US6061658A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Prospective customer selection using customer and market reference data
Assignee: Google LLC
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Filing: 1998-05-14
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Granted: 2000-05-09
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Expires: 2018-05-14
Abstract
Abstract Prospective customers may be selected for target making with respect to a particular product and market without the need to conduct designed marketing campaigns. A computer implemented process applies data mining techniques to databases containing records representing customer and overall market populations for the purpose of selecting market segments and prospective customers for targeted marketing.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul B. Chou
- 👤 Edna Grossman
- 👤 Dimitrios Gunopulos
- 👤 Pasumarti V. Kamesam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:20
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0201; G06Q30/0204; G06Q30/0241; G06Q30/0247; G06Q30/0251; G06Q30/0254; G06Q30/0269; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A computer implemented method of selecting customers comprising the steps of: selecting a reference market population; inputting demographic data on a multiplicity of households in a reference market population; selecting a customer population; inputting demographic data on a multiplicity of customers in a customer population; inputting a variable identifier to each of said multiplicity of customers in said customer population and to each of said multiplicity of households of said reference market population; sorting said demographic data on said multiplicity of households and said multiplicity of customers by a multiplicity of segments, each said segment representing one or more demographic characteristics; and calculating a statistical score representing each of said segments from a ratio comparing an amount of said multiplicity of said customers to an amount of said multiplicity of said households, and using said statistical score to select a group of households from said reference market population.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A computer implemented method of selecting customers comprising the steps of: selecting a reference market population; inputting demographic data on a multiplicity of households in a reference market population; selecting a customer population; inputting demographic data on a multiplicity of customers in a customer population; inputting a variable identifier to each of said multiplicity of customers in said customer population and to each of said multiplicity of households of said reference market population; sorting said demographic data on said multiplicity of households and said multiplicity of customers by a multiplicity of segments, each said segment representing one or more demographic characteristics; and calculating a statistical score representing each of said segments from a ratio comparing an amount of said multiplicity of said customers to an amount of said multiplicity of said households, and using said statistical score to select a group of households from said reference market population.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer implemented method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying the statistical score and prospect records based on the statistical score.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer implemented method as in claim 1, wherein said step of calculating a score includes the steps of: determining a percentage of said customers represented in each segment; and determining a percentage of said households represented in each segment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer implemented method as in claim 1 wherein said demographic characteristics are determined by a user's customer records.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
119 words
The computer implemented method as in claim 1 further comprising the steps of: sorting said segments by said score; computing an amount of each of said multiplicity of customers for each of said segments; for each of said segments, summing an amount of said multiplicity of customers covered by segments with scores bounded by score of said segment; computing an amount of each of said multiplicity of reference records for each of said segments; for each of said segments, summing an amount of said multiplicity of reference records covered by segments with scores bounded by score of said segment; selecting segments based on a threshold score; and determining a target market based on a characteristic of said selected segments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer implemented method as in claim 5, wherein said step of sorting said segments is by ascending score.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer implemented method as in claim 5, wherein said step of sorting said segments is by descending score.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
151 words
A computer system for selecting customers comprising: an input device for inputting demographic data on a multiplicity of households in a reference market population and demographic data on a multiplicity of customers in a customer population and inputting a variable identifier to each of said multiplicity of customers in said customer population and to each of said multiplicity of households of the reference population; a central processor for sorting said demographic data on said multiplicity of households and said multiplicity of customers by a multiplicity segments, each said segment representing one or more demographic characteristics, said central processor further calculating a statistical score representing each of said segments from a ratio comparing an amount of said multiplicity of said customers to an amount of said multiplicity of said households; and an output device responsive to said central processor for displaying the statistical score and prospect records based on the statistical score.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
151 words
A computer system for selecting customers comprising: an input device for inputting demographic data on a multiplicity of households in a reference market population and demographic data on a multiplicity of customers in a customer population and inputting a variable identifier to each of said multiplicity of customers in said customer population and to each of said multiplicity of households of the reference population; a central processor for sorting said demographic data on said multiplicity of households and said multiplicity of customers by a multiplicity segments, each said segment representing one or more demographic characteristics, said central processor further calculating a statistical score representing each of said segments from a ratio comparing an amount of said multiplicity of said customers to an amount of said multiplicity of said households; and an output device responsive to said central processor for displaying the statistical score and prospect records based on the statistical score.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-09 | 2003-11-08 | 2004-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-09 | 2007-11-08 | 2008-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-09 | 2011-11-08 | 2012-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |