IP Library Granted Patent US 8,086,541
Granted Patent B2
US 8,086,541 · App. 12/972,272 · Granted Dec 27, 2011

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

Assignee: AppFolio, LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,086,541
App. No.
12/972,272
Granted
Dec 27, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for displaying targeted advertisements to users of workflow software, based on information corresponding to the workflow, the related industry, and the user of the workflow software includes: receiving, from an identified user, a request to display a step in a workflow, the workflow corresponding to a given industry; determining, based on (i) the identified user, (ii) the step in the workflow, and (iii) the corresponding industry, an advertisement to be displayed in conjunction with the step in the workflow; and transmitting, to the identified user, the requested workflow step and the determined advertisement. Corresponding systems are also described.

Claims (18)

1. A method for displaying targeted advertisements to users of workflow software executing on a workflow server, the method comprising:

receiving at the workflow server, from a user, a request to display a first step in a workflow corresponding to a given industry;

retrieving from a memory element provided by the workflow server a first advertisement associated with the first step of the workflow, the selection based on (i) the first step of the workflow, and (ii) the corresponding industry;

transmitting from the workflow server, to the identified user, the first step of the workflow and the advertisement to be displayed in conjunction with the first step;

determining at the workflow server, a subsequent step in the workflow to transmit to the user, based on the first step;

retrieving from the memory element a second advertisement to be displayed in conjunction with the subsequent step of the workflow, the selection based on (i) the second step of the workflow, and (ii) the corresponding industry; and

transmitting from the workflow server, to the identified user, the subsequent step of the workflow and the second advertisement to be displayed in conjunction with the subsequent step.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first advertisement to be displayed in conjunction with the first step of the workflow is selected based on at least one prior input from the first user.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first advertisement to be displayed in conjunction with the first step of the workflow is selected based on at least one prior advertisement transmitted to the first user.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first advertisement to be displayed in conjunction the first step of the workflow is selected based on at least one response to a previous advertisement transmitted to the first user.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first advertisement to be displayed in conjunction with the first step of the workflow is selected based on at least one prior input from a second user who previously requested to display the first step of the workflow.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first advertisement to be displayed in conjunction with the first step of the workflow is selected based on at least one prior input from a second user who previously requested to display the workflow.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first advertisement to be displayed in conjunction with the first step of the workflow is selected based on a geographic location identified with the user.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first advertisement to be displayed in conjunction with the first step of the workflow is selected based on a geographic location identified with one or more user inputs.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first advertisement to be displayed in conjunction with the first step of the workflow is selected based on at least one prior input from a second user, wherein the second user is identified with the industry.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first advertisement to be displayed in conjunction with the first step of the workflow is selected based on at least one random factor.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying the first advertisement in a substantially similar format to at least one workflow component within the requested workflow step.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying the first advertisement at a location within the transmitted first workflow step based on at least one of the following: previous input from the first user, previous input from a second user identified with the given industry, a random factor, or a predetermined ranking of advertisers.

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 →
CONVERSION Recorded Jan 29, 2019
From: APPFOLIO, LLC
To: APPFOLIO, INC.
Reel/Frame 048179/0948 →
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 Nov 14, 2011
From: SCHAUSER, KLAUS; WALKER, JOHN
To: APPFOLIO, LLC
Reel/Frame 027219/0961 →
Continuity (3)
Division 12832183 · Jul 8, 2010
Continuation 11470141 · Sep 5, 2006
Related Publication 20110087548A1 · Apr 14, 2011