Method and apparatus for market research using education courses and related ...

(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MARKET RESEARCH USING EDUCATION COURSES AND RELATED INFORMATION

(75) Inventors: J. David Martino, Morningview, KY (US); Mitchell Smith, Cincinnati, OH (US)

(73) Assignee: Documus, LLC, Covington, KY (US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ol this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 281 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/952,452

(22) Filed: Sep. 14, 2001

Related U.S. Application Data

(60) Provisional application No. 60/233,048, filed on Sep. 15, 2000.

(51) Int. CI. G09B 9 00

(52) U.S. CI 434/362; 434/307 R; 725/24;

705/1

(58) Field of Search 434/118, 330,

434/322, 323, 362, 365, 307 R; 705/10, 14, 1; 725/24

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OTHER PUBLICATIONS

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(List continued on next page.)

Primary Examiner—-Teresa Walberg

Assistant Examiner—Kathleen M. Christman

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Frost Brown Todd LLC

(57) ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for assessing and linking market research questions to participant's (user's) credentials, where the market research questions are integrated into selected continuing education courses or product training. The users may not earn credit for such continuing education unless they answer the market research questions. This method allows a mechanism to perform market research on any group of professionals that require continuing education or training. The method and apparatus of the various embodiments of the present invention have applications on the Internet, stand-alone and networked computer systems, integrated computer-television systems, and conventional communication systems, such as voice telephony.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Market Research on the Internet Has its Drawbacks, Feb. 2, 2000.

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* cited by examiner