Figure 2. Preferably, the source 12 is in the form of electronic mail 22 or a site 24. Site 24 could be any site on the network, such as an informational site which provides news, press releases or other information to users; a product manufacturer site; or a service provider site. Furthermore, the source 12 includes a presentation link 14 which is available to the user. The presentation link 14 preferably provides the user with information prompting the user to activate the presentation link 14. For example, a presentation link 14 might include the statement, "Minimizing the Downtime of Your Manufacturing Line," or "Spice Cake Provides Health Benefits." A presentation link 14 can be presented in the form of a banner advertisement, text or an image on a site or text in electronic mail or attachments to electronic mail, such as newsletters. It is preferable that the presentation link 14 incorporates text and images, however, the link can include one or the other. If the user clicks on or activates the presentation link 14, the user preferably reaches a presentation site 26 as indicated by blocks 28 and 30 shown in Figure 2. However, the presentation link 14 can also connect the user directly to a decision site 16 where the user can perform certain activities, as discussed below.

The presentation site 26 can be hosted by any server on the network. In a commercial context, a manufacturer or service provider which provides the content of a presentation 32 can host a presentation site 26 on a server maintained by that manufacturer or service provider. It should be appreciated, however, that a decision server can host a presentation site 26 and as discussed below, such hosting will enable the system to gather consumer data created there. In any case, the presentation site 26 includes a presentation 32 as well as a decision link 34. Preferably, the content of the presentation 32 discusses or describes certain subject matter which prompts a user to make one or more decisions. In a commercial context, these decisions can relate to the purchase or sale of products or services. In a non-commercial context, these decisions can relate to proposals, solutions or any other course of action which a user might choose to carry out.

The decision link 34 informs the user that by activating this decision link, the user can actually make or input a decision. The decision link 34 preferably conveys this information in textual and/or graphical form. In a commercial context, the decision link 34 may include a message such as "Click Here to Purchase the Ingredients for Spice Cake," "Click Here to Schedule a Tune-Up for Your Car," "Buy Now" or any other similar message. In a commercial context, the message preferably informs or gives users the impression that by activating the decision link 34, they can make an instant purchase or sale. In a non-commercial context, the decision link 34 may include a message such as "Click Here to Implement Marketing Proposal A," "Click Here to Implement Product Design Change A," or any other similar message. After the user activates the decision link 34, the user reaches the decision site 16, as indicated by blocks 36 and 38 shown in Figure 2. The decision site 16 is hosted by the decision server. The decision server includes a database which stores a catalog of decisions that a user can input. The decision site 16 presents one or more of these decisions to the user and enables the user to input one or more of these decisions by carrying out a predetermined number of decision steps 40. After a user carries out the decision steps 40 and inputs one or more decisions, the decision server transfers these decisions to an execution site 18 or a site accessible at an execution site, as indicated by blocks 42 and 44 shown in Figure 2.

At this point, a user can activate an execution site link 46. By doing so the user will immediately visit an execution site 18. Alternatively, the user can preferably close the window of the decision site 16 or execute a source site link 48 either of which will send the user back to a source 12, if the source was a site 24. These two alternatives are indicated by block 50 shown in Figure 2. When the user visits the execution site 18, the execution site 18 will present a decision list 52 to the user. Decision list 52, depending upon the context, can be an electronic purchase order, electronic shopping cart, electronic shopping list, a list of commands or instructions, or a list of courses of action, all of which the execution site is capable of executing. When the user accesses the decision list 52 at the execution site 18, it will include a list of the decisions which the decision server transferred to the execution site 18. These decisions are illustrated in Figure 1 as "Decision A," Decision B," and "Decision C." Preferably, the execution site 18 enables the user to add decisions to the decision list 52 or remove decisions from the decision list 52, by clicking on or activating the decision change button 54 shown in Figure 1. If and when the user decides to execute the decisions provided in the decision list 52, the user can do so by clicking on or activating execution command activator or button 56.

When the user activates execution command activator or button 56, the execution site 18 will cause a predetermined event or sequence of events to occur. The nature of the events depends upon the application in which the system of the present invention is used. For example, the execution site may process a purchase order and cause a product to be delivered to a user or cause a service appointment confirmation to be delivered to a user. The execution site 18 could also cause any number of courses of action to occur such as modifying the design of a product which is being developed on a product design site, or the execution site 18 could command one or more computer systems which control facilities or manufacturing lines to implement certain changes.

It should be appreciated that the present invention can be adapted so that after a user reaches a source 12 and activates a presentation link 14, the presentation link 14 can directly link the user to decision site 16. Here, the system would not include a presentation site 28. The source 12 or presentation link 14 itself could provide the user with a description of a presentation 32 or part or all of a presentation 32.

The system of the present invention can include a variety of embodiments which are useful in a variety of applications. Five applications are generally illustrated in Figures 3A through 3E, however it should be appreciated that the system can be used in other applications not illustrated therein. The transactions application illustrated in Figure 3A is preferably implemented on a network such as the Internet. As indicated by block 58, here a consumer receives a manufacturer's promotion while browsing the Internet and then, as indicated by block 60, decides to purchase certain products which the manufacturer promoted. The consumer can then add these products to a purchase order or shopping list of a desired distributor or retailer at its distributor or retailer site as indicated by block 62. Finally, the consumer can purchase these products at any time by visiting the retailer site as indicated by block 64. This transaction application is suitable for providing the manufacturer with a plurality of presentation sites 26. Each presentation site 26 could promote a different product-brand or product of the manufacturer. The decision server could host all of these presentation sites 26 for the manufacturer.

In a manufacturing application illustrated in Figure 3B, the preferable network is an Intranet. As indicated by block 66, a general manager might receive an electronic mail which states that "Plant A Is Operating At Ten Percent Below the Output Standard." The electronic mail can also include a link, prompting the general manager to activate the link for solutions. As indicated by blocks 68 and 70, after the general manager reviews the solutions, the general manager can decide to transfer the solutions to an execution site designated for Plant A. After the solutions are transferred to the Plant A site, the general manager can discuss the solutions with a manager of Plant A, modify the solutions if necessary and then execute the solutions at any time. Once the general manager executes the solutions, the execution site of Plant A may command Plant As computer systems to implement the solutions, as indicated by block 72.

The engineering application illustrated in Figure 3C is preferably suitable for an Intranet network as well. As indicated by block 74, here an engineer may receive electronic mail from a supplier which informs the engineer of a supply of advanced glass which is available at a relatively low cost. The electronic mail may also prompt the engineer to click on a link in order to review the specifications and rates for the glass. As indicated by blocks 76 and 78, the engineer may decide to utilize the advanced glass supply for the design of Project A. The engineer can then transfer the advanced glass material type to an execution site designated for the design of Project A. As indicated by block 80, the engineer can cause the execution site to implement the glass material design change at the design site where Project A is being developed.

In a business-marketing application illustrated in Figure 3D, the preferable network is the Internet. Here, marketing personnel may upload various marketing plans to a marketing proposal site designated for a company, as indicated by block 82. A marketing director for that company can then review those proposals and implement a particular plan. In this example, the marketing director may decide to implement a plan which involves the placement of banner ads at various sites on the World Wide Web, as indicated by block 84. The marketing director can then transfer a desired plan to a marketing plan execution site of the company, as indicated by block 86. Once the plan is transferred to the execution site, the marketing director can implement the plan at any time, and the execution site will post the specified banners at specified sites on the World Wide Web, as indicated by block 88. In a business-investment application illustrated in Figure 3E, the preferred network is an Intranet. In this application, finance personnel within a company can upload various investment proposals to an investment proposal site of the company, as indicated by block 90. As indicated by block 92, a chief financial officer can review the proposals and decide to implement a particular investment proposal, which in this example involves the purchase of publicly traded stock. As indicated by block 94, the chief financial officer can transfer the desired investment plan to an investment execution site designated for the company. Once the investment plan is transferred to the execution site, the chief financial officer can implement the plan at any time, and the execution site will then purchase the desired stock for the company, as indicated by block 96.

The system of the present invention can include one or more embodiments which are suitable for the foregoing applications as well as any other application. The embodiments for the various applications will vary in regard to the data stored in the databases of the decision server. Consequently, each application will require a unique set of data specific for that application. For example, certain databases might include UPC's and product prices, other applications might include product design codes, and still other applications might include stock exchange symbols and related investment data. It should be appreciated that the system of the present invention can be adapted to accommodate any specific application.

When a user operates the system of the present invention, the system collects data related to the users. In a commercial context, the system collects consumer data. The consumer data includes information regarding the choices, responses, preferences and activities of users who view presentation links, visit presentation sites and carry out steps and provide information at the decision sites. The system stores the data related to the user's activities at the decision site. The system can also store data related to the presentation site if the decision server actually hosts the presentation site. Preferably, the system tracks certain activities of users by storing the URL's used by the users from the moment they leave a source to the moment they input a decision at a decision site. The decision server preferably catalogues the consumer data categorized by user through use of the user's password and the URL associated with the user's entry point to the decision server. The system stores this data in such a manner that it can be provided to parties such as manufacturers, service providers and retailers for use in evaluating the effect of presentations and marketing tactics and the success of products. Specifically, the system preferably can generate data for reporting on the use of consumer purchasing activity, including: (a) a consumer's URL trail leading to the decision site; (b) consumer decision activities occurring during and after the viewing of a presentation; (c) consumer activities occurring at a decision site, including the selection of execution sites; and (d) final decision activities of consumers.

It should be appreciated that the system enables implementers of the system to provide various support services to manufacturers and service providers who use the system. Such services include, without limitation: (a) connecting such manufacturers and service providers to all or substantially all retail channels on the network; (b) customer service to manufacturers, service providers and retailers; (c) search engine site monitoring for prominent placement of product brand names and presentation links; (d) custom software development involving, for example, recipe centers and favorite purchasing lists; and (e) content development for presentations.

The system uses a decision transfer program, application or module to transfer decisions to an execution site. This program includes: (a) session initiation code; (b) computer transfer code; and (c) account creation code. The decision server stores all of this code in a memory device.

The session initiation code, transfer code and account creation code can, and typically do, vary from execution site to execution site (i.e., from a product design execution site to an investment execution site or from one retailer execution site to another retailer execution site). The session initiation code instructs the decision server to prompt a user to enter the information which an execution site requires in order for a user to initiate a session. This information may include usernames, passwords, security questions, account creation codes, account numbers and the like. With this information, the decision server is able to initiate a session with an execution site by emulating the user, that is, emulating the browser of a user's client computer. As such, the execution site is unable to detect that the initiator of the session is actually the decision server instead of the user.

If a user does not already have an account with or access to an execution site, the account creation code instructs the decision server to prompt the user for the particular information necessary to create an account at a particular execution site. In addition, the transfer code enables the decision server to provide commands which cause a particular execution site to provide a particular response, such as the response of generating a decision list. For example, if an execution site requires a user to confirm the accuracy of the user's order before placing a product in a shopping cart, the transfer code will instruct the decision server to perform this step.

The session initiation code, account creation code and transfer code are constructed based upon information obtained through accessing the code and/or information requirements of an execution site. Preferably, this information is gathered manually; however, it is contemplated that this information can be gathered electronically. In either case, an individual or a computer system must obtain access to the code of the execution site, preferably the HTML, used at the execution site. The individual or computer system must then read, parse out and record part or all of the code used at the execution site or record certain information which is available by accessing this code. This information recorded by the individual or computer system is then used to construct the session initiation code, account creation code and transfer code for the system.

In operation of the decision transfer program, before a user inputs a decision at a decision site, the decision server, as instructed by the session initiation code, prompts the user to enter certain information, such as a username and password. The decision server then initiates a session with the chosen execution site. If the user does not have an account with or access to the execution site, the decision server, as instructed by the account creation code associated with that execution site, will request the user for the information necessary to access the execution site. The decision server will then visit the execution site, open an account or obtain access for the user and then initiate a session with the execution site.

In either case, once the decision server initiates a session, the decision server, as instructed by the transfer code, will command the execution site to receive certain decisions as input. When the execution site receives the command and responds appropriately, a decision transfer occurs. From the perspective of the execution site, the user is providing the input from a client computer. This process will continue until the decision server transfers all of the decisions which the user input at the decision site.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate an example of an electronic grocery store embodiment of the present invention. As indicated by block 100 in Figure 5, a user initially reaches a source 12 and then activates a presentation link 14. In this case, a source 12 is preferably a manufacturer site 12a, search engine site 12b, retailer site 12c, or an unspecified site 12d. As discussed earlier, source 12 can also include electronic mail (not shown). In this embodiment, the presentation link 14 preferably informs the user about a product of the manufacturer. For illustrative purposes only, the presentation link 14 shown in

Figure 4, includes the message "Tasty Snacks Are Healthy!" In this example, the manufacturer is Tasty Corporation which manufactures grocery foods. Tasty Corporation has placed a variety of presentation links 14 on a variety of sites on the World Wide Web. Though the presentation links 14 appear to be advertisement banners, functionally, they are links. After a user activates a presentation link 14 available at a source 12, the user preferably reaches a presentation site 26, as indicated by block 102 in Figure 5. The presentation site 26 includes a presentation 32 as well as a decision link 34. Preferably, the graphical layout of the presentation site 26 is such that the user receives the impression that this site is not separate from any site of the manufacturer, Tasty Corporation, or any particular retailer site.

In this embodiment, the presentation 32 includes subject matter which is related in some manner to one or more products sold by the manufacturer, Tasty Corporation. In this example, the presentation 32 preferably relates to taste, health, or cost savings benefits of Tasty Corporation's food products. The presentation 32 subject matter can also include a recipe for a prepared food or dinner with a listing of ingredients, some of which are sold by Tasty Corporation. In the example shown in Figure 4, the presentation 32 subject matter relates to the nutrition benefits of the Tasty Snacks brand of products, a product sold by Tasty Corporation.

The decision link 34 in this embodiment preferably bears a message which informs the user that the user can decide to purchase a product by activating that link. Here, the message is, "Buy Tasty Snacks Now." After activating the decision link 34, as indicated by block 102 in Figure 5, the user reaches the decision site 16 as indicated by block 104. Preferably, the graphical layout of the decision site 16 is such that the user is under the impression that the decision site 16 is not separate from the presentation site 26, any particular source site or any particular retailer site.

The decision site 16 requires the user to carry out a predetermined number of decision steps 106. Preferably, a plurality of the decision steps 106 are presented sequentially to the user in a plurality of site pages (not shown). If the source 12 were a retailer site 12c, the first decision step 106 would be the product specification step 106b, as indicated by diamond 108 and block 110 in Figure 5. This situation might arise if the user was visiting a retailer site 12c when the user reached the presentation 32. For example, the user could be shopping for apple pie ingredients at a particular retailer site and come across a presentation link 14 about Tasty Snacks. When the user activates presentation link 14, the decision site will not require the user to select a retailer because the user is already logged- in at a retailer site 12c.

However, if the source 12 is not a retailer site 12c, the initial decision step 106 is a retailer selection step 106a, as indicated by block 112. In order to select a retailer, the decision site 16 prompts the user to enter information which defines a particular receiving area. Preferably, this information is a postal code or a desired distance surrounding a postal code area. If a user incorrectly enters a postal code, such as by entering the wrong number of digits or using alphabetic characters, an error will occur and the decision site 16 will enable the user to input a postal code again, as indicated by diamond 114 and block 112 in Figure 5. If an error does not occur, the decision server will retrieve all retailers which: (a) carry the selected product brand (i.e., Tasty Snacks); and (b) service the chosen receiving area. If there are no such retailers or distributors available, the decision site 16 will provide the user with a message indicating so and enabling the user to return to the presentation site 28, as indicated by diamond 116 and block 118. If such retailers or distributors are available, the decision site 16 enables the user to select a distributor or retailer, as indicated by block 120.

At this point, the user can carry out the product specification step 106b, as indicated by block 110. Here, the decision site displays one or more product names and/or images to the user. The product names can be accompanied by product descriptions and prices. Preferably, a quantity field is located adjacent to each product name, and the field defaults to a predetermined quantity. The decision site 16 enables a user to increase or decrease this quantity.

If the user has an account with the selected retailer, the user can then carry out the account log-in step 106d, as indicated by diamond 122 and block 124. However, if the user does not have an account with the retailer, the user can carry out the account creation step 106c, as indicated by block 126. The account creation step 106c requires the user to provide predetermined information which is unique to a particular retailer. This is because retailers generally have unique processes for opening accounts. Preferably, the account creation step 106c requires the user to provide information such as a usemame, password, first name, last name, delivery address, billing address, credit card type, credit card expiration date, credit card number and telephone number.

Once the user establishes an account, or if the user already had an account, the user can then carry out the log-in step 106d, as indicated by block 124. Here, the user must enter preferably a username and password. After doing so, the user then carries out the decision input step 106e, as indicated by block 128. After providing the decision input, if a product selection or log-in error occurs, the user can carry out the product specification step 106b or account log-in step 106d again, as indicated by diamond 130 and blocks 110 and 124. Once the user accomplishes an error-free decision input, the decision server then transfers the decision to the user's account accessible at the retailer site and sends a success page to the user, as indicated by block 132. In this embodiment, the transferred decision is the addition of one or more products to an electronic purchase order, shopping cart, or shopping list accessible at the retailer site. From here, the user can go directly to the retailer site 12c by activating a retailer link 134 which is available at the decision site 16. Alternatively, the user can revisit a source site 12 by activating a source site link 48. This option is indicated in Figure 5 by bock 136. The user can then later visit the retailer site 12c at any time. When the user visits the retailer site 12c, the retailer site will include a decision list 52.

In this embodiment, the decision list 52 is a purchase order or list of goods which the user can purchase by activating an execution command indicator or execution command button 56. As shown in Figure 4, preferably the decision list 52 includes a list of the products which the user added to the user's account from the decision site 16, accompanied by the price corresponding to each product. As illustrated in Figure 4, the retailer site 138 preferably includes various commands, indicators or buttons which a user can use to carry out various activities such as: adding other items to or removing items from the decision list by activating button 140; obtaining information about delivery fees by activating button 142; generating or printing a shopping list by activating button 144; or viewing new products by activating button 146.

It should be appreciated that the system is well suited for retailers who use third party providers of electronic commerce functionality so that the provider's site functions as the execution site. For example, a retailer site could only provide users with the ability to view a product listing and product prices. A third party could provide this retailer with the capacity to sell products by enabling users to link to the third party's site from the retailer site. Such a provider would store the retailer's product data or product code and provide distribution services for the retailer. Retailers who use such providers could include presentation links 14 at their retailer sites. By activating a presentation link 14, a user could activate a decision link 34 at a presentation site 26, or a presentation link could enable a user to go directly to a decision site 16. Preferably, the decision site 16 is graphically similar to the retailer site so that the user is not aware that the decision site 16 is apart from the retailer site. In any

• case, the user can then input a decision at the decision site 16, and the decision server will transfer that decision to the provider's site where the purchase order can later be executed. Preferably, the provider's set-up enables a user to execute a transferred purchase order by visiting the retailer site at any time and carrying out one or more steps.

In this electronic grocery store embodiment, the decision server database includes a catalog of retailer product data. The product data includes, without limitation, product descriptions and corresponding UPC and product codes specific to particular retailer sites. The product codes used at retailer sites include industry-standard PLU numbers and other identifiers. Retailer sites also identify generic products, such as eggs or milk, with unique codes. When a user purchases a product at a retailer's site, the retailer uses its codes to identify the product and to process the purchase. Therefore, the decision server stores and uses these same codes used by the various retailers. When a user inputs a decision at a decision site, the decision server transfers the retailer-specific product code to the user's account at the retailer's site or at a site accessible at the retailer's site.

The product data stored by the decision server for product-brands can vary from retailer to retailer. For example, Tasty Corporation might provide a presentation of a Tasty Snack brand at a presentation site. Tasty Corporation may carry a line of thirty different types of Tasty Snack products (i.e., Tasty Snack Cookies, Tasty Snack Bread, Tasty Snack Cereal, etc.). Depending upon which retailer the user selects, the decision site will provide varying Tasty Snack products for the user's selection. This is because the particular Tasty Snack products which retailers carry generally vary from retailer to retailer. As such, when a user selects a particular retailer for a particular product-brand while at a decision site, the decision server retrieves that retailer's data or code corresponding to that product-brand. Therefore, the decision server only retrieves the products carried by the selected retailer, even though a presentation might present an entire line of products to a user.

One manner of building this database is to do so manually. Here, people obtain retailer's codes, preferably from the retailer's site. However, people can also obtain this information from electronic or physical catalogs provided by retailers. This database can also be built electronically through the use of a computer system. The computer system could gather the necessary data by visiting retailer sites and reading the HTML code of those sites. The computer system could locate a product description (i.e., product name) and parse out the product code corresponding to that description. The system could then store and catalog this product data into the database used by the decision server.

For purposes of illustrating what a user views when operating the system, Figures 6A through 6F show examples of screen shots which a user views when using the system. In this example, the user visited the Steam Engine search engine site 12b and entered a search for thanksgiving dinner pies. The search results 148, shown in Figure 6A, include references to various pies. Search result 148a is a presentation link 14 of Tasty Foods which references a recipe for pecan pie. Search results 148b and 148c illustrate various other pie-related search results. Interested in the pecan pie recipe, the user activated the presentation link 14. As shown in Figure 6B, the user then reached the presentation site 26 which appears to be a site hosted by Tasty Foods, when it can be actually hosted by the decision server.

Presentation site 26 includes a presentation 32 as well as a decision link 34. The presentation 32 is the pecan pie recipe. In this example, the user activated decision link 34 which linked the user to decision site 16. Decision site 16 includes a retailer selection page 150, product specification page 152 and success page 154 shown in Figures 6C, 6D and 6E, respectively. The retailer selection page 150 enables the user to carry out the retailer selection step. In this example, the user entered a postal code of 73118, and the decision server provided retailer selections 156a and 156b, Groceries-To-Home and YourGroceries.com. These two retailers provide service in the 73118 postal code area. In this example, the user selected YourGroceries.com as its retailer.

As shown in Figure 6D, the product specification page 52 then displayed the product ingredients for the pecan pie which are carried by YourGroceries.com. This page 152 also displayed the quantity fields 158 corresponding to each product. Here, the user entered a quantity of one for each product. After specifying the products, the user entered a username and password and then clicked on the decision input button 160.

The success page 154 shown in Figure 6E then informed the user that the user had successfully added one or more products to his or her own account with a retailer. This success page 154 also enabled the user to activate a source site link 48 or retailer link 134. In this example, the user activated the retailer link 134 and then visited the retailer site 162, shown in Figure 6F. The YourGroceries.com retailer site 162 includes the decision list 52. This list included the products the user added to the user's account from the product specification page 152 of the decision site 16. The retailer site 162 also displayed an execution command button 56 which the user could activate in order lo purchase the products listed in the decision list 52.

In this embodiment, its should be appreciated that a system can include a plurality of presentation sites 26, preferably one site for each product or group of products promoted by a manufacturer. Though the system includes multiple presentation sites 26, the system can host one or more of the presentation sites 26 with one or more of the decision servers.

The system of the present invention, which operates on a network, enables users to view presentation links or presentations while on the network. While at a decision site, users can then input decisions which were described or discussed in the presentation links or presentations. By inputting decisions, the decision server of the system transfers the decisions to an execution site. By visiting the execution site, users can execute the transferred decisions. This type of system assists users, in any application, in making and executing decisions on networks. In a shopping application, this system provides a convenient method for electronic shoppers to spontaneously act upon product or service promotions by inputting purchase decisions and later executing those decisions with an actual purchase.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. It should thus be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that all such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A decision-making and execution system comprising: a plurality of servers connected to a network, including at least one decision server, said decision server adapted to communicate with at least one client computer through the network; at least one source generated by one of said servers, said source providing at least one presentation link; at least one decision site hosted by the decision server; and at least one execution site hosted by one of said servers, whereby after the user activates the presentation link and inputs at least one decision at the decision site, the decision server transfers said decision to the execution site where the decision can be executed.

2. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 1 , wherein the presentation link conveys information to a user which is related to the decision.

3. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 1 , wherein the presentation link conveys information to the user which is related to a product or service.

4. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 1 , wherein the decision is a purchase of at least one product or service.

5. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 1 , wherein the decision is a performance of at least one activity.

6. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 1 , wherein the execution site is a retailer or distributor site.

7. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 1 , which includes at least one presentation site accessible through the presentation link and hosted by one of the servers.

8. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 7, which includes at least one presentation accessible at said presentation site.

9. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 1 , which includes a plurality of presentation sites hosted by at least one of the servers and at least one presentation accessible through each presentation site.

10. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 1 , wherein the decision server includes means for transferring a decision from the decision site to the execution site.

11. A decision-making and execution system comprising: a plurality of servers, including at least one decision server, said servers adapted to communicate with at least one client computer through a network; at least one source generated by one of said servers, said source including at least one presentation link; at least one presentation generated by one of said servers, hosted by a presentation site and accessible through said presentation link, said presentation site including at least one decision link; at least one decision site hosted by the decision server, accessible through the decision link and adapted to enable a user to input at least one decision, said decision site including at least one execution site link; and at least one execution site hosted by one of the servers, including at least one execution command activator and adapted to generate at least one decision list, whereby the decision server transfers the decision to the execution site where the decision can be executed, said transfer occurring after the user activates the presentation link, accesses the presentation, activates the decision link and inputs the decision at the decision site.

12. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 11 , wherein the source is a manufacturer site.

13. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 11 , wherein the source is a search engine site.

14. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 11 , wherein the source is a retailer or distributor site.

15. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 11 , wherein the source is a site selected from the group consisting of a commerce-related site, retailer site, distributor site, provider site, manufacturer site, informational site, news site and a site unrelated to commerce.

16. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 11 , wherein the source is electronic mail.

17. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 11 , wherein the decision site includes at least one source site link.

18. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 11 , wherein the decision site includes at least one execution site link.

19. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 11 , wherein the execution site is a retailer or distributor site.

20. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 11 , wherein the decision server includes means for transferring the decision from the decision site to the execution site.

21. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 11 , which includes a plurality of presentation sites, each including a presentation.

22. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 21 , wherein a plurality of the presentations include information related to at least one product or service.

23. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 11 , wherein the decision server includes at least one database.

24. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 23, wherein the database includes consumer data.

25. The decision-making and execution system of Claim 23,, wherein the database includes product data.

26. A method of operating a decision-making and execution system comprising the steps of:

(a) enabling a user to access at least one source on a network; (b) enabling the user to activate at least one presentation link accessible at the source;

(c) hosting at least one decision site on the network;

(d) enabling the user to access the decision site;

(e) enabling the user to transfer at least one decision from the decision site to an execution site; and

(f) enabling a user to execute said decision at the execution site.

27. The method of Claim 26, which includes the step of enabling a user to access the decision site as a result of activating the presentation link.

28. The method of Claim 26, which includes the step of enabling a user to access at least one presentation site as a result of activating the presentation link.

29. The method of Claim 28, which includes the step of enabling a user to access at least one presentation at said presentation site.

30. The method of Claim 28, which includes the step of enabling a user to activate at least one decision link accessible at the presentation site.

31. The method of Claim 26, which includes the step of enabling a user to perform at least one decision step at the decision site.

32. The method of Claim 31 , which includes the step of enabling a user to perform a plurality of decision steps at the decision site.

33. The method of Claim 32, wherein the decision steps include at least one retailer selection step.

34. The method of Claim 32, wherein the decision steps include at least one product specification step.

35. The method of Claim 32, wherein the decision steps include at least one account creation step.

36. The method of Claim 32, wherein the decision steps include at least one account log-in step.

37. The method of Claim 32, wherein the decision steps include at least one decision input step.

38. The method of Claim 26, wherein the step of hosting the decision site includes the step of collecting consumer data.

39. The method of Claim 38, wherein the step of collecting consumer data includes the step of monitoring user activities.

40. The method of Claim 26, wherein the step of enabling the user to transfer at least one decision includes the step using a decision transfer program.

41. The method of Claim 26, wherein the step of hosting the decision site includes the step of using product data.

42. The method of Claim 26, wherein step (a) includes the step of enabling the user to access at least one source site on the network.

43. The method of Claim 42, which includes the step of presenting the decision site in a manner which is graphically similar to that of a predetermined source site.

44. The method of Claim 42, which includes the step of presenting the decision site in a manner which is graphically similar to that of a predetermined execution site.

45. A method for using a particular site on a network to enable consumers to initiate a purchase of a product at any time without having to visit a retailer site and to then later complete the purchase by visiting the retailer site, comprising: (a) accessing the network;

(b) linking to the particular site;

(c) inputting a decision at the particular site to initiate the purchase of at least one product at a desired retailer site; and (d) completing the purchase by visiting the retailer site.

46. The method of Claim 45, which includes the step of providing a plurality of sites accessible through the network, including at least one unspecified site.

47. The method of Claim 45, which includes the step of providing electronic mail through the network.

48. The method of Claim 46, wherein step (b) includes the step of visiting the unspecified site and activating a link means accessible at the unspecified site.

49. The method of Claim 46, wherein step (b) includes the step of receiving electronic mail and activating a link means accessible through said mail.

50. The method of Claim 48, which includes the step of linking to a site which displays information related to at least one product.

51. The method of Claim 49, which includes the step of linking to a site which displays information related to at least one product.

52. The method of Claim 50, which includes the step of activating a link means which is accessible at the site which displays information related to the product.

53. The method of Claim 51 , which includes the step of activating a link means which is accessible at the site which displays information related to the product.

54. The method of Claim 52, which includes the step of linking to the particular site from the site which displays information related to the product.

55. The method of Claim 53, which includes the step of linking to the particular site from the site which displays information related to the product.

56. A system including a decision transfer program comprising: at least one client computer and a plurality of servers connected to a network, said servers including at least one decision server wherein said decision server includes at least one memory device and at least one database and is adapted to receive at least one decision input from a user; at least one execution site hosted by one of said servers; session initiation code and transfer code stored in the memory device; and session initiation information provided by the user, whereby the decision server, as instructed by the session initiation code and transfer code, obtains the session initiation information, initiates a session with the execution site and transfers the decision to the execution site, such transfer occurring after the user has provided the decision input.

57. The system of Claim 56 which includes account creation code stored in the memory device.

58. The system of Claim 57 whereby the decision server, as instructed by the account creation code, transfers the decision to the execution site.

59. A product purchasing system for an electronic network including a plurality of sites, said system comprising: means at one of said sites for enabling a user to select at least one product; means at one of said sites for enabling said user to select a distributor which is able to provide said selected product to said user; means for transferring information regarding the selected product to a site which is associated with said selected distributor; and means for enabling the user to obtain the product using the site associated with said selected distributor.

60. The product purchasing system of Claim 59, wherein one of the sites includes means for enabling a user to link to the product selection means.

61. The product purchasing system of Claim 59, which includes electronic mail.

62. The product purchasing system of Claim 61 , wherein the electronic mail includes means for enabling a user to link to the product selection means.

63. The product purchasing system of Claim 59, wherein one of the sites includes means for enabling the user to link to a site which includes information related to the product.

64. The product purchasing system of Claim 61 , wherein the electronic mail includes means for enabling the user to link to a site which includes information related to the product.

65. The product purchasing system of Claim 63, wherein the site which includes information related to the product includes means for enabling the user to link to the site where the user can select the product.

66. The product purchasing system of Claim 64, wherein the site which includes information related to the product includes means for enabling the user to link to the site where the user can select the product.

67. The product purchasing system of Claim 59, wherein the information transferring means includes a first computer adapted to provide commands to a second computer which hosts the site associated with the selected distributor, wherein the commands are provided in such a manner that the second computer can execute the commands.