US6070145A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Respondent selection method for network-based survey
Assignee: IPSOS-INSIGHT Inc
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Filing: 1996-07-12
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Granted: 2000-05-30
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Expires: 2016-07-12
Abstract
Abstract The method for conducting a survey of users of an information document site located on a computer network includes embedding computer program instructions into an information document located at the site, where the instructions invoke a survey program, launching the survey program when a user accesses the information document, and activating the survey according to offering criteria based upon either a random or systematic participant selection. The method selects a survey participant from the users of the information document and then offers the participant an opportunity to access the survey by presenting the survey to the participant.
Inventors
- 👤 David B. Pinsley
- 👤 Steven R. Coffey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:32
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0201; G06Q30/0203; G06Q30/0207; G06Q30/0217
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for conducting a survey of users of an information document site located on a computer network, comprising the steps of: embedding computer program instructions into an information document located at an information document site, wherein the instructions invoke a survey program; receiving requests for the information document from a plurality of users; selecting survey candidates from the plurality of users by using a predetermined offering criterion; transmitting the information document to the plurality of users who are not survey candidates; offering survey candidates an opportunity to participate in a survey; transmitting the information document to survey candidates who decline the opportunity; transmitting a survey document to survey candidates who accept the opportunity; and transmitting the information document to survey candidates who answer the survey document.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for conducting a survey of users of an information document site located on a computer network, comprising the steps of: embedding computer program instructions into an information document located at an information document site, wherein the instructions invoke a survey program; receiving requests for the information document from a plurality of users; selecting survey candidates from the plurality of users by using a predetermined offering criterion; transmitting the information document to the plurality of users who are not survey candidates; offering survey candidates an opportunity to participate in a survey; transmitting the information document to survey candidates who decline the opportunity; transmitting a survey document to survey candidates who accept the opportunity; and transmitting the information document to survey candidates who answer the survey document.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: offering the participant an inducement to accept the opportunity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of: allowing a participant that is not induced access to the information document.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2, wherein: the inducement is a reward.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of: recording information about the participant for delivery of the reward upon completion of the survey.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2, wherein: the inducement is a request for assistance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the offering criterion is based upon a random method.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the offering criterion is based upon a systematic method.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the computer network is an open global network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9, wherein: the information document is a world wide Web page.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 10, wherein: the Web page is in HTML format.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the survey program is located on the computer network remote from the site.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for conducting a survey of users of an information document site located on a computer, comprising the steps of: embedding computer program instructions into an information document located in a computer, wherein the instructions invoke a survey program; receiving requests for the information document from a plurality of users; selecting survey candidates from the plurality of users by using a predetermined offering criterion; presenting the information document to the plurality of users who are not survey candidates; offering survey candidates an opportunity to participate in a survey; presenting the information document to survey candidates who decline the opportunity; presenting a survey document to survey candidates who accept the opportunity; and presenting the information document to survey candidates who answer the survey document.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for conducting a survey of users of an information document site located on a computer, comprising the steps of: embedding computer program instructions into an information document located in a computer, wherein the instructions invoke a survey program; receiving requests for the information document from a plurality of users; selecting survey candidates from the plurality of users by using a predetermined offering criterion; presenting the information document to the plurality of users who are not survey candidates; offering survey candidates an opportunity to participate in a survey; presenting the information document to survey candidates who decline the opportunity; presenting a survey document to survey candidates who accept the opportunity; and presenting the information document to survey candidates who answer the survey document.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for conducting a survey of users of an information document site located on a computer, comprising the steps of: receiving requests for the information document from a plurality of users; selecting survey candidates from the plurality of users by using a predetermined offering criterion; presenting the information document to the plurality of users who are not survey candidates; offering survey candidates an opportunity to participate in a survey; presenting the information document to survey candidates who decline the opportunity; presenting a survey document to survey candidates who accept the opportunity; and presenting the information document to survey candidates who answer the survey document.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for conducting a survey of users of an information document site located on a computer, comprising the steps of: receiving requests for the information document from a plurality of users; selecting survey candidates from the plurality of users by using a predetermined offering criterion; presenting the information document to the plurality of users who are not survey candidates; offering survey candidates an opportunity to participate in a survey; presenting the information document to survey candidates who decline the opportunity; presenting a survey document to survey candidates who accept the opportunity; and presenting the information document to survey candidates who answer the survey document.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
104 words
A system for conducting a survey of users of an information document site located on a computer network, comprising: computer program instructions embedded into an information document located at the site; a survey program that is invoked by the instructions and launched when a user accesses the information document over the computer network; an offering criterion within the survey program for selectively denoting a user as a survey candidate; a survey opportunity document for transmission to the survey candidate; a survey document; and a decision program for transmitting the survey document only to a survey candidate that responds positively to the survey opportunity document.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
104 words
A system for conducting a survey of users of an information document site located on a computer network, comprising: computer program instructions embedded into an information document located at the site; a survey program that is invoked by the instructions and launched when a user accesses the information document over the computer network; an offering criterion within the survey program for selectively denoting a user as a survey candidate; a survey opportunity document for transmission to the survey candidate; a survey document; and a decision program for transmitting the survey document only to a survey candidate that responds positively to the survey opportunity document.
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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) | 2003-05-30 | 2003-11-29 | 2004-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-30 | 2007-11-29 | 2008-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-30 | 2011-11-29 | 2012-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |