as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication 0) Pub. No.: US 2005/0209923 Al
`(43) Pub. Date: Sep. 22, 2005
`
`Jablonski et al.
`
`US 20050209923A1
`
`(54) CUSTOM COMPUTER WALLPAPER AND
`MARKETING SYSTEM AND METHOD
`
`(52) US. Ch.
`
`cecesessssssssnstsessssnstnstsesnesnatnessesne 705/14
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Tomas E. Jablonski, Pine, CO (US);
`Richard A. Schmelzer, Boulder, CO
`(US); Robert A. Schmelzer, Boulder,
`CO (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
`2040 MAIN STREET
`FOURTEENTH FLOOR
`IRVINE, CA 92614 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/130,915
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`May17, 2005
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(62) Division of application No. 09/510,500,filed on Feb.
`22, 2000, now Pat. No. 6,920,606.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/121,049,filed on Feb.
`22, 1999.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(SV)
`
`Tint. C07 eeeeeeececcceeeeeeeccssneeeeeeeeteneseennesees GO06F 17/60
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An interactive system and methodis disclosed for providing
`wallpaper or screen saver images for display on the back-
`ground of a personal computer visual display. Wallpaper (or
`screen saver) images may be conveniently located by a
`consumer and downloaded from a wallpaper website for use
`on the desktop of the consumer’s personal computer. A
`clickable icon is incorporated into the wallpaper image or
`overlaid on the wallpaper image. Whenthe icon is clicked on
`using a mouse, or otherwise activated by the consumer, the
`consumer’s personal computeris automatically connected to
`a predetermined location on the Internet. Furthermore, spon-
`sors may market their goods or services to consumers by
`paying a fee to have their clickable icons or advertisements
`incorporated into or overlaid on the wallpaper images. By
`clicking on the clickable icons or advertisements, the con-
`sumer is automatically connected to the sponsor’s website.
`In addition, a number of web sites may beaffiliated with the
`wallpaper site, and consumers who subscribe to the wallpa-
`per site may be able to conveniently purchase products or
`services from these affiliated sites by merely clicking on one
`or more pop-up buttons, or the like, after necessary con-
`sumer information has been given to the wallpaper website.
`
`*
`Sy 5
`
`
`2
`
`38
`
`i
`
`on
`
`7
`
`Cookie File
`
`
`
`48
`Icon Files and URL
`Addresses
`
`60
`
`|Content
`
`35
`
`Preference Om
`34
`
`Consunier
`
`36
`
`Consumer
`Preference Database
`
`.
`
`Download Program
`Server
`Wallpaper WebSite
`
`ms
`24
`29
`
`Wallpaper Imag¢
`ile
`Wallpaper Imagg
`Database
`
`Image Server
`3I
`
`Wallpaper System
`Communication
`
`
`
`
`Network
`
` 0
`
`: 2 ;
`
`Ne
`
`WebSite Server
`
`78
`
`Affiliated sites
`
`Sponsor’s Web Site
`
`50
`
`:
`
`Billing System 58 ComparisonProgram
`
`£47)
`
`Shopping Program:
`
`1
`
`APPLE-1013
`
`coConsumer
`
`35
`
`Preference Form
`
`
`1 Meta
`
`E-mail Server
`
`46
`
`lo-"
`
`1
`
`APPLE-1013
`
`

`

`US 2005/0209923 Al
`
`
`
`wemdoigSuiddoys
`
`hybold
`
`
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`
`Patent Application Publication Sep. 22,2005 Sheet 1 of 5
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`asequyeqs0uelojo1g.
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`Patent Application Publication Sep. 22,2005 Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 2005/0209923 Al
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`3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 22, 2005 Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 2005/0209923 Al
`
`Consumer uses PC to
`access wallpaper system
`website
`
`
`
`0
`W2
`
`
`
`
`Optional search page
`presented to consumerto
`enable consumerto enter
`searchcriteria for desired
`images
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4
`
`~
`
`lg
`
`120
`
`age database searched
`for image files matching
`consumer’s searchcriteria]
`
`
`
`Wallpaper website
`
`presents images from
`
`
`image files for viewing by
`
`
`consumer
`
`Consumer downloads or
`marks selected file(s
`
`
`
` Consumer
`
`
`
`2%
`
`finished choosing
`images?
`
`
`
`YES
`| Consumer presented wi
`
`user preference data form
`
`
`a
`:
`for completion
`
`
`
`
`All
`
`
`required
`
`information _
`
`
`completed?
`
`(28
`
`¢l2é
`
`YES
`
`INotice of updated image(s)
`sent to Consumer
`
`Consumerclicks on notice
`to access site on Internet
`
`having new image(s
`
`
`
`New image(s) downloaded
`
`to consumer’s PC and
`Updates
`located?
`included in wallpaper
` images
`
`
`
`Application server
`
`
`_ {periodically checks image
`
`
`database for image updates
`
`
`of interest to the Consume
`
`
`
`Image
`
`Consumer clicks on button
`purchase
`active?
`option
`to purchaseprint of image
`
`
`
`
`
`Consumerpurchase
`
`information delivered to
`
`
`print supplier
`
`
` Wallpaper desktop
`
`program displays
`
`
`wallpaper images on
`
`
`
`Consumer’s PC
`134
`Consumer’s PC
`
`
`Consumerinstalls
`wallpaper program on
`
`132
`
`Download program server
`downloads wallpaper
`desktop program and
`selected imagefile(s)
`
`{30
`
`FIG. 3
`
`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 22,
`
`2005 Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 2005/0209923 Al
`
`
`
`Sponsor uses sponsor PC
`to enter an order to
`
`wallpaper main applicatio
`server
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`210
`
`Invoice sent to sponsor
`
`228
`
`Application serverreceives
`the sponsor’s order and,
`optionally, compares the
`sponsor’s specified —
`consumertraits with
`consumertraits retained in
`the consumerpreference
`database
`.|Billing application posts
`226
`billing information
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`216
`
`
`Sponsor’s logois included
`with imagefile(s)
`downloaded to consumer’s
`
`PC
`
`218
`
`
`
`When downloaded image
`is displayed, sponsor’s
`
`
`logo is also displayed on
`
`the consumer’s PC desktop
`
`
`
`220
`
`Consumerclicks on
`sponsor’s-logo
`
`from image
`
`Logo and URL link may
`optionally be removed.
`_
`
`
`
`
`225
`
`Notice optionally sent to
`Billing system that
`consumeraccessed
`sponsor’s location
`
`
`
`
`
`
`224
`
`222
`
`
`
`Desktop program
`automatically connects
`
`consumer’sPC to
`
`sponsor’s predetermined
`
`location on the Internet and
`
`displays sponsor’s
`
`information to consumer
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 4
`
`5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 22,2005 Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 2005/0209923 Al
`
`310
`
`330
`
`a
`
`312
`
`
`Consumerfills out
`ConsumerPreference
`
`
`information form
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ConsumerPreference
`information received by
`main application server.
`and placed in database
`314
`
`Consumer
`
`shopping for
`product?
`
`
`YES
`
`
`316
`3/8
`
`Alternate or additional
`Start option
`
`
`
`
`
`Consumerinterested in
`buying product conducts
`
`own search on Internet,
`
`
`locates site having a
`
`
`product ofinterest and the
`
`
` site is an affiliated site
`+332
`
` indicating site is one-click
`
`compatible
`334
`
`address
`
`Product sent to
`Consumer’s mailing
`
`328
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`While Consumeris offline,
`Shopping Program
`identifies product and
`
`
`searchesInternet for :
`
`
`product information
`
`
`
`Shopping program sends
`notice to Consumerwith.
`
`link to access product
`
`website, or, optionally,
`
`‘imageof product
`
`downloaded to Consumer’g
`
`PC
`
`Consumerclicks on butto
`to purchase product
`
`Purchase order conveyed
`_
`to product supplier
`
`320
`
`336
`
`326
`
`
`
`Consumer accesses
`
`
`productsite, or clicks on
`image to access product
`
`site or order window
`-322
`
`
`
`Consumerorders product
`by clicking on button atsite
`
`
`or on desktop,or by filling
`out order form atsite or on
`desktop
`
`
`
`
`
`en
`
`FIG. 5
`
`6
`
`

`

`US 2005/0209923 Al
`
`Sep. 22, 2005
`
`CUSTOM COMPUTER WALLPAPER AND
`MARKETING SYSTEM AND METHOD
`
`RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION
`
`[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provi-
`sional Application No. 60/121,049, filed Feb. 22, 1999, the
`disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0003] This invention is directed to an interactive system
`and method for obtaining and displaying images as wallpa-
`per or screen saver images on the desktop of a personal
`computer or similar environment. The invention is also
`directed to an interactive marketing, sales, and purchasing
`system and method.
`
`[0004]
`
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`
`It is common for personal computers to include a
`[0005]
`provision for displaying a decorative image on the computer
`desktop. In a Windows®-based or MacIntosh®-based oper-
`ating system, the desktop is the portion of the display that
`serves as a background. Decorative images that are dis-
`played on the desktop are known as wallpaper, and the
`wallpaper image normally remains present
`in the back-
`ground of the display during use of the computer. The
`various icons,
`task bars, and windows of the operating
`system or applications are displayed over this background.
`The placement of wallpaper images on the background
`serves to provide a decorative touch to the overall computer
`display, and gives the computer user the opportunity to
`personalize the desktop display of his or her computer.
`Wallpaper images are usually included as part of the com-
`puter’s operating system, or are addedlater by the user with
`the addition of a designated wallpaper program or other
`software, or by downloading images from various sources
`on the Internet, such as web pages, commercial sites, or the
`like. Often wallpaper images are acquired based upon a
`particular user’s personal interests or pursuits.
`
`[0006] Similarly to wallpaper, screen savers may also
`incorporate images such as photographs,artwork orthelike.
`Screen savers are programsthat are generally set to become
`operative after a prescribed time period has passed since the
`most recent input to a personal computer by a user. The
`screen saver program activates based upon an assumption
`that the user is no longer using the computer. The purpose of
`the screen saver is to prevent ghost images from appearing
`on the cathode ray tube of the computer monitoras a result
`of having the same image displayed constantly over
`extended periods of time. By cycling through several alter-
`native images or by introducing animated elements, or the
`like, screen savers prevent this “burn in” of a particular
`image. Thus, screen savers are popular, and as described
`above with respect to wallpaper, computerusers often like to
`personalize their screen saver images by selecting pictures,
`artwork or other imagesthat are they find personally pleas-
`ing.
`
`[0007] Prior art wallpaper and screen saver programs are
`usually loaded onto a personal computer from a CD-Rom or
`floppy disk. For example, Second Nature Software, Inc.,
`(www.secondnature.com) produces a wallpaper and screen
`saver program for Windows® and MaclIntosh® systems
`
`which is entitled “Slideshow”, and which is available on
`floppy disk. The wallpaper program includesa plurality of
`images based upon a particular theme or the work of a
`particular artist, and these images may be cycled through
`manually by the user, or on an automated basis by the
`program. The program also enables the user to download
`jpeg, bitmap, or other images using a separate web browser
`program, and incorporate these downloaded imagesinto the
`imageset to be displayed as wallpaper. A plurality of images
`maybestored as an imagesetor display set, and the program
`may be directed to cycle through the wallpaper imagesin the
`display set on a daily, hourly, or other basis. However, the
`user must manually seek out and download the additional
`images using a separate web browser program, and then
`manually add the new imagesto the imageset for use in the
`wallpaper program.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`the invention is a system which
`In one aspect,
`[0008]
`provides a simple and convenient method for a consumerto
`obtain image files for use as wallpaper or screen saver
`images on a personal computer (“PC”) desktop, or similar
`environments, such as a Web TV®display, terminal display,
`or the like. While the invention will be primarily described
`in the environment of a wallpaper program and wallpaper
`images, it should be understood that the wallpaper program
`may include a screen saver subroutine, or may alternatively
`be a screen saver program. Further, it will be apparent to
`those skilled in the art that the images and clickable icons
`downloaded or otherwise used with or as part of the inven-
`tion may be used as wallpaper or screen saver images, or
`both.
`
`[0009] The system of the invention includes at least one
`consumer PC having a visual display and communication
`access to the Internet, although, it is envisioned that thou-
`sands or millions of consumers having consumer PC’s may
`eventually use the invention in the manner described for the
`at least one consumer PC. A wallpaper desktop program for
`operating on the consumer’s PC is downloaded to the
`consumer’s PC, or otherwise loaded into a memory in the
`consumer’s PC. The wallpaper desktop program includes an
`image managementfeature, and is capable of managing and
`displaying at least one wallpaper image on the visual display
`of the consumer’s PC. There is further provided at least one
`wallpaper web site on a wallpaper web site server for
`providing access to at least one wallpaper imagefile stored
`on an image server in communication with the Internet. A
`main program is also included and is stored on an applica-
`tion server in communication with the Internet. The main
`program receives communications from the wallpaper web
`site and provides communications to the wallpaper website.
`The application server may be the same server as the
`wallpaper website server and the imageserver,or a different
`server in communication with the other servers through the
`Internet, a local network, or similar communication net-
`work.
`
`[0010] The main program controls the overall wallpaper
`system, including downloading of wallpaper images to the
`consumer PC and the initial downloading of the wallpaper
`desktop program,if necessary, through the use of a down-
`load program or subroutine. The main program also keeps
`track of consumers who access the wallpaper web site, and
`can implant cookie files into the memory of the consumer’s
`
`7
`
`

`

`US 2005/0209923 Al
`
`Sep. 22, 2005
`
`PC for monitoring the consumer’s interests, web sites visited
`by the consumer,or the like. The main program also controls
`a consumerpreference database which can store and monitor
`consumer information and consumerpreferences on particu-
`lar subjects, as provided by the consumer, or as derived from
`cookie files. The main program further oversees the storage
`and distribution of imagefiles for use as wallpaper images,
`and maintains a wallpaper image database whichis accessed
`by the consumer through the wallpaper web site for down-
`loading particular images to the consumer’s PC. The main
`program mayalso control an interactive marketing feature of
`the invention whereby sponsors whoare interested in adver-
`tising to consumers have their company logo, advertisement,
`icon, multimedia presentation, or the like, downloaded with
`a wallpaper imagefile and displayed with the image on the
`consumer’s desktop.
`[0011]
`In using the system of the invention, the consumer
`accesses the wallpaper web site using his or her web
`browser, and identifies one or more desired wallpaper
`images. The images may be identified simply by selecting
`one or more available images displayed by the wallpaper
`website, or a more elaborate search system maybein place.
`Under the search system option,
`the consumer enters a
`search criteria and the main program conducts a search of
`the image file database to locate images which meet the
`specified criteria. The web site then displays one or more
`images which have been identified as meeting the search
`criteria. Prior to downloading one or more selected image
`files to the consumer, the consumer maybe required to fill
`out a consumerpreference form at the wallpaper website in
`which the consumer provides personal information about
`himself or herself which may be useful to marketers of
`goodsor services (i.e., sponsors). When the requested infor-
`mation has been provided by the consumer, the wallpaper
`image file or files are downloaded to the consumer’s PC
`along with the wallpaper desktop program which manages
`and displays the wallpaper images on the desktop of the
`consumer’s PC.
`
`[0012] New image files can be periodically added to the
`wallpaper website imagefile database. The main application
`program may periodically check the image database for
`additional wallpaper images which are desirable to the
`consumer. The main program may select new images based
`upon the type of image files previously downloaded by the
`consumer, or may select the images based upon the specific
`search criteria designated by the consumer as being of
`interest. Also, the new images may be imagefiles or adver-
`tisements for products which the consumer has expressed an
`interest
`in purchasing. When such new image files are
`identified by the main program,a notice may be delivered to
`the consumer. The notice tells the consumerthat one or more
`new imagefiles are available, and provides a URL (Uniform
`Resource Locator) link for the consumer to click on to
`access a location on the Internet where the new image(s)
`may be viewed. The consumeris then able to download the
`new imagefile or files, and add them to those already stored
`in memoryfor use as wallpaper on the consumer’s PC. The
`notice may be delivered in a numberof ways, including: (1)
`the notice may be e-mailed directly to the consumer; (2) the
`notice may be delivered to the consumer the next time the
`consumeraccesses the Internet by loading a clickable but-
`ton, icon, banner, or the like over the wallpaper on the
`consumer’s desktop through the use of a cookiefile; or, (3)
`if the consumer has a personalized “front page” associated
`
`with an Internet host, such as the Excite® or Yahoo® front
`page, a notice may be placed on the consumer’s personalized
`front page.
`
`In another aspect, the above-described wallpaper
`[0013]
`system may beutilized as part of an interactive marketing,
`sales, and purchasing tool. For example, one or more spon-
`sors interested in advertising to consumers are identified to
`the wallpaper main program. The sponsoroptionally speci-
`fies one or moreparticular desirable marketingtraits, such as
`age, income, hobbies, geographical location,interests, etc.
`The consumerpreference database containing the consum-
`er’s personal information which was supplied whenselect-
`ing the wallpaper images is then searched to locate any
`consumers which match the desired traits. Or, similarly,
`when a consumerfills out the consumer preference form, the
`consumer may be identified as matching the particular
`sponsor’s desired trait. Once a match is made, the sponsor’s
`clickable icon,
`logo, advertisement, or the like, may be
`included with the wallpaper image files downloadedto the
`consumer.
`
`[0014] The clickable icon is preferably an embedded or
`overlaid objectfile, such as an Active X control, Java Applet,
`or other suitable application. When the clickable icon is
`clicked-on using a mouse, or otherwise activated by the
`consumer, such as by using the computer keyboard, a signal
`is sent to the wallpaper desktop program which causes the
`program to connect the consumer’s PC to a predetermined
`site on the Internet. The predetermined site is preferably a
`URLaddress associated with the clickable icon file. The
`clickable icon file may be downloaded along with the
`wallpaper image and overlaid on the image by the wallpaper
`desktop program present on the consumer’s PC. Alterna-
`tively, the clickable icon may be embedded in the image
`prior to downloading. Still alternatively, the clickable icon
`file may be pre-loaded with the wallpaper desktop program.
`The clickable icon may be animated, and mayflash, move,
`or otherwise be animated to attract attention of the user of
`the consumer’s PC.
`
`[0015] Once the wallpaper images are in place on the
`consumer’s PC, as described above, the clickable icons are
`displayed either temporarily or permanently with the wall-
`paper images. The consumer mayclick on a clickable icon
`to access a predetermined location on the Internet, such as
`the sponsor’s web site. The wallpaper desktop program
`automatically connects the consumer to the Internet, and
`goes directly to the sponsor’s web site. Once this has
`occurred, the clickable icon may or may not continue to be
`displayed with the wallpaper image, and the sponsor may be
`sent a bill for the marketing service in accordance with the
`number of site visits resulting from the service. Alterna-
`tively,
`the sponsor may pay a predetermined fee set
`in
`accordance with receiving the service for a specified period
`of time, or the like. Thus, under a basic aspect, the invention
`is directed to a system whereby a wallpaper or screen saver
`imagein displayed on the consumer’s PC,and the image has
`a clickable icon located on a portion thereof, the icon cannot
`generally be removed by the consumer, and when clicked-on
`by the consumer, the icon activates a program which auto-
`matically connects the consumer PC to a website associated
`with the icon, such as a sponsor’s or advertiser’s website.
`
`In an additional aspect, the invention may include
`[0016]
`a proactive shopping system wherein the consumerindicates
`
`8
`
`

`

`US 2005/0209923 Al
`
`Sep. 22, 2005
`
`that he or she is interested in purchasing a particular product.
`This information may be in response to a prompt, such a
`questionnaire or consumer preferences form, periodically
`displayed on the consumer’s PC by the wallpaper desktop
`program or the cookie file. A shopping program, associated
`with the main program server or a subroutine of the main
`program, receives this information and seeks out the par-
`ticular product on the Internet. Alternatively, an employee of
`the wallpaper service operator may receive the information
`and seek out suitable products on behalf of the consumer.
`The consumer may then be presented with a notice, as
`described above, which provides a URLlink to the Internet
`site where the product may be purchased. Alternatively, the
`wallpaper main program may download an image or adver-
`tisement of the product
`to the consumer’s PC, and the
`wallpaper desktop program will load that image onto the
`consumer’s desktop as a wallpaper or screen saver image.
`The image may include a clickable icon, button, or other
`provision for enabling the consumerto purchase the product.
`Clicking the button either connects the consumer to a
`predetermined location on the Internet for purchasing the
`product, or otherwise causes the consumer’s purchase infor-
`mation and desire to purchase the product to be transferred
`to the product supplier so that the product supplier may send
`the product to the consumerand charge the consumerfor the
`product.
`[0017] Under a related aspect of the invention, a number
`of web sites on the Internet may becomeaffiliated with the
`wallpaper web site, the wallpaper main application server,
`and the wallpaper system operator. These sites may then
`become “one-click compatible” with consumers who sub-
`scribe to the wallpaper web site. Thus, consumers may
`purchase products or services from affiliated sites by merely
`clicking on one or more buttons at the affiliated sites. The
`consumer’s mailing address, credit card information, and
`other necessary information is then automatically trans-
`ferred to the affiliated site by the main program, without the
`necessity of the consumer filling out additional address
`forms, credit card numbers, or the like.
`[0018]
`In yet another aspect, the system and methodofthe
`present invention can also be used to enable consumers to
`purchase a hard copy of a wallpaper/screen saver image,
`such as a poster, print, painting, or other product having the
`image thereon. As described above, the wallpaper desktop
`program is loaded into the memory on the consumer’s PC
`either by the main program downloading the wallpaper
`desktop program to the consumer’s PC overthe Internet, or
`by pre-loading the wallpaper desktop program to the con-
`sumer’s PC from a floppy disk, cd-rom, or the like, either
`before purchase, or subsequently. The wallpaper desktop
`program can display one or more wallpaper images on the
`visual display connected to the consumer’s PC. The wall-
`paper desktop program canalso notify the consumerthat one
`or more wallpaper images may be obtained from the wall-
`paper web site. When the consumer accesses the wallpaper
`website through the Internet, the wallpaper web site dis-
`plays available wallpaper images. One or more wallpaper
`images are selected by the consumerat the wallpaper web
`site, as described above, and downloaded to the memory in
`the consumer’s PC by the main program. The wallpaper
`desktop program receives the new images with its image-
`managing feature, and displays the wallpaper images on the
`consumer’s visual display. At least one clickable iconfile is
`downloaded with the wallpaper images, and the wallpaper
`
`desktop program also displays the clickable icon when the
`wallpaper imageis displayed. When displayed,the clickable
`icon may include text which prompts the consumer to
`purchase a hard copy of the image. The clickable icon, when
`clicked-on by the consumer using a mouse, causes the
`wallpaper desktop program to activate the consumer’s web
`browser program and modem dialer for connecting the
`consumer’s PC to the consumer’s Internet service provider.
`The wallpaper desktop program places a predetermined
`URL address associated with the clickable icon in the
`address bar of the web browser, and the web browser
`connects the consumer’s PC to the web site at that URL. At
`the website, the consumeris given the option of purchasing
`a print, poster, painting,or the like, of the wallpaper image.
`Optionally, if the consumer’s purchase information is pre-
`registered, the consumers desire to purchase the image hard
`copy may be merely communicated to the web site rather
`than requiring the consumerto fill out a form at the website.
`Also optionally, the purchase information may bestored in
`the consumer’s PC and communicated the next time the
`consumer is on-line, rather than connecting the consumer
`immediately. A notification that the consumer’s order has
`been placed may be communicated to consumer when the
`event has occurred.
`
`invention provides a
`the present
`[0019] Consequently,
`convenient method for consumers to obtain desired wallpa-
`per images according to their interests and personal taste.
`The present invention also provides a means for consumers
`to conveniently purchase posters, prints, or the like, of
`desirable images. The present invention further provides a
`method for sponsors desiring a desktop presence to reach
`consumers having specific traits believed to be beneficial for
`particular marketing strategies. Additionally,
`the present
`invention providesefficient and unique marketing, purchas-
`ing, and sales methods which increase the convenience to
`both buyers and sellers of good and services. Thus,
`the
`present invention effectively combines a productdesirable to
`consumers with an integrated direct marketing feature.
`Accordingly, it will be apparent that the present invention
`provides a substantial advance in theart.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0020] The present invention will be more fully appreci-
`ated by a consideration of the following detailed description
`which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying
`drawings. In addition, the present invention is illustrated by
`way of example and not
`limited by the figures of the
`accompanying drawings within which like reference num-
`bers indicate similar elements.
`
`FIG.1 illustrates the overall system components of
`[0021]
`the present invention.
`
`[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates the consumer’s PC and visual
`display having a wallpaper image and clickable icon dis-
`played.
`
`FIG.3 illustrates a flowchart which sets forth the
`[0023]
`function of the basic wallpaper system of the invention.
`
`FIG.4 illustrates a flowchart which sets forth an
`[0024]
`optional marketing portion of the invention.
`
`[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart which sets forth
`additional optional aspects of the marketing method of the
`invention.
`
`9
`
`

`

`US 2005/0209923 Al
`
`Sep. 22, 2005
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`[0026] The invention is directed to an interactive system
`and method for providing wallpaper images for a computer
`desktop of a personal computer. Wallpaper/screen saver
`images may be conveniently located by a consumer and
`downloaded for use on the desktop of the consumer’s PC.
`This feature of the invention is described below under the
`“Basic Wallpaper System Operation” section. Furthermore,
`sponsors may markettheir goodsor services to the consum-
`ers by paying a fee to have their icons or advertisements
`incorporated into or overlaid on the wallpaper/screen saver
`images. By clicking on the icons or advertisements,
`the
`consumer is automatically connected to a predetermined
`location on the Internet, such as the sponsor’s website. In
`addition, a number of web sites may be affiliated with the
`wallpaper web site, and consumers who subscribe to the
`wallpaper web site may be able to conveniently purchase
`products or services from these affiliated sites by merely
`clicking on one or more pop-up buttons, or the like, once
`necessary consumer information has been given to the
`wallpaper web site. These additional features of the inven-
`tion are described below under the “Marketing Option”
`section.
`
`[0027] System Overview
`
`[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates the overall system configuration
`10 of the invention,
`including various optional features.
`Underthe invention, at least one consumerhasat least one
`consumer’s PC 12 which includes a memory 13, such as a
`hard drive, a modem 14, a mouse 15, and a visual display 40,
`such as a monitor. Consumer’s PC 12 is able to communi-
`cate with the Internet 16 via an Internet service provider
`(“ISP”), or the like, through modem 14 using telephone
`lines, cable lines, or other telecommunications means. A
`typical ISP has at least one ISP server 18 and an ISP e-mail
`server 46 for acting as a communicationsinterface between
`the consumer and the rest of the Internet 16. Thus, by
`forming a telecommunication connection between consum-
`er’s PC 12 and ISP server 18, the consumeris able to access
`and communicate with the Internet 16. A web browser
`
`such as Microsoft’s® Internet
`software program 17,
`Explorer®, Netscape® Navigator®, or the like, may then be
`used to
`access various hypertext markup
`language
`(“HTML”) websites, using a hypertext transfer protocol
`(“HTTP”) from ISP web server 18. Browsing usually incor-
`porates the use of Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”)
`addresses or “links” loaded into browser 17. In general
`practice, URL addresses may be entered manually into the
`browser’s address bar by the consumer, or may be obtained
`by using a search engine, or by other means. URL addresses
`generally indicate location identifiers between the various
`servers and computers that make up the Internet 16.
`
`[0029] Under the system of the invention, a wallpaper
`system communication network 30 is also provided, and
`includesat least one wallpaper web site 20 located on a web
`site server 22, or a similar accessible Internet accesssite.
`Wallpaper web site 20 may be accessed by the consumer
`through ISP server 18 communicating with web site server
`22. Wallpaper web site server 22 is in communication with
`the rest of wallpaper system communication network 30
`which,underthe present invention, may includeat least one,
`but typically a plurality, of computers and databases able to
`
`communicate with each otherto facilitate functioning of the
`invention. Thus, information entered by the consumer at
`wallpaper web site 20 may be gathered and processed using
`a main system program 32 loaded on a main application
`server 33. This main server 33 may, of course, be the same
`server as web site server 22, or a separate server in com-
`munication with web site server 22. Main program 32
`oversees functioning of all components of the system, and
`coordinates between wallpaper web site 20 and the other
`components.
`
`[0030] Web site server 22 is also in communication with
`a wallpaper image database 29. Wallpaper image database
`29 may be retained in the memory of website server 22, or
`may be retained on a separate image server 31. A plurality
`of wallpaper imagefiles 24 are contained in wallpaper image
`database 29. The image files 24 used as wallpaper images
`may be jpeg, bitmap, gif, or other suitable image formats.
`Typically, such imagefiles 24 are created from photographs,
`original artwork, prints, or the like, using a scanner 28 and
`a software application, such as Adobe Photoshop®,and then
`are stored on a hard disk drive for use as wallpaper images.
`Other imagefiles, such as files created by computer graphic
`techniques, files already digitally encoded,
`images from
`digital cameras, and the like, can also be used to create
`suitable image files 24. Image files 24 may be categorized
`according to content, and,
`in this manner, a large image
`database 29 of image files 24 suitable for use as wallpaper
`images may becreated.
`
`[0031] An application software program (the “wallpaper
`desktop program 26”) which controls and displays the
`wallpaper images on the consumer’s PC desktop is also
`included with the system of the invention.