Abstract: A system and method for enabling a user, over a computer and communications network, to allocate a portion of proceeds of a transaction to a beneficiary by selecting a provider acceptable to a user, determining an arrangement on the fly based on user defined prioritized parameters, and allocating a determined portion of the proceeds to an information server, the provider, and the beneficiary, using a payment entity. The user may quickly and efficiently expand a search for providers of a specified good, service, and/or information, while maintaining a desired link to the beneficiary, such as a particular geographic community, a community of interest, or a user-preferred class of providers. Thus, a user may conduct an on-the-fly targeted search for a specified search object from providers associated with a similarly specified beneficiary group resulting in an allocation of proceeds to the beneficiary.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 29, 2000
Date of Patent:
March 11, 2008
Assignee:
GCG, LLC
Inventors:
William T. Geddes, Jr., Peter N. Chase, Thomas G. Gherardi
Abstract: A search system and method provide a user with a fast and efficient way to progressively expand a search for providers of a specified search object, such as a good, service, or information; while maintaining a desired link to a beneficiary group including a particular geographic community, a community of interest, or a user-preferred class of providers. More specifically, the user and/or provider is initially associated with at least one of a plurality of beneficiary groups, such as a local church for example. The system and method then affords the user an arrangement, such as a synergistic concentric circle arrangement for example, for searching for a provider associated with a user-specified beneficiary group or groups. Thus, a user may conduct a targeted search for a specified search object from providers associated with a similarly specified beneficiary group.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 29, 2000
Date of Patent:
December 27, 2005
Assignee:
GCG, LLC
Inventors:
William T. Geddes, Jr., Peter N. Chase, Thomas G. Gherardi