Inventors:
Paul A. Sharon - Marlborough MA
James H. Fitch - Jamaica Plain MA
International Classification:
G06F 1730
Abstract:
A network on which personal ads are stored for distribution to a client includes at least one call center on which the personal ads are entered, at least one ad response machine on which responses to the ads are stored and an ad taking system including a processor and a database. The database includes an identifier of each client, the text of the personal ads to be distributed to each client and a profile of each client. The client profile includes a list of personal ad parameters and a weight associated with each such parameter. Ads are distributed to the client in an order based on the weight assigned to each parameter applicable to the ad. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the weights are verified with statistics of the productivity of recently published ads in eliciting responses, with such statistics being obtained over the network from an ad response machine servicing the client. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, at least one box pool for each client is stored in the database and includes box numbers and security codes available for advertisers to access ad responses and the processor is operative to ensure that a predetermined minimum number of box numbers and security codes remain available for each client.