System and method for offering complementary products / services

A method, computer program product and computing device for offering complementary products/services includes generating a result set based, at least in part, upon one or more actions taken by a user while browsing a website. At least one item is selected from the result set. A complementary result set is generated that defines, at least in part, one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to internet-based sales of products/services and, more particularly, to internet-based sales of complementary products/services.

BACKGROUND

When a user browses a website, the actions taken by the user may be indicative of the various likes and dislikes of the particular user. For example, if the browser of a website reviews material concerning a particular type of music, these actions may be indicative of the user being a fan of that type of music. Further, if the browser of a website reviews material concerning a particular political party, these actions may be indicative of the user being a member of/interested in that political party. Accordingly, by monitoring the actions taken by a browser of a website, the particular tastes of the user may be discernible.

Additionally, once the particular likes of the user are determined, the user may be interested in purchasing complementary products/services if the user were made aware of the availability of such complementary products/services.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

In a first implementation, a method of offering complementary products/services includes generating a result set based, at least in part, upon one or more actions taken by a user while browsing a website. At least one item is selected from the result set. A complementary result set is generated that defines, at least in part, one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set.

One or more of the following features may be included. Generating a result set may include monitoring one or more actions taken by the user while browsing the website. One or more search terms may be assigned to each of the one or more actions taken by the user, thus defining one or more initial search terms. An initial query may be executed on a datastore based on at least a portion of the one or more initial search terms to generate the result set. The result set may be presented to the user of the website.

Generating a result set further may include filtering the result set in accordance with filtering criteria defined by the user. Filtering the result set may include supplementing the one or more initial search terms with one or more user-defined search terms. A filtering query based on at least a portion of the one or more user-defined search terms may be executed.

Generating a complementary result set may include assigning one or more complementary terms that define one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set. A query may be executed on a datastore based on at least a portion of the at least one item selected from the result set and at least a portion of the one or more complementary terms to generate the complementary result set. The complementary result set may be presented to the user of the website.

Generating a complementary result set may include generating a query string based, at least in part, upon the one or more actions taken by a user while browsing a website. A query may be executed on a third party datastore based on the query string to generate the complementary result set. The complementary result set may be presented to the user of the website.

The sale of the one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set may be facilitated. A fee may be charged for facilitating the sale of the one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set. Facilitating the sale of the one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set may include providing a link to an ecommerce website that offers for sale the one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set.

The one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set may be chosen from the group consisting of: concert tickets; clothing; memorabilia; compact discs; digital video discs; audio tapes; video tapes; books; magazines, photographs; autographs; posters; airline tickets; train tickets; ground transportation; consumer products; consumer services; business products; and business services.

In another implementation, a computer program product resides on a computer readable medium and has a plurality of instructions stored on it. When executed by a processor, the instructions cause the processor to generate a result set based, at least in part, upon one or more actions taken by a user while browsing a website. At least one item is selected from the result set. A complementary result set is generated that defines, at least in part, one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set.

One or more of the following features may be included. Generating a result set may include monitoring one or more actions taken by the user while browsing the website. One or more search terms may be assigned to each of the one or more actions taken by the user, thus defining one or more initial search terms. An initial query may be executed on a datastore based on at least a portion of the one or more initial search terms to generate the result set. The result set may be presented to the user of the website.

Generating a result set further may include filtering the result set in accordance with filtering criteria defined by the user. Filtering the result set may include supplementing the one or more initial search terms with one or more user-defined search terms. A filtering query based on at least a portion of the one or more user-defined search terms may be executed.

Generating a complementary result set may include assigning one or more complementary terms that define one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set. A query may be executed on a datastore based on at least a portion of the at least one item selected from the result set and at least a portion of the one or more complementary terms to generate the complementary result set. The complementary result set may be presented to the user of the website.

Generating a complementary result set may include generating a query string based, at least in part, upon the one or more actions taken by a user while browsing a website. A query may be executed on a third party datastore based on the query string to generate the complementary result set. The complementary result set may be presented to the user of the website.

The sale of the one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set may be facilitated. A fee may be charged for facilitating the sale of the one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set. Facilitating the sale of the one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set may include providing a link to an ecommerce website that offers for sale the one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set.

The one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set may be chosen from the group consisting of: concert tickets; clothing; memorabilia; compact discs; digital video discs; audio tapes; video tapes; books; magazines, photographs; autographs; posters; airline tickets; train tickets; ground transportation; consumer products; consumer services; business products; and business services.

In another implementation, a computing device is configured to generate a result set based, at least in part, upon one or more actions taken by a user while browsing a website. At least one item is selected from the result set. A complementary result set is generated that defines, at least in part, one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set.

One or more of the following features may be included. Generating a result set may include monitoring one or more actions taken by the user while browsing the website. One or more search terms may be assigned to each of the one or more actions taken by the user, thus defining one or more initial search terms. An initial query may be executed on a datastore based on at least a portion of the one or more initial search terms to generate the result set. The result set may be presented to the user of the website.

Generating a result set further may include filtering the result set in accordance with filtering criteria defined by the user. Filtering the result set may include supplementing the one or more initial search terms with one or more user-defined search terms. A filtering query based on at least a portion of the one or more user-defined search terms may be executed.

Generating a complementary result set may include assigning one or more complementary terms that define one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set. A query may be executed on a datastore based on at least a portion of the at least one item selected from the result set and at least a portion of the one or more complementary terms to generate the complementary result set. The complementary result set may be presented to the user of the website.

Generating a complementary result set may include generating a query string based, at least in part, upon the one or more actions taken by a user while browsing a website. A query may be executed on a third party datastore based on the query string to generate the complementary result set. The complementary result set may be presented to the user of the website.

The sale of the one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set may be facilitated. A fee may be charged for facilitating the sale of the one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set. Facilitating the sale of the one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set may include providing a link to an ecommerce website that offers for sale the one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set.

The one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set may be chosen from the group consisting of: concert tickets; clothing; memorabilia; compact discs; digital video discs; audio tapes; video tapes; books; magazines, photographs; autographs; posters; airline tickets; train tickets; ground transportation; consumer products; consumer services; business products; and business services.

The details of one or more implementations is set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown a complementary offer process10that may reside on and may be executed by data server12. As will be discussed below in greater detail, complementary offer process10may monitor the actions taken by a user of a website and may automatically generate a result set based upon those monitored actions. Upon the user selecting at least one item from the result set, complementary offer process10may facilitate the sale of one or more products/services that complement the at least one item selected from the result set.

Examples of such products/services that complement the actions taken by the user may include, but are not limited to: concert tickets; clothing; memorabilia; compact discs; digital video discs; audio tapes; video tapes; books; magazines, photographs; autographs; posters; airline tickets; train tickets; ground transportation; consumer products; consumer services; business products; and business services. Examples of data server12may include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, a mini computer, or mainframe computer, for example.

Complementary offer process10may be a server application that resides on and is executed by data server12, which may be connected to network14(e.g., the Internet). Data server12may be a web server (or series of servers) running a network operating system, examples of which may include but are not limited to: Microsoft Windows 2003 Server™; Novell Netware™; or Redhat Linux™, for example.

Data server12may also execute a web server application, examples of which may include but are not limited to: Microsoft IIS™, Novell Webserver™, or Apache Webserver™, that allows for HTTP (i.e., HyperText Transfer Protocol) access to data server12via network14. Network14may be connected to one or more secondary networks (e.g., network16), examples of which may include but are not limited to: a local area network; a wide area network; or an intranet, for example.

The instruction sets and subroutines of complementary offer process10, which may be stored on a storage device18coupled to data server12, may be executed by one or more processors (not shown) and one or more memory architectures (not shown) incorporated into data server12. Storage device18may include but is not limited to: a hard disk drive; a tape drive; an optical drive; a RAID array; a random access memory (RAM); or a read-only memory (ROM).

Users20,22,24,26may access complementary offer process10directly through network14or through secondary network16. Further, data server12(i.e., the computer that executes complementary offer process10) may be connected to network14through secondary network16, as illustrated with phantom link line30.

Users20,22,24,26may access complementary offer process10through various client devices, examples of which may include but are not limited to client computer32, personal media device34, personal digital assistant36, cellular telephone38, a laptop computer (not shown), a notebook computer (not shown), a pager (not shown), a television (not shown), a cable box (not shown), a gaming device (e.g., a Microsoft Xbox™, not shown), and a portable gaming device (e.g., a Sony Playstation™ Portable, not shown), for example.

The various client devices may be directly or indirectly coupled to network14(or network16). For example, client computer32is shown directly coupled to network14via a hardwired network connection. Further, personal media device34is shown wirelessly coupled to network14via wireless communication channel40established between personal media device34and wireless access point (i.e., WAP)42, which is shown directly coupled to network14. WAP42may be, for example, an IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, Wi-Fi, and/or Bluetooth device that is capable of establishing wireless communication channel40between personal media device34and WAP42.

Personal digital assistant36is shown wirelessly coupled to network14via wireless communication channel42established between personal digital assistant36and cellular network/bridge44, which is shown directly coupled to network14. Further, cellular telephone38is shown wirelessly coupled to network14via wireless communication channel46established between cellular telephone38and cellular network/bridge44.

Client computer32, personal media device34, personal digital assistant36, cellular telephone38, a laptop computer (not shown), a notebook computer (not shown), a pager (not shown), a television (not shown), a cable box (not shown), a gaming device (e.g., a Microsoft Xbox™, not shown), and a portable gaming device (e.g., a Sony Playstation™ Portable, not shown), may each execute a client application (e.g., client application48) that interfaces with complementary offer process10and facilitates the bidirectional transfer of digital content between data sources (e.g., sources50,52,54) and users (e.g., users20,22,24,26). Examples of data sources50,52,54include websites that are hosted by e.g., web servers56,58,60, respectively.

Client application48may be a web browser (e.g., Microsoft Internet Explorer™ and Netscape Navigator™, for example), a stand alone application, or an applet running within another program (e.g., Microsoft Internet Explorer™ and Netscape Navigator™, for example). Client computer32, personal media device34, personal digital assistant36, cellular telephone38, a laptop computer (not shown), a notebook computer (not shown), a pager (not shown), a television (not shown), a cable box (not shown), a gaming device (e.g., a Microsoft Xbox™, not shown), and a portable gaming device (e.g., a Sony Playstation™ Portable, not shown), may each execute an operating system, examples of which may include but are not limited to Microsoft Windows™, Microsoft Windows CE™, Redhat Linux™, or a custom operating system.

The instruction sets and subroutines of client application48, which may be stored on a storage device (e.g., storage device62) coupled to e.g., client computer32, personal media device34, personal digital assistant36, cellular telephone38, a laptop computer (not shown), a notebook computer (not shown), a pager (not shown), a television (not shown), a cable box (not shown), a gaming device (e.g., a Microsoft Xbox™, not shown), or a portable gaming device (e.g., a Sony Playstation™ Portable, not shown), are executed by one or more processors (not shown) and one or more memory architectures (not shown) incorporated into e.g., client computer32, personal media device34, personal digital assistant36, cellular telephone38, a laptop computer (not shown), a notebook computer (not shown), a pager (not shown), a television (not shown), a cable box (not shown), a gaming device (e.g., a Microsoft Xbox™, not shown), or a portable gaming device (e.g., a Sony Playstation™ Portable, not shown). Storage device62may include but is not limited to a hard disk drive, a tape drive, an optical drive, a RAID array, a random access memory (RAM), or a read-only memory (ROM).

Using client application48, users20,22,24,26may visit one or more websites (e.g.,50,52,54) and perform various actions on the website(s). Examples of the various types of websites may include, but are not limited to: news websites (e.g., www.cnn.com, www.foxnews.com); weblog websites (e.g., www.blogspot.com, www.xanga.com); auction websites (e.g., www.ebay.com, www.bidz.com); dating/matchmaking websites (www.eharmony.com, www.match.com); special interest websites (e.g., www.ichef.com, www.imdb.com); search engine/internet portal websites (e.g., www.google.com, www.yahoo.com); ecommerce websites (e.g., www.amazon.com, www.overstock.com); and social networking websites (www.myspace.com, www.classmates.com, www.reunion.com, www.friendster.com).

Examples of the types of actions taken by a user may include, but are not limited to: rendering a media file; uploading a data file; downloading a data file; posting an article; reviewing an article; posting a message; reviewing a message; executing a query; purchasing a product; offering a product for sale; purchasing a service; and offering a service for sale.

The Complementary Offer Process:

Referring also toFIG. 2, when a user (e.g., user20) browses a website, complementary offer process10may monitor100one or more actions taken by the user. For example and referring also toFIG. 3, assume that user20uses client application48to visit a social networking website (e.g., www.myspace.com). Client application48may render a webpage150that is presented to user20.

While browsing e.g., the social networking website, user20may take one or more actions that (as discussed above) may be monitored100by complementary offer process10. For example, user20may launch an application (e.g., Rhapsody™ by RealNetworks, Inc. and Windows MediaPlayer™ by The Microsoft Corporation)152that e.g., renders media files. For example, application152may render audio files, thus allowing user20to e.g., listen to music while browsing the website. Additionally/alternatively, application152may render video files, thus allowing user20to e.g., watch video clips while browsing the website.

Application152may be a stand alone application (e.g., Rhapsody™ by RealNetworks, Inc. and Windows MediaPlayer™ by The Microsoft Corporation), or an applet running within another program (e.g., client application48, for example).

While application152is shown to be a media rendering application (e.g., Rhapsody™ by RealNetworks, Inc.), this is for illustrative purposes only and other types of applications are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. For example, application152may be a searching application/applet that allows user20to search the content of the website that the user is browsing. For example, if the website is an auction/ecommerce website, application152may be a searching application that allows user20to search for various products available within the auction/ecommerce website.

Monitoring100the actions taken by the user may include, but is not limited to: monitoring the music listened to by user20while browsing the website; monitoring the videos watched by user20while browsing the website; monitoring the search strings/queries entered by user20while browsing the website; monitoring the articles reviewed by user20while browsing the website; monitoring the articles posted by user20while browsing the website; monitoring the files uploaded by user20to the website; monitoring the files downloaded by user20from the website; monitoring email/messages received by the user while browsing the website; monitoring email/messages posted by user20to the website; monitoring the products researched by user20while browsing the website; monitoring the products purchased by user20while browsing the website; monitoring the services researched by user20while browsing the website; and monitoring the services purchased by user20while browsing the website.

Continuing with the above-stated example, once user20accesses e.g., the social networking website and launches application152to e.g., listen to music, complementary offer process10may e.g., monitor100the music selected and rendered by the user. Complementary offer process10may assign102one or more search terms to each of the actions taken by user20, thus defining one or more initial search terms. The manner in which complementary offer process100assigns102search terms to the actions taken by user20may vary depending on the type of action taken by the user. For example, if the action taken by the user is the rendering of a media file, the search terms assigned102to that action may be extracted from and/or based upon the metadata associated with the media file. For example, if user20(through application152) renders a media file for the track “Do I Make You Proud” by Artist “Taylor Hicks”, complementary offer process10may assign102one or more of the terms “Do”, “I”, “Make”, “You”, “Proud”, “Taylor”, “Hicks” to the action (i.e., the rendering of the track “Do I Make You Proud” by Artist “Taylor Hicks”) taken by user20, thus defining one or more initial search terms.

Complementary offer process10may execute104an initial query on a datastore based on at least a portion of the initial search terms to generate a result set. Examples of the datastore searched may include a database (not shown) servable by e.g., data server12and stored on storage device18. Additionally/alternatively, the datastore may include a system memory (not shown) accessible by data server12.

Continuing with the above-stated example, after execution104of the initial query and generation105of the result set, complementary offer process10may present106the result set to the user (e.g., user20) of the website. The content/type of the result set may very depending on the type of website being visited and the actions taken by user20. For example, if the website is a social networking website, the result set generated105by complementary offer process10may include a plurality of users who are members of the social community website and fans of the type of music that the user is listening to. If the website is an auction/ecommerce website, the result set generated105by complementary offer process10may include a plurality of objects offered for bid/for sale on the website that are related to objects being researched/purchased by user20. Alternatively, if the user is listening to music while browsing the auction/ecommerce website, the result set generated105by complementary offer process10may include objects offered for bid/for sale on the website that are related to the artist being listened to by user20or the type of music that the artist plays. If the user is reading an article on a news website, the result set generated105by complementary offer process10may include a plurality of news articles related to (e.g., same author, same topic, same subject) the article being reviewed by user20. If the user is listening to music while browsing the news website, the result set generated105by complementary offer process10may include news articles related to the artist being listened to by user20or the type of music that the artist plays.

Referring also toFIG. 4and continuing with the above-stated example in which user20is listening (using application152) to the track “Do I Make You Proud” by Artist “Taylor Hicks” while browsing a social networking website, the result set200may be generated105by complementary offer process10and presented106to user20. In this particular example, result set200is shown to include a member of the social networking website named “Molly”. However and for this example, as the social networking website may have millions of members, it is possible for result set200to be overly large and (essentially) unmanageable. Accordingly, complementary offer process10may allow user20to filter108result set200in accordance with filtering criteria defined by user20. For example, user20may e.g., select the “edit” tag using screen pointer202(controllable by a pointing device, such as a mouse (not shown)) to enter a query focus screen.

Referring also toFIG. 5, through query focus screen250, complementary offer process10may allow the user to supplement110the initial search terms (e.g., “Taylor” and “Hicks”) with one or more user-defined search terms, examples of which may include (but are not limited to) the gender252of the members included within the result set, the age group254of the members included within the result set, the location256of the members included within the result set, and the grouping258of the members included within the result set. Once the user has supplemented110the initial search terms (e.g., “Taylor”, “Hicks”) with the user-defined search terms (e.g., “female”, “18-24”, “98101” and “4UP”), user20may save the “revised” search terms by e.g., selecting the “save” button260using e.g., screen pointer202. Once saved, complementary offer process10may execute112a filtering query based on at least a portion of the user-defined search terms to generate a filtered result set. For example, automated search process may execute a filtering query based on “Taylor”, “Hicks”, “female”, “18-24”, “98101” and “4U).

Referring also toFIG. 6, complementary offer process10may present114filtered result set250to user20. A filtering criteria indicator252may be rendered by complementary offer process10and may define the manner in which the initial result set was filtered. In this particular example, filtering criteria indicator252is defined as “Women, 18-24 yrs near 98101”. While result set200was shown to include only one member per results set “page”, as user20selected “4UP” (i.e., four members per page”), filtered result set250is shown to include four members per “page”.

Referring also toFIG. 7, if user20is interested in learning additional information concerning one or more items included in filtered result set250(e.g., member “Fae”300), user20may select116“Fae” (using screen pointer202) to retrieve a profile302of member “Fae”300.

Complementary offer process10may assign118one or more search terms to the item selected by the user. For example, as “Fae” lives in Anaheim, Calif. and is a “Taylor Hicks” fan, the search terms “Anaheim”, “CA”, “Taylor”, and “Hicks” may be assigned to “Fae”300. Further, complementary offer process10may assign120one or more complementary terms that define one or more products/services that complement the item (e.g., “Fae”300) selected by the user (e.g., User20) from e.g., filtered result set250.

The manner in which complementary offer process100assigns120the complementary terms may vary depending on the type of action taken by the user (which resulted in the generation of result sets200,250). Continuing with the above-stated example, as user20(through application152) is rendering a media file for the track “Do I Make You Proud” by Artist “Taylor Hicks”, user20may be interested in “Taylor Hicks” related products/services, especially being that “Fae”300is also a “Taylor Hicks” fan.

Referring also toFIG. 8, complementary offer process10may execute122a query on a datastore based upon at least a portion of the at least one item (e.g., “Fae”300) selected from result set (e.g., filtered result set250) and at least a portion of the one or more complementary terms to generate complementary result set350.

Continuing with the above-stated example, complementary offer process10may execute122a query based on the terms “Anaheim”, “CA”, “Taylor”, and “Hicks”, (i.e., the search terms assigned to “Fae”300) and “tickets”, “compact discs”, “memorabilia”, and “clothing” (chosen from the complementary terms).

Continuing with the above-stated example, after execution122of the query and generation124of the complementary result set, complementary offer process10may present126the complementary result set to the user (e.g., user20) of the website. The content/type of the complementary result set may very depending on complementary search terms assigned104by complementary offer process. As the complementary terms assigned120include “tickets”, “compact discs”, “memorabilia” and “clothing”, the complementary result set may include links that facilitate128the sale of Taylor Hicks related “tickets”, “compact discs”, “memorabilia” and “clothing”.

Continuing with the above-stated example in which user20is listening (using application152) to the track “Do I Make You Proud” by Artist “Taylor Hicks” while browsing a social networking website and selects116“Fae”300from filtered result set250, complementary result set350may be generated124by complementary offer process10and presented126to user20. In this particular example, result set350is shown to include a plurality of icons352,354,356,358that provide130links to various ecommerce websites. For example, icon352may provide130a link to www.cafepress.com (i.e., a merchandise ecommerce website); icon354may provide130a link to www.cduniverse.com (i.e., a compact disc ecommerce website), icon356may provide130a link to www.ebay.com (i.e., a auction ecommerce website), and icon358may provide130a link to www.ticketmaster.com (i.e., a ticket ecommerce website); each of which may be selectable via screen pointer202(which may be controllable via a mouse/pointing device, not shown).

Referring also toFIG. 9and continuing with the above-stated example, assume that user20wishes to take “Fae”300to an upcoming Taylor Hicks concert in Los Angeles, Calif. (which is about 26 miles from Fae's hometown of Anaheim, Calif.). User20may select (with screen pointer202) icon358, which provides130a link to a ticket ecommerce website (e.g., www.ticketmaster.com)400, which may be rendered by complementary offer process10and may be navigable via screen pointer202. In this particular example, the link provided130is:http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/09003D2FE66695E9?artistid=726127&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=3&tm_link=tm_home_f3

In this particular example, user20may select the desired quantity and type of seats (via dropdown menus402) and then select the “Look For Tickets” button404(using e.g., screen pointer202). Referring also toFIG. 10, once e.g., button404is selected by user20, complementary offer process10may render ticket purchase webpage450that allows user20to purchase Taylor Hicks tickets. User20may select (via screen pointer202) seating chart link452, which may result in the rendering of a seating chart500(FIG. 11) for the appropriate venue (e.g., The Staples Center).

Assuming that user20completes the sale of the tickets, complementary offer process10may charge132a referral fee to the appropriate merchant. For example, assume that user20purchases a pair of Taylor Hicks tickets having a face value of $51.50 each, complementary offer process10may charge132the merchant (e.g., Ticket Master) a 1.00% referral fee (i.e., $1.03) for facilitating110the sale of the tickets.

When providing 130 the link to the ticket ecommerce website, a referring party identifier may be embedded within the link to allow for accurate charging132of referral fees. For example, the link provide may be as follows:http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/09003D2FE66695E9?artistid=726127&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=3&tm_link=tm_home_f3&referrer=9160307

In the above-listed link, the referrer=9160307 portion of the link may identify the referring party (e.g., RealNetworks, Inc) and enable payment of the referral fee from the merchant (e.g., Ticket Master) to the referring party (e.g., RealNetworks, Inc.).

Continuing with the above-stated example, assume that user20wishes to buy some Taylor Hick memorabilia for him and Fae in preparation of the upcoming concert. User20may select (with screen pointer202) icon356, which provides130a link to an auction ecommerce website (e.g., www.ebay.com)550(FIG. 12), which may be rendered by complementary offer process10and may be navigable via screen pointer202. In this particular example, the link provided130is:http://search.ebay.com/taylor-hicks_W0QQfromZR8QQfsooZ2QQfsopZ3QQsbrsrtZdQQsubmitsearch ZSearch

When providing 130 the link to the auction ecommerce website, a referring party identifier may be embedded within the link to allow for accurate charging132of referral fees. For example, the link provide may be as follows:http://search.ebay.com/taylor-hicks_W0QQfromZR8QQfsooZ2QQfsopZ3QQsbrsrtZdQQsubmitsearch ZSearch&referrer=9160307

In the above-listed link, the referrer=9160307 portion of the link may identify the referring party (e.g., RealNetworks, Inc) and enable payment of the referral fee from the merchant (e.g., EBay) to the referring party (e.g., RealNetworks, Inc.).

Continuing with the above-stated example, further assume that user20wishes to buy some Taylor Hick compact discs so that he and Fae can listen to them on the way to the concert. User20may select (with screen pointer202) icon354, which provides130a link to a compact disc ecommerce website (e.g., www.cduniverse.com)600(FIG. 13), which may be rendered by complementary offer process10and may be navigable via screen pointer202. In this particular example, this link provided130is:http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/artist/Hicks,+Taylor/a/Taylor+Hicks.htm

When providing 130 the link to the compact disc ecommerce website, a referring party identifier may be embedded within the link to allow for accurate charging132of referral fees. For example, the link provide may be as follows:http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/artist/Hicks,+Taylor/a/Taylor+Hicks.htm&referrer=9160307

In the above-listed link, the referrer=9160307 portion of the link may identify the referring party (e.g., RealNetworks, Inc) and enable payment of the referral fee from the merchant (e.g., CD Universe) to the referring party (e.g., RealNetworks, Inc.).

Continuing with the above-stated example, further assume that user20wishes to buy some Taylor Hick clothing for Fae to wear to the Taylor Hicks concert. User20may select (with screen pointer202) icon352, which provides130a link to a merchandise ecommerce website (e.g., www.cafepress.com)650(FIG. 14), which may be rendered by complementary offer process10and may be navigable via screen pointer202. In this particular example, this link provided130is:http://www.cafepress.com/buy/taylor %20hicks/-/cfpt2_/cfpt_/source_searchBox/copt—

When providing 130 the link to the merchandise ecommerce website, a referring party identifier may be embedded within the link to allow for accurate charging132of referral fees. For example, the link provide may be as follows:http://www.cafepress.com/buy/taylor %20hicks/-/cfpt2_/cfpt_/source_searchBox/copt_&referrer=9160307

In the above-listed link, the referrer=9160307 portion of the link may identify the referring party (e.g., RealNetworks, Inc) and enable payment of the referral fee from the merchant (e.g., Cafepress) to the referring party (e.g., RealNetworks, Inc.).

While complementary offer process10is described above as executing a query that includes one or more complementary terms, other configurations are possible and are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. For example and referring again toFIG. 2, complementary offer process may assign118one or more search terms to the item (e.g., “Fae”300) selected by the user. However, instead of assigning120one or more complementary terms, complementary offer process10may generate134a query string for execution on a third party data store. For example and as discussed above, instead of adding the complementary term “tickets” and searching the internet for Taylor Hicks tickets, complementary offer process10may generate134a query string (which is based on at least a portion of the search terms) for execution122on a specific third-party website. For example, if you want to search for tickets, complementary offer process10may generate134the query string “Taylor Hicks”, which may be provided to www.ticketmaster.com for execution122on the www.ticketmaster.com website. This, in turn, may result in the generation124of a complementary result set that is presented126to user20and defines available Taylor Hicks tickets.

Alternatively/additionally, if the user wanted to purchase Taylor Hicks clothing, instead of adding the complementary term “clothing” and searching the internet for Taylor Hicks clothing, complementary offer process10may generate134the query string “Taylor Hicks”, which may be provided to www.cafepress.com for execution122on the www.cafepress.com website. This, in turn, may result in the generation124of a complementary result set that is presented126to user20and defines available Taylor Hicks clothing.

Alternatively/additionally, if the user wanted to purchase Taylor Hicks memorabilia, instead of adding the complementary term “memorabilia” and searching the internet for Taylor Hicks memorabilia, complementary offer process10may generate134the query string “Taylor Hicks”, which may be provided to www.ebay.com for execution122on the www.ebay.com website. This, in turn, may result in the generation124of a complementary result set that is presented126to user20and defines available Taylor Hicks memorabilia.

Alternatively/additionally, if the user wanted to purchase Taylor Hicks compact discs, instead of adding the complementary terms “compact discs” and searching the internet for Taylor Hicks compact discs, complementary offer process10may generate134the query string “Taylor Hicks”, which may be provided to www.cduniverse.com for execution122on the www.cduniverse.com website. This, in turn, may result in the generation124of a complementary result set that is presented126to user20and defines available Taylor Hicks compact discs.

While complementary offer process10is described above as executing a query in response the user20rendering an audio track (e.g., “Do I Make You Proud” by “Taylor Hicks”), other configurations are possible and are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. For example, assume that user20is logged into a community website that allows people to render video clips. Assuming that user20is watching video clips of “I Love Lucy”, complementary offer process10may automatically generate a query for “I Love Lucy”, thus resulting in the generation105of a result set that identifies e.g., fans of “I Love Lucy” (as opposed to fans of Taylor Hicks). Upon selecting116a specific “I Love Lucy” fan, complementary offer process10may automatically generate a query for “I Love Lucy”, thus resulting in the generation124of a complementary result set that identifies e.g., “I Love Lucy” memorabilia, digital video discs and books. Additionally, if user20is reading a webblog that praises a certain politician (e.g., John McCain), complementary offer process10may automatically generate a query for that politician (e.g., “John McCain”), thus resulting in the generation105of a result set that identifies e.g., fans of “John McCain”. Upon selecting116a specific “John McCain” fan, complementary offer process10may automatically generate a query for that politician (e.g., “John McCain”), thus resulting in the generation124of a complementary result set that identifies e.g., “John McCain” memorabilia and books. As another example, if user20is looking through online auto classified ads for a 1966 Pontiac GTO, complementary offer process10may automatically generate a query for “1966 Pontiac GTO), thus resulting in the generation105of a result set that identifies fans of the “1966 Pontiac GTO”. Upon selecting a “1966 Pontiac GTO” fan, complementary offer process10may automatically generate a query for “1966 Pontiac GTO”), thus resulting in the generation124of a complementary result set that identifies “1966 Pontiac GTO” memorabilia, parts, books, and posters, for example.

While complementary offer process10is described above as offering e.g., concert tickets, clothing, compact discs, and memorabilia, other configurations are possible and are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. For example, if Fae lived in Denver, Colo. (instead of Anaheim, Calif.), complementary offer process10may have provided130links to airline websites to facilitate Fae traveling from Denver, Colo. to Los Angeles, Calif. Additionally, complementary offer process10may provided130links to hotel websites to facilitate booking lodging for Fae for the night of the concert.