Inventors:
Charles M. Brewer - Atlanta GA
Robert Sanders - Atlanta GA
Assignee:
Earthlink, Inc. - Pasadena CA
International Classification:
G06F 1338, G06F 1517
Abstract:
A client software component for a personal computer (PC) interacts with a server of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to require messages, such as advertisements, to be displayed in a particular manner on a display screen of the PC for interaction with a user and reporting user activity. As long as a valid communication connection between the PC and the ISP exists, the PC is forced to display a particular message in a particular fashion. A user will not be allowed to minimize the message, close the message, or hide the message behind other windows on the PC display screen. The messages will also be interactive so that users are able to get more information related to a particular message, such as by automatically browsing to an associated location on the World Wide Web of the Internet. Information related to interaction with the user is also tracked and communicated back to the ISP for storage and reporting. The user is also able to designate message selection criteria, such as expressing an interest in seeing certain types of advertisements.