Method and apparatus for scheduling the presentation of messages to computer users
US5848397A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 19, 1996 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q40/12
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for scheduling the presentation of a continuously-changing display to computer users, and is particularly well-suited for use in an advertisement-supported e-mail service. An advertisement display scheduler resident on a user's computer receives advertisements from a server system over a network. Upon receipt, the advertisement display scheduler determines the priority of the advertisement and assigns it to one of a plurality of prioritized advertisement queues. Each queue is sorted according to predetermined scheduling criteria so that advertisements deemed "more important" are presented to a user first. The advertisement display scheduler logs statistical information relating to the presentation of advertisements for use in updating the scheduling criteria, and makes such statistical information available to the server system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.