Susan C Preston

US Patent:

20010042011, Nov 15, 2001

Filed:

Dec 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/729582

Inventors:

Susan Preston - Springfield VA, US

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705/014000, 705/027000

Abstract:

The present invention recognizes that traditional holiday customs or beliefs and items can be used as the basis of electronic customs. For example, an Advent Calendar, a traditional Christian Christmas custom and item, can be transformed into an electronic version. The electronic version can be widely distributed on the internet and attract viewers of a particular faith or belief at a particular time of year, such as the days preceding and following Christmas. The attracted viewers are invited to interface with the electronic version of the Advent Calendar. As with traditional Advent Calendars, selected doors are opened on selected days, revealing a treat or gift. In the electronic version, the viewer is invited to select a treat or gift, where additional graphics are optionally provided. Such graphics can include gift ideas, which can be hyperlinked to URL's that have that or similar gifts for sale. One aspect of the present invention is a method of doing business, including: providing a first URL location with a holiday image or denominational image, inviting a user to select at least a portion of said holiday image or denominational image and linking said user to a second URL. Preferably, such second URL includes a commercial URL.