IP Library Granted Patent US 8,050,972
Granted Patent B2
US 8,050,972 · App. 12/832,183 · Granted Nov 1, 2011

Systems and methods for generating advertiser recommendations from users of workflow software

Assignee: AppFolio, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,050,972
App. No.
12/832,183
Granted
Nov 1, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for using a workflow server to provide targeted advertisements recommended by users of workflow software includes: receiving, at a server from a user completing a workflow, information corresponding to a step in the workflow and an advertiser, the advertiser recommended by the user in connection with the step in the workflow; identifying, by the server, an advertisement corresponding to the recommended advertiser; and transmitting, from the server to a second client, a markup language page corresponding to the step in the workflow, the markup language page including the identified advertisement. Corresponding systems are also described.

Claims (26)

1. A method for allowing users of workflow software to recommend targeted advertisements, the method comprising:

soliciting, by a workflow server, a recommendation for an advertiser from a user at a client, the advertiser corresponding to a first or second step in a workflow;

receiving, by the workflow server, a recommended advertiser from the user for the first or second step in the workflow;

storing, by the workflow server, the recommended advertiser in association with the first or second step in the workflow in a memory element.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein soliciting further-Comprises soliciting the recommendation for the advertiser from a contact list of the user.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein soliciting further comprises soliciting the recommendation for the advertiser by displaying a list of potential vendors to the user.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving further comprise receiving the recommended advertiser according to a rank the user applies to a vendor in the list of potential vendors.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving further comprises receiving a partially typed message corresponding to the recommended advertiser.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising applying auto-completion to the partially typed message.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising applying auto-completion to the partially typed message by comparing the partially typed message to entries in, a contact list of the user.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving further comprises receiving the recommended advertiser via dynamic input technology.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving further comprises receiving the recommended advertiser via one of Flash, Ajax, Javascript, and Java Applets.

10. A method for allowing users of workflow software to recommend targeted advertisements, the method comprising:

receiving, by a workflow server, from a user completing a workflow at a first client

i) an instruction to select a first or second step in the workflow, and

ii) a recommended advertiser for the first or second step in the workflow;

identifying, by the workflow server, an advertisement corresponding to the recommended advertiser; and

transmitting, from the workflow server to a second client, a markup language page corresponding to the first or second step in the workflow, the markup language page including the advertisement.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein identifying further comprises identifying the advertisement from a database of advertisements.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein identifying further comprises identifying the advertisement with a highest rate of user response, or advertisements corresponding to the recommended advertiser.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein identifying further comprises identifying the advertisement with a highest rate from users in a survey.

14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising displaying, by the workflow server, a menu of advertisers with advertisements relevant to the first or second step in the workflow.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein receiving further comprises receiving the recommended advertiser based on a selection from the menu of advertisers.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein identifying further comprises

requesting, by the workflow server, submission of advertisements from the recommended advertiser, and

storing, by the workflow server, advertisements received from the recommended advertiser in a database.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2025
From: APPFOLIO, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 072452/0322 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST : RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME - 035203/0844 Recorded Sep 30, 2020
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: APPFOLIO, INC.
Reel/Frame 053947/0173 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 19, 2015
From: APPFOLIO, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 035203/0844 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2011
From: SCHAUSER, KLAUS; WALKER, JON
To: APPFOLIO, LLC
Reel/Frame 026896/0147 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 13, 2011
From: APPFOLIO, LLC
To: APPFOLIO, INC.
Reel/Frame 026899/0263 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 11470141 · Sep 5, 2006
Related Publication 20100274662A1 · Oct 28, 2010