Paid search engine bid management

Patent 7043450 Issued on May 9, 2006. Estimated Expiration Date:

December 20, 2022. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventors

Assignee

Paid Search Engine Tools, LLC

Application

No. 10324802 filed on 12/20/2002

US Classes:

705/37, Trading, matching, or bidding707/2, Access augmentation or optimizing705/14, Distribution or redemption of coupon, or incentive or promotion program702/2, Earth science707/3, Query processing (i.e., searching)707/100, DATABASE SCHEMA OR DATA STRUCTURE707/10, Distributed or remote access707/4Query formulation, input preparation, or translation

Examiners

Primary: Kyle, Michael J.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP

Foreign Patent References

199 13 509 A 1 DE 09/01/1999
2 331 166 GB 12/01/1999

International Class

G06F 17/60

Abstract

A method and apparatus (information processing system) for overcoming deficiencies and inefficiencies in the current paid search engine keyword bidding market, by providing keyword bidders with information they need to better optimize their use of paid search engines. The system accumulates bid amounts for a plurality of target keywords at one or more paid Internet search engines, and presents the bid amounts to a user, enabling the user to evaluate and optimize bids on those keywords. The system also presents bid amounts for a keyword at one or more paid Internet search engines, in a manner highlighting one or more selected bid amounts of interest to a potential bidder. This permits a bidder to identify the bidder's own bid, and/or to identify a differential in bid amounts that indicates an opportunity for bid optimization. The system further monitors keyword bids at one or more paid Internet search engines to identify bid changes of interest to a potential bidder.

Other References

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