WO2001007980A2 - Promotional cyber-currency structure and system - Google Patents

Promotional cyber-currency structure and system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001007980A2
WO2001007980A2 PCT/US2000/019902 US0019902W WO0107980A2 WO 2001007980 A2 WO2001007980 A2 WO 2001007980A2 US 0019902 W US0019902 W US 0019902W WO 0107980 A2 WO0107980 A2 WO 0107980A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
currency
cyber
promotional
customer
database
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/019902
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2001007980A3 (en
Original Assignee
Ideal International, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ideal International, Inc. filed Critical Ideal International, Inc.
Priority to AU64917/00A priority Critical patent/AU6491700A/en
Publication of WO2001007980A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001007980A2/en
Publication of WO2001007980A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001007980A3/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and computer system for creating and processing cyber-currency at "e-mail", "on-line auction” or “on line dynamic sales event” sites in the purchase of goods over a global computer system.
  • a structure or system for creating and using a promotional-currency on a global computer network where a network of computer or other communication devices are coupled to the global computer network.
  • the structure comprises: a host server computer coupled to the global computer network and including a promotional, cyber-currency database which is coupled to the host server computer and which stores promotional cyber-currency information available to each registered customer, the cyber-currency information being descriptive of the promotional cyber-currency available to each customer, at least one promotional cyber-currency award processor which is coupled to the host server computer, which processes requests for additional promotional cyber-currency and which communicates with the promotional cyber-currency database as necessary and at least one promotional cyber-currency use processor coupled to the host server computer, which processes each request for using promotional cyber-currency and which communicates with the promotional cyber-currency database as necessary.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of one preferred host computer system forming part of the promotional cyber-currency structure and system of the present invention which includes a CPU, clock, RAM, ROM, an operating system, a network interface, storage devices including a promotional cyber-currency database, a cyber-currency awards processor and a cyber-currency use processor.
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view of an alternate host computer system including a CPU, clock, RAM, ROM, an operating system, a network interface, storage devices including a cyber-currency database and a customer database, a cyber-currency awards processor and a cyber-currency use processor.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a protocol, routine or program used by the cyber-currency award processor to update the cyber-currency database.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a protocol, routine or program used by the cyber-currency use processor to award promotional cyber-currency to a user.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a protocol, routine or program used by the computer system to review and update use or non-use of cyber-currency by customers of the "e-tail", "on-line auction” or “on line dynamic sales event” service utilizing the computer system over time.
  • a host computer system 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 and includes a CPU 12 and a clock 14, a ROM 16, a RAM 18, an operating system 20, a network interface 22, a promotional cyber-currency database 24, a promotional cyber-currency awards processor 26 and a promotional cyber-currency use processor 28, all coupled to the CPU 12, as shown.
  • the alternate host computer 30 shown in FIG. 2 includes all of the above named elements and a customer database 32 as shown, coupled to the
  • the host computer system 10 or 30 is used in an "e-tail” system, "on-line auction” system or “on line dynamic sales event".
  • "e-tail” system, "on-line auction” system or an “on line dynamic sales event” a process is carried out by the host computer system in which promotional currency or "cyber-currency" is created on a global computer network and is controlled by the host computer system 10 or 30 automatically.
  • the method or process of the present invention is preferably implemented by the host computer system 10 or 30 as a set of computer processes running on the host computer system 10 or 30 attached to the global computer network via the network interface where a network of computers or other communication devices are coupled to the global computer network.
  • the method of the present invention can also run as a self contained program or in conjunction with other processors, on the same host computer or other host computers.
  • the illustrated host computer systems 10 and 30 in addition to common elements, such as CPU 12, clock 12, ROM 16, RAM 18, operation system 20, network interface card 22, there is provided storage devices including a promotional cyber-currency database 24 and a set of processors, namely a set of promotional cyber-currency awards processors 26 and a set promotional cyber-currency use processors 28.
  • the storage devices and processors are directly integrated into the host computer system 30.
  • Figure 3 illustrates the steps of a protocol, routine or program for processing requests for cyber-currency awards by the cyber-currency award processor(s) 26.
  • the computer system 10 or 30 systems receives a request from a customer to award promotional cyber-currency.
  • the program verifies to see if the customer exists. If not, a customer record is created. Once it is determined that the customer exists, the customer starts a task for which the customer will get rewarded. The system will then verify that the task has been completed.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the steps of a protocol, routine or program for using the cyber-currency for purchasing or bidding on an item available for sale using the cyber- currency use processor(s) 28.
  • the host computer system 10 or 30 receives a request from a customer to be awarded promotional cyber-currency he/she has earned. The program then verifies to see if the customer exists. If not, a customer record is created. Then, once it is verified that the customer exists, the customer request to use an amount of promotional cyber-currency is processed.
  • the computer system 10 or 30 will then verify if the amount requested is available to the customer, and if so the promotional cyber-currency is then allocated in the promotional cyber-currency database 24.
  • the computer system 10 or 30 will check to see if the transaction using the promotional cyber-currency has been completed.
  • the promotional cyber-currency database 24 is updated to reflect the use of the promotional cyber-currency by and for that customer.
  • Figure 5 illustrates the steps of a protocol, routine or program carried out by the computer system 10 or 30 for checking and updating use or non-use of cyber- currency using the promotional cyber-currency use processor(s) 28.
  • the computer system 10 or 30 checks the time, and subsequently begins a process of looking through the promotional cyber-currency database to see if the are awards that have not been looked at or used within a predetermined time period. If the cyber-currency awards have not been looked at or used within the predetermined time period, the program checks each award to see if it has expired. If the cyber-currency award has expired, the promotional cyber-currency database 24 is then updated to reflect this change. The computer system and program being run continues to run at a set frequency looking at all records in the promotional cyber-currency database 24.
  • cyber-currency is designed for use at a single Internet site such cyber-currency can be encoded so that it can be used and recognized at other Internet sites for use in purchasing goods.
  • a significant feature provided by the method and system of the present invention is that they enable a customer to use the "promotional cyber-currency" either as a full payment or a partial payment for items offered through the "e-tail", "online auction” or "on-line dynamic sales” system.
  • An additional significant feature of the method and system of the present invention is that they offer multiple sets of cyber-currency for a customer which can be seamlessly tracked together and yet administered separately by the system.
  • Still another feature of the method and system of the present invention is that they offer an independent site use of the promotional cyber-currency in a special hosted or networked application, such as in an ESP (E-commerce Service Provider) model.
  • ESP E-commerce Service Provider
  • Such use will require the web-site to be partially hosted and linked to the primary host server computer and database .
  • An example of the abstract use of this invention would be a customer bidding on an item available at a on-line auction for $1050 to be a winning bidder.
  • the customer has the option at the time of bidding to make a decision on how much promotional cyber-currency he or she would like to use, assuming they have sufficient promotional cyber-currency available. He or she could, as an example, place a bid for $1050 using $5 promotional cyber-currency and $1045 in conventional currency. He or she could also place a bid for $1050 using $50 in promotional cyber- currency and $1000 in conventional currency or they could also place a bid for $1050 using $100 in promotional cyber-currency and $950 in conventional currency,,, etc.
  • the total offer by the customer would be for $1050, but the customer could view this as only costing $950 of standard currency.
  • the on-line auction would view this offer as a bid of $1050, regardless of the amount of promotional cyber-currency being used. At the close of the auction, assuming that $1050 was a winning bid, the customer would than pay a total of $950 of standard currency and use $100 of his or her promotional cyber-currency.
  • the host computer system and the programs carried out by same enable an operator of an "e-tail” system, "on line auction” system or “on line dynamic sales event” Internet site or an operator of an "on-line” auction site on the Internet to entice customers to use the site for buying or bidding, not only to purchase goods, but also to obtain cyber-currency awards for purchasing future goods at that Internet site.
  • cyber-currency can be encoded for use at other Internet sites.

Abstract

The structure or system for creating and using a promotional-currency on a global computer network where a network of computer or other communication devices are coupled to the global computer network and comprises: a host server computer (10) coupled to the global computer network and including a promotional, cyber- currency database (24) which is coupled to the host server computer (10) and which stores promotional cyber-currency information available to each registered customer, the cyber-currency information being descriptive of the promotional cyber-currency available to each customer, at least one promotional cyber-currency award processor (26) which is coupled to the host server computer (10), which processes requests for additional promotional cyber-currency and which communicates with the promotional cyber-currency database (24) as necessary and at least one promotional cyber-currency use processor (28) coupled to the host server computer (10), which processes each request for using promotional cyber- currency and which communicates with the promotional cyber-currency database (24) as necessary.

Description

PROMOTIONAL CYBER-CURRENCY STRUCTURE AND SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and computer system for creating and processing cyber-currency at "e-mail", "on-line auction" or "on line dynamic sales event" sites in the purchase of goods over a global computer system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Heretofore, various analogous and non-analogous systems have been proposed for creating, using and converting currency in a computer system, such as one including a home computer connected to a global computer network, i.e., the Internet. Examples of such previously proposed systems are disclosed in the following analogous and non-analogous U.S. patents: U.S. PATENT NO. PATENTEE
5,761 ,648 Golden et al. 5,774,870 Storey
5,794,210 Goldhaber et al.
6,002,771 Nielsen
6,009,412 Storey
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a structure or system for creating and using a promotional-currency on a global computer network where a network of computer or other communication devices are coupled to the global computer network. The structure comprises: a host server computer coupled to the global computer network and including a promotional, cyber-currency database which is coupled to the host server computer and which stores promotional cyber-currency information available to each registered customer, the cyber-currency information being descriptive of the promotional cyber-currency available to each customer, at least one promotional cyber-currency award processor which is coupled to the host server computer, which processes requests for additional promotional cyber-currency and which communicates with the promotional cyber-currency database as necessary and at least one promotional cyber-currency use processor coupled to the host server computer, which processes each request for using promotional cyber-currency and which communicates with the promotional cyber-currency database as necessary. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of one preferred host computer system forming part of the promotional cyber-currency structure and system of the present invention which includes a CPU, clock, RAM, ROM, an operating system, a network interface, storage devices including a promotional cyber-currency database, a cyber-currency awards processor and a cyber-currency use processor.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of an alternate host computer system including a CPU, clock, RAM, ROM, an operating system, a network interface, storage devices including a cyber-currency database and a customer database, a cyber-currency awards processor and a cyber-currency use processor.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a protocol, routine or program used by the cyber-currency award processor to update the cyber-currency database.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a protocol, routine or program used by the cyber-currency use processor to award promotional cyber-currency to a user. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a protocol, routine or program used by the computer system to review and update use or non-use of cyber-currency by customers of the "e-tail", "on-line auction" or "on line dynamic sales event" service utilizing the computer system over time.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A host computer system 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 and includes a CPU 12 and a clock 14, a ROM 16, a RAM 18, an operating system 20, a network interface 22, a promotional cyber-currency database 24, a promotional cyber-currency awards processor 26 and a promotional cyber-currency use processor 28, all coupled to the CPU 12, as shown. The alternate host computer 30 shown in FIG. 2 includes all of the above named elements and a customer database 32 as shown, coupled to the
CPU 12.
The host computer system 10 or 30 is used in an "e-tail" system, "on-line auction" system or "on line dynamic sales event". In the "e-tail" system, "on-line auction" system or an "on line dynamic sales event", a process is carried out by the host computer system in which promotional currency or "cyber-currency" is created on a global computer network and is controlled by the host computer system 10 or 30 automatically. The method or process of the present invention is preferably implemented by the host computer system 10 or 30 as a set of computer processes running on the host computer system 10 or 30 attached to the global computer network via the network interface where a network of computers or other communication devices are coupled to the global computer network.
The method of the present invention can also run as a self contained program or in conjunction with other processors, on the same host computer or other host computers.
In the illustrated host computer systems 10 and 30, in addition to common elements, such as CPU 12, clock 12, ROM 16, RAM 18, operation system 20, network interface card 22, there is provided storage devices including a promotional cyber-currency database 24 and a set of processors, namely a set of promotional cyber-currency awards processors 26 and a set promotional cyber-currency use processors 28. In the alternate host computer system 30, shown in FIG. 2, the storage devices and processors are directly integrated into the host computer system 30.
Figure 3 illustrates the steps of a protocol, routine or program for processing requests for cyber-currency awards by the cyber-currency award processor(s) 26. First, the computer system 10 or 30 systems receives a request from a customer to award promotional cyber-currency. The program then verifies to see if the customer exists. If not, a customer record is created. Once it is determined that the customer exists, the customer starts a task for which the customer will get rewarded. The system will then verify that the task has been completed. Then, after the process is completed the promotional cyber-currency database is updated to reflect the reward awarded which can be an amount of cyber-currency that can be used by the customer to buy or bid on items for sale on the "e-tail" system, "on-line auction" system or "on line dynamic sales event". Figure 4 illustrates the steps of a protocol, routine or program for using the cyber-currency for purchasing or bidding on an item available for sale using the cyber- currency use processor(s) 28.
First, the host computer system 10 or 30 receives a request from a customer to be awarded promotional cyber-currency he/she has earned. The program then verifies to see if the customer exists. If not, a customer record is created. Then, once it is verified that the customer exists, the customer request to use an amount of promotional cyber-currency is processed.
At the next step, the computer system 10 or 30 will then verify if the amount requested is available to the customer, and if so the promotional cyber-currency is then allocated in the promotional cyber-currency database 24.
Next the computer system 10 or 30 will check to see if the transaction using the promotional cyber-currency has been completed. After the transaction is completed, the promotional cyber-currency database 24 is updated to reflect the use of the promotional cyber-currency by and for that customer.
Figure 5 illustrates the steps of a protocol, routine or program carried out by the computer system 10 or 30 for checking and updating use or non-use of cyber- currency using the promotional cyber-currency use processor(s) 28.
First the computer system 10 or 30 checks the time, and subsequently begins a process of looking through the promotional cyber-currency database to see if the are awards that have not been looked at or used within a predetermined time period. If the cyber-currency awards have not been looked at or used within the predetermined time period, the program checks each award to see if it has expired. If the cyber-currency award has expired, the promotional cyber-currency database 24 is then updated to reflect this change. The computer system and program being run continues to run at a set frequency looking at all records in the promotional cyber-currency database 24.
Although the cyber-currency is designed for use at a single Internet site such cyber-currency can be encoded so that it can be used and recognized at other Internet sites for use in purchasing goods.
A significant feature provided by the method and system of the present invention is that they enable a customer to use the "promotional cyber-currency" either as a full payment or a partial payment for items offered through the "e-tail", "online auction" or "on-line dynamic sales" system. An additional significant feature of the method and system of the present invention is that they offer multiple sets of cyber-currency for a customer which can be seamlessly tracked together and yet administered separately by the system. Still another feature of the method and system of the present invention is that they offer an independent site use of the promotional cyber-currency in a special hosted or networked application, such as in an ESP (E-commerce Service Provider) model.
Such use will require the web-site to be partially hosted and linked to the primary host server computer and database .
An example of the abstract use of this invention would be a customer bidding on an item available at a on-line auction for $1050 to be a winning bidder. The customer has the option at the time of bidding to make a decision on how much promotional cyber-currency he or she would like to use, assuming they have sufficient promotional cyber-currency available. He or she could, as an example, place a bid for $1050 using $5 promotional cyber-currency and $1045 in conventional currency. He or she could also place a bid for $1050 using $50 in promotional cyber- currency and $1000 in conventional currency or they could also place a bid for $1050 using $100 in promotional cyber-currency and $950 in conventional currency,,, etc. In the last example, the total offer by the customer would be for $1050, but the customer could view this as only costing $950 of standard currency. The on-line auction would view this offer as a bid of $1050, regardless of the amount of promotional cyber-currency being used. At the close of the auction, assuming that $1050 was a winning bid, the customer would than pay a total of $950 of standard currency and use $100 of his or her promotional cyber-currency.
From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the host computer system and the programs carried out by same, enable an operator of an "e-tail" system, "on line auction" system or "on line dynamic sales event" Internet site or an operator of an "on-line" auction site on the Internet to entice customers to use the site for buying or bidding, not only to purchase goods, but also to obtain cyber-currency awards for purchasing future goods at that Internet site. Also the cyber-currency can be encoded for use at other Internet sites.
Additionally, it will be understood that modifications can be made to the computer systems 10 or 30 and to the programs performed with same, without departing from the teachings of the invention.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention is only be limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.

Claims

I Claim:
A structure or system for creating and using a promotional-currency on a global computer network where a network of computer or other communication devices are coupled to the global computer network, said structure comprising: a host server computer coupled to the global computer network and including a promotional, cyber- currency database which is coupled to said host server computer and which stores promotional cyber-currency information available to each registered customer, said cyber-currency information being descriptive of the promotional cyber-currency available to each customer, at least one promotional cyber-currency award processor which is coupled to the host server computer, which processes requests for additional promotional cyber-currency and which communicates with the promotional cyber-currency database as necessary and at least one promotional cyber-currency use processor coupled to the host server computer, which processes each request for using promotional cyber-currency and which communicates with the promotional cyber-currency database as necessary.
2. The structure of Claim 1 wherein the promotional cyber-currency database is implemented as part of a customer database which is coupled to the host server computer.
3. The structure of Claim 1 wherein the promotional cyber-currency award processor is a set of processors that collectively are referred to as a promotional cyber-currency award processor.
4. The structure of Claim 1 wherein the promotional cyber-currency use processor is a set of processors that collectively are referred to as a promotional cyber-currency use processor.
5. The structure of Claim 1 wherein the promotional cyber-currency use processor and the promotional cyber-currency award processor are a set of processors that collectively are referred to as a promotional cyber-currency processor.
6. The structure of Claim 1 wherein changes to the promotional cyber-currency database are stored in a promotional cyber-currency tracking database
7. The structure of Claim 1 wherein the promotional cyber-currency database is constructed and arranged to track multiple sets of currency for each customer
8. The structure of Claim 7 wherein the promotional cyber-currency database is constructed and arranged to track expiration dates for some or all of the promotional cyber-currency, the expiration dates being controlled by a promotional cyber-currency expiration processor.
9. The structure of Claim 8 wherein said promotional cyber-currency expiration processor is a set of processors that are collectively referred to as a promotional cyber-currency expiration processor.
10. The structure of Claim 1 wherein software is provided in said host server computer to establish a completely secure system.
11. A method for awarding cyber currency using a computer system including a cyber currency database, at least one cyber-currency award processor and at least one cyber-currency use processor, said method including the steps of: receives and acting on a request from a customer to award promotional cyber-currency; verifying to see if the customer exists; if not, creating a customer record; once a determination that the customer exists, asking the customer to start a task for which the customer will be rewarded; verifying that the task has been completed; followed by updating a promotional cyber-currency database to reflect the reward awarded which can be an amount of cyber-currency that can be used by the customer to buy or bid on items for sale at an "e-tail", "on-line auction" or "on line dynamic sales event" site.
12. A method for awarding cyber currency to a customer for use in purchasing goods using a computer system including a cyber currency database, at least one cyber-currency award processor and at least one cyber-currency use processor, said method including the steps of: receives and acting on a request from a customer to be awarded promotional cyber-currency he/she has earned; verifying to see if the customer exists and , if not, creating a customer record; once it is verified that the customer exists, proceeding to process the customer request to use an amount of promotional cyber-currency; verifying if the amount requested is available to the customer, and if so, allocating the promotional cyber-currency in the promotional cyber-currency database 24; checking to see if the transaction using the promotional cyber-currency has been completed; and, after the transaction is completed, updating the promotional cyber-currency database to reflect the use of the promotional cyber-currency by and for that customer.
PCT/US2000/019902 1999-07-23 2000-07-21 Promotional cyber-currency structure and system WO2001007980A2 (en)

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US36040399A 1999-07-23 1999-07-23
US09/360,403 1999-07-23
US50717700A 2000-02-18 2000-02-18
US09/507,177 2000-02-18

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WO2001007980A3 (en) 2008-04-10

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