(12) United States Patent
`Hamlin et al.
`
`USOO6477504B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,477,504 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`AUTOMATING THE CONDUCT OF
`SURVEYS OVER A NETWORKSYSTEM
`(75) Inventors: Charles B. Hamlin, Southport, CT
`(US); LeRoy Smith, Jr., New York,
`NY (US)
`(73) Assignee: IX, Inc., Greenwich, CT (US)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/034,774
`1-1.
`(22) Filed:
`Mar. 2, 1998
`(51) Int. Cl." ................................................ G06F 17/60
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................. 705/10. 705/1705/7.
`348/1; 348/2; 455/2; 709/217, 707/104;
`707/506; 707/507
`(58) Field of Search ................... 705/1, 10, 7; 345/333,
`345/524; 364/71007, 468.16,468.15. 710/10,
`102,506, 507; 707/506,104, 507; 348/1
`s
`s
`s
`2. 455/2: 70921,
`s
`s
`
`(56)
`
`EP
`EP
`EP
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,297.250 A 3/1994 Leroy et al. ................ 345/333
`5,619,558 A * 4/1997 Jheeta ..........
`... 379/92.01
`5,701,400 A 12/1997 Amado ........................ 706/45
`5,701,451 A : 12/1997 Rogers et al. ................. 707/1
`SE A : 18
`t et al. ....................7OS
`- - - -
`2Y------ a
`OOPer . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`5,848,397 A * 12/1998 Marsh et al. ................. 705/14
`5,862,325 A * 1/1999 Reed et al. .......
`... 709/201
`5,893,098 A
`4/1999 Peters et al. .................. 707/10
`6,189,029 B1
`2/2001 Fuerst. 709/217
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`148 457
`6/1991
`A2 703 540
`9/1995
`O 703 540 A * 3/1996 ........... GO6F/17/60
`
`DISPLAY
`112
`
`NJTEVICE
`14
`
`CURSOR
`CONTROL
`116
`
`
`
`
`
`WO
`WO
`
`3/1996
`WO96/08779
`2/1999
`WO99/07144
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`“World Wide Web Survey Assistant-Software for Internet
`Surveys & Tests,” Internet article. pp. 1-32, Sep. 1997.*
`“Surveytool 1.0 User's Guide, Part No. 801-5059–01, Revi
`sion 2.0” Surveytool 1.0 User's Guide, Mar. 1, 1993,
`XPOO2O73635.
`“Informative, The Real-Time Information Network, Sur
`veybuilder.com, retrieval date Mar. 16, 2000.
`“Informative, The Real-Time Information Network,' infor
`mative.com/survey builder/benefits.html, retrieval date
`Feb. 29, 2000.
`“Informative, The Real-Time Information Network, Sur
`veybuilder.com/survey builder/how it works.html,
`retrieval date Mar. 16, 2000.
`" Archives-Corporate PC,” computercurrents.com/maga
`Zine/national/1609/crpc 1609.html, retriveal date Feb. 29,
`2000.
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`Primary Examiner Emanuel Todd Voeltz
`Assistant Examiner-Raquel Alvarez
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hickman Palermo Truong
`& Becker LLP, Brian D. Hickman
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A method and apparatus for automating Surveys over a
`network System causes an interface to be displayed to a
`particular client of the network System. This interface can be
`used by the particular client to define a Survey. In response
`to the client interacting with the interface, a Sequence of
`StepS is automatically performed. The Sequence of Steps
`s sts T:
`O so received
`over t C networ System rom the particular client interact
`ing with the interface; fielding the Survey to a group of target
`users on the network System; gathering results of from
`network users participating in the Survey, and providing the
`particular client, Over Said network System, with data that
`reflects the results of the Survey.
`
`90 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`128
`
`126
`
`NETWORK
`
`Instacart, Ex. 1055
`
`1
`
`

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`US 6,477,504 B1
`Page 2
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`“Computer Magazine Archive,” http://cma.Zdnet.com/texis/
`cma/cma/+urve 5yOXFqtvX9vKKDZmwwwm1 Fonh . .
`.
`/display.htm retrieval date Feb. 9, 2000.
`“Infotrieve Onlin,’ infotrieve.com, retrieval date Mar. 16,
`2OOO.
`“ClickToMarket Home Page,” clicktomarket.com/home
`.html, retrieval date Mar. 16, 2000.
`**)*4/7–7 BuyDomains.com 7–74/*)*,” digitalsolution
`sinc.com/virt host.cgi, retrieval date Mar. 16, 2000.
`“Interactive Survey,” interactivesurvey.com, retrival date
`Mar. 16, 2000.
`“Do-It-Yourself Surveys,” busreslab.com/ev.htm, retrieval
`date Mar. 16, 2000.
`“Automated Service for Internet Surveys Ushers in New Era
`of Fast, Easy and Affordable Market Research; Eliminates
`Need for Survey Software, Programming and Administra
`tion,” Feb. 25, 1998, Sausalito, CA, Surveybuilder.com.
`“World Wide Web Survey Assistant-Software for Internet
`Surveys & Test, psychology.dal.ca/~wcS/hidden/home.ht
`ml.retrieval date Jul. 5, 2000.
`“Online and disk-by-mail surveys, Senecio Software Inc.,
`ePoll, CATI, CAPI, FloStat, cyber .
`. .” Senecio.com/,
`retrieval date Jul. 5, 2000.
`RaoSoft Product Information, raosoft.com/products/in
`dex.html, retrieval date Jul. 5, 2000.
`MessageMedia Home Page, meSSagemedia.com/, retrieval
`date Jul. 5, 2000.
`
`“Simple Surveys,” wSmart.com/simply Surveys/, retrieval
`date Jul. 5, 2000.
`“Computerizing test, assessments, tutorials and Surveys with
`Question Mark,' questionmark.com/, retrieval date Jul. 5,
`2OOO.
`“Informative, The Real-Time Information Network,”
`retrieval date Mar. 16, 2000.
`“Informative, The Real-Time Information Network,”
`retrieval date Feb. 29, 2000.
`“Informative, The Real-Time Information Network,”
`retrieval date Mar. 16, 2000.
`http://www.computercur
`“Archives-Corporate
`PC,”
`rents.com/magazine/national/1609/crpc 1609.html, retriveal
`date Feb. 29, 2000.
`“Computer Magazine Archive,” retrieval date Feb. 29, 2000.
`“Infortrieve Onlin,” retrieval date Mar. 16, 2000.
`“ClickToMarket Home Page,” retrieval date Mar. 16, 2000.
`**)*4/7–7 BuyDomains.com 7–74/*)*,” retrieval date
`Mar. 16, 2000.
`“Interactive Survey,” retrieval date Mar. 16, 2000.
`“Do-It-Yourself Surveys,” retrieval date Mar. 16, 2000.
`“Automated Service for Internet Surveys Ushers in New Era
`of Fast, Easy and Affordable Market Research; Eliminates
`Need for Survey Software, Programming and Administra
`tion,” Feb. 25, 1998, Sausalito, CA.
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
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`US 6,477,504 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov.5, 2002
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`Sheet 2 of 7
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`US 6,477,504 B1
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
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`US 6,477,504 B1
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`Figure 2B: Example Top-Level Interface Page
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 6,477,504 B1
`
`Figure 3: Example laterface Page to Generate Questionaires
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 6,477,504 B1
`
`Figure 4: Example f Question Types
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 6,477,504 B1
`
`Figure 5: Example Real-Time Pricing Interface Page
`
`8.
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`38
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 6,477,504 B1
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`

`US 6,477,504 B1
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`AUTOMATING THE CONDUCT OF
`SURVEYS OVER A NETWORKSYSTEM
`
`2
`as printing Surveys, addressing envelopes, Stuffing enve
`lopes with the Survey, depositing Surveys into a mail System,
`and then waiting for the target group to mail back responses.
`Once the responses are received, they are processed, coded,
`and entered into a computer to be analyzed. The analyzed
`data is then interpreted and reported back to the client.
`A drawback associated with conducting research using
`mail is that it generally takes eight to twelve weeks from the
`time a project is initiated to its completion. In many cases,
`this delay is prohibitively long and unacceptable in today's
`competitive market where busineSS decisions often have to
`be made in dayS-not weeks. In addition, the cost of
`producing, printing, and mailing Surveys as well as analyZ
`ing the results of the Survey can impose a Substantial
`financial burden on many clients.
`One approach to reducing the excessive delays that are
`inherent with mail SurveyS is to conduct Surveys using
`telephone Services. Conducting SurveyS Via the telephone
`Service minimizes the delays associated with mail, but the
`cost of hiring quality interviewers makes telephone Survey
`ing very expensive, thus imposing a Substantial financial
`burden on many clients.
`A third medium used for collecting Survey data is
`in-perSon interviewing. AS with telephone, the cost of
`in-perSon interviewing can be extremely costly, thus impos
`ing an even higher financial burden on many clients.
`A fourth and emerging medium for conducting research is
`the Internet and other networks. While they offer advantages
`of Speed and lower costs, they reach a Small percentage of
`the consumer and business public (approximately 25% of
`households and 30% of business) making it difficult to cost
`effectively find and interview targeted consumerS and cus
`tomerS.
`Finally, the time and cost of conducting research are often
`increased by the number of people and Steps involved in the
`traditional research processes. Clients must often work
`through time consuming and expensive research bureaucra
`cies, engage outside Specialists or resources, find targeted
`respondents, and then wait for Surveys to be created, fielded,
`and processed. The long Sought after ideal of having busi
`neSS decision makers be in close and timely contact with
`their markets is thwarted by traditional Systems, methods,
`organizations and norms.
`It is clearly desirable to provide mechanisms and pro
`ceSSes that decision makers and researchers alike can use to
`both quickly and economically reach out and understand the
`behaviors, opinions and attitudes of consumers and custom
`erS in today's competitive and fast moving market place.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`According to one aspect of the invention, a method and
`apparatus for automating the conduct of Surveys over a
`network System is provided.
`According to the method, an automated Survey mecha
`nism causes an interface to be displayed to a client which
`allows the particular client to define a Survey. In response to
`the client interacting with the interface, a Sequence of Steps
`is automatically performed. The Sequence of Steps includes
`generating a Survey based on information received over Said
`network System from Said interface, fielding the Survey to a
`group of target users on the network System; gathering
`results of the Survey; and providing the particular client with
`data that reflects the results over Said network System.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The present invention is illustrated by way of example,
`and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accom
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to a method and apparatus
`for automating the conduct of Surveys over a network
`System.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Before proceeding with a particular product, Service,
`Strategy, or tactic, it is often desirable to obtain information
`about the behaviors, opinions, and attitudes of the market
`place. These data will often help predict if potential cus
`tomers will be interested in acquiring the product or Service
`or how they may react to a given Strategy or tactic.
`Research plays an important role in understanding the
`current and future wants, needs, and behaviors of the mar
`ketplace. It is often applied in business-to-busineSS and
`business-to-consumer applications. As a result, many com
`panies invest a Significant amount of money, time, and
`resources in market research programs.
`Typically, if someone (a "client”) requires a better under
`Standing of the market place, they will obtain information
`using an in-house market research department, an out-of
`house third party market research firm, or both.
`To obtain the requested information, individuals within
`research groups typically perform a Series of linked StepS.
`For example, these Steps may include:
`(1) working with the client to define the problem;
`(2) designing a research instrument (i.e. a Survey);
`(3) creating the research instrument (writing/producing
`the Survey);
`(4) fielding the instrument using mail, telephone,
`in-perSon or Internet-based media;
`(5) processing the data obtained and analyzing the results;
`and
`(6) generating a report of findings for the client.
`In defining the business problem, a client generally speci
`fies a Set of parameters that defines the information the client
`needs to know, a particular target group of interest, a time
`frame, and a cost for the conduct of the research. For
`example, a client may want to know within three weeks, the
`flavor of toothpaste that is most liked by kids between the
`ages of Six and thirteen.
`Understanding the needs of the client, the market research
`professional or company develops a research Solution to
`obtain the necessary information within the client's given
`constraints. The research Solution typically involves a Series
`of Steps that may include creating a Survey instruments and
`fielding to Several hundred people by phone or mail to better
`understand the needs, behaviors, attitudes and opinions of
`the client's targeted group.
`In general, market research is conducted using one or
`more of the following communication media:
`(1) Mail
`(2) Telephone
`(3) In-person
`(4) Networks including the Internet, e-mail and the World
`Wide Web
`Using the first method, the research group mails Surveys
`to a predetermined number of people who fall within the
`target group. This method of Surveying includes Such steps
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`US 6,477,504 B1
`
`3
`panying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
`Similar elements and in which:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer System upon
`which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented;
`FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a computer System context;
`FIG. 2B is an example of a top-level interface page in
`accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is an example of an interface page that can be used
`by the user to generate questions and responses in defining
`a Survey,
`FIG. 4 is an example of different response types that may
`be associated with a particular question in accordance with
`the present invention; and
`FIG. 5 is an example of the real-time pricing capability
`asSociated with the invention.
`FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram for automating a Survey
`over a network System in accordance with the present
`invention.
`
`15
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`4
`one embodiment of the invention, the automation of Surveys
`over a network system is provided by computer system 100
`in response to processor 104 executing one or more
`Sequences of one or more instructions contained in main
`memory 106. Such instructions may be read into main
`memory 106 from another computer-readable medium, such
`as Storage device 110. Execution of the Sequences of instruc
`tions contained in main memory 106 causes processor 104
`to perform the process Steps described herein. In alternative
`embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of
`or in combination with Software instructions to implement
`the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not
`limited to any Specific combination of hardware circuitry
`and Software.
`The term “computer-readable medium' as used herein
`refers to any medium that participates in providing instruc
`tions to processor 104 for execution. Such a medium may
`take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile
`media, Volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile
`media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks, Such
`as storage device 110. Volatile media includes dynamic
`memory, Such as main memory 106. Transmission media
`includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, includ
`ing the wires that comprise buS 102. Transmission media can
`also take the form of acoustic or light waves, Such as those
`generated during radio-wave and infra-red data communi
`cations.
`Common forms of computer-readable media include, for
`example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic
`tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other
`optical medium, punchcards, papertape, any other physical
`medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and
`EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or
`cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any
`other medium from which a computer can read.
`Various forms of computer readable media may be
`involved in carrying one or more Sequences of one or more
`instructions to processor 104 for execution. For example, the
`instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a
`remote computer. The remote computer can load the instruc
`tions into its dynamic memory and Send the instructions over
`a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer
`system 100 can receive the data on the telephone line and
`use an infra-red transmitter to convert the data to an infra-red
`Signal. An infra-red detector can receive the data carried in
`the infra-red signal and appropriate circuitry can place the
`data on bus 102. Bus 102 carries the data to main memory
`106, from which processor 104 retrieves and executes the
`instructions. The instructions received by main memory 106
`may optionally be stored on storage device 110 either before
`or after execution by processor 104.
`Computer system 100 also includes a communication
`interface 118 coupled to bus 102. Communication interface
`118 provides a two-way data communication coupling to a
`network link 120 that is connected to a local network 122.
`For example, communication interface 118 may be an inte
`grated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem to
`provide a data communication connection to a correspond
`ing type of telephone line. AS another example, communi
`cation interface 118 may be a local area network (LAN) card
`to provide a data communication connection to a compatible
`LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such
`implementation, communication interface 118 Sends and
`receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical Signals that
`carry digital data Streams representing various types of
`information.
`Network link 120 typically provides data communication
`through one or more networks to other data devices. For
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`A method and apparatus for automating Surveys over a
`network System is described. In the following description,
`for the purposes of explanation, numerous Specific details
`are Set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the
`present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one
`skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced
`without these specific details. In other instances, well-known
`Structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to
`avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.
`Hardware Overview
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer
`system 100 upon which an embodiment of the invention
`may be implemented. Computer system 100 includes a bus
`102 or other communication mechanism for communicating
`information, and a processor 104 coupled with bus 102 for
`processing information. Computer System 100 also includes
`a main memory 106, Such as a random access memory
`(RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to bus 102
`for Storing information and instructions to be executed by
`processor 104. Main memory 106 also may be used for
`Storing temporary variables or other intermediate informa
`tion during execution of instructions to be executed by
`processor 104. Computer system 100 further includes a read
`only memory (ROM) 108 or other static storage device
`coupled to buS 102 for Storing Static information and instruc
`tions for processor 104. A storage device 110, such as a
`magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus
`102 for storing information and instructions.
`Computer system 100 may be coupled via bus 102 to a
`display 112, Such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying
`information to a computer user. An input device 114, includ
`ing alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to buS 102 for
`communicating information and command Selections to
`processor 104. Another type of user input device is cursor
`control 116, Such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction
`keys for communicating direction information and com
`60
`mand Selections to processor 104 and for controlling cursor
`movement on display 112. This input device typically has
`two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., X) and
`a Second axis (e.g., y), that allows the device to specify
`positions in a plane.
`The invention is related to the use of computer system 100
`for automating Surveys over a network System. According to
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`S
`example, network link 120 may provide a connection
`through local network 122 to a host computer 124 or to data
`equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
`126. ISP 126 in turn provides data communication services
`through the Worldwide packet data communication network
`now commonly referred to as the “Internet' 128. Local
`network 122 and Internet 128 both use electrical, electro
`magnetic or optical signals that carry digital data Streams.
`The Signals through the various networks and the Signals on
`network link 120 and through communication interface 118,
`which carry the digital data to and from computer System
`100, are exemplary forms of carrier waves transporting the
`information.
`Computer System 100 can Send messages and receive
`data, including program code, through the network(s), net
`work link 120 and communication interface 118. In the
`Internet example, a Server 130 might transmit a requested
`code for an application program through Internet 128, ISP
`126, local network 122 and communication interface 118. In
`accordance with the invention, one Such downloaded appli
`cation provides for automating Surveys over the network
`System as described herein.
`The received code may be executed by processor 104 as
`it is received, and/or Stored in Storage device 110, or other
`non-volatile Storage for later execution. In this manner,
`computer System 100 may obtain application code in the
`form of a carrier wave.
`Functional Overview
`In accordance with the present invention, an automated
`Survey mechanism provides an interface that enables a client
`to define, target, field, and receive results from a particular
`Survey. This interface typically consists of one or more
`individual interfaces that are provided to the client over the
`network System. In certain embodiments, the interfaces are
`provided using HTML page formats and are provided to the
`client via the Internet or other networks. In certain
`embodiments, the interface is presented to the client via Java
`Script, Applets, Word processors, or other Software pro
`grams. By interacting with the interface, the client has the
`ability to define a particular Survey, Select the target audi
`ence for the Survey, learn the price of the Survey, and define
`other pertinent parameters. Once completed, the Survey is
`automatically created and fielded to a particular group of
`network users (target group or respondents) who are connect
`the network System. Results from the Survey are quickly and
`automatically gathered as network users (or respondents)
`complete the Survey. The gathered results are automatically
`processed, analyzed, and data and charts that reflect the
`Survey results are Sent to the client.
`FIG. 2A illustrates in block form an example of the parties
`and systems involved in this context. In FIG. 2A, a client
`280 is coupled either directly or indirectly to the Internet
`252. For example, a client 280 may be connected to Internet
`252 through a local area network, an Internet Service
`Provider, an Online Service Provider such as AOL, a pro
`prietary Server, or any combination thereof. The user client
`280, and the other clients referenced in this description, are
`end Station devices Such as a personal computer,
`WorkStation, network computer, etc. In the preferred
`embodiment, the client 280 and other clients have a proces
`Sor that executes an operating System and a browser program
`under control of the operating System. The browser program
`is an industry-standard World Wide Web browser, such as
`Microsoft Internet Explorer(R), Netscape Navigator(R) or
`NCSA Mosaic.
`Connected to the Internet 252 is a plurality of network
`user clients 274, 276 and 278. By interfacing with network
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`user clients 274, 276 and 278, network users can access,
`display and interact with Web pages that are contained on
`servers that are coupled to Internet 252.
`Through Internet 318, user client 280 and network user
`clients 274,276 and 278 can connect to the Survey conductor
`server 254. Preferably, client 280 and network user clients
`274, 276 and 278 communicate with the Survey conductor
`Server 254 using industry-standard protocols Such as Trans
`mission Control Protocol (TCP), Internet Protocol (IP), and
`Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).
`The Survey conductor server 254 contains a survey
`builder 294, a storage unit 296 and a plurality of Surveys
`256,258 and 260. Survey builder 294 contains interface data
`that defines an interface that can be used to create a Survey.
`For example, if a client requests to define a Survey, the
`Survey builder 294 automatically sends interface data over
`Internet 252 to cause an interface to be displayed on the
`browser executing on user client 280. The client then
`interacts with the interface to create a Survey. The plurality
`of Surveys 256, 258 and 260 represent Surveys that have
`previously been created using Survey builder 294. Storage
`unit 256 is used to store survey results. As network users
`participate in the Surveys, the results are automatically
`stored in the storage unit 296.
`Also coupled to Internet 252 are network severs 262, 264
`and 266 each respectively storing data that defines a set of
`Web pages 286, 288 and 290. The Web pages 286, 288 and
`290 may be defined using a variety of methods and formats
`such as HTML, Java Script, Applets, Word processors, or
`other software programs. Contained within the set of Web
`pages 286,288 and 290 are banners 268,270 and 272 which
`may also be defined using a variety of methods and formats.
`As indicated by the dashed lines, the banners 268, 270 and
`272 contain hypertext links to surveys 256,258 and 260. By
`Selecting a banner, a network user client is automatically
`provided with a corresponding Survey.
`Defining a Survey
`When a client requests a survey be built, the client is
`provided with interface data that causes an interface to be
`displayed on the client's display unit (i.e. computer monitor,
`television Set, etc.). Various mechanisms may be used to
`present the interface to the client. For example, the client
`may execute a locally-Stored program that generates the
`interface, or a dynamically delivered JAVA Applet that
`generates the interface. For the purpose of explanation,
`embodiments of the invention shall be described in which
`the interface is delivered to the client in the form of one or
`more HTML pages. However, the present invention is not
`limited to any particular mechanism for presenting the
`interface to the user.
`Once the client is presented with the interface, the client
`may interact with the interface to perform the Steps of
`(1) defining a Survey
`(2) identifying a target group of network users or respon
`dents for fielding the Survey, the number of required
`responses, and the timeframe for their response);
`(3) calculating the price for the Survey;
`(4) indicating where the Survey result data is to be sent;
`(5) confirming the request and entering pertinent payment
`information.
`FIG. 2B illustrates an example of a top-level interface
`page 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention. As depicted in FIG. 2B, the top-level interface
`contains six buttons 202, 204, 206, 208,210, and 212. Each
`of the six buttons is linked to other interfaces which can be
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`accessed by the client to cause the automation of a Survey
`over the network system. For example, selecting button 202
`causes an interface to be displayed that allows the client to
`enter/Select questions and responses for defining a Survey,
`Selecting button 204 causes an interface to be displayed that
`allows the client to Select a particular target group or
`respondents for fielding the Survey; selecting button 206
`causes the price of the Survey to be displayed to the client,
`facilitating the alteration of Study and pricing parameters,
`selecting button 208 causes an interface to be displayed that
`allows the client to enter a destination to which the results
`of the Survey are to be Sent; Selecting button 210 causes an
`interface to be displayed that allows the client to enter
`payment information for the automated processing of the
`Survey as defined; and Selecting button 212 enables the user
`to execute a process that “walks’ clients through the inter
`faces So that they may easily use the automated Survey
`mechanism.
`FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an interface 300 that is
`displayed when the client Selects button 202, in accordance
`with an embodiment of the invention. In this example,
`interface 300 includes a question entry box 320 that allows
`a client to complete a phrase or enter a question that is to be
`used in defining a survey. Also included in interface 300 are
`exemplary response buttons 302–318. The response buttons
`302-318 correspond to a particular question type that may
`be Selected for the question that is entered in question entry
`box 320.
`To aid the client in developing questions (i.e., choose the
`appropriate question type for the particular issue to be
`addressed, etc.), the client is provided with helpful hints,
`guidelines, and examples. These helpful hints and guidelines
`are typically provided through the use of Suggested question
`types that are frequently used in the field of market research.
`For example, in defining the Survey the client may be
`provided with hints and guidelines for the phrasing of
`questions to limit bias and minimize the risk of offending
`network users, the proper ordering of questions to create a
`logical and easy-to-answer Survey, etc.
`By Selecting a particular question type button, the client
`begins the question definition process. For example, in
`certain embodiments when the client Selects the question
`type button 308 (question type of “Agreement”), the client
`is presented with the introductory phrase:
`“Using the Scale below, please indicate how Strongly you
`agree or disagree with the following Statement: . . . '
`The client may then enter text to complete the question as
`desired. In certain embodiments, the client has the o