US Patent:
20020077930, Jun 20, 2002
Inventors:
Philip Trubey - Rancho Santa Fe CA, US
William Sutjiadi - San Diego CA, US
Robert Millar - San Diego CA, US
Mindy Bortness - San Diego CA, US
Michael Herndon - San Diego CA, US
International Classification:
G06F017/60
Abstract:
A networked system including a merchandising site for merchandising products to users who access the network via a browser. Content sites insert a request code in their web page so that when a user opens the page, a request is made for a palette from the merchandising site. A palette is served including products selected by the merchandising site that contextually relate to the web page and/or the content site. If the user selects a product, the user is connected with an on-line merchant, and a tag indicates a commission payable to the merchandising site. If a commission is paid to the merchandising site, then a portion is paid to the content site. The merchandising site provides tools to assist Buyers and Merchandisers, including smart tags used for purposes such as facilitating retrieval of product information and regularly updating the actionable products database.