Abstract: A method is provided for using referral data to track software product sell-through and compensate software product distributors. A referral identifier (ID), that identifies a product distributor, is associated with a product. The referral ID may be placed on or within the product container, or in the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) case, directly written to the registry or other storage of a new computer. During product activation, the referral ID is sent, along with other referral data, to a server computer where it is stored. Once the server computer determines that a purchase related to the product has occurred, the server retrieves the referral data to identify the referring product distributor, the product involved, the date the product was activated, the date the related purchase was activated, and other related parameters. The referral data may then be audited and used to determine compensation for the identified product distributor.

Abstract: This invention relates to an affiliate website that provides incentives to users to follow links from that website to merchant websites to perform referral fee paying activities, and to recruit their own network of users that will also be incentivized to follow links from that website to merchant websites to perform referral fee paying activities. All users can recruit others to join the affiliate website. A portion of the referral fees paid by the merchant website to the affiliate website are paid by the affiliate website to the user that performed the fee paying activity and to others in the network to which that user is a member.

Abstract: Mobile commerce systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a mobile commerce platform includes a visual design tool. The mobile commerce platform may be electronically stored on a computing device, such that it is configured to manipulate computer readable data electronically stored on the computing device. The visual design tool may include an interactive graphical canvas and a block diagram. The interactive graphical canvas may be configured to enable the modification of the block diagram. The block diagram may include a first object block, a second object block and at least one connecting symbol. The first object block may define a first campaign instance, the second object block may define a second campaign instance, and the at least one connecting symbol may define a campaign sequence. Further, the mobile commerce platform may be configured to execute a mobile campaign according to the first campaign instance, the second campaign instance, and the campaign sequence.

Abstract: Techniques for providing advice on personal style include receiving advice field data and a demonstration message. The advice field data indicates multiple fields to be filled by an advisor to provide information on how to improve personal style of an advisee based on an image provided by the advisee. The demonstration message includes first image data that indicates example personal style of a first user. An advice prompt message is sent to a different second user. The advice prompt message includes second image data based on the first image data, and the advice field data.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a payment incentive for distributing digital files over a network are provided. The method and system allow a publisher, distributor(s), and/or users to receive a payment incentive for downloading digital files on the Internet. The present disclosure creates a method and system where every party along the distribution chain will have an incentive for further distribution of the digital content file. The method includes the steps receiving by a server of a file agent at least one digital content file from a content provider; presenting the at least one digital content file for purchase; downloading the at least one digital content file to at least one user for a transaction amount; distributing a first distribution amount of the transaction amount to the content provider; and distributing a second distribution amount of the transaction amount to the at least one user.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating a sales referral over the Internet for the sale of an asset. A first and second salesperson is provided with an account that comprises a number of clicks and a first period during which the clicks will be delivered. A click comprises an assignment on a web site of linking information corresponding to a saleperson's web site. A consumer who activates the click is transferred to a web site of the salesperson, and the click is debited from the salesperson's account.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer program product and system are disclosed for collecting, soliciting and tracking sales leads via an electronic network like the Internet, and distributing commissions realized on said sales leads to multiple parties using a hierarchical, multi-level marketing (MLM) business structure. A central managing organization, or MLM structure, uses a uniquely configured data processing device and/or system (herein a “Maintenance Server”) to collect new sales leads from structured records and data in the possession of an actual customers who have been incorporated into the MLM structure, said records and data comprising third-party contact information, including personal and/or professional contacts of the actual customers. The Maintenance Server uniquely assists in the solicitation of the newly acquired sales leads to save the actual customers from having to perform the solicitation(s) themselves.

Abstract: A method of making a customized wireless communication device (100) is disclosed. It can include the steps of: inputting (110) customer requirements; generating (120) a checklist of customer requirements; providing (130) an extruded housing with an opening defining a pocket configured to receive electrical components; and removing (140) material from the extruded housing to form an industrial design having at least one receptacle integral to the extruded housing to receive an antenna module and display module. The method is adapted to allow a designer to customize the look and feel of an electronic device, such as wireless communication device. This method is attractive to a customer.

Abstract: Customer rewards systems and methods for social networking applications, such as e-mail applications, calendar applications, chat room applications, instant messaging applications, and media management and sharing applications, are provided. The system includes a first memory, a second memory and a processor. The first memory stores a plurality of web pages having a social networking application. The second memory stores data associated with a customer account for a user to access the social networking application. The processor being configured to receive the data from a user terminal, verify the user's membership for accessing the social networking application, and transfer an award to the customer account upon access to one of the plurality of web pages with the social networking application.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an incentive for social network members (SNMs) to opt into a promotional program associated with a seller of goods or services. The SNMs may be provided an initial incentive to opt into a promotional program associated with a seller of goods or services and responsive to an SNM electronically opting in to the promotional program, the SNM may be provided with an additional incentive to identify additional SNMs as opt in candidates. Store coupons or product coupons may be utilized to provide the incentive. The additional incentive may include increasing the value of the initial incentive. The initial incentive may only be available for a predetermined period of time. The additional SNMs may be provided with an incentive to identify yet additional SNMs as opt in candidates.

Abstract: This method uses a jobs-based social networking website and the monetary incentive of a “job reward” to get friends, relatives and other visitors to the website to offer a personal introduction to a company insider in exchange for the exclusive contractual right to receive a contingent referral fee if the introduced person starts a job with the named company within the time period set forth in the contract. Ideally, hundreds if not thousands of people will review a person's profile on the social networking website. If the job candidate is qualified, many offers of introduction will be made. The jobseeker can accept many offers but only one offer of introduction per company or non-profit entity in a given time period. Since the job candidate will only start one job within that relatively short period of time, only one referral fee will need to be paid.

Abstract: In a method of providing a virtual product to third parties, the virtual product being present in an original version in a digital form having a predetermined quality, a reduced version of the virtual product, along with information relating to a distributor of the virtual product, is initially provided. The reduced version's quality is inferior to the quality of the original version, and the information relating to the distributor are associated with this reduced version. On the basis of the information associated with the reduced version, further information may be created. This further information indicates that the reduced version has been passed on to the third party by the content provider. The further information is created if the third party has acquired rights to the virtual product after having obtained the reduced version of same.

Abstract: A data processing system for monetizing referring hyperlinks from source websites to target websites, wherein the source website owners and target website owners are not associated in business relationship related to referrals. One data processing system comprises a dedicated network server comprising a monitoring module arranged to monitor and record activation of the referring hyperlinks; a benefit value evaluation module, arranged to assign a suggested value to the referring hyperlinks based on predefined rules that relate to the activation of the referring hyperlinks; characteristics of the target websites and the source websites; and statistical data relating to past activation of the referring hyperlinks and related transferred benefit values, and a benefit transaction network platform arranged to support transferal of benefits from the target website owners to the source website owners. The suggested value is used to estimate and recommend the benefit values.

Abstract: A purchasing assistance search service that allows people to find media and services that can help them choose the most suitable product, where the ranking of search results depends on the aggregate helpfulness of each medium or service, as determined by feedback from people who have purchased a product after making use of one or more assisting media or services. This feedback is also used to distribute reward payments from product makers to the cited media and services. Purchasers are given an incentive to provide such feedback by making it a component of a rebate claim.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and methods for online marketing of goods and services to consumers. More particularly, a method for target marketing to specific consumers on the Internet based upon the profile of the consumer, including geographic location, is disclosed.

Abstract: This data processing and online computer network software application system and method specifically addresses deficiencies of current systems and methods in generating rapid and sustainable word-of-mouth and viral customer referral and retention activity through automation of networking, computing, tracking, storing, reporting, analyzing and paying multiple levels of residual referral compensation to registered users (“Member” or “Members”) of an online interactive social or business networking enabled website (“Sponsor” or “Sponsors”) also offering charitable donation inclusion as part of its electronic commerce network marketing and transactional management system.

Abstract: A network interface, including a referral receiver, a payment processor and a referral matching module. The referral receiver receives a referral presented to a user and the payment processor performs a transaction. In turn, the referral matching module matches the referral with the transaction and communicates the match to a network associated with the referral.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is provided and operates as a managing server that distributes incentive using transfer device information with respect to content. A communication unit receives inter-device transfer information with respect to output content from an information providing device, the information being in the form of device identifiers for at least the information providing device and one or more user devices that executed content transfers. A controller then executes processing to designate the incentive recipients as being the device managers associated with the acquired device identifiers. In so doing, incentive can be distributed to the managers or users of user devices that relay content between an information providing device and a product purchaser.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain methods and systems for promoting the sale of goods and services. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, such methods generally comprise the steps of (1) selling a first good or service to a customer for a discounted price that is less than a standard price, (2) establishing a sales goal (which represents an amount of desired sales of a second good or service to customers during a promotional period), and (3) issuing a credit to, or receiving a payment from, each participating customer based on a level of success achieved towards the sales goal. The invention provides that the extent to which the sales goal is achieved depends on the aggregate sales of the second good or service to the public at large, and is not dependent upon the sales or activity of any single customer.

Abstract: A job posting method, system, and storage device which allows users to create one or more talent networks each containing one or more connections, create job postings that trickle down to other users according to a set of rules, a referral system for rewarding users who recommend candidates for the job postings, and a recommendation system which allows both job posters and job seekers to have the system recommend potential candidates or jobs, as the case may be.

Abstract: A method by which various stakeholders may interact in order to allocate money funds to certain determined projects through a web portal to a project to be financed by means of credits accumulated with purchases over the Internet in selected e-commerce sites by web users who purchase or want to hand over sums of money, to users who offer projects to be financed through a portal which manages the transactions. The invention also includes a method for offering, through a web portal, projects to be financed by means of credits which accumulate as a result of purchases over the Internet that can offer wide guarantees to the donee that the proposed projects have considerable potential to collect cash funds which will allow the implementation of the proposed projects.

Abstract: A hierarchical system for attracting new customer comprises providing a coupon to an existing customer, the coupon identifying only the existing customer and when that coupon is redeemed by a second customer, the first customer receives value.

Abstract: A method for managing referrals between a consumer, merchant, and at least one affiliate; generating a referral identifier by a referral identifier generator for an affiliate to give at least one consumer, the referral identifier representing a promotional offer for at least one consumer; accepting and tracking the referral identifier from at least one consumer in an affiliate tracking system; awarding at least one consumer at least one promotion according to a referral identifier; determining the core set by each merchant; determining the core reserve according to the core and at least consumers purchase history with at least one merchant store; awarding the primary affiliate at least one affiliate reward according to the core reserve and each subaffiliate at least one affiliate reward according to the core reserve; and awarding the merchant at least one merchant reward according to the consumers purchase history with each merchant store and the core.

Abstract: A system for managing referrals between a consumer, merchant, and at least one affiliate; a referral identifier generator for an affiliate to give at least one consumer a referral identifier and representing a promotional offer for at least one consumer; an affiliate tracking system for accepting and tracking the referral identifier, wherein at least one consumer is awarded at least one promotion according to the referral identifier, the affiliate is awarded at least one affiliate reward according to the at least one consumers purchase history with at least one store and the merchant is awarded at least one merchant reward according to the at least one consumers purchase history with at least one store.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods of generating business by providing incentives for clients to obtain goods and/or services from goods and service providers, wherein said providers refer clients to other providers and as said providers have incentives provided within the method to make said referrals. The method involves one central manager serving as a communications conduit among goods and service providers pooling their services into one joint goods and services cross-client referral cooperative group. The method provides an incentive system among group members for referring clients to other group members.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating transactions in a distribution network. An analysis tool may be accessed through a computer network by consumers, producers and/or distribution intermediaries. In response to an inquiry, the analysis tool may present a solution sets may to a consumer, producer, and/or distribution intermediary for optimizing interaction with the network, e.g. minimizing cost or maximizing revenue in business transactions over the network.