Abstract:
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for creating lists of names, addresses, such as e-mail addresses, and other information for individuals who have granted permission for one or more organizations to contact them. A plurality of attendees attend an event using an event access document having a unique value thereon to gain access to the event. Attendees are urged by various means of communication to visit a particular web site, or other similar facility capable of collecting the information desired by a sponsor. In exchange for providing a minimum amount of information regarding the attendee, the site or facility will determine if the attendee has been awarded a prize or other item of value, based on the unique value provided by that attendee.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating a database for permission based marketing, and in particular to a method and apparatus for obtaining contact information for a plurality of individuals and permission to send information to those individuals. The database has particular application in promoting products and/or services to the individuals by sending information to them electronically, such as by e-mail, through an electronic network such as the Internet.  
         BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
         [0002]    A vast array of interconnected networks formed over the last decade has become what is now known as the Internet. The Internet uses personal computers, servers, physical network medium and related equipment, protocols, application programs and associated programming languages to provide a variety of services to its users. Some examples of these services include the World Wide Web, commonly referred to simply as the Web, and electronic mail, commonly referred to as e-mail.  
           [0003]    Communication addressing protocol on the Internet differs substantially from the conventional street addressing system. Specifically, e-mail services on the Internet use an address naming convention which takes the form of a user name, followed by an @ symbol, and then a host name. This type of address is commonly referred to as an e-mail address. An example of such an e-mail address is gsmith@anycompany.com. The Web, on the other hand, uses an addressing convention that utilizes what is referred to as a Uniform Resource Locator or URL. A URL is used to identify a particular web server on the Internet, and is normally preceded by www. Often the name of an organization or other entity is included in the URL. An example of a URL is www.sportscompany.com.  
           [0004]    The Internet presently uses a client/server concept to carry out the majority of its work, including its Web and e-mail services. This concept is client-centric, wherein the client makes requests to a server and the server responds accordingly. For example, in the case of Internet e-mail service, a client composes an e-mail message on a client computing device such as a personal computer and sends it to an e-mail server, thereby requesting the server to deliver the message through the Internet to the designated recipient. Likewise with the Web, a client requests pages of information from a server, and the server sends the pages back to the client, using the Internet as its communications channel.  
           [0005]    The client application program that individuals use to communicate with servers on the Web is referred to as a browser. One example of a browser in wide use today is Internet Explorer® distributed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. Servers use a web-specific programming language known as hyper text markup language, or HTML, to send requested pages back to a browser. HTML controls how the text and graphic content of each page is displayed on the client computing device. Additionally, through the use of Active Server Pages or other similar web-specific technologies, a user is able to communicate information to a server where it is stored in one or more databases, such as a relational database, within that server. Often, these databases are used for marketing purposes, and hence many are referred to as marketing databases. The stored database information may be used by an entity having a server to compose and send on request web pages to an individual operating a browser on a client computing device that contain particular information directed to that individual.  
           [0006]    Because of its widespread use as a means of communication, businesses are increasingly using the Internet to market or sell their products directly to consumers. One reason businesses are turning to the Internet to market their products is the fact that the incremental cost of sending promotions using the Internet is extremely low in comparison to conventional communication channels such as direct mail, radio and television commercials, and telemarketing. In the case of Internet marketing, there are no expensive printing or postage costs and, unlike traditional printed and mailed pieces, the information can be communicated to the consumer almost instantaneously.  
           [0007]    Another advantage of using the Internet to sell products is the fact that, through the use of marketing database technology, communications can be specifically tailored to the intended recipient, thereby making messages more relevant and thus more effective. The practice of tailoring messages to a particular consumer is known as Customer Relationship Management or CRM. When used in conjunction with the Internet, this technique is referred to as electronic CRM or eCRM.  
           [0008]    Despite the advantages of using the Internet as a marketing tool, its effectiveness for this purpose has been undermined by a practice commonly known as spamming. Spamming is the mass transmission of unsolicited e-mails to consumers. Both consumers and professional marketing organizations decry the practice of spamming as a nuisance. In response to the widespread use of spamming, the concept of permission-based or Opt-In marketing has developed. As the name implies, permission-based marketing techniques target only those consumers who have specifically granted permission for businesses to send them e-mail. At the moment, Opt-In e-mail practices are completely voluntary. It is anticipated, however, that they will become mandatory in the near future.  
           [0009]    Due to the relative youth of the Internet, comprehensive listings of e-mail addresses have not been accurately or extensively compiled. The few listings that do exist are expensive, and do not generally contain permission for a specific business to send communications to those individuals listed therein. Thus, a major challenge facing organizations desiring to exploit the power of the Internet for productive, professional communications with Internet users is in compiling, updating, and growing such lists of e-mail addresses, and in particular lists of individuals that have granted permission to that organization to contact them by e-mail.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention provides a method and apparatus for creating lists of names, addresses, such as e-mail addresses, and other information for individuals who have granted permission for one or more organizations to contact them through, for example, the Internet such as by e-mail, or otherwise.  
           [0011]    A sponsor is an organization or individual which desires to utilize the present invention to enhance its marketing position, or for other business objectives and the event manager is an organization or an individual that is responsible for bringing together groups of individuals for a particular purpose, such as a sporting event, concert or other cultural event where such individuals, called event attendees, are required to have a unique ticket or other satisfactory event access document to gain entrance to the event. In accordance with the present invention, each event access document is provided with a unique value thereon.  
           [0012]    Attendees at the event are urged by various means of communication to visit a particular web site, or other similar facility capable of collecting the information desired by the sponsor. In exchange for providing a minimum amount of information regarding the attendee and the unique value included on the event access document used by the attendee, the site or facility will determine if the attendee has been awarded a prize or other item of value, based on the unique value provided by that attendee.  
           [0013]    The database information generated by the method and apparatus of the present invention are then used to undertake communications with the attendee by the sponsor or other party appropriately authorized. Such communications may take the form of advertising, promotions, or other marketing activities, or product or service information exchange, or any other communications deemed desirable by the sponsor.  
           [0014]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of collecting contact information for a plurality of individuals and permission to contact the individuals includes issuing a plurality of event access documents each having a unique value provided thereon, the event access documents providing access to an event and providing notice to a plurality of attendees attending the event that the unique value provided on one or more of the event access documents may be used to collect a prize. The attendees are instructed to visit a specified website to determine prize eligibility. According to the method, information is collected from each of the attendees visiting the specified website. This information includes contact information for the website visiting attendee, a grant or denial of permission to contact the website visiting attendee, and the unique value provided on the event access document used by the website visiting attendee. At least a part of the collected information is stored in, for example, a relational database. Each of the website visiting attendees is informed of whether the unique value provided on the event access document used by the website visiting attendee entitles that website visiting attendee to collect a prize. The collected contact information may include one or more of an email address, a telephone number and a street address. The collected information may also be evaluated against variable criteria and/or duplicate criteria. Redemption information may be provided to each attendee entitled to receive a prize that informs the attendee of how the prize can be redeemed.  
           [0015]    According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a method of collecting contact information for a plurality of individuals and permission to contact said individuals includes providing a website accessible over an electronic network and collecting information from each of a plurality of event attendees visiting the website, wherein the event attendees have each attended an event and have used an event access document having a unique value provided thereon to gain access to the event. The collected information includes contact information for the event attendee, a grant or denial of permission to contact the event attendee, and the unique value provided on the event access document used by the event attendee. At least a part of the collected information is stored, for example, in a relational database. Each of the event attendees is informed of whether the unique value provided on the event access document used by the event attendee entitles the event attendee to collect a prize. The collected contact information may include one or more of an email address, a telephone number and a street address. The collected information may also be evaluated against at least one of variable criteria, which specifies particular required or permissible information, and duplicate criteria, which protects against the entry of duplicate information. Redemption information may be provided to each attendee entitled to receive a prize that informs the attendee of how the prize can be redeemed. The website may include one or more registration web pages to facilitate collection of the information and/or one or more prize web pages for informing the event attendees of their prize, if any.  
           [0016]    According to a still further embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for collecting contact information for a plurality of individuals and permission to contact the individuals includes one or more servers hosting a website accessible over an electronic network. The website includes one or more registration web pages for collecting information from each of a plurality of event attendees, the event attendees having attended an event and having used an event access document having a unique value provided thereon to gain access to said event. The information includes contact information for the event attendee, a grant or denial of permission to contact the event attendee, and the unique value provided on the event access document used by the event attendee. The apparatus also includes a database provided in the one or more servers for storing at least a part of the collected information and an indication for each of the unique values of whether the unique value corresponds to a prize. The one or more servers informs each of the event attendees of whether the unique value provided on the event access document used by the event attendee corresponds to a prize. The collected contact information may include one or more of an email address, a telephone number and a street address. The collected information may also be evaluated against variable criteria and/or duplicate criteria provided in the one or more servers. Redemption information may be provided to each attendee entitled to receive a prize that informs the attendee of how the prize can be redeemed. The redemption data may include a hyperlink to a web page where the prize can be redeemed. The website may include one or more registration web pages to facilitate collection of the information or one or more prize web pages for informing the event attendees of their prize, if any.  
           [0017]    According to a still further embodiment of the present invention, a method of collecting contact information for a plurality of individuals and permission to contact the individuals includes collecting information from each of a plurality of event attendees over an electronic network, the event attendees having attended an event and having used an event access document having a unique value provided thereon to gain access to the event. The information includes contact information for the event attendee, a grant or denial of permission to contact the event attendee, and the unique value provided on the event access document used by the event attendee. At least a part of the information for each said event attendee is stored, for example in a relational database. Each of the event attendees is informed over the electronic network whether the unique value provided on the event access document used by the event attendee entitles the event attendee to collect a prize. The collected contact information may include one or more of an email address, a telephone number and a street address. The collected information may also be evaluated against variable criteria or duplicate criteria. Redemption information may be provided to each attendee entitled to receive a prize that informs the attendee of how the prize can be redeemed.  
           [0018]    According to a still further embodiment of the present invention an apparatus for collecting contact information for a plurality of individuals and permission to contact the individuals includes one or more servers accessible over an electronic network wherein the one or more servers are adapted to collect information from each of a plurality of event attendees, the event attendees having attended an event and having used an event access document having a unique value provided thereon to gain access to said event. The information includes an contact information for the event attendee, a grant or denial of permission to contact the event attendee, and the unique value provided on the event access document used by the event attendee. The apparatus further includes a database provided in the one or more servers, for example a relational database, for storing at least a part of the collected information and an indication for each of the unique values of whether the unique value corresponds to a prize. The one or more servers informs each of the event attendees over the electronic network whether the unique value provided on the event access document used by the event attendee corresponds to a prize. The collected contact information may include one or more of an email address, a telephone number and a street address. The collected information may also be evaluated against variable criteria and/or duplicate criteria provided in the one or more servers. Redemption information may be provided to each attendee entitled to receive a prize that informs the attendee of how the prize can be redeemed.  
           [0019]    According to a still further embodiment of the present invention a method of collecting contact information for a plurality of individuals and permission to contact said individuals includes issuing a plurality of event access documents having a unique value provided thereon and providing notice to a plurality of attendees attending the event that the unique value provided on one or more of the event access documents may be used to collect a prize. The method further includes providing one or more servers coupled to an electronic network which are adapted to collect information from one or more information submitting attendees. The collected information includes contact information for the information submitting attendee, a grant or denial of permission to contact the information submitting attendee, and the unique value provided on the event access document used by the information submitting attendee. At least a part of the collected information is stored on the one or more servers and each of the information submitting attendees is informed over the electronic network of whether the unique value provided on the event access document used by the information submitting attendee entitles that information submitting attendee to collect a prize. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts, and in which:  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention illustrating the display of a registration web page on an event attendee&#39;s computer;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a server forming part of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention illustrating the display of an information error web page on an event attendee&#39;s computer;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention illustrating the display of a duplicate value web page on an event attendee&#39;s computer;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention illustrating the display of a unique value web page on an event attendee&#39;s computer;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a an embodiment of a server forming part of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention illustrating the display of a unique value error web page on an event attendee&#39;s computer;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention illustrating the display of a prize web page on an event attendee&#39;s computer;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a database loaded on a server forming part of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention that utilizes electronic mail communication between the server and an event attendee&#39;s computer;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the personal information and communication information tables of a database loaded on a server forming part of an apparatus according to the present invention; and  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a further alternative embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention capable of reporting information to one or more authorized organizations. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0034]    According to the present invention, an organization or an individual, referred to as the event manager, is responsible for bringing together groups of individuals for a particular purpose, such as a sporting event, concert or other cultural event. A sponsor is an organization or individual which desires to utilize a method or apparatus described herein to enhance its marketing position, or for other business objectives.  
         [0035]    The event manager creates or causes to be created an appropriate quantity of event access documents, such as a ticket, that are to be used to gain access to the particular event in question. According to the present invention, each event access document has printed thereon a value that is unique to that event access document and that makes it distinct from all other event access documents for at least the event in question, and possibly for other events. The unique value may comprise, for example, the description of the particular seat assigned to that event access document such as by section, row and seat number or may comprise a unique number unrelated to the seat or the event venue, such as a bar or numerical code. The event access documents are then distributed in some manner, such as by sale, to individuals desiring to attend the event, known as event attendees. Such distribution may occur through the event manager, the sponsor or a third party. Each event attendee uses his or her event access document to gain authorized access to the event venue.  
         [0036]    Event attendees are made aware that they may be eligible to receive a prize, such as an item of value or an offer having some value, for example a discount for the purchase of products or services, by visiting a specified website and providing certain information, including the unique value appearing on their event access document. As used herein, the phrase visiting a website shall mean using an electronic device such as a personal computer, a cell phone, a pager, or a personal digital assistant to request, receive and display one or more web pages of the website in question. Event attendees may be made aware of this information in many ways and at various times, including public address announcements made at the event venue, visual notification by a scoreboard or the like at the event venue, light displays or other such devices, signs and posters of various types, printed information distributed to the event attendees, including information printed on the event access document itself or notices provided in a newspaper or a mass mailing.  
         [0037]    Referring to FIG. 1, event attendee  201  has access to computer  301  or any other electronic device capable of communicating through the Internet  303 , such as a cell phone, a pager or a personal digital assistant. Computer  301  is provided with browser  302 , which is the well known client software application used by computer  301  to communicate with servers over the Internet  303  and construct and display web pages on computer  301 . After having attended the event in question, event attendee  201  visits the website specified in the information received by event attendee  201  while attending the event or at other times by entering URL  400  associated with the specified website into browser  302 . Browser  302 , in conjunction with conventional well known hardware and software applications  404  of computer  301 , including an operating system such as Windows 98 or Windows 2000 distributed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., routes URL  400  through network interface card  402 , and out through the Internet  303 . While the preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates use of the Internet  303 , it should be appreciated that any public or private electronic network comprising a distributed computer network may be substituted for the Internet  303 . The routing of URL  400  through the Internet  303  amounts to a request of server  403  identified by URL  400  to send back certain information to browser  302 . Server  403  according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a server computer equipped with various components including a central processing unit such as a microprocessor, a non-volatile storage device such as a hard drive or drives, RAM, communications buses, device controllers and a network interface card and associated drivers wherein the server computer is provided with a suitable operating system such as a network operating system. Suitable examples of server  403  are the Dell Poweredge Model 2500, sold by Dell Computer of Round Rock, Tex., the HP Netserver E 800, sold by Hewlett Packard Company of Palo Alto, Calif., and the Sun Enterprise 6500, sold by Sun Microsystems, Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif. loaded with the Windows 9x series, Windows NT or Windows 2000 operating system sold by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.  
         [0038]    In addition, as described herein, server  403  is provided with and adapted to run certain commercially available software and certain custom written software to provide the functionality of the present invention. This software is preferably stored in the storage device of server  403 . While a single server  403  is described herein, it should be appreciated that multiple servers  403  in communication with one another may be used. In such a configuration, the software and the functionality associated therewith may be spread among the various servers  403 . For example, one server  403  may comprise a web server and provide the web pages described herein, while a second server  403  may provide the data storage and management functions described herein and will include database  602 . Typically, a greater number of servers  403  will increase performance as the volume of information and use of the system increases. Furthermore, rather than the storage device of server  403  storing the data according to the present invention, it will be appreciated that a separate data storage device such as a commercially available storage array may be used, with the data stored therein being accessible by a server  403 .  
         [0039]    Referring to FIG. 2, in response to the request from computer  301 , certain information, primarily consisting of HTML instructions and graphics information, is returned from server  403  to computer  301  through the Internet  303 . The information is routed through network interface card  402  and hardware and software applications  404  and to browser  302 . The HTML instructions and graphics information provided to browser  302  may be combined to create and display registration web page  501  on computer  301 .  
         [0040]    Custom written software for selecting and/or generating appropriate HTML instructions and graphics information for any purpose described herein is preferably stored in the storage device of server  403 . As is known in the art, the software may be written in various programming languages such as the Visual Basic or SQL programming languages. As is also known in the art, all of the HTML instructions and graphics information may be in the form of prewritten templates that are adapted as needed prior to being transmitted to computer  301  for construction of an appropriate web page.  
         [0041]    Registration web page  501  provides a template to be used by event attendee  201  to enter certain personal information into browser  302 , such as the name, address, city, state, zip code and e-mail address of event attendee  201 . The components of personal information to be entered may vary and may be specified by the sponsor and/or the event manager. In addition, event attendee  201  is requested to grant or deny permission for one or more organizations, such as the sponsor, to contact event attendee  201  such as by sending e-mail messages through the Internet  303  to event attendee  201 . Some or all of the information requested in registration web page  501  may be required in order to proceed to collect the prize. By activating submit button  504 , or other suitable control, provided on registration web page  501 , all of the information entered by event attendee  201  is transmitted through hardware and software applications  404  and network interface card  402  of computer  301  over the Internet  303  to server  403 .  
         [0042]    Referring to FIG. 3, a custom written software application referred to as data evaluation application program  600  is preferably stored in the storage device of server  403 . Server  403  also includes database  602  preferably comprising a relational database management system or RDBMS preferably stored in the storage device of server  403  which, as is well known in the art, allows for the creation, maintenance and manipulation of one or more databases of information in the form of one or more interrelated tables of data. A suitable example of an RDBMS is the SQL Server® product distributed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. The data included in the one or more tables is preferably stored in the storage device of server  403 .  
         [0043]    The information received through the Internet  303  by server  403  is evaluated by data evaluation application program  600 . If the information does not satisfy certain variable criteria  601 , which may be established by one or both of the event manager and the sponsor, as determined by data evaluation application program  600 , then server  403  returns appropriate HTML instructions and graphics information for constructing information error web page  603 , shown in FIG. 4, to computer  301  through the Internet  303 .  
         [0044]    Variable criteria  601  may specify that certain information requested in registration web page  501  is required or that only certain input information will be acceptable, such as a range of valid zip codes in order to limit participants to a certain selected geographic area. Variable criteria  601  are programmed as part of data evaluation program  600 . Certain aspects of variable criteria  601 , such as a range of valid zip codes, may be stored in database  602 . If the information satisfies variable criteria  601 , then the information is examined by data evaluation program  600  against duplicate criteria  604  that specifies that one or more selected pieces of information may not be duplicated in database  602 , for example a duplicate name, address, e-mail address, or unique value appearing on an event access document. In the event that any of the specified information is duplicated in database  602 , server  403  returns appropriate HTML instructions and graphics information for constructing duplicate value web page  605 , shown in FIG. 5, to computer  301  through the Internet  303 . If the information submitted by event attendee  201  satisfies variable criteria  601  and does not contain any duplicate information as specified by duplicate criteria  604 , server  403  stores the information in database  602 .  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 4 illustrates information error web page  603  as displayed on browser  302  of computer  301 . Information error web page  603  contains the same elements as registration web page  501 , with the exception of a request for event attendee  201  to check and revise the data. The defective data as determined by data evaluation application program  600 , which may be highlighted or otherwise set apart in information error web page  603 , may result from missing elements of required data. The defective data may also result from entered data failing to pass criteria range evaluations such as not falling within a set of predetermined valid zip codes or a range of valid unique numbers provided on the event access documents for the event in question. Event attendee  201  then corrects missing or inaccurate information, and by activating submit button  504 , the corrected information is transmitted to server  403  through the Internet  303 . This cycle of event attendee  201  submitting information to server  403 , and server  403  returning information error web page  603  continues until event attendee  201  has entered and submitted information in a form and amount that satisfies variable criteria  601 .  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 5 illustrates duplicate value web page  605  as displayed on browser  302  of computer  301 . Duplicate value web page  605  may include a message informing event attendee  201  of the fact that one or more duplicate values have been submitted, and thanking event attendee  201  for participating. In contrast to information error web page  603 , submit button  504  is not provided on duplicate value web page  605 , as no further participation by event attendee  201  is anticipated. Various hyperlinks  704  such as a hyperlink to the event sponsor&#39;s and/or event manager&#39;s home web page containing rules for the promotion or to the event sponsor&#39;s e-commerce website may be placed on duplicate value web page  605  for the event attendee  201  to select.  
         [0047]    Referring to FIG. 6, when server  403  determines that the information submitted by event attendee  201  satisfies variable criteria  601  and does not contain any duplicate information as specified by duplicate criteria  604 , server  403  transmits HTML instructions and graphics information for constructing unique value web page  801  of computer  301  through the Internet  303 . The HTML instructions and graphics information are compiled by browser  302  into unique value web page  801  which is displayed on computer  301 . Unique value web page  801  may be personalized with elements of the personal information of event attendee  201  stored in database  602  of server  403 . Unique value web page  801  instructs event attendee  201  to examine his or her event access document  803  to determine the unique value found thereon. Unique value web page  801  may display graphic  804 , which is a likeness of the event access documents for the particular event, to assist event attendee  201  in finding the unique value located on event access document  803 . The actual unique value on event access document  803  is entered into appropriate text box or boxes  805  provided on unique value web page  801 . The unique value may be any combination of numbers, letters and/or symbols, such as concatenation of a description of the assigned seat of event attendee  201 , e.g. section, row and seat number, or a unique code not related to assigned seat location or the event in question. Activation of submit button  504  causes browser  302  to transmit the entered unique value over the Internet  303  to server  403 .  
         [0048]    Referring to FIG. 7, when the unique value is received by server  403 , data evaluation application program  600  evaluates the unique value by comparing it to a list of all possible unique values for the particular event stored in unique value table  900  of database  602 . Unique value table  900  is preferably stored in database  602  prior to the event in question. If the unique value provided by event attendee  201  matches a unique value contained in unique value table  900 , the unique value provided by event attendee  201  is accepted and stored in attendee unique value table  901  of database  602 . Unique value table  901  may be used to later audit who entered each unique value. Should the unique value provided by event attendee  201  not match a unique value stored in unique value table  900 , server  403  transmits appropriate HTML instructions and graphics information for constructing unique value error web page  902 , shown in FIG. 8, to computer  301  through the Internet  303 .  
         [0049]    Referring to FIG. 8, unique value error web page  902  includes a request for event attendee  201  to check and revise the previously submitted unique value. Event attendee  201  corrects the previously submitted unique value by correcting incorrect data or providing missing data in text box or boxes  1001 . By activating submit button  504 , the corrected unique value is transmitted to server  403  through the Internet  303 . The cycle of event attendee  201  submitting information to server  403 , and server  403  returning unique value error web page  902  continues until the event attendee  201  has entered and submitted a unique value which matches a unique value contained in unique value table  900 .  
         [0050]    Referring to FIG. 9, when the unique value sent through the Internet  303  to server  403  by event attendee  201  is determined by data evaluation application program  600  to be identical to a unique value stored in unique value table  900 , data evaluation application programs  600  utilizes unique value to prize table  1100  stored in database  602  to determine the prize, if any, associated with that unique value. In particular, unique value to prize table  1100  is compiled, such as randomly by chance, so that each unique value is stored along with a corresponding prize, if any. The unique value to prize table  1100  is searched to locate the unique value in question and the corresponding prize, if any. Based on the particular prize, if any, corresponding HTML instructions and graphics information are transmitted through the Internet  303  to computer  301 . The HTML instructions and graphics information are compiled by browser  302  into prize web page  1102 . Prize web page  1102  may contain a text description and/or graphic representation of the prize corresponding to the unique value, and instructions by which the event attendee  201  is able to redeem the prize, shown at  1103 . Prize web page  1102  may also include one or more hypertext links  1104  to another web page such as one selected by the sponsor or the event manager, hypertext links  1105  to another web page where the prize may be redeemed online through the Internet  303 , or hypertext links  1106  to a web page or pages containing an optional survey to be completed by event attendee  201 . Event attendee  201  may be offered a prize or other consideration in return for completing the survey. If the survey is completed, the survey data may be returned to database  602  through the Internet  303  for storage therein. In the event that there is no prize associated with the unique value, prize web page  1102  will so indicate.  
         [0051]    Database  602  is preferably a type of well-known database called a relational database. In a relational database, the data and relations between data are organized in what are known as tables. A table is a collection of one or more records, also referred to as rows, wherein each record in a given table contains two or more of the same data fields, also referred to as columns. Each table in a relational database typically stores data relating to a particular category. Information is normally stored in a relational database in the form of a number of sets of information wherein each set of information includes a record from one or more of the tables. The sets of information are assigned a unique identifier, such as a unique number. The unique identifier is a field in each of the records. Thus, the records making up the set that are stored in each of the tables are related by virtue of the common unique identifier. For example, a relational database may be used to store several pieces of information for a group of people. The information, organized into a number of records, for each particular person comprises a set for that person, and each set is given a unique identifier forming a part of each record. Thus, all of the information stored in the various tables of the database for a particular person is identified and related by that person&#39;s unique number.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 10 illustrates unique value to prize table  1100 . Unique value to prize table  1100  includes a plurality of records  1201 . Each record  1201  comprises unique value field  1203  and prize field  1204 . Each of the unique value fields  1203  taken together make up all of the possible unique values for a given event, and each of the prize fields  1204  contains representations of the corresponding prizes, if any. Custom written database software  1205 , referred to as a stored procedure in the SQL Server® product, searches in table  1100  for the unique value provided through the Internet  303  by the event attendee  201  by examining unique value field  1203  of each record  1201 . When that unique value is found, database software  1205  identifies and retrieves the representation of the prize from prize field  1204  associated with that unique value. The specific prize information is incorporated into a preset series of HTML instructions including graphics information that is transmitted to computer  301  through the Internet  303  to create prize web page  1102  on browser  302 . Many levels of prizes may exist, such as a grand prize, first place prize, second place prize and common prize, all of differing relative value. Alternatively, all unique values may correspond to one level of prize, or only certain unique values may correspond to a prize.  
         [0053]    Referring to FIG. 11, custom written e-mail software  1300  and commercially available e-mail software  1302  may be installed on server  403  according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Custom written e-mail software  1300  extracts the name and e-mail address of the most recently registered event attendee, for illustrative purposes event attendee  201 , from database  602  and combines that name and e-mail address with relevant message content to create e-mail message  1305  in a form appropriate for commercially available e-mail software  1302 . The relevant message content may include a thank you for participating in the promotion, instructions regarding redeeming a prize, a code to be used when redeeming the prize online or elsewhere, or hyperlinks to web sites relevant to the prize or the promotion. Also, a hyperlink to an unsubscribe web page may be included, which when completed removes the event attendee&#39;s permission to send further e-mail correspondence. Server  403 , and in particular commercially available e-mail software  1302 , transmits e-mail message  1305  to computer  301  through the Internet  303 . A suitable example of commercially available e-mail software  1302  is Microsoft Exchange distributed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.  
         [0054]    Server  403  may be provided with software adapted to manage problems in delivering e-mail messages, commonly referred to as bounce backs. A hard bounce back results from an expired or invalid e-mail address in which case server  403  will receive a message indicating that the e-mail address cannot be found. In the case of a hard bounce back, database  602  is modified to remove the e-mail address so that e-mail messages are not sent to that e-mail address in the future. A soft bounce back occurs when server  403  receives a message indicating that the server associated with the e-mail address in question is not available or a message indicating that the recipient is away for a period of time, such as on vacation, and will not be checking e-mail messages. In the case of a soft bounce back, the e-mail address is stored and the message is resent at a later time. An example of commercially available software for performing this function is BoldFish Express Server distributed by BoldFish, Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif.  
         [0055]    Computer  301  may include e-mail client software  1304 . A suitable example of e-mail client software  1304  is Microsoft Outlook® distributed by Microsoft Corporation located in Redmond, Wash., or Novell® GroupWise 6 distributed by Novell, Inc. of Provo, Utah. Event attendee  201 , through use of e-mail client software  1304 , is able to open and read e-mail message  1305 . Both text-based e-mail technology and HTML-based e-mail technology may be used. E-mail message  1305  may contain either a thank you from the sponsor or another organization, or instructions for redeeming the prize corresponding to the unique value on event attendee  201 &#39;s event access document. E-mail message  1305  may also contain hyperlinks to the sponsor&#39;s or other third party websites.  
         [0056]    Database  602  includes a personal information table that stores the personal information provided by each event attendee when submitting information in connection with registration web page  501 . An example record  1403  of the personal information table is shown in FIG. 12. Database  602  also includes a communication information table that stores the communications information for each event attendee, such as e-mail address, cell phone number, home phone number, and a flag indicating the event attendee&#39;s permission to be contacted, also provided when submitting information in connection with registration web page  501 . An example record  1404  of the communication information table is shown in FIG. 12. Each event attendee is assigned a unique ID Number, and the information in the personal information table is related to the information in the communication information table by the unique ID number. Database  602  of the present invention may contain more or less database tables, which may store differing categories of information, based on the data storage needs dictated by the particular implementation of the present invention.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 13 shows a system for reporting information stored in database  602  to one or more authorized organizations, such as organization  1501 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 13, custom written data manipulation software  1500  is stored in the memory of server  403 . Data manipulation software  1500  is adapted to copy, manipulate, sort, categorize and summarize the data stored in database  602  and create dynamic reports based thereon in response to requests received by server  403  through the Internet  303 . Data manipulation software  1500  may be written in any one of many known programming languages, including the SQL, ASP or Active Server Pages, HTML, Java, JavaScript or VBScript programming languages, and preferably utilizes custom written stored procedures, which are custom written database queries stored within database  602 .  
         [0058]    Organization  1501  uses organization computer  1502  having an organization browser  1503 , hardware and software applications  1506 , and network interface card  1507 , to generate and transmit requests for reports to server  403  over the Internet  303 . Reports may be generated by data manipulation software  1500  according to any number of parameters, such as the number of prizes per prize level issued or the number of event attendees registering and when they registered. Data manipulation software  1500 , upon receipt of a request, examines database  602  to determine the correct information to be returned to organization  1501  in the form of a dynamic report. Each dynamic report is compiled by data manipulation software  1500  and sent to organization computer  1502  through the Internet  303 , where it can be viewed by using organization browser  1503 . The reports generated by data manipulation software  1500  are considered dynamic because they are compiled using information current in database  602  at the exact time the report request is made. As a result, each report may contain completely different information, based on the parameters selected by organization  1501  and the time the report is requested.  
         [0059]    The terms and expression which have been employed herein are used as terms of description and not as limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be further understood that the present invention is not to be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that they are capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions.