Method and system for dynamically generating electronic communications

The present invention relates to generating time relevant content for electronic communications, such as electronic mail (e-mail). The time relevant content is delivered when the electronic communications are acknowledged by the recipient based upon receipt of an electronic indicator, such as a returned request(s), at a home server. In the case of electronic mail, the time relevant content is dynamic, as it is assembled at the time the e-mail is opened, as opposed to the time when the e-mail is sent, as is the case with conventional or static e-mail and other similar electronic communications.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to content delivery over networks and components associated therewith. In particular, the present invention relates to electronic mail, commonly known as e-mail, as sent over a network, such as the Internet, with its content generated when the user opens the requisite electronic mail.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic communications have dramatically changed the ways in which people communicate. Electronic mail, commonly referred to as e-mail, is a widely used form of electronic communication. E-mail is the exchange of computer-stored messages by telecommunication, over a network, such as the Internet. E-mail accounts for the largest percentage of total traffic on the Internet. E-mail usage is expected to increase exponentially in the next few years as increasing numbers of people have access to computers, and therefore, the World Wide Web (WWW).

E-mail communications are desirable, as they are current, usually in real time, and are non-intrusive. Conversely, a telephone call is intrusive, as it must be attended to at the moment it is received, and may interfere with the recipient's activities. The e-mail recipient may open the e-mail when desired, and may delete the e-mail without reading it.

E-mail distribution to individuals and organizations is quick and economical. Senders create recipient lists, that may include thousands of recipients. Recipient e-mail addresses can be added and deleted from the lists as desired. The e-mail is composed once and sent to multitudes of recipients, all of whom receive the e-mail instantaneously. The e-mail can be duplicated and sent to recipients from another recipient list, typically in the matter of minutes.

However, many e-mails that are sent are time sensitive, and become irrelevant, as they are not opened immediately, or at least close to the time that they were sent. Moreover, e-mails are static, as their content is in a final or fixed configuration prior to being sent. The content of these static e-mails can not be changed, so if opened after the desired time, they become irrelevant.

When used for advertising, the production of static e-mails, of fixed content prior to being sent, is problematic. This is because advertising campaigns are usually time-sensitive. If recipients do not open the e-mail within the requisite time, they do not benefit from the advertisement. This amounts to a waste of resources for both the sender and the recipient. Moreover, the recipient may view the advertiser as an annoyance to a point where they refuse to patronize the advertiser, the opposite of the result desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of contemporary static electronic mail (e-mail), by providing e-mails whose content is generated dynamically, when the e-mail is opened by the intended recipient. The e-mail of the present invention is generated dynamically, as its content is assembled once the e-mail has been opened. This is in contrast to conventional static e-mail, where the content is fixed prior to the e-mail being sent. As a result of the present invention, e-mails do not waste resources, as the recipients receive time-relevant content in real time.

The present invention also pairs dynamically generated content for e-mails with keywords, in order that the recipient receive targeted content. This allows access to numerous text based keyword advertisers that are currently running in search engines, whose content can be distributed in e-mail, in accordance with the invention. The keywords from data, as received from the e-mail recipient, facilitate the content provider (assembler) to access the most relevant content, from the requisite content server(s). The data from the content server(s) will ultimately become the content for the opened e-mail.

Additionally, for example, the present invention utilizes Pay Per Click (PPC) content. PPC content is typically advertising, that is stored on various content servers along a network, for example, the Internet. This PPC advertising is also keyword based, and allows providers of PPC content to serve their advertisements based on their real time bid process and budget restraints.

The present invention is typically performed in two phases. A first phase involves rendering the content of an e-mail to a client at the time the e-mail is opened. The content rendered to the opened e-mail typically includes an activatable link, that is paired (associated) with the content provided (rendered) to the e-mail when it is opened, typically in the form of one or more images. The second phase directs the browser (of the user) associated with the opened e-mail, to a target web site, via the link that has been activated, once the user has clicked his mouse on the rendered image or portion thereof, of the opened e-mail.

An embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for providing content into electronic communications, for example, electronic mail. The method includes sending an electronic communication to a recipient, receiving at least one indicator that the electronic communication has been opened by the recipient, and providing content to the opened electronic communication in response to receiving the at least one indicator that the electronic communication has been opened.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for providing content into electronic communications, for example, electronic mail. The method includes sending an electronic communication to a recipient, receiving an indicator that the electronic communication has been opened by the recipient, and providing content to the opened electronic communication in response to receiving the indicator that the electronic communication has been opened. The content is determined from a keyword, for example, of single or multiple words, that is taken from the indicator. The indicator is typically a request that was placed into the sent electronic communication, that is returned when the electronic communication is opened.

Another embodiment is directed to another method for providing content into electronic communications, for example, electronic mail. The method includes, sending an electronic communication to a recipient, receiving an indicator that the electronic communication has been opened by the recipient, and providing content to the opened electronic communication in response to receiving the indicator that the electronic communication has been opened. The content includes data, that upon being activated, provides a browsing application associated with the opened electronic communication with at least one uniform resource locator for at least one target web site. The target web site may be, for example, a web site associated with the provider of the content.

Another embodiment is directed to still another method for providing content into electronic communications, for example, electronic mail. The method includes, sending an electronic communication to a recipient, receiving an indicator that the electronic communication has been opened by the recipient, and providing content to the opened electronic communication in response to receiving the indicator that the electronic communication has been opened. Content is provided by taking at least one keyword from the indicator, obtaining content associated with content providers for the at least one keyword in an order based on a predetermined priority of the content providers at the time the content is obtained, and providing the content associated with at least one content provider to the opened electronic communication in accordance with the order based on the predetermined priority. The content associated with each content provider includes data, that upon being activated, provides a browsing application associated with the opened electronic communication with at least one uniform resource locator for at least one target web site. The target web site may be, for example, a web site associated with the content provider.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a system for providing content to electronic communications, for example, electronic mail. The system includes at least one means for sending an electronic communication, the electronic communication including at least one request; means for receiving at least a portion of the at least one request from the electronic communication once the electronic communication has been opened; and, means for providing content to the opened electronic communication. The means for providing the content include, means responsive to the receipt of at least a portion of the request; means for obtaining content from at least one source based on at least one keyword extracted from the at least a portion of the received request, the content including data, that upon being activated, provides a browsing application associated with the opened electronic communication, with at least one uniform resource locator for at least one target web site. The target web site may be, for example, associated with the provider of the content. The system also includes means for sending at least a portion of the obtained content, including the activatable data, to the opened electronic communication.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for providing content to electronic communications, for example, electronic mail. The apparatus includes at least one storage media (for example, caches) and a processor. The processor is programmed to, send an electronic communication to a recipient; receive a first indicator that the electronic communication has been opened by the recipient; and, respond to receiving the first indicator that the electronic communication has been opened. The response includes obtaining content including a plurality of listings from at least one source as determined from at least one keyword, that is taken from the first indicator, each of the listings associated with at least one entity, and including first data, that directs a browsing application to at least one target web site. The target web site may be, for example, associated with the entity associated with the listing. The plurality of listings is stored in the at least one storage media, and at least one image representing the at least one listing of the plurality of listings and second data for the at least one listing being sent, is sent to the opened electronic communication. The second data is such that when it is activated, the first data for the at least one listing is accessed.

Another embodiment is directed to an apparatus for providing content to electronic communications. The apparatus includes means for sending an electronic communication to a recipient; means for receiving at least one indicator that the electronic communication has been opened by the recipient; and, means for providing content to the opened electronic communication in response to receiving the at least one indicator that the electronic communication has been opened. The content typically includes data for directing a browser associated with the opened electronic communication to at least one target web site. The content providing means include means for obtaining at least one keyword from the at least one indicator; and, means for obtaining content based on the at least one keyword.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is related to systems and methods for delivering time relevant content to electronic communications, such as electronic mail (e-mail), that are sent over digital, electronic, wireline or wireless networks, such as the Internet. The content for the e-mail is time relevant and dynamic, as it is generated in real-time, and assembled when the electronic communication is opened by the recipient. Should the electronic communication be closed and reopened at a subsequent time, it may have content different from the content when originally opened, as its content is assembled at the time of reopening.

FIG. 1shows the present invention in an exemplary operation. The present invention employs a system20, formed of various servers and server components, that are linked to a network, such as a wide area network (WAN), that may be, for example, the Internet24.

There are, for example, at least three kinds of servers that form the system20. These servers typically include a Home Server (HS)30, one or more content servers (CS)34a-34n, and an imaging server (IS)38. These servers30,34a-34nand38are linked to the Internet24, so as to be in communication with each other. The servers30,34a-34nand38include multiple components for performing the requisite functions as detailed below, and the components may be based in hardware, software, or combinations thereof. The servers30,34a-34nand38may also have internal storage media and/or be associated with external storage media.

The servers30,34a-34n,38of the system20are linked (either directly or indirectly) to an endless number of other servers and the like, via the Internet24. Other servers, exemplary for describing the operation of the system20, include a domain server39for the domain (for example, the domain “abc.com”) of the user40(for example, whose e-mail address is user@abc.com), linked to the computer41of the user. Still other servers may include third party servers (TPS)42a-42n, controlled by content providers and the like.

While various servers have been listed, this is exemplary only, as the present invention can be performed on an endless numbers of servers and associated components, that are in some way linked to a network, such as the Internet24. Additionally, all of the aforementioned servers include components for accommodating various server functions, in hardware, software, or combinations thereof, and typically include storage media, either therein or associated therewith. Also in this document, the aforementioned servers, storage media, components can be linked to each other or to a network, such as the Internet24, either directly or indirectly.

The Home Server (HS)30is of an architecture that includes components for handling electronic mail, to perform an electronic mail (e-mail) server functionality, including e-mail applications. The architecture also includes components for providing numerous additional server functions and operations, for example, comparison and matching functions, policy and/or rules processing, various search and other operational engines. The Home Server (HS)30includes various processors, including microprocessors, for performing the aforementioned server functions and operations and storage media, either internal or associated therewith, such as caches43a-43n. While these caches43a-43nare shown, this is for explanation purposes, as the Home Server (HS)30may be associated with additional caches, databases, as well as numerous other additional storage media, both internal and external thereto.

The Home Server (HS)30receives requests from e-mail clients, for example, America Online® (AOL®), Outlook®, Eudora®, or other web-based clients, and composes and sends e-mails to intended recipients over the network. In this document, the client is an application that runs on a computer, workstation or the like and relies on a server to perform some operations, such as sending and receiving e-mail. Also, for explanation purposes, the Home Server (HS)30may have a uniform resource locator (URL) of, for example, www.homeserver.com.

For example, the intended recipient or user40has a computer41(such as a multimedia personal computer with a Pentium® CPU, that employs a Windows® operating system), that uses an e-mail client. The computer41is linked to the Internet24. This Home Server (HS)30typically employs a search engine, or links to one (in another server or the like via the Internet24), in order to direct the received request to the most suitable content server (CS)34a-34n. While a single Home Server (HS)30is shown, the Home Server (HS)30may be formed of multiple servers and/or components, and may also be formed from still other servers with e-mail functionalities.

Content Servers (CS)34a-34n(one or more) are also linked to the Internet24. The content servers (CS)34a-34nprovide content, typically in text form, for the imaging server (IS)38, typically through the Home Server (HS)30, and typically, in response to a request from the Home Server (HS)30, as detailed below. These content servers (CS)34a-34nmay be, for example, Pay-Per-Click (PPC) servers of various content providers, such as internal providers, or external providers, for example, Overture Services, Inc. or Findwhat, Inc.

At least one imaging server (IS)38is linked to the Internet24. The imaging server (IS)38functions to convert text (data in text format) from the content servers (CS)34a-34n, as received through the Home Server (HS)30, to an image (data in an image format). After conversion into an image, the image is typically sent back to the Home Server (HS)30, to be placed into an e-mail opened by user40, as detailed below. Alternately, the imaging server (IS)38may send the image directly to the e-mail client associated with the user40, over the Internet24.

Turning also toFIG. 2, an exemplary implementation of a process in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will now be described.FIG. 2is a flow diagram of the process (method). The process ofFIG. 2may be the first phase of a larger process. For example, the first phase may involve rendering an e-mail to an e-mail client, while the second phase, shown inFIG. 10and detailed below, is dependent on the first phase. The second phase directs the user to a target web site, via a link, that is activated once the user has clicked his mouse51on the dynamically rendered image or a portion thereof, of the opened e-mail, that is paired with the link.

Initially, the computer41of the user40includes an e-mail client (detailed above), installed thereon, that provides the user with a unique access and the ability to utilize one or more e-mail addresses. For example, the user40has an e-mail address, user@abc.com, through which he receives his e-mail from the domain server39, that hosts the domain abc.com, of which the user40is a member. The computer41also includes a web browser, browsing software, application, or the like, to access web sites or web pages from various servers and the like, on the Internet24. Some exemplary web browsers/web browsing software include, Internet Explorer®, from Microsoft, Redmond, Wash., and Netscape® Navigator®.

An e-mail is sent to the e-mail client associated with the computer41of the user40, typically from the Home Server (HS)30, at block102. This initially or first sent e-mail, for explanation purposes, is referred to as the “sent e-mail”.

The sent e-mail may be, for example, in Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), and may include one or more Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP) source requests. These HTTP source requests typically reference the Home Server (HS)30.

The sent e-mail includes a program that provides the body of the e-mail when the e-mail is opened. The program provides a template (FIG. 4), that forms the basic structure or framework for the image(s) of the sent and opened e-mail, and, zero or more HTTP Source requests for zero or more static images. The sent e-mail may also include HTML constructs and text, such as plain text, HTML headers, list constructs and the like. The sent e-mail, as received by the e-mail client, typically appears on the screen (monitor)48of the user's computer as a line of text60(shown as shaded for emphasis only) identifying the sender, subject and other information, as shown inFIG. 3.

The sent e-mail typically includes one or more requests. The total number of request(s) is represented by “N”. A single request typically corresponds to a single image to be rendered (into the template of the e-mail image) when the e-mail is opened by the user40(as detailed below).

Each of the one or more requests in the e-mail may include data (or data elements) such as: a) a unique identifier (ID); b) at least one keyword, or data corresponding to at least one keyword; c) mailing identifier (ID); d) position data; and, e) a max number, corresponding to the maximum number of images (represented in this document by “N”) that will be dynamically generated and rendered for this particular e-mail.

Each of the one or more requests in a sent e-mail typically includes all five of these data elements. However, if there is only a single request in a sent e-mail, position data is typically not included, because there is only one position for the dynamically generated text in the request (and the max number is 1).

The unique identifier, also known as a user identifier (ID), may be, for example, an e-mail address for the recipient of the sent e-mail, or any other data that guarantees uniqueness for the particular sent e-mail (and its corresponding returned request(s)). A unique identifier is attached to each particular user. The keyword is a word or group of words, such as a phrase, or other suitable identifier for one or more data object(s).

The mailing identifier (ID) is a sequence of characters indicative of the batch from which the particular e-mail was sent. For example, a mailing identifier may be a sequence of numbers.

The position data is data indicative of the location in the template where the image corresponding to that particular request is to be rendered (placed or located). The max number is typically equal to N, as each request typically results in a single image being dynamically generated.

When e-mail (the sent e-mail) is downloaded by the e-mail client of the user40, the e-mail client opens a connection or “pipe” to the Home Server (HS)30. The e-mail client associated with the user40, pulls data from the Home Server (HS)30, and may pull data asynchronously. The data pulled from the Home Server (HS)30includes data required to display the resultant dynamically generated text (in the form of images), for example, a template150, as shown inFIG. 4, and the single or multiple requests.

At block104, the user40opens this e-mail, typically by clicking the mouse51(of the computer41), as shown by the arrow62, anywhere along the line60, that represents the sent e-mail as received in the user's mail box, as shown inFIG. 3. This opening, for purposes of explanation herein, occurs at a time indicated as t.sub.1. Pulling of data from the Home Server (HS)30by the e-mail client is continuous, as long as requests are being processed, as described below.

Turning toFIG. 4, an exemplary template150, that forms part of the body of the opened e-mail, is built out in three sections151,161and162. A first section S1151is designed to receive a static image, having content that is fixed prior to the time the e-mail was sent. The image for the section S1151is typically pulled from the Home Server (HS)30along with the template150, when the e-mail is opened, as detailed above.

Sections D1161and D2162, for example, are designed to receive the dynamically generated images, that are generated and assembled when and only if the e-mail is opened. Section D1161, for example, is the first position for the dynamically generated images, and as such, receives the image from the first listing of the listing text (described below), resulting from the first request being processed; this first request, for example, has position data (N=1) corresponding to this first position. Similarly, Section D2162, for example, is the second position for the dynamically generated images, and as such, receives the image from the second listing of the listing text (described below), resulting from the second request being processed; this second request, for example, has position data (N=2) corresponding to this second position.

With the connection (pipe) now open, the e-mail client sends one or more requests from the sent e-mail (that has now been opened), to the Home Server (HS)30, at block106. Each of these one or more requests sent from the e-mail client to the Home Server (HS)30is referred to as a “sent back” request. Each “sent back” request includes portions of, and typically all of the data (or data elements) from the corresponding requests in the sent e-mail. For example, each sent back request is typically formed of data (data elements) including: a) a unique identifier; b) at least one keyword, or other suitable identifier for at least one data object typically within a server, such as one of the content servers (CS)34a-34n; c) a mailing identifier; d) position data; and, e) a max number.

The Home Server (HS)30processes each request, one at a time, at block108. This sub process of processing the request is described in detail below, with respect toFIG. 5. The result of each processed request includes obtaining text from a content server (CS)34a-34nor cache (or other similar storage medium)43a-43n, that may be associated with the Home Server (HS)30, and returning it to the Home Server (HS)30. The Home Server (HS)30sends this data (e.g., in text form) to the imaging server (IS)38, that generates an image(s) corresponding to the received data (text data). This generated image is returned to the e-mail client of the user, through the Home Server (HS)30. The aforementioned data transfers may occur over previously opened and/or existing connections or pipes in the Internet24(network).

In the case of an HTTP request, the generated image is sent back to the e-mail client associated with the user40, through the open connection or pipe. Alternately, for non-HTTP requests, the Home Server (HS)30could generate one or more new open connections or pipes, that are different than the previously existing connections or pipes over which the request was sent to the Home Server (HS)30. It is over these new connection(s) or pipe(s) that the image, from the imaging server (IS)38may be transferred from the Home Server (HS)30to the e-mail client associated with the user40, over the Internet24.

The process moves to block110, where it is then determined, typically in the Home Server (HS)30, if there are more requests to be processed. If there are not any more requests to be processed, the process ends at block112.

If there are more requests to be processed, the process returns to block106. The next request of the total number or “N” requests is sent, and the process continues from block106, as described above. The process will repeat until all N requests have been processed, and once all N requests have been processed, the process ends at block112.

Attention is now directed toFIG. 5, that shows a flow diagram of block108ofFIG. 2, detailing the processing of requests. In this process, requests are processed one at a time, on a “first in” basis.

Initially, the Home Server (HS)30, upon receiving the request, at block202, checks the received request to determine if it is the first request from the e-mail client of the user40.

At block204, a determination if the request is the first request is made. This determination includes extracting the unique identifier from the request (the “sent back” request) that the e-mail client has returned to the Home Server (HS)30. The unique identifier, plus the keyword, or a variant of it, and the mailing identifier are grouped (combined) to define a key at the Home Server (HS)30, in accordance with the policy or rules of the Home Server (HS)30. The key is queried against all other keys in a cache, for example, the cache43a, known as a key cache, associated with the Home Server (HS)30, for a match. Matching keys may be of identical or similar keys, in accordance with predetermined rules and/or policies programmed into the component(s) of the Home Server (HS)30.

If a matching key is not found in the key cache43a, this is the first request, and the process moves to block210. The key cache43ais empty of this particular key. Accordingly, the unique identifier plus the keyword and the mailing identifier becomes a key and is stored in the cache43a, as shown, for example, inFIG. 6. All of the requests from a particular e-mail (“sent e-mail”) have the same key. Alternately, if a matching key is found, the process moves to block220.

As shown inFIG. 6, keys, indicated by KEY1to KEY4are unique to each opened e-mail for a particular recipient (user), in accordance with the time each e-mail was opened. For, example, the user with a unique identifier (ID) of user abc.com has opened two different e-mails, whereby he will receive the content corresponding to each specific e-mail, based on the keywords. Similarly, inFIG. 6, the user “joe@xyz.com” may receive different content than the user “user@abc.com” even though their requests were based on the same keyword “NEW CARS”, and they received their e-mail in the same batch, as indicated by the same mailing identifier.

Also, the number of requests “N” is stored in a request cache, along with a key. A request cache may be, for example, the cache43b.

Turning to block210, the request being processed is the first request. The keyword in the request is isolated. The keyword is typically in the form of alphanumeric data, and may be an actual keyword, or a keyword group identifier. The keyword is translated into data, recognizable and usable by the requisite content servers (CS)34a-34n.

The process now moves to block212, where the keyword (data corresponding to the keyword) is read, and in accordance with the reading, it is passed to a designated content server (CS)34a-34n, over the Internet24. The passing to the specific content server is typically in accordance with one or more rules, preprogrammed into the Home Server (HS)30or by a policy processor associated with the Home Server (HS)30. The policies and/or rules are typically time-sensitive, to be applicable in real-time. For example, the keyword may be such, that once read, the preprogrammed rules will be applied. The keyword data will be passed to a specific content server, such as content server (CS)34a, over Internet24.

The content servers (CS)34a-34nmay include prearranged listings. Alternately, for example, one or more of the content servers (CS)34a-34nmay be for Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising content. In PPC advertising, the content server creates a listing text, with listings being prioritized, based on the amount an advertiser will pay for a user who clicks their mouse on the advertiser's link in order to direct the user's browser to the advertiser's designated (targeted) web site (or web page).

Alternately, the keyword can be passed to a content server (CS)34a-34nthat performs a search engine function and generates a listing text, typically of N listings. N corresponds to the number of requests in the sent e-mail.

The content server (CS)34a-34n, for example, content server (CS)34a, that received the passed keyword (keyword data), is queried for acceptance of the keyword (keyword data), and returns a listing text to the Home Server (HS)30. This listing text is read into the Home Server (HS)30, at block214. Data exchanges, between the Home Server (HS)30and the content server (CS)34a(representative of all content servers (CS)34a-34n), are typically accomplished via Extensible Markup Language (XML).

The listing text, that is returned to the Home Server (HS)30from the content server (CS)34a, is assigned a particular key, corresponding to the new key created in the key cache43a(as a result of a matching key not being found), and includes the top “N” results, in the form of N listings. N is the total number of requests in the originally sent e-mail, as detailed above. Each listing of the listing text typically includes a title or headline for the content (e.g., the advertisement) to be returned to the e-mail client of the user40, at least one target uniform resource locator (URL) for one or more servers, such as third party servers (TPS)42a-42n, and data for the body of the content to be returned. The data for the body of the content to be returned includes data in text form and position data, indicating the location for the data in text form in the template. The aforementioned portions of the listing text can be parsed, in accordance with the process being performed thereon.

The listing text is then stored in a cache, for example, the listing cache43c, at block216. The key assigned to the listing text, upon its being stored in the listing cache43c, is linked to its corresponding key, typically in another cache, such as the key cache43a.

FIG. 7shows an exemplary listing cache43c, where a listing text250is stored therein. The listing text250includes a key, for example, KEY1, formed of the unique identifier (ID), for example, user@abc.com, the keyword, for example, NEW CARS, and, the mailing identifier (ID), for example, 100001, as shown inFIG. 6and detailed above, and N listings252a-252n. Within each listing252a-252nis, for example, a title for a web site associated with the listing (for example, in listing252a, the title is FORD), a URL for the web site associated with the listing (for example, in listing252a, the URL is www.ford.com), position data indicating the location in the template where the image with the link to the web site associated with the listing (for example, in listing252a, the position data is, POS=1), and data for the body of the content to be returned is referenced as “AD DESCRIPTION”. The AD DESCRIPTION is the text to be sent to the imaging server (IS)38with the TITLE, to be converted into the requisite image, for placement into the template of the opened e-mail at the requisite position. The listings252a-252nare typically placed into the listing text in an order of priority, here, for example, top to bottom or252a,252b, to252n. Additionally, by storing the listing text in the cache43cwith a unique key, a specific user will receive listings intended for him at the time he opened the e-mail.

Accordingly, processing of the first request will result in the delivery of the first listing252ain the form of an image, to the template of the opened e-mail at a position determined by the position data in the first request (for example, at a first position as the position data is POS=1). Similarly, processing of the second request will result in the delivery of the second listing252bin the form of an image, to the template of the opened e-mail at a position determined by the position data in the second request (for example, at a second position as the position data is POS=2). Processing of the requests until the last or Nth request, results in delivery of the nth listing252nto the Nth position in the template of the opened e-mail mail, in accordance with the position data, POS=n (as detailed below).

Portions of the listing text are also stored in another cache, for example, a click cache43d, at block217.FIG. 8shows an exemplary click cache43d, where a listing text250′, corresponding to the listing text250of the listing cache43c, is stored in the click cache43d. The listing text250′ includes a key, identical to the corresponding key in the key cache43a, as well as listings252a′-252n′. Each listing252a′-252n′ corresponds to the listings252a-252nof the listing text250. Within each listing252a′-252n′ is, for example, a title for a web site associated with the listing (for example, FORD in the listing252a′), a Redirect URL for the target web site associated with the listing (for example, www.ford.com, in the listing252a′), and Position Data indicating the location for the resultant image produced from the listing in the template. For example, position data in the listing252a′ is represented as POS=1.

Remaining inFIG. 8, there is also a second listing text260′, to illustrate the click cache43d, and the relationship of the caches43a-43n. This second listing text260′ corresponds to KEY2in the key cache43a(FIG. 6) and includes listings262a′-262n′ obtained at a different time than the listings corresponding to KEY1, even though the keyword (e.g., NEW CARS) and mailing identifier (e.g., 100001) for both KEY1and KEY2are the same. The listings262a′-262n′ result from the e-mail recipient joe@xyz.com opening his e-mail at a different time then the e-mail recipient user@abc.com, for different listings were provided at the time the Home Server (HS)30obtained the requisite content (for delivery to the respectively opened e-mails).

From block216, the process moves to block230, where the listing corresponding to the request number, and accordingly, the position data, is passed from the listing cache43cof the Home Server (HS)30to the imaging server (IS)38, over the Internet24.

The imaging server (IS)38receives the listing in a text format and converts it into an image (or images). The image (or images) are sent to the user's e-mail client, via the Home Server (HS)30, at block232. The image(s) for the listing are rendered to the template in the position corresponding to the position data for the listing. The rendered image is typically paired with one or more links within the template, and, for example, at least one link within each image. The links are planted in the template in such a way that makes the image, or a portion thereof, clickable (activatable by a mouse click). The link includes an underlying URL for the Home Server (HS)30in a string with a unique identifier, keyword, mailing identifier and position data. An example string may be as follows: http://www.homeserver.com/“uniqueidentifier”&“keyword”&“mailingidentifier”&“positiondata”

The process then moves to block110ofFIG. 2, to process the subsequent requests.

Turning back to block204, if the received request is not the first request sent from the e-mail client, the process moves to block220. The request is identified as a subsequent request, as the unique identifier and keyword from the subsequent sent back request define a key, that will match with a key in the key cache43a. The now matched key in the key cache43a, is then used to identify the corresponding listing in the listing cache43c, and pull (retrieve) the requisite listing text corresponding to the particular request.

The process moves to block222, where it is then determined if this request, from which the listing text was pulled from the listing cache43c, is the last request of the total number of requests. This is accomplished by the following sub process.

Initially, in the e-mail sent to the e-mail client (the “sent e-mail”), the number of requests (N) in the e-mail, in particular the position data of the e-mail, has been stored in a cache, for example, the request cache43b. The position data is associated with a key for each sent e-mail, as stored in the request cache43b. The number of requests needing to be serviced for each sent e-mail corresponds to the number of listings returned from the requisite content server (CS)34a-34n, for example the content server (CS)34a. For the first request serviced, a reference counter in the Home Server (HS)30has been decremented by one (for example, N-1). For each subsequent request that is serviced, the reference counter is again decremented by one. Decrementing continues, until the reference counter reaches zero (for example, N=0), when the last request has been processed.

Accordingly, in block222, if the request is not the last request, the reference counter has a value of greater than zero (for example, N>0). The process moves to block230.

In block230, the next listing of the listing text (in text form) corresponding to the specific request, is pulled from the listing cache43c, and is passed from the Home Server (HS)30to the imaging server (IS)38. The process then moves to block232, as detailed above.

However, if at block222, the request is the last request, the reference counter has been decremented to have a value of zero (N=0). The process moves to block224. The listing text in the listing cache43cis modified.

Modification typically occurs after the last request of the total number of requests (from block104) has been received and processed. Modification of the listing cache43cof listings therein typically involves deleting the listing text from the listing cache43c.

This subprocess is typically timed, such that once the final listing from the listing cache43cfor this last request has been passed to the imaging server (IS)38, from the Home Server (HS)30, at block230, the listing text is modified in the listing cache43c. The modification typically includes deleting the listing text from the listing cache43cin a time period, for example, approximately three hours from the time the first request of the total number of requests or N requests was processed.

With the process now at block230, the final listing from the listing text is pulled from the listing cache43c, in response to this last request, and is passed to the imaging server (IS)38, as detailed above. Once the listing (in text form) has been passed to the imaging server (IS)38, the process moves to block232, and back to block110(FIG. 2), as detailed above. Since the last request (for example, the Nth request) has been processed, inFIG. 2, the process moves to block112, where the entire content for the e-mail has now been rendered to the e-mail client of the user40, for placement into the now-opened e-mail.

Attention is now directed toFIGS. 9A and 9B, that show screen shots of exemplary e-mails280,280′, opened at different times (a first time t1and a second time t2), based on the example template150ofFIG. 4. The e-mail280ofFIG. 9Awas opened at a first time (t1), while the e-mail280′ was opened at a second time (t2), subsequent to the first time (t1).

The example e-mails280,280′ are based on a sent e-mail with two requests (N=2), and therefore, the listing text returned from the requisite content server (CS)34a-34nand stored in the listing and click caches, typically includes only two listings. In both e-mails280,280′, the images281,281′ for the section S1151of the template150, includes an image of an advertisement. The images281,281′ are static images, of a fixed content formed prior to the e-mail being sent. The images284,285(in e-mail280) and284,286(in e-mail280′) for sections D1161and D2162of the template150, were assembled when the e-mail was opened (in accordance with the processes detailed herein). These images284,285,286, include portions284a,285a,286athat cover links for the user to click on, and are indicated as such, for example, “Click now”. (The portions284a,285aand286aare hereafter referred to as links). These underlying links, when activated, typically by a mouse click, ultimately provide the browser of the user40with a redirect URL, directing the browser to a target web site (or web page). This web site (or web page) is from the listing that resulted in the image that supported the clicked link.

The links284a,285a,286ainclude underlying strings. As detailed above, each string typically includes a URL for the Home Server (HS)30(www.homeserver.com) and data, typically in a string. The data typically includes a unique identifier, a keyword, a mailing identifier, and position data, with the unique identifier, keyword and mailing identifier being used to define a key (as detailed above). An example string, as detailed above, may be as follows:http://www.homeserver.com/“uniqueidentifier”&“keyword”&“mailingidentifier”&“positiondata”

Activating the link, for example, by a mouse click, directs the user's browser to the Home Server (HS)30. From the data in the string, a click cache43dmay be accessed. By accessing the click cache43d, the browser receives a redirect URL for a web site (or web page) (that is targeted) corresponding to the image from the cached listing, as detailed below.

The resultant e-mail280opened at a first time (t1), includes an image281of an advertisement, that is static, as the section S1151of the template150(FIG. 4). The images284,285, for sections D1and D2of the template150, that were assembled when the e-mail was opened, include links284a,285a. These links284a,285awill redirect the user's web browser (browsing application) to the corresponding redirect URLs for the listings that resulted in the images, obtained at this first time (t1).

Similarly, should the e-mail shown by the shaded line60, be opened at a second time (t2), a time subsequent to the first time (t1), the resultant e-mail280′ would be such that the e-mail client would receive the static image281for the section S1of the template150(FIG. 4). The images284,286, with links284a,286a, for sections D1and D2of the template150, includes one similar image284and corresponding link284a, and one different image286, and corresponding link286a, relevant to the time, t2, as the image285and its link285a(FIG. 9A) the first time (t1) has expired. Both images284,286were assembled once the e-mail was reopened at the second time t2.

FIG. 10shows a flow diagram of a process or method in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. This process may be a second phase of the larger process, where the user reaches the web site (or web page) (target web site or target web page) of provider of the time-relevant text.

Initially, the user, now having received the rendered images in the template for the now-opened e-mail, will “click” on an image284,285,286or portion thereof, that supports a link, such as the links284a,285a,286aofFIGS. 9A and 9B, to which reference is now also made. Each link, as discussed above, is associated with a string, that includes the URL of the Home Server, and plus a unique identifier, keyword, mailing identifier and position data.

At block302, the Home Server (HS)30receives a unique identifier, keyword, mailing identifier and position data (for the image location), typically in the above-described string, as a result of links284a,285a,286aof the text284,285,286being clicked by the user40(activating their mouse51, as shown inFIG. 1, at the desired link284a,285a,286a). The Home Server (HS)30then creates a key from the unique identifier, the keyword, and the mailing identifier, and locates the matching key in the key cache43a. With the matching key located, the corresponding key in the click cache43dis located. The click cache43dis queried for position data matching the position data of the string (of the link), in order to obtain a redirect URL for the particular position data, at block304. It is then determined if the redirect URL is in the click cache, at block306.

The redirect URL is a URL for the web site corresponding to the clicked text portion on the rendered e-mail, as programmed into the listed text in the click cache43d. This URL is typically for a target web site or web page (content) on (or hosted by), for example, a third party server (TPS)42a-42n.

If the redirect URL is not in the click cache43d, the user40is sent an error page, at block308. This error page appears on the monitor48of the user40as, for example, the screen shot shown inFIG. 11.

However, if the redirect URL is in the click cache43d(with the matching position data), the Home Server (HS)30sends the web browser of the user40the redirect URL at block310. The user's web browser receives this redirect URL, and automatically accesses the web page (typically, a target web page) corresponding to the redirect URL.

For example, the redirect URL (from KEY1, position data POS=1 in the example click cache43dofFIG. 8) may be “www.ford.com.” In this case, the user's web browser would be directed to www.ford.com, whereby the web page, obtained at the address www.ford.com, shown inFIG. 12, would appear on the monitor48of the user. The server that hosts the site associated with www.ford.com may be any one or more of the third party servers (TPS)42a-42n.

The click cache43dis typically designed to expire in a time period that is less than the limit redirect timeouts (described for block224above). This time may be, for example, approximately two hours.

Attention is now directed toFIG. 13, that shows an exemplary system420in an exemplary operation, as Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising content is provided to the e-mail that is sent to and opened by the user40. The process is in accordance with the processes shown inFIGS. 2,5and10, and described above, with portions unique to PPC-content delivery specifically discussed herein.

InFIG. 13, the components of the system420are similar to those components in the system20ofFIG. 1, that have been described above, and have been incremented by “500”.

Differences between the systems20and420are noted below.

Initially, the Home Server (HS)30sends the e-mail client of the computer41of the user40an e-mail (the “sent e-mail”). The opened e-mail480includes a template450, with a section451, that supports a static image481, and two sections461,462, defining first and second positions, for dynamically generated images484(NEW CARS1),485(NEW CARS2). As two positions are shown for the dynamically generated (and rendered) images, two requests are sent back, whereby the max number N is 2.

The sent back request (from the e-mail client to the Home Server (HS)530) includes the unique identifier, user@abc.com, the keyword “NEW CARS”, position data and a max number “N”. The max number in this example is 2, representing two requests, corresponding to the two images484,485, whose content is assembled and provided once the e-mail is opened.

Processing of these two requests is in accordance with the flow diagram ofFIGS. 2 and 5, as detailed above. However, at block210, the keyword “NEW CARS” is isolated from the request, which results in the content server (for example content server534a) creating a list535for PPC advertising.

The content server produces the list535by ranking the content providers in a priority order for a given time, in accordance to the amount each will pay (their bid) when their link in the dynamically rendered text is clicked. For example, in the list535at the time it was created, FORD is ranked in the first position, with top priority, as it pays $1.23 per user click to the Home Server (HS)530operator. HONDA is ranked in the second position, with second priority, as it pays $1.20 per click. CHEVEROLET is ranked in the third position, with third priority, as it pays $1.00 per click, while CHRYSLER is ranked in the nth position, with nth priority, as it pays $0.88 per click.

The list535, or portions thereof, once returned to the Home Server (HS)530, is converted into a listing text with individual listings and cached in the requisite caches, for example, key cache543a, request cache543b, listing cache543c, and click cache543d, similar to that detailed above.

For example, as shown inFIG. 13, the retrieved list535a(shown as a broken line block) includes only two listings (for example, the top two for FORD and HONDA, respectively), as there are only two template sections461,462to accommodate the retrieved (defining first and second positions) and dynamically generated images, rendered to the opened e-mail480. Subsequently, the cached listing text includes only two listings (in the listing543cand click543dcaches). Accordingly, the opened e-mail will include an image484with an implanted link to the Home Server (HS)530, that will result in the user's browser receiving the redirect URL for FORD (www.ford.com), and an image485with an implanted link to the Home Server (HS)530that will result in the user's browser receiving the redirect URL for HONDA (www.honda.com).

When the user clicks on the portion of the text with the link, the process ofFIG. 10begins, resulting in the user's browser being redirected to a redirect URL corresponding to the clicked text. For example, should the portion over the link in the image484at the first position be clicked, the user's browser will be redirected to the redirect URL for FORD, www.ford.com. This web page for www.ford.com may be provided at the third party server (TPS)542a. Similarly, should the text portion over the link in the second image485at the second position be clicked, the user's browser will be redirected to the redirect URL for HONDA, www.honda.com. This web page for www.honda.com may be provided at the third party server (TPS)542b.

The above-described processes including portions thereof can be performed by software, hardware and combinations thereof. These processes and portions thereof can be performed by computers, computer-type devices, workstations, processors, micro-processors, other electronic searching tools and memory and other storage-type devices associated therewith. The processes and portions thereof can also be embodied in programmable storage devices, for example, compact discs (CDs) or other discs including magnetic, optical, etc., readable by a machine or the like, or other computer usable storage media, including magnetic, optical, or semiconductor storage, or other source of electronic signals.

The processes (methods) and systems, including components thereof, herein have been described with exemplary reference to specific hardware and software. The processes (methods) have been described as exemplary, whereby specific steps and their order can be omitted and/or changed by persons of ordinary skill in the art to reduce these embodiments to practice without undue experimentation. The processes (methods) and systems have been described in a manner sufficient to enable persons of ordinary skill in the art to readily adapt other hardware and software as may be needed to reduce any of the embodiments to practice without undue experimentation and using conventional techniques.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, so as to enable one of skill in the art to practice the present invention, the preceding description is intended to be exemplary only. It should not be used to limit the scope of the invention, which should be determined by reference to the following claims.