Abstract:
An electronic advertising system anonymously directs the attention of a user to content provided by an advertiser, in exchange for subsequently permitting the same user to access otherwise restricted desirable content of another part. Such desirable content may include online entertainment media, digital video content, social media, news media, and other privileged services or data. The user accumulates points, or virtual currency, in exchange for viewing the advertisements of vendor affiliates of the present system. The user may then spend previously accumulated points, or virtual currency, in order to access desirable content of redeemer affiliates of the present system. The present system further facilitates financial transactions between the system operator, vendor affiliates, and redeemer affiliates, relative to the movement of virtual currency amongst the various parties.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/271,207, filed Jul. 17, 2009, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates, in general, to the presentation of electronic advertisements, such as via the Internet and, more particularly to the presentation of targeted advertisements in a manner that does not track an individual&#39;s Internet page navigation and history. 
     2. General Background of the Invention 
     One issue facing the electronic advertising industry is the trade-off between maximizing the amount of entertaining or desirable content that an individual exploring the Internet wants to see against the amount of advertising that is overlaid on top of or near such entertaining or desirable content. 
     Escalating the issue, many online advertisers have implemented rather obtuse advertising systems that are often perceived as annoying to the end user, including pop-up ads and in text callout balloons. Unfortunately, such systems necessarily force the participant&#39;s attention to be split between the advertisement and the non-advertising content. This split is often less than desirable to all parties involved. 
     Many current consumers of digital media want to experience, watch, and/or consume the content of their choice at the time of their choosing. Therefore, many of these consumers do not particularly appreciate advertising methods that more or less randomly interrupt the experience of the participant. Thus, a need exists for a technology that simultaneously satisfies the interests of advertisers in terms of their desires to broaden their exposure base and keep consumers informed of new products and services without overwhelming the end user, and media viewer with unwanted, potentially annoying, unwelcome, and unexpected advertising presentations. 
     A further drawback of many contemporary electronic advertising systems is that it is not uncommon for an individual or entity to be offended by advertising content that is presented side-by-side with primary non-advertising content. Thus, there is a need for advertising systems that give unprecedented levels of user control to the end media viewer or individual exploring the Internet. 
     Another drawback of many contemporary systems is that a significant number of contemporary digital advertising systems leverage some type of algorithmic data mining, whereby the advertiser generates, buys, or records personal information such as web browser history, shopping trends, profile and social network picture viewing statistics, age, gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religious persuasion, computer software and hardware configurations, indications of salary or generic financial success, and numerous other examples of personal data. Many individuals express an extremely strong desire for such tracking technologies to become rare, optional, or even non-existent. 
     Accordingly, a digital advertising technology that is completely anonymous while at the same time offers advertisers some form of tangible assurance that their advertising messages are targeted would be beneficial. 
     The present invention provides a method to offer some tangible assurance to advertisers that their content is being viewed by individuals who are interested and more likely to buy the merchandise being embodied in the advertisement than a random individual would be. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention provides, in general, an apparatus, system, and method for facilitating and conducting electronic marketing and customer retention using a virtual currency in the form of electronic “points” as a medium of exchanging and/or rewarding the attention of a given Internet consumer. Individual web surfers who use the present invention are referred to herein as “users.” As an individual user accesses and explores Internet-based websites, services, and/or other sources of media of certain companies affiliated with the present electronic marketing and customer retention system, such individual user is rewarded by being given a plurality of electronic points. 
     Later, as an individual user accesses and explores the websites or other media sources of certain other companies affiliated with the present electronic marketing and customer retention system, such an individual may redeem predetermined quantities of these previously earned electronic points in exchange for access to certain otherwise restricted media. The ability of an individual Internet web surfer to use this marketing and customer retention system is not predicated upon the user&#39;s expenditure of cash or other forms of tangible consideration, nor is it predicated upon the user allowing the company to sell or otherwise profit from any personal information of the user that could have been gathered electronically. 
     Moreover, the present invention does not require the utilization of conventional electronic advertising mechanisms, such as pop-up ads, banner ads, e-mail marketing, e-mail spam, Rich Media Ads, interstitial ads, online classified ads, and search engine results. Of course, the owner/operator of a website who is affiliated with the present electronic marketing and customer retention system may opt to continue to additionally use such conventional electronic advertising mechanisms. 
     Additionally, a user who has accumulated what is deemed by certain predetermined settings or parameters of the system predetermined to be a sufficient number of electronic points will be able to “spend” those points in a manner permitting the user to legitimately circumvent many models of current online advertising that are considered by many to be annoying or intrusive. For example, many web surfers currently must watch pre-video commercials before they view certain desired video media content made available to them through many websites that stream videos, such as, for example, video news segments. Such accumulated electronic points can also be redeemed for a large variety of intangible virtual goods: social networking apps, smartphone apps, music downloads, video game expansions, add-ons, character upgrades, secret in-game weapons, and any manner of current and future virtual goods. The electronic points can be redeemed for any content that is prohibited to those who do not exchange a predetermined quantity of electronic points for access to such content. These electronic points may vary in, for example, value, name, market, lifetime, geographic distribution, class, convertibility, and in other ways without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
     In addition to the custom, application specific software, data, system and methods of the present invention, the present invention utilizes conventional, off-the-shelf software components, computers, servers, networks, information management services, databases, session management, and other technologies and electronics associated with modern computing and communication. Moreover, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that currently unspecified and future developed methods of human and computer interaction will provide a suitable opportunity for the distribution, accumulation, and marketing of the electronic points of the present invention, and that usage of such human/computer interaction, does not depart from the scope of the present invention. 
     An embodiment of the present invention comprises a method for attracting consumers to electronic-based advertising media via a communications network having endpoints comprising at least one vendor computer system associated with at least one advertising provider, at least one redeemer computer system associated with at least one provider of goods or services, at least one host computer system, and at least one user computer system. The method comprises the steps of identifying a consumer on the host computer as a registered user; detecting that the registered user has accessed electronic-based advertising media of the at least one advertising provider, the electronic-based advertising media being communicated from the at least one vendor computer system to the at least one user computer system via the communications network; awarding the registered user a first predetermined quantity of electronic currency in exchange for the registered user accessing the electronic-based advertising media; storing on the at least one host computer system a stored value indicative of an aggregate amount of electronic currency possessed by the registered user; incrementing the stored value by a first amount indicative of the first predetermined quantity of electronic currency; detecting that the registered user has requested particular goods or services of the provider of goods or services via communication between the at least one user computer system and the at least one redeemer computer system via the communications network, the particular goods or services having an associated second predetermined quantity of electronic currency; and determining whether the second predetermined quantity of electronic currency has a value equal to or greater than the stored value indicative of an aggregate amount of electronic currency possessed by the registered user. 
     An embodiment of the present invention may further comprise the steps of indicating to the at least one redeemer computer system that the registered user has a sufficient quantity of electronic currency to be permitted to receive or access the goods or services; and decrementing on the at least one host computer the stored value by a second amount indicative of a second predetermined quantity of electronic currency, the second amount being a predetermined value associated with the particular goods or services requested by the registered user. 
     The present invention preferably supports maintaining the anonymity of system users. In particular, no indication is provided to the at least one advertising provider regarding how the registered user spends the first predetermined quantity of electronic currency awarded in exchange for the registered user accessing the electronic-based advertising media. Moreover, no personal identifying information relative to the registered user is provided to the at least one advertising provider. Furthermore, no indication is provided to the at least one provider of goods or services regarding how the registered user acquired the second predetermined quantity of electronic information expended by the user in exchange for the goods or services of the at least one provider of goods or services. Likewise, no personal identifying information relative to the registered user is provided to the at least one provider of goods or services, and no communication takes place between the at least one vendor computer and the at least one redeemer computer. 
     The aforementioned goods or services may comprise services comprising a delivery of electronic media. The electronic media is sent from the at least one redeemer computer to the at least one user computer system via the communications network. Moreover, the step of detecting that the registered user has accessed electronic-based advertising media may, in an embodiment of the invention, comprise detecting that the registered user has accessed particular website content associated with the at least one vendor computer system. 
     An embodiment of the present invention comprises an apparatus for attracting consumers to electronic electronic-based advertising media. The apparatus comprises a communications network; at least one vendor computer system associated with at least one advertising provider, the at least one vendor computer system being operably coupled to the communications network; at least one redeemer computer system associated with at least one provider of goods or services, the at least one redeemer computer system being operably coupled to the communications network; at least one host computer system operably coupled to the communications network; at least one user computer system associated with a consumer, the at least one user computer system being operably coupled to the communications network; means for identifying a consumer on the host computer as a registered user; means for detecting that the registered user has accessed electronic-based advertising media of the at least one advertising provider, the electronic-based advertising media being communicated from the at least one vendor computer system to the at least one user computer system via the communications network; means for awarding the registered user a first predetermined quantity of electronic currency in exchange for the registered user accessing the electronic-based advertising media; means for storing on the at least one host computer system a stored value indicative of an aggregate amount of electronic currency possessed by the registered user; means for incrementing the stored value by a first amount indicative of the first predetermined quantity of electronic currency; means for detecting that the registered user has requested particular goods or services of the provider of goods or services via communication between the at least one user computer system and the at least one redeemer computer system via the communications network, the particular goods or services having an associated second predetermined quantity of electronic currency; and means for determining whether the second predetermined quantity of electronic currency has a value equal to or greater than the stored value indicative of an aggregate amount of electronic currency possessed by the registered user. 
     An embodiment of the present invention may further comprise means for indicating to the at least one redeemer computer system that the registered user has a sufficient quantity of electronic currency to be permitted to receive or access the goods or services; and means for decrementing on the at least one host computer the stored value by a second amount indicative of a second predetermined quantity of electronic currency, the second amount being a predetermined value associated with the particular goods or services requested by the registered user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is simplified diagram of the equipment and networked environment which may be associated with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified diagram of the server of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified diagram of a data center which may be associated with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a simplified diagram showing networked data connectivity between a user of the present invention and certain equipment of the networked environment; 
         FIG. 5  is a data flow diagram showing, in particular, the modification of information packets and other data for communication between devices; 
         FIG. 6  is a simplified diagram of major server software components employed, managed and run by certain aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a simplified block diagram of a database of the type employed by the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram of a user accessing multiple affiliate vendor sites; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram of a user accessing multiple affiliate redeemer sites; 
         FIG. 10  is a flow diagram showing certain financial transactions and point transactions pursuant to the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a flow diagram showing certain in-tangible consideration transactions being performed in conjunction with certain tangible consideration transactions pursuant to the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing the creation of a user account; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing the logging in and acquisition of points by a user; 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart showing a user trading previously acquired points for access to desirable content; 
         FIG. 15  is a simplified of an in-browser graphical user interface (“GUI”) employed by the present invention; 
         FIGS. 16A-16D  are diagrams of relational database tables which may be employed by the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram showing communication amongst certain software components the user devices, affiliate servers, and operator servers of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram showing an alternative manner of communication amongst certain software components the user devices, affiliate servers, and operator servers of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 19  is a diagram of a message format of data sent between certain servers and user devices of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, several specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is intended as an exemplification of the principles of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the electronically interconnected computer environment and apparatus of the present invention is shown. Much of the digital processes and systems management functions of the present invention are controlled and run on one or more servers  101 . Any number of servers  101  may be connected to an external network  102 , such as the Internet. A wide variety of types of user interface devices enabled to access network  102  may interact with the present invention via communication with servers  101 . Devices  103  may comprise many different communication devices including laptop computers  104 , desktop computer  105 , network-enabled televisions  106 , gaming consoles  107 , smartphones  108 , tablets and any other kind of current or future communication device  109 . Servers  101  run a plurality of software programs for the purposes of performing management functions of the present invention including managing the number of points accumulated by a user, given out by vendors, and received by redeemers; authenticating users; registering new users; managing payment and financial transactions; performing Internet searches; accessing databases; and routing traffic over the network. Network enabled devices  103  are connected to servers  101  through external network  102  and are used by users who are utilizing the present invention to visit affiliate websites or otherwise access affiliate media in order to accumulate and redeem points, manage their user accounts, send search queries to search engines in order to find more websites also using the present invention. Devices  103  make use of programming languages to run, execute, interpret, or otherwise make use of the code necessary to utilize and cooperate with the present invention. 
     Of course, the various functions performed by server computer  101  may alternatively be performed by several server computers interacting through one or more networks. Moreover, the functions performed by network enabled device  103  may alternatively be performed by several computers acting jointly, such as by interacting through one or more networks. These distributions of tasks may be done, for example, for performance reasons. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , server  101  is shown as comprising several hardware components, including processor  201 , network interface  202 , storage  203 , and memory  204 . These components cooperate, in conjunction with associated firmware and software, to perform the tasks required of server  101 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , in a preferred embodiment of the invention, certain computer logic desirable or necessary to run and manage the present invention is disposed inside centralized data center  301  incorporating a plurality of servers  101  as a part of centralized server cluster  302 . Data center  301  is connected to external network  102  through edge router  303 . Edge router  303  is preferably a networking appliance designed to control and organize traffic in a network. In turn, edge router  303  is connected to firewall  304 , which is designed to filter and protect against unauthorized and unwanted communications between computer networks or hosts. On the protected side of firewall  304  lies a cluster of servers, demilitarized zone  305 , providing web services via the Internet that typically are not considered to be critical from a security standpoint. Demilitarized zone  305  provides, amongst other services, static content web services that handle commonly requested web address accesses, Domain Name System services that assist routers in intercommunication between other servers, and other miscellaneous front end services. Front end services, like static content web services and domain name services, are services that do not require the highest security protocols. They are thus less protected, and in turn they are accessed and used more quickly. Adjacent to this moderate security area is second firewall  304  tasked with directly protecting a back end portion of data center  301 . Back end services are high security applications which necessarily have access to sensitive user and clientele data. Such information includes such data as usernames, passwords, email addresses, number of accumulated points, dates of registration, ages, business names, credit card information, payments given out, payments received, other financial account information, points given out, points redeemed, cryptographic services, and authentication services. Amongst other functions, back end servers  101  access databases, programming languages, executable and interpretable programs, in order to handle the processes they are in control over. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , servers  101  of server cluster  302  communicate amongst themselves and with miscellaneous network connected devices  103  distributed throughout the external network  102  with text-based messages. These text-based messages adhere to predetermined messaging protocols and contain information that is of relevance to the sender and receiver of the message. This information includes authentication data, status messages, point count data and other information needed for servers  101  or network connected devices  103  to process any given request. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , there are, in general, four different types of geographically dispersed computer and server systems connected to external network  102  employed by the present invention. First, there is network enabled device  103 . Network enabled device  103  allows a user to access web content and services exposed by back end server  101 . Second, there is back end server  101  which services text-based messages and other messages sent by and between the major computer components of the present invention. Third, there are third party affiliate vendor servers  401 . These third party servers control the points distributed by any particular affiliate vendor. Fourth, there are third party affiliate redeemer servers  402 . These third party servers control the points redeemed by any particular affiliate redeemer. Vendor server  401  can access both network enabled device  103  and back end server  101 , but cannot access the redeemer server  402 . Likewise, redeemer server  402  can access both network enabled device  103  and back end server  101 , but cannot access the vendor server  401 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , when server  101  sends a text-based message, server  101  first encapsulates  501  the message. Next the encapsulated data is marshaled  502  into a form recognizable as a valid function call to a target computer of the clientele. This target computer, maintained by the clientele, is located in or interfaced to external network  102 . The marshaled data may comprise, for example, a form of remote procedure call. This marshaled data is down converted through the Open Systems Interconnection (“OSI”) model layers  503 . The OSI is an internationally standardized interface between hardware and software that allows streamlined intercommunication between various electronics and computer architectures. The down conversion through the OSI layers  503  is primarily handled by network hardware inside computers via network interface  202 . Next, the data is sent across the physical connection  504 . On the other side of physical connection  504 , a targeted recipient computer at an endpoint of external network  102  begins to up convert the message up through OSI layers  505 . After OSI conversion the messages are sent to a software application in the target computer capable of processing remote procedure calls where the message is de-marshaled  506 . The de-marshaled data is now de-encapsulated  507  before being used by the target computer. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , much of the software used to implement this present invention is subdivided into a task oriented organization. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention makes use of operating system kernel  601  running on server  101 , which is tasked with managing miscellaneous server hardware as described in  FIG. 2  and application programs. These application programs may implement several different languages, operating environments, precompiled or interpretable code. These subdivided applications include static content web servers  602 , active content creation, preprocessing, common gateway interface  603 , database engines  604  server resource management, health checking, and status report software  605 . 
     Referring now  FIG. 7 , data that is recorded and tracked by the present invention in a preferred embodiment is stored in one or more databases  701 . Each database  701  comprises an application that runs in a server  101 , which may be a dedicated database server or a shared application/database server that uses computer code designed to manage a physical database, which, in turn, may be stored in one of more physical files. This database is stored on the file system of a server  101 . This file system is in turn located in physical storage  203  or memory  204 . A data structure that is designed for optimized storage and retrieval is used as the technical foundation for database  701 . Within this data structure is an abstraction commonly referred to as columns and rows. Each column or row contains a list of specific types of variables. In a preferred embodiment, a column or row has an associated name or title indicating the kind of data stored in the rest of the column or row. For example, a column or row with the title of username may contain a list that contains usernames. This connection does not need to be explicit, and titles of columns or rows may not give easily interpretable titles or data. Also, a database can store, organize, and retrieve an arbitrary amount of data in nearly any form. 
     This database  701  is accessed by software applications designed to manage it sometimes referred to as database engines  604 . The functionality of this database engine is in turn invoked by any manner of application logic processing program  603 . 
     Before being able to use the present invention, potential user must first create an account with the operator of the present invention. After the creation of the account, the user then needs to log in to use the present invention. Once logged in the user may then access any number of different affiliate websites. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the general process of user account creation, which includes communication back and forth between a user&#39;s network enabled device and a back end server, is shown. At the start of the process of creating a new user account, software operating on a back end server will cause a service policy and other related information  1201  that the overall system operator of the present invention wishes to show new users to be displayed upon the user&#39;s network enabled device. The software will ensure that the new user accepts and agrees to the terms and conditions outlined  1202 . If the user accepts these terms, the user is then asked to input certain required information  1203  and possibly some optional information, otherwise, if the user does not accept the terms, then the user is not permitted to proceed. This required data may include a user identification name, an email address of the user, a password of the user, or other desired information. After the input is received 1204 it is checked for consistency  1205  and acceptable password strength  1206 . If both of these checks are acceptable then the operator&#39;s server hashes the data  1207 , otherwise, the user is asked again to supply the same required data. Once the data is hashed, the operator&#39;s server attempts to store the hashed data in a database  1208 . If there is no conflicting data currently in the database, then the server authenticates the account request  1209 . If it took the user too much time to input the required information in an acceptable form, the users account request will timeout  1210  and ask the user to resupply the required information. If the user has successfully had his or her account authenticated and not timed out, then the account is initialized  1211  in the server. The server then informs the user of the account status  1212  and exits the process of creating the account. 
     A technical description of the data transmissions of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be provided. A user activates a network enabled device  103  that is connected to the external network  102 . The user uses this device  103  to send a text-based message through steps  501 - 507  of  FIG. 5  to a server  101  using the present invention that is connected to the external network  102 . This third party controlled server prepares a second text-based message, and sends it via steps  501 - 507  to servers  101  that are managing the present invention. In order for the message to reach servers  101 , which are located in a centralized server cluster  302  of  FIG. 3 , the message must traverse external network  102 , arrive at centralized data center  301 , pass through edge router  303 , first firewall  304 , demilitarized zone  305 , second firewall  304 , and arrive at a server  101  tasked with handling back end services through a back end network  306  that is not connected to anything on the front end of the last firewall  304 . 
     This back end server  101  receives the message through steps  501 - 507 , processes it through static content web servers  602 , which call an application logic processing program  603  of  FIG. 6 , which deciphers the message  401  and decides how to handle any remote procedure calls identified within it. If a remote procedure call requesting database  701  access is identified then the application logic processing program  603  calls the services of a database engine  604  which in turn access the internal data structure of the database  701 . The database engine  604  returns data extracted from the database  701  to the application logic processing program  603 , which uses this data to prepare response to the text-based message. During the preparation of the response to the text-based message, server  101  and the software applications it is running  601 - 605  of  FIG. 6  may update or otherwise change the data in the internal data structure, or the internal data structure, in database  701 . 
     There are many different potential responses to the text-based message that can be prepared by the application logic processing program  603 . These responses may indicate the number of points attributed to the user&#39;s account, the last web page accessed by the user, the next web page the user wants to visit, the authenticated or log in status of the potential or actual user, the geographical location of user, and other data relevant to the present invention. One skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be used in such a way as to require other types of data to be transmitted from servers  101 . 
     Once application logic processing program  603  completes preparing a response to the text-based message, the response is sent back to the third party controlled server using the present invention which sent a message to back end servers  101 . Next, the third party controlled server using the present invention utilizes application logic processing program  603  to decipher and interpret the results it received. The proper interpretation of the response sent from back end servers  101  is predicated on the predetermined rules governing the relationship between the business entity that manages back end servers  101  and the business entity that manages the third party servers. If the response appropriately follows these business rules, then the third party servers act in a specified way. As a first example of this response, if the pre-existing business rules establish that all properly authenticated and logged in users receive dispensations of points each time the user views certain content hosted on the third party servers, then a user gains some amount of points when viewing the specified content while logged in. The amount of points dispensed into the user&#39;s account is determined by the pre-existing business rules. As a second example, if the response indicates that a given user is currently logged in, properly authenticated, and has a sufficient number of accumulated points in their account, as judged when compared to the pre-existing business rules, then the third party server using the present invention grants the logged in user access to otherwise restricted content. Continuing with this example, since the business rules generally necessitate that the release of otherwise restricted content corresponds to the deduction of points from the users total accumulated points, such a deduction will take place. The amount of points deducted will also be determined by the pre-existing business rules. Of course, the identities of the third parties, the specific business rules, required user data, total point additions or subtractions, necessary computer and human interaction, interactive features, as well as other properties of these examples can vary from this example. 
     Irrespective of the particular business rules, once the third party servers using the present invention compare the business rules against the response received from back end servers  101 , the third party servers send a text-based message through  501 - 507 , to network enabled device  103  operably connected to external network  102 . Next, network enabled devices  103  may display a human readable message to the web surfer. 
     A high level description of the general functionality of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be provided. A web surfer or other Internet user employs network enabled device  103  to access content provided by a third party through external network  102 . The accessing of this content does not necessarily require a purchase of any goods or services, and may comprise, for example, only the viewing of a single webpage. In general, the business rules or criteria that are predetermined for a given third party may dispense points as a result of nearly any interaction with the web surfer or user otherwise accessing media content of the third party. The web surfer may see a connection established between device  103  and the third party servers assuming for descriptive purposes that the web surfer is knowingly attempting to establish a network connection and explore the websites and online content of a third party that is dispensing points. A user will expect to see visual notification of said points being added to the user&#39;s account. After the third party website has successfully established a connection with the device  103  a certain number of points, in accordance with pre-established criteria or business rules, will be deposited into the account of the user. This is all predicated on the logging in and authentication of the user, a connection between the third party servers and the back end server  101 , and the following of the appropriate business rules. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , in a preferred embodiment, when logged into the present invention&#39;s system via the operator&#39;s server, the user sees or otherwise experiences on the user&#39;s network enabled device a slightly different version of the Internet websites than the user would otherwise normally encounter. The present invention uses a number of different technologies to accomplish this. In an embodiment of the present invention, among other changes to the user&#39;s browsing experience implemented by the present invention is the addition of toolbar  1501  in the use&#39;s web browser, at the top of the webpage window just below the top portion of the browser  1502 . In toolbar  1501 , progress bar  1503  or other indicator gradually fills, or increases in value, as the user accumulates points, and empties, or decreases in value, as the user spends or users previously acquired points. Accordingly, progress bar  1503  serves as an instantaneous indicator of how many points the user has accumulated and is currently available for use. Progress bar  1503  may be enhanced or replaced by a simple counter that numerically indicates the number of points the user has acquired. Also in toolbar  1501 , application interface  1504  has been added to the screen and includes convenient hyperlinks that may be of interest to the user. Another item inside toolbar  1501  is a communication region reserved for messages  1505  issued to the user. There is also a software-based mechanism added to  1502  that allows the content within the browser  1502  to be programmatically hidden behind an obscuring veil, making the other rendered content unusable. All other aspects of the browser  1502  remain unchanged. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , user  801  accesses first affiliate vendor website  802 . The third party business entity who manages this website  802  is called a “vendor” because they typically offer or promote goods or services for sale through their website, and because they are able to dispense points to users via the present invention. Because user  801  accesses content provided by first vendor website  802 , first vendor website  802  dispenses an appropriate and predetermined amount of points to user  801 . As a result, the number of points in the user&#39;s account is increased by the number of points given out by the vendor. User  801  may then navigate to a new website that may be, for example, a separate second vendor website  803 , controlled by another, possibly distinct, third party business entity. Because user  801  accesses content provided by second vendor website  803 , second website  803  dispenses points to the user  801 . User  801  may then navigate to another new website that may be a separate, nth vendor website  804 , controlled by another, possibly distinct, nth party. Because user  801  accesses content provided by nth vendor website  804 , nth website  804  dispenses points to the user  801 . This process whereby user  801  navigates through numerous, possibly separate vending websites and receives dispensations of points for this navigation and/or interaction with the websites could continue for an unlimited amount of navigation and or interactivity, as well as for an unlimited number of vendors, subject only to their affiliation with an operator of the present invention. 
     The points accumulated through such traversal of a large number of affiliate vending websites may all be identical. It is possible to implement the present invention in a manner such that no point may be distinguishable from any other point. It is also possible to implement the present invention such that all third party vendors are not aware of the number of points distributed by any other vendors. Moreover, variable amounts of information may be transferred between any of the parties using the present invention. Furthermore, the points permitted to be distributed by a particular third party vendor may be made to be identifiable, and thus distinguishable, from the points distributed by other third party vendors. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the required several steps that a user  801  must perform in order to receive points from a vendor, starting from a non-logged in status, is shown. When the user  801  initiates the login process, the operator server requests account information  1301  of the user  801  and the user  801  inputs it using a network enabled device. The server then analyzes this information  1302 , and checks its validity  1303 . If the information is correct, then the user  801  is free to explore the Internet  102  via, for example, a web browser  1502  enhanced with system components as described above. If the information is incorrect, the user  801  is not logged in and is instead redirected back to the request for account information. Once successfully logged in, the user then proceeds to browse various vendor websites and explores their content  1304 . When the user  801  explores the content of a particular vendor website that has previously established a business relationship with an operator of the present invention, the associated vendor server then causes the number of points in the users account to increase by a predetermined amount  1305 . This results in the operators database being updated  1306 , and then the users own display being updated  1307  to reflect the change in point total. Each time the user  801  acquires points in this manner, the operator&#39;s server, the user  801 , and the relevant vendor&#39;s server are all informed of the transaction. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , user  801  then accesses a first affiliate redeemer website  901 . The third party business entity who manages this website  901  is called a “redeemer” because they accept points as a consideration which they may later redeem with the operator of the present invention for a monetary payment or other goods or services. Because user  801  accesses content provided by first redeemer website  901 , first redeemer website  901  may be given points by the user  801  in exchange for providing the user with certain goods or services, As a result, the number of points in the user&#39;s account is lessened by the number of points used in the trade with the redeemer. A preferred embodiment of the present invention will commonly feature the goods and services offered by the redeemer that can be given to the user  801  via the user&#39;s network enabled device  103  using the external network  102 , such as, for example, providing the user with access to certain desirable media, such as film clips, music or other audio, visual, or audiovisual materials or other content, including access provided by streaming media and/or file download methods of distribution. Although this may be a commonplace occurrence within the operation of the present invention, the redeemer may alternatively, or in addition, offer goods or services to user  801  that are not distributed or distributable over the network connection. User  801  may then navigate to a new affiliate website that may be separate second redeemer website  902 , controlled by another, possibly distinct, third party business entity. Because user  801  accesses content provided by second redeemer website  902 , second website  902  may likewise be given points by user  801  in exchange for certain other goods or services. User  801  may then navigate to a new website that may be separate nth redeemer website  903 , controlled by yet another, possibly distinct, third party. Because user  801  accesses content provided by nth redeemer website  902 , the nth website  903  may likewise be given points by user  801  in exchange for certain other goods or services. This process whereby user  801  uses a web browser or other application to navigate through numerous, possibly separate redeeming websites and trades previously received points for certain goods and services could continue for an unlimited amount of navigation and/or interactivity as well as for an unlimited number of redeemers, subject only by the amount of points the user  801  has accumulated and the redeemers affiliation with an operator of the present invention. 
     The points traded to redeemers from users in the manner described above are the same points the web surfers received from the vendors. As such, all of the qualities and characteristics of the points, such as their actual or perceived value, are the same. Moreover, an anonymity-related benefit of the present invention is that no redeemer is notified or otherwise made aware of any trade between a user  801  and another redeemer. More generally, no redeemer or vendor necessarily has to be notified or otherwise made aware of any point transaction between a user and any other redeemer or vendor, other than transactions involving themselves. Redeemers only need to be aware that the web surfer has accumulated points, and may be ignorant of where the points came from (i.e., which vendor affiliate was the source of such points). Though not necessarily a part of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, variable amounts of information, in both the quantitative and qualitative sense, may be transferred or permitted to be transferred between any of the parties using the present invention. Moreover, points may alternatively be made to be identifiable, and thus distinguishable, however it is not necessary for points to have these qualities. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , if a user  801  has previously registered an account with an operator of the present invention, then the user can attempt to log in to the system. Assuming that the user passes all authentication checks the user will be granted access to the system. Now that the user has been logged in to the system the user can explore numerous different affiliated websites via, for example, a web browser  1502  enhanced for use in conjunction with the present system in the manner described above, in search of content or media that is desirable to the user. If a user attempts to access a redeemer&#39;s website then the system checks  1401  to see if the current user presently has acquired sufficient (i.e., and equal or greater quantity of) points, in comparison to the number of points required by the interactive or other content attempted to be accessed on the redeemer&#39;s site. If the user does have sufficient points in comparison to the number of points required by the redeemer&#39;s site, then the user&#39;s point count is adjusted  1402  by the system to reflect the deduction of points which was requested by the redeemer&#39;s server. This deduction is made in database  1403 , which stores information, including aggregate point total information, pertaining to the user. Next, the redeemer server allows 1404 the user to see or otherwise access what is otherwise restricted content. If on the other hand, the user does not have sufficient points in comparison to the number of points that is required by the redeemer&#39;s site, then no modifications are made to the database and access to the restricted content remains prohibited to the user. In this case the redeemer provides an indication to the user of the shortage of points in their account  1405 , and may optionally lower the number of points  1406  required by the particular user to gain access to restricted content. If the number of points is lowered by the redeemer to an amount of points less than or equal to the number of points the user has, then the user proceeds toward access of the restricted content and has their point count lowered  1401 - 1404 . If the redeemer instead does not lower the point requirement, or does not lower it below what would allow the user to proceed in view of the user&#39;s current total of acquired points, then the user is forwarded a message urging the user to browse vendors&#39; websites or otherwise access vendor content in order to accumulate additional points  1407 . 
     In the present invention, neither the vendors or redeemers are operating the present invention, nor are they offering the present invention for sale. Rather, the vendors and redeemers are interacting with the present invention as “affiliates.” The web surfers who are using the present invention, “users,” are using the present invention as they would use many services offered to the general public through the Internet or other external networks, and thus only use and do not control the present invention. Because the affiliates and users do not control the present invention, they do not have access to the full spectrum of information used by the present invention. The only entity that has access to the full spectrum of information is the “operator” of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the operator of the present invention also sees and controls certain financial transactions. The financial transactions that allow the operator of the present invention to run a potentially profitable business may be carried out using a regionally accepted currency, commonly referred to as “money.” Examples of money include but are not limited to the United States Dollars, the British Pound, the European Union Euro, gold, silver, the Chinese Yuan, and the Japanese Yen. One skilled in the art will understand that there are many forms of money not listed that could be used in the business of the operator of the present invention. 
     Operator  1001  of the present invention receives a payment of money  1002  through a financial transaction. This payment is made by a vendor  1003  as a form of consideration for purchasing a right to distribute a limited and predetermined number of points  1004  to users of the present invention who access their websites or other content via the present system. Once points are so purchased, vendor  1003  is then given the right to distribute its aforementioned number of points to users  801  in return for the users expending their time and effort browsing the vendor&#39;s content on their website, and thus exposing themselves to the promotion of the vendor&#39;s products or services. 
     Because users  801  have voluntarily explored the content of vendor  1003  they receive a certain, predetermined number of points  1004  per interaction with the vendor&#39;s website. These points are now associated with user  801  who retains ownership of such points until that same user  801  voluntarily spends, or trades them, at a redeemer&#39;s website. 
     A specific redeemer  1005  that receives points issues a message to operator  1001  via the system and in the manner described above, indicating how many points the system should deduct, and when and from which specific user  801  they are to be deducted. At the same time, the redeemer  1005  releases access to previously restricted content to user  801  as the other part of the aforementioned trade. Because redeemer  1005  is causing the points to be deducted from the users account by relaying an indication of the trade to operator  1001 , redeemer  1005  is in effect giving the points back  1004  to operator  1001 , from whom the points originated from the perspective of the redeemer. 
     Next, operator  1001  of the present invention engages in a financial transaction with redeemer  1005 . In this financial transaction, payments of money  1002  are made from operator  1001  to redeemer  1005 , in a predetermined amount that is related, at least in part, to the amount of points released by the redeemer in the aforementioned trade with the user. 
     In a preferred embodiment, operator  1001  will charge to vendor  1003  a certain amount of money per point for distribution rights—i.e., the right of the affiliate vendor to distribute points to authorized users via the present system. This amount of money will, in a preferred embodiment, be larger than the amount of money paid from the operator  1001  to the redeemer  1005  in exchange for the redeemer&#39;s release back to the operator of an equivalent number of points. For example, operator  1001  of the present invention may charge 0.005 US Dollars to vendor  1003  for the right to distribute 1 point. The operator  1001  may, after points have cycled through users  801  to redeemers  1005 , pay to the redeemers 0.003 US Dollars per point redeemed. Continuing with this example, the operator  1001  will make 0.005−0.003=0.002 US Dollars per point cycled through the present system. This difference of 0.002 US Dollars is seen as revenue to operator  1001 . Of course, the amount of money charged to affiliated vendors for the right to distribute each point, and the amount of money paid to affiliated redeemers for the right to release each point back to the system and subtract same from a user&#39;s account, are both variable. One skilled in the art will likewise understand that there are many more ways to engage in financial and point transactions in cooperation with the present invention. For example, it is contemplated by the present invention that one website can be both a redeeming website and a vending website simultaneously, so that one interaction with a user  801  gives the user points, and another interaction takes points away from the user  801 . Indeed, there are a wide variety of combinations of ways users  801 , vendors  1003 , and redeemers  1005  may interact with each other and with an operator  1001 , taking part in the transaction of money or points. 
     If user  801 , deliberately or accidentally, accumulates a surplus of points that are not timely traded at a redeemer&#39;s website, then the amount of money the vendors  1003  paid  1002  for these points originally may be considered to be additional revenue by operator  1001 , although the operator may never be fully assured that any such points will never be redeemed in the future, and thus never be fully assured that the amount vendors  1003  paid  1002  to operator  1001  is necessarily entirely revenue. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , additional reasons that the financial and point transactions are taking place in the present invention are shown. One reason is that redeemers  1005  have valuable and desirable content  1101  that they would like to distribute to users  801 . In order for these redeemers  1005  to be able to provide this valuable content  1101  they typically must generate revenue and be profitable. Through the present invention, users  801  can view high quality, valuable content  1101  on the Internet  102  without the redeemer  1005  having to generate revenue by resorting to what are often perceived by users as annoying, distracting, time-wasting or otherwise unsolicited or undesired forms of supporting advertisement (i.e., advertising-supported content), requiring direct financial payment from the users, or other conventional ways of generating revenue. 
     Through such financial and point transactions provided via the present invention, vendors  1003  can reward users  801  for engaging in what some may refer to as digital window shopping at their websites. The vendors  1003  are in effect paying users  801  points  1004  in return for exposure  1102 , or attention, that vendors  1003  receive from users  801 . This increase in exposure  1102  may potentially correlate to, amongst other things, better brand recognition for vendor  1003 , better customer retention, and/or increased sales. As users  801  explore the websites of affiliated vendors  1003  who offer points in order for such users to accumulate the aforementioned points, users  801  may be presented with promotional materials for new and exciting goods and services for sale at vendors&#39;  1003  websites. 
     In general, users  801  want to spend a portion of their free or leisure time consuming electronic media being presented to them through the Internet  102 . The desire of many users to consume this electronic media  1101  is sufficient to entice such users  801  to regularly accumulate points at many different vendors&#39;  1003  websites. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16A-16D , a preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes a relational database, i.e., database composed of a set of interrelated tables. For example, a table of the database may be dedicated to storing information relative to users  1601 , another table for vendors  1602 , yet another table for redeemers  1603 , and another table still for financial data  1604 . Continuing with this example of database implementation, each table is composed of specific, uniquely identifiable named database table fields, or variables, of specified variable types. In more detail, there are many variables used, and each such variable is predefined and fixed to be a specific type of variable. In  FIG. 16A-16D , variables of the following types are shown: ‘INT,’ representing is an integer; ‘VARCHAR(45),’ representing a character string of variable length and at most 45 characters in length; ‘DATE,’ representing a calendar date; ‘TEXT,’ representing a moderately long string of human-readable text; and ‘LONG TEXT,’ representing a relatively long string of human-readable text. As shown in  FIGS. 16A-16D , there are also many different variables used, with the particular associated variable type being shown immediately after each variable name in tables  1601 - 1604 . 
     User table  1601  includes, but is not necessarily limited to, variables such as a table identification name  1605  that increments for each new user, a system login user name  1606 , the age of the user  1607  in years that could alternatively be stored as a date of birth, the current number of points in the user&#39;s account  1608 , date of registration  1609 , country of registration  1610 , a cryptographic hash of the user&#39;s password  1611 , the user&#39;s most recent IP address  1612 , whether or not the user is currently logged in  1613 , the number of different network enabled devices  103  the user has used to log in during the current session  1614 , whether or not the user has read  1615  the End User License Agreement or other terms  1201 , whether the user has agreed  1616  to those terms  1202 , the email address of the user  1617 , and the participating user&#39;s history of point transactions  1618 , which records at every specified period of time how many points are in the user&#39;s account  1608 . 
     Vendor table  1602  of  FIG. 16B  includes, but is not necessarily limited to, variables such as a table identification value  1619  that increments for each newly-added vendor, vendor name  1620 , vendor&#39;s system login user name  1621 , a cryptographic hash of the vendor&#39;s password  1622 , a randomly assigned and unique vendor identification number  1623 , vendor payment history  1624 , points the vendor has given out  1625 , points the vendor has redeemed  1626 , the history of the points given out  1627 , the history of the points that the vendor has redeemed  1628 , the identification number tokenization  1629  of the vendor that permits the financial servicing of a third party in a manner that does not expose the third party&#39;s sensitive financial details to the system operator, number of administrators of the vendor  1630 , the vendor administrator&#39;s user name and password hashes  1631 , the number of points the vendor gives out for each user interaction  1632 , the number of points the vendor redeems for each user interaction  1633 , and the telephone number or other contact information of the vendor&#39;s main administrator  1634 . 
     Redeemer table  1603  of  FIG. 16C  includes, but is not necessarily limited to, variables such as a table identification name  1635  that increments for each newly-added redeemer, redeemer name  1636 , the redeemer&#39;s user name  1637 , a cryptographic hash of the redeemer&#39;s password  1638 , a randomly assigned vendor identification number  1639 , redeemer payment history  1640 , points the redeemer has given out  1641 , points the redeemer has redeemed  1642 , the history of the points given out  1643 , the history of the points that the redeemer has redeemed  1644 , the identification number tokenization  1645  of the redeemer that permits the financial servicing of a third party in a manner that does not expose the third party&#39;s sensitive financial details to the system operator, number of administrators of the redeemer  1646 , the redeemer administrator&#39;s user name and password hashes  1647 , the number of points the redeemer gives out for each user interaction  1648 , the number of points the redeemer redeems for each user interaction  1649 , and the telephone number or other contact information of the main administrator  1650  or alternatively any other contact information. 
     Financial table  1604  of  FIG. 16D  includes, but is not necessarily limited to, variables such as a table identification name  1651  that increments for each new financial record associated with a redeemer, an affiliate&#39;s sign-up date  1652 , the affiliate&#39;s name  1653 , the identification number tokenization  1654 , the contact phone number  1655 , the contact email address  1656 , the payment method  1657 , the payment gateway  1658 , payment password hash  1659 , payment currency  1660 , payment personal identification number  1661 , payment username  1662 , payment account number  1663 , and payment account type  1664 . 
     Of course, the data described above relative to  FIGS. 16A-16D  is one method of many possible methods of storing, organizing, and using relevant data in a database for an application such as the present invention. Possible alternative methods of storing, organizing, and using the relevant data in conjunction with the present invention may include but is not necessarily limited to, consolidating different data elements and tables, expanding or adding different data elements and tables, changing the variable types defining how data elements are stored, changing the names of different data elements, and removing different database elements. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , in a preferred embodiment, affiliate servers  1701  (including both vendor and redeemer servers), operator servers  1702 , and user&#39;s device  103  all communicate electronically with each other, through the use of various software modules written in programming code. User&#39;s device  103  has a program stored on it that is capable of accessing affiliate servers  1701  and operator servers  1702  through some method; a preferred method being through the use of web browser application  1502 . When user  801  logs into the system, the browser application simultaneously and transparently queries the front end servers  1703  of the system operator for a standard package of software  1704  to download, which contains a user-side in-browser logic program  1705  (which may comprise, for example, a browser plug-in, extension, or interpretable script), dependencies  1706 , and in-browser frame  1707  which is primarily included in dependencies  1706 . Front end servers  1703  are preferably located inside demilitarized zone  305 , and in response to the aforementioned query from the user&#39;s browser application responds with standard software package  1704  to browser  1502 . Software package  1704  may be downloaded transparently, and may be temporary in nature, as it may be easily deleted as a result of user actions. 
     After user  801  is logged in and has downloaded standardized package  1704  of  FIG. 17 , user  801  can navigate browser  1502  to any website on the external network  103  the user  801  wishes. If the user  801  navigates to a website containing an application programming interface (“API”)  1708  managed by affiliate servers  1701 , a system of electronic interactions following a predefined protocol as permitted by the API is initiated. In this method of implementing the preferred embodiment of the present invention, this API has been previously provided to the affiliate by the system operator, and implemented by the affiliate, at some earlier date. 
     First, to initiate this sequence of interactions, the browser  1502  sends a query to an API  1708  installed on the affiliate servers  1701  that contains the request for website content  1709 , the user&#39;s  801  randomly assigned identification, and a cryptographic hash for authenticating the query. The API  1708  then sends a second query to the back end interface  1710  that contain the user&#39;s  801  randomly assigned identification, the same cryptographic hash, and other additional parameters to define the nature of the website content requested. The additional parameters in a preferred embodiment describe, but are not limited to the description of, the number of points to be vended, the number of points to be redeemed contingent upon the proper number of points in user&#39;s account, and an age requirement of the user. Upon receipt of this second query, the back end interface  1710  communicates with the database engines  604  to first authenticate the original query. If the authentication is successful, back end interface  1710  proceeds to interact with database engines  604  to decide on the result of the query that is situation dependant. 
     If the user is properly authenticated, several different responses to the second query are possible. If the affiliate is attempting to vend points to user  801 , unless there are some age restrictions or other extenuating factors which must first be processed, back end interface  1710  instructs database engines  604  to update the number of points in the account of user  801 , and retrieves the updated value. This new value and a message indicating the success of the authentication are sent in a response to API  1708  on vendor servers  1701 . API  1708  then accesses content  1709  originally requested that is otherwise prohibited on vendor servers  1701  and relays such content  1709  and an updated point total to browser application  1502 . The browser then displays web content  1709  originally requested in frame  1707  inside of browser  1502 , and updates toolbar  1501  through the use of standard software package  1704 . 
     If the affiliate is attempting to redeem points from user  801 , unless there are some age restrictions or other extenuating factors which must first be processed, back end interface  1710  requests database engines  604  to report the current number of points in the account of user  801 . 
     If the number of points in the user&#39;s account is less than the number of points to be redeemed, back end interface  1710  responds to the second query with a message indicating that the user has been authenticated, but does not have a sufficient number of points in the user&#39;s account to access the restricted content requested by the user. This message is sent from the back end interface  1710  to the  1708  on affiliate servers  1701 . API  1708  then ascertains what content  1709  the user may be permitted to access via browser  1502  given the user&#39;s relatively limited number of aggregate points, which may be no content at all. This limited content, which does not include the restricted content that was originally requested by the user, is then sent from affiliate servers  1701  to browser  1502 . Affiliate servers  1701  also send browser  1502  a message indicating that the user does not have the required number of points to view the restricted content. Browser  1502  then renders this limited content, or no content at all, and a message indicating that the content is limited or completely restricted, or that user  801  does not currently have enough points. 
     If the number of points in the user&#39;s account is greater than or equal to the number of points to be redeemed, back end interface  1710  instructs database engines  604  to decrement the number of points in the account of user  801  account to reflect the amount of points currently being redeemed. Back end interface  1710  then responds to the second query with a message indicating that the user has been authenticated, does have a sufficient number of points in the user&#39;s account to access the otherwise restricted content, and the updated value of the amount of points in the user&#39;s  801  account. This message is sent from back end interface  1710  to API  1708  on affiliate servers  1701 . API  1708  then retrieves the specific content  1709  that browser  1502  has requested access to. Affiliate servers  1701  then send this requested content to browser  1502 , along with the updated number of points in the account of user  801 . Browser  1502  then renders the content, and in-browser frame  1707  updates the number of points in the account of user  801  in a manner that is visible to user  801 . 
     If the query is sent to API  1708  installed on affiliate servers  1701  that contains the request for website content  1709 , but is missing either a randomly assigned identification or a cryptographic hash, then the API will in a preferred embodiment respond with a message asking the web surfer to log in to use the present invention. If a query of standard and expected format is sent to API  1708  that does not correspond to an authenticated user  801 , then back end interface  1710  will, after the authentication test fails, respond to API  1708  to indicate the failure. If the original query would have also earned the would-be user points, no points are awarded because the original query did not correspond to an authenticated user. If the original query requested access to restricted content, no access is granted. The API will respond appropriately by responding to the original query indicating no change in points in any account, and allowing access only to non-restricted content. 
     Affiliate servers  1701  may have content  1711  available to web surfers who are not logged in as users  801 , as well as users  801  who are presently logged in. This content  1711  does not interact with API  1708 , or operator servers  1702 , does not differentiate logged in users  801  from other web surfers in any manner, and is generally conventional content provided by the affiliates that are not affiliated with the present invention, similar to content on any other server in the external network who is not an affiliate server and is not affiliated with the operator of the present invention in any manner. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , a preferred embodiment of the present invention may allow the necessary communication between the affiliate servers  1701 , operator servers  1702 , and a user&#39;s device  103  through an alternative method that increases the use of affiliate servers  1701  and reduces the use of operator servers  1702 . In some circumstances, this alternative method may be desirable over the method described above relative to  FIG. 17 . 
     In this method, it is much more easily allowable that user  801  will have his Uniform Resource Locator read as a web address that begins with the domain name of the affiliate&#39;s website, as opposed to the domain name of the operator&#39;s website. Another key difference in this method is that operator servers  1702  likely have less traffic to handle, which may be desirable, as well as a smaller amount of data to store in operator&#39;s servers  1702 . In turn, affiliate servers  1701  must employ a larger API  1708 , and will likely have more traffic to handle. This alternative method is primarily achieved by including a standard software package  1801  in the API  1708  on affiliate servers  1701 , in addition to a different standard software package  1802  that is stored on operator&#39;s servers  1702 , as opposed to keeping the aforementioned standard software package  1704  that is used in the method described by  FIG. 17 , on operator servers  1702 . 
     In this method, a logged in user may still navigate browser  1502  to any website on the external network  103  that user  801  wishes. If user  801  navigates to a website containing an application programming interface (API)  1708  managed by affiliate servers  1701 , a similar system of interactions is initiated. API  1708  must have been given to the affiliate by the operator earlier, for this method of implementing an embodiment of the present invention. 
     First, to initiate this system of interactions, browser  1502  sends a query to API  1708  installed on affiliate servers  1701  in order to request content. API  1708  then uploads a first standard software package  1801  to the web surfer&#39;s device, which must contain user side in-browser logic program  1803 , dependencies  1804 , and in-browser frame  1805 . When run, software package  1801  downloads to device  103  of user  801  second standard software package  1802 , which also contains user side in-browser logic program  1806 , dependencies  1807 , and an in-browser frame  1808 . Though software packages  1801 - 1802  contain the same general kinds of elements, the elements themselves differ in that they support different respective tasks. Browser  1502  then uses the two software packages  1801 - 1802  to render two different in-browser frames  1707 . First software package  1801  causes large in-browser frame  1707  to appear in the browser window, taking up all of the space in the browser window except where toolbar  1501  is located. Second software package  1802  causes a small in-browser frame  1707  to appear in the browser window that is toolbar  1501 . The large in-browser frame  1707  contains the rest of the accessed content of the website targeted by the user. 
     The specific content that is accessed and placed in large in-browser frame  1707  is determined by the nature of the original query, the authenticity of user  801 , and the number of points in the account of user  801 , in the manner described above relative to  FIG. 17 . The relevant differences in this method are relative to what tasks each server is performing in order to produce the same ultimate results. In this method, toolbar&#39;s  1501  of in-browser frame  1707  queries back end interface  1710  directly to refresh any of the elements in toolbar  1501 , such as with the textual content of messages, or an updated value of the number of points in the account of user  801 . 
     The connection of browser&#39;s  1502  to back end interface  1710  through in-browser frame  1707  contained in second software package  1802 , a downloadable first software package  1801 , the functionality of software package  1704  being split between the two other software packages  1801 - 1802 , and the storing of one of software packages  1801  in API  1708  on affiliate servers  1701 , are the fundamental differences between this presently described method and the one previously described with reference to  FIG. 17 . 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, activity of users  801  are tracked while users  801  are both having points vended to them by vendor affiliates and when users  801  are redeeming points with redeemer affiliates. Effectively, any action that could be taken by the interface device of user  801  could be used to trigger point transactions. In general, affiliates will be the parties that dictate what event(s) will trigger point transactions according to their own motivations and what they would like to accomplish with a user&#39;s time and attention. 
     Some examples of events that may trigger point transactions for vendors  1003  include: a user  801  “clicking” on internal content  1709  in a vendor website that allows vendors  1003  to vend in such a way to as to incentivize user  801  interaction with vendor content  1709 ; a user  801  spending a certain amount of time on a vendor website; or a user  801  navigating to a different webpage on the vendor website. Vendors  1003  could give out points for specified interaction, on a per time basis, or on a pages viewed basis. For example, relative to time spent by a user on vendor websites, vendors  1003  could give out points at a high rate for the first ten minutes and at a diminished rate after the first ten minutes have past. The vendors  1003  could give out points according to an opposite rate as well, or give out a high amount of points for a specified interaction of user  801 , and less for normally viewing any additional page, or according to nearly any other methodology that vendors  1003  may desire. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a number of different events could be used to trigger point transactions between a user and a vendor. Events that can be used to trigger such point transactions are limited only by the ability of a vendor to interact with a user interface of a network enabled user device. 
     Some examples of events that could trigger point transactions for redeemers  1005  include: users “clicking” on internal content in a redeemer website, thus requiring the user to pay points to interact with a redeemer website; users spending a certain amount of time on a redeemer website, again requiring the user to pay points to view a redeemer website; redeemer  1005  could redeem points on a flat point-per-time basis; redeemer  1005  could redeem points according to how long a user has been at their website; redeemers could leverage different types of content by requiring the user payment and redeemer receipt of different amounts of points for viewing different internal content; redeemers  1005  could receive points from user  801  when the user first visits the redeemer&#39;s content; redeemer  1005  could receive points upon providing a particular service to user  801 ; or redeemers  1005  could receive points upon providing a product to a user  801 , including files downloadable to the user&#39;s network enabled device. For example, redeemers  1005  could give out points at a high rate for the first ten minutes and at a diminished rate after the first ten minutes have past. Redeemers  1005  could give out points according to an opposite rate as well, or give out a high amount of points for a specified interaction of user  801 , and less for normally viewing any additional page, or according to nearly any other methodology the redeemers  1005  may desire. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a number of different events could be used to trigger point transactions between a user and a redeemer. Events that can be used to trigger such point transactions are limited only by the ability of a redeemer to interact with a user interface of a network enabled user device. 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , message  1901  format of data  1902  sent by and between the various servers and network enabled devices  103  used in the present invention is designed, in general, for efficient generation and processing. Data  1902  is preferably transmitted in a form that may be readily processed by the various computing equipment, firmware and software implementing the present invention. Such computer equipment includes, but is not necessarily limited to; network routers, servers, network enabled devices  103 , web browsers  1502 , browser based logic programs, compiled code, and interpreted code. A preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes text-based format  1903  used for messaging. 
     Such text-based format  1903  has within it many different subsections  1904 . Each subsection  1904  is identified with a special set of alpha-numeric characters  1905 . This special set of alpha-numeric characters  1905  is composed of a string of characters  1905  which would not normally appear in common text. Examples of such non-standard characters  1905  in strings include but are not necessarily limited to; “&lt;datafile version:1.00; year:2010:&gt;” or “(variable name=time∥variable value=12:30 pm)”. By using such structured sets of generally human-readable data  1902  stored in text-based format  1903 , developer or operator  1001  of the present invention can readily visually inspect data  1902  being sent by and between all electronic and computer equipment responsible for running and maintaining the present invention, without the requirement for complex data analyzers. Moreover, the use of such structured sets of relatively human-readable data  1902  stored in text-based format  1903  permits all electronic and computer equipment systems involved in the present invention to relatively easily extract data  1902 , as such structured data  1902  contains many regular patterns  1906 . In turn, regular patterns  1906  allow electronic and computer equipment to access and manipulate any data  1902  stored in such a relatively human-readable text-based message  1901 . 
     An example of what such text-based message  1901  may contain as data  1902  includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the following: user name, date, type of point transaction, number of points used in transaction, destination, location of sender, function call, numbers, account information, pin numbers, etc. 
     Of course, any number of different messaging formats may alternatively be employed in the present invention. Moreover any number of different types of data, variable names, structures, characters, character sets, fonts, font sizes, font colors, emoticons, concatenations, message lengths, file names, file extensions, encoding systems, encryption systems, programming languages, spoken languages, justifications, arrangements, arguments, markup languages, printing languages, calendars, counting systems, enumerations, categorizations, alphabetizations, could likewise be used in the present invention.