Method and apparatus for converting a geographic location to a direct marketing area for a query
US6970864B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 24, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 29, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99933
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and system are provided for performing database queries with geographic inputs that are converted to a direct marketing area prior to performing the query. Direct marketing areas define geographic locations as discrete areas of interest that may be more useful than city limits or a specific geographic location (e.g., latitude/longitude). Direct marketing areas are more useful geographic designations for purposes of advertising and marketing. A geographic input, such as a city and state, or a latitude and longitude are converted to a direct marketing area. The direct marketing area is then substituted for the entered geographic parameter (e.g., city and state or latitude and longitude), and the requested database query is performed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.