Importance

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Abstract

According to a first aspect of the invention SQL (structured query language) statements are sent from one server to another so that customer databases are synchronized. As SQL statements are generated, they are added to a table and flagged as new. At regular intervals, new formatted SQL statements together with their time stamps are transferred to the other server(s) via messaging, ftp or http. When the statements are received, they are executed in timestamp order. This causes all of the server data base(s) to be synchronized with each other. After a statement has been sent out to other servers, its new flag is changed so that it is not sent more than once. According to a second aspect of the invention, a 'clear pixel call' is encoded into every shopping related page of the seller's website on every server. More particularly, each page contains a clear pixel call to each of the other servers. The clear pixel call also sends current shopper's ID to the remote server. In the part of the call that specifies the remote image file, a remote active server page (.asp) or java server page (.jsp) is indicated. When remote asp or jsp page receives the call, it takes the shopper ID which accompanied the call and writes a cookie with the ID to the customer's computer.

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First Claim