Patent Application
20110270719
The present application relates to social networks and, more particularly, to the application of multi-level marketing to social networks.
Social networks are websites that focus on building connections among people who share common interests or activities. Essentially, a social network consists of a representation of each user, generally in the form of a profile, and his or her links to other users of the social network. Social networking sites allow users to share ideas, activities, events, and interests with other users they've connected with.
The success of social networks is dependent upon the number of users of the network and the quality and quantity of material provided by those users. The users, however, are not compensated for their contribution to the social network, causing many users to become unsatisfied. Further, the content provided by users is often mined by the providers of the social network and sold to third parties, creating privacy concerns and causing resentment among users.
In one embodiment a social network is presented. The social network comprises a server comprising a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium in communication with the processor, where encoded on the computer readable medium is a plurality of subscriber profiles and a plurality of referral networks, where each of the subscriber profiles and referral networks is associated with one of the subscribers of the social network, and where each of the referral networks comprises a total number of referred subscribers referred by the associated subscriber. For each subscriber of the social network, the processor, using the computer readable program code, is configured to calculate a total compensation for the subscriber based upon the associated referral network.
In another embodiment an article of manufacture for use with a social network is presented. The article of manufacture includes a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium in communication with the processor, where a plurality of subscriber profiles and a plurality of referral networks are encoded in the non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein each of the plurality of subscriber profiles and each of the plurality of referral networks are associated with one of the plurality of subscribers, wherein each of the plurality of referral networks comprises a total number of referred subscribers referred by the associated subscriber. The article of manufacture further includes computer readable program code encoded in the non-transitory computer readable medium, where the computer readable program code comprises a series of computer readable program steps to effect, for each of the plurality of subscribers, calculating a total compensation for the subscriber based upon the associated referral network.
In another embodiment a method. The method includes providing a server, where the server includes a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium in communication with the processor. Encoded in the non-transitory computer readable medium are a plurality of subscriber profiles and a plurality of referral networks, wherein each of the plurality of subscriber profiles and each of the plurality of referral networks are associated with one of the subscribers of the social network, wherein each of the plurality of referral networks comprises a total number of referred subscribers referred by the associated subscriber. The non-transitory computer readable medium further has instructions encoded thereon to calculate a total compensation for each subscriber of the social network based on the associated referral network. The method further includes, for each subscriber of the social network, calculating, using the server, a total compensation for the subscriber based on the associated referral network.
In yet another embodiment, a social network is presented. The social network comprises a server having a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium in communication with the processor. Encoded in the computer readable medium is computer readable program code and a plurality of subscriber profiles, where each of the plurality of subscriber profiles is associated with a subscriber of the social network, wherein each of the plurality of subscriber profiles comprises a plurality of posts and an email module, wherein the email module is associated with an email address. The processor, using the computer readable program code, is configured to receive a new post from a subscriber of the social network and an identifier identifying one of the plurality of subscriber profiles, forward the post to the email address associated with the subscriber profile identified by the identifier, and post the new post on the subscriber profile identified by the identifier.
In yet another embodiment an article of manufacture for use with a social network is presented. The article of manufacture comprises a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium in communication with the processor. Encoded in the computer readable medium is computer readable program code and a plurality of subscriber profiles, where each of the plurality of subscriber profiles is associated with a subscriber of the social network, wherein each of the plurality of subscriber profiles comprises a plurality of posts and an email module, wherein the email module is associated with an email address. The computer readable program code comprises a series of computer readable program steps to effect receiving a new post from a subscriber of the social network and an identifier identifying one of the plurality of subscriber profiles, forwarding the post to the email address associated with the subscriber profile identified by the identifier, and posting the new post on the subscriber profile identified by the identifier.
In yet another embodiment a method is presented comprising providing a server having a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium in communication with the processor. Encoded in the computer readable medium is computer readable program code and a plurality of subscriber profiles, where each of the plurality of subscriber profiles is associated with a subscriber of the social network, wherein each of the plurality of subscriber profiles comprises a plurality of posts and an email module, wherein the email module is associated with an email address. The non-transitory computer readable medium has instructions encoded thereon to receive a new post from a subscriber of the social network and an identifier identifying one of the plurality of subscriber profiles, forward the post to the email address associated with the subscriber profile identified by the identifier, and post the new post on the subscriber profile identified by the identifier. The method further includes receiving, using the server, the new post and the identifier, forwarding, using the server, the post to the email address associated with the subscriber profile identified by the identifier, and posting, using the server, the post to the subscriber profile identified by the identifier.
In yet another embodiment, a social network is presented. The social network comprises a server having a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium in communication with the processor. Encoded in the computer readable medium is computer readable program code and a plurality of subscriber profiles, where each of the plurality of subscriber profiles is associated with a subscriber of the social network, wherein each of the plurality of subscriber profiles comprises a plurality of posts. The processor, using the computer readable program code, is configured to receive a new post from a subscriber of the social network and an identifier identifying one of the plurality of subscriber profiles, wherein the new post comprises Exchangeable Image File (EXIF) data, create a revised post by removing the EXIF data from the new post, and post the revised post on the subscriber profile identified by the identifier.
In yet another embodiment an article of manufacture for use with a social network is presented. The article of manufacture comprises a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium in communication with the processor. Encoded in the computer readable medium is computer readable program code and a plurality of subscriber profiles, where each of the plurality of subscriber profiles is associated with a subscriber of the social network, wherein each of the plurality of subscriber profiles comprises a plurality of posts. The computer readable program code comprises a series of computer readable program steps to effect receiving a new post from a subscriber of the social network and an identifier identifying one of the plurality of subscriber profiles, wherein the new post comprises EXIF data, creating a revised post by removing the EXIF data from the new post, and posting the revised post on the subscriber profile identified by the identifier.
In yet another embodiment a method is presented comprising providing a server having a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium in communication with the processor. Encoded in the computer readable medium is computer readable program code and a plurality of subscriber profiles, where each of the plurality of subscriber profiles is associated with a subscriber of the social network, wherein each of the plurality of subscriber profiles comprises a plurality of posts. The non-transitory computer readable medium has instructions encoded thereon to receive a new post from a subscriber of the social network and an identifier identifying one of the plurality of subscriber profiles, wherein the new post comprises Exchangeable Image File (EXIF) data, to create a revised post by removing the EXIF data from the new post, and to post the revised post on the subscriber profile identified by the identifier. The method further includes receiving, using the server, the new post from a subscriber of the social network and an identifier identifying one of the plurality of subscriber profiles; creating, using the server, the revised post, and posting, using the server, the revised post on the subscriber profile identified by the identifier.
Implementations of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like elements bear like reference numerals.
This invention is described in preferred embodiments in the following description with reference to the Figures, in which like numbers represent the same or similar elements. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
The described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are recited to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
Many of the functional units described in this specification have been labeled as modules (e.g., modules 232, 234306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, and/or 320) in order to more particularly emphasize their implementation independence. For example, a module may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, or the like.
Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by various types of processors. An identified module of executable code may, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions which may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need not be physically collocated, but may comprise disparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joined logically together, comprise the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.
Indeed, a module of executable code may be a single instruction, or many instructions, and may even be distributed over several different code segments, among different programs, and across several memory devices. Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustrated herein within modules, and may be embodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may be collected as a single data set, or may be distributed over different locations including over different storage devices, and may exist, at least partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network.
Applicants' invention includes a social network employing a network marketing infrastructure to attract and retain subscribers. Generally speaking, network marketing, also referred to as multi-level marketing, is a method of creating a marketing and sales force by compensating promoters of company products not only for the sales they generate, but also for the sales of other promoters they introduce to the company. In Applicants' social network, subscribers to the network receive compensation for referring other subscribers to the network.
More specifically, in certain embodiments a subscriber to Applicants' social network is charged a subscription fee for access to the network. In certain embodiments, the subscriber may pay the entire subscription fee on a periodic basis, such as monthly or annually. In other embodiments, the subscriber may offset the subscription fee by enrolling other new subscribers. Additionally, in certain embodiments once the subscriber has referred a predetermined number of new subscribers, the subscriber is eligible to become a distributor of the social network. As a distributor, the subscriber is entitled to earn additional compensation for new subscribers directly referred and, in certain embodiments, those that are indirectly referred as well. While a subscriber has the option to become a distributor, it should be noted that a subscriber does not have to become a distributor. Applicants' network marketing infrastructure is described more fully below.
Turning now to
As can be seen in
In certain embodiments, visual display device 202 comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) display, or a plasma display. In other embodiments, visual display device 202 comprises a video projector and screen.
In certain embodiments, non-transitory computer readable medium 220 comprises non-volatile memory. In certain embodiments, non-transitory computer readable medium 220 comprises battery backed up RAM, a magnetic hard disk assembly, an optical disk assembly, and/or electronic memory. By “electronic memory,” Applicant means a PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, SMARTMEDIA, FLASHMEDIA, and the like.
Optional VOIP module 232 implements a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). VoIP is a general term for a family of transmission technologies for delivery of voice communications over IP networks such as the Internet or other packet-switched networks. Internet telephony includes communications services, such as and without limitation voice, facsimile, and/or voice-messaging applications, that are transported via the Internet, rather than the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
Optional WI-FI module 234 comprises a wireless network communication module comprising a wireless network permitting communication with one or more external computers or programmable devices in a network or with point-to-point communications. In certain embodiments, WI-FI module 234 implements one or more of the embodiments of IEEE Specification 802.11 (collectively the “IEEE Specification”). As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the IEEE Specification comprises a family of specifications developed by the IEEE for wireless LAN technology.
The IEEE Specification specifies an over-the-air interface between a wireless client, such as for example apparatus 110(d) (
Processor 210 uses computer readable program code 230 to operate controller 231, WI-FI module 234, VOIP module 232, and visual display device 202.
In certain embodiments, internet-enabled apparatus 110 further comprises a microphone. In such embodiments, processor 210 additionally controls the microphone, allowing the subscriber to record audio files for transmission to a server comprising Applicants' social network 100. In such embodiments, the audio recording is stored on a server of network 100 for downloading by other users. In certain embodiments, internet-enabled apparatus 110 further comprises a speaker for listening to audio recordings stored on a server of network 100.
Returning to
Applicants' social network 100 comprises server 112 comprising a programmable processor 114 interconnected via a communication link with non-transitory computer readable medium 116, and computer readable program code 118 encoded in non-transitory computer readable medium 116. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that while
In certain embodiments, non-transitory computer readable medium 116 comprises non-volatile memory. In certain embodiments, non-transitory computer readable medium 116 comprises battery backed up RAM, a magnetic hard disk assembly, an optical disk assembly, and/or electronic memory. By “electronic memory,” Applicant means a PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, SMARTMEDIA, FLASHMEDIA, and the like.
In the illustrated embodiment of
Subscriber profile database 104 comprises each subscriber's online profile within the social network environment of network 100.
Within the social network environment 300 of network 100 and as illustrated in
In certain embodiments, a subscriber may also restrict certain content of each of the subscriber's profiles 306(i)(y) such that it is viewable only by other subscribers having certain designated relationships. By way of example and not limitation, a subscriber may allow other subscribers designated as “friends” and “co-workers” to view the subscriber's profile 306(i)(y). However, the subscriber may allow only those other subscribers designated as “friends” to view certain photos or specific posts on profile 306(i)(y).
In certain embodiments, the default setting of subscriber profile 306(i)(y) is “private”, meaning the profile is not viewable by other subscribers. In such embodiments the subscriber must affirmatively designate the groups of other subscribers that will be allowed to view the subscriber's profile. Likewise, in certain embodiments, each portion of a subscriber's profile and/or content the subscriber posts to his or her profile defaults being private. In such embodiments, the subscriber must affirmatively designate the groups of other subscribers that will be allowed to view the content. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, by having subscriber's profiles and content posted thereon default to not being viewable by others, the subscriber's privacy is better protected as it is less likely that personal information about the subscriber will be inadvertently made public.
As is shown in the illustrated embodiment of
In the illustrated embodiment of
Organizational blog link 308 links to one or more organizational blogs. Organizational blogs are similar to social blogs and each acts as the blog for, by way of example and not limitation, a company, organization, social club, business, etc. In certain embodiments, organizational blog link 308 may link to organizational blogs that a subscriber selects. In such embodiments, the subscriber may participate in the specific organizational blogs linked to by organizational blog link 308. In certain embodiments, the organizational blogs linked to by organizational blog link 308 may be controlled by the subscriber. Where the subscriber controls the blog, the subscriber can designate other subscribers to act as editors or contributors to the subscriber's organizational blog. In such embodiments, subscribers designated as contributors may only contribute content for the organizational blog whereas editors may edit, approve, add or delete content. In certain embodiments, an organizational blog can be public to all subscribers of network 100, or may be limited to subscribers by invitation only. In certain embodiments, a subscriber can designate that post made to an organizational blog also appear on the subscriber's social blog. In certain such embodiments, only subscribers who founded or have control over the social blog may have it's posts also appear on their own social blog.
In certain embodiments, posts or comments made to a subscriber's social blog 306(i) or to an organizational blog that the subscriber is linked to may be forwarded as an email to an email address designated by the subscriber, wherein it is then readable using email module 318 and/or an email client of the subscriber's choosing. In certain embodiments, the subscriber can then respond to the post or comment by email. An exemplary flowchart summarizing Applicants' method is illustrated in
Turning to
In certain embodiments, where the post includes Exchange Image File (EXIF) data, the EXIF data is automatically removed from data images and video files before being posted to the subscriber profile identified by the identifier, as indicated by blocks 606 and 608. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, EXIF data is automatically stored by digital cameras, including smartphones, and scanners when an image or video file is taken. The EXIF data includes information about the device used to take the image or video file, including camera type, resolution, shutter speed, etc., as well as personal information such as the date and time the image or video was taken. Some devices which have a build-in global positioning system (“GPS”) will further store geographic location about where the picture was taken. As criminals can use the EXIF information to determine an individuals location, including identifying that they are away from their home, the automatic removal of EXIF data increases the privacy and security for users of Applicants' social network.
The subscriber receiving the post via email may then respond to the post by replying via email, as is indicated by block 610. If the response included EXIF data, tin certain embodiments he EXIF data is automatically be removed, as indicated by block 612. The response is posted on the subscriber profile identified by the original identifier, as indicated by block 614. In certain embodiments, the response is additionally posted on another subscriber profile. In certain embodiments, the response includes a second identifier to identify the subscriber profile that the response is to be posted to. In certain embodiments the second identifier differs from the first identifier and thus the response is posted to a different profile than the original post. In such embodiments, a notice may be sent to the subscriber who made the original post to notify him or her that a response was posted on the other profile.
In certain embodiments, a subscriber can further designate to have posts to another subscriber's blog forwarded as email. In certain such embodiments, the subscriber's response is then emailed to the subscriber who made the post or comment. In other such embodiments, the response is then posted to the blog, such as social blog 306 or an organizational blog, wherein it is viewable by other subscribers who are able to read the blog. In certain embodiments the subscriber can chose when responding whether the response is delivered as an email or is posted to the blog.
In certain embodiments, posts may be forwarded as text messages, rather than or in addition to an email message, in the manner described in
In certain embodiments, individual blocks described above may be combined, eliminated, or reordered.
In certain embodiments, instructions, such as instructions 118 (
In yet other embodiments, the invention includes instructions residing in any other computer program product, where those instructions are executed by a computer external to, or internal to, a computing system to perform one or more of the blocks 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, and 614 recited in
Returning to
Video Album module 312 is similar to photo album 310, and allows uploading video files for viewing by other subscribers, as permitted. As with photo album 310, the uploaded video files can be associated with other subscribers of Applicants' social network.
In certain embodiments, the digital images and video files uploaded to photo album module 310 or video album module 312, respectively, are searchable. In certain embodiments, the subscriber uploading the digital image or video file provides a title or other description which is searchable. In certain embodiments, the subscriber is be given a choice when uploading the digital image or video file regarding whether to make it discoverable to other subscribers using the search feature. In certain embodiments, the subscriber designates which of the groups of other subscribers are able to discover the digital image or video file using the search feature. By way of example and not limitation, a subscriber may upload a video file of his son. Once the video file is uploaded, the subscriber may then be given an option to make the video discoverable by other subscribers using a search feature. If the subscriber decides to make the video file searchable, they may then associate the video file with a title or other tags that can be used by a search engine, such as “Johnny's Birthday” or “Johnny Smith.” The subscriber may then restrict the group of other subscribers who can discover the video file and thereafter view it to only those that have been designated as “friends” or “family.” In certain embodiments this results in the video file being undiscoverable using the search feature to other subscribers without that designation. In other embodiments the video file is discoverable to other subscribers without the correct designation but is not viewable.
One of ordinary skill in the art can perform searches on online content, such as uploaded digital images and video files.
In certain embodiments, a subscriber profile 302(i) additionally includes modules wherein other types of electronic data files maybe uploaded and shared with other subscribers. By way of example and not limitation, in certain embodiments, a subscriber may be able to upload a spreadsheet, word document, presentation, executable, or other type of electronic file. In such embodiments, the subscriber may allow all other subscribers to view the uploaded electronic files or may restrict access to only those having certain designations, such as “friend” or “family.”
Calendar module 314 allows a subscriber to post events, deadlines, meetings, or any other date-related information to an online calendar. In certain embodiments, the calendar has an alarm feature such that a notice will be provided to the subscriber to remind the subscriber of an upcoming event. In such embodiments, the reminder may be in the form of a pop-up window that appears to the subscriber when the subscriber is logged into Applicants' social network 100. In other such embodiments, the reminder is in the form of an email to an email account of the subscriber or a text message to the subscriber's cellular phone. In yet other such embodiments, the reminder may be any other known method for providing notice of an electronically calendared event. In certain embodiments, the calendar may be shared, either entirely and/or by individual event only, with other subscribers. In other embodiments, subscribers can invite other subscribers to events, thereby, when accepted, automatically placing said event into the recipient subscriber's calendar.
Contacts module 316 allows a subscriber to store the contact information for other subscribers of Applicants' social network 100. In certain embodiments, the contact information comprises a link to the profile of the other subscribers. In other embodiments, the contact information comprises subscribers' telephone numbers, email addresses, or physical addresses, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, contact 316 further comprises the contact information of non-subscribers of Applicants' social network 100.
Email module 318 is an email client where a subscriber of Applicants' social network 100 can receive and send email to other subscribers. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, an email client is a computer program used to manage an individual's email and include programs such as, and without limitation, Outlook® by Microsoft Corporation and Thunderbird® by Mozilla Foundation. In certain embodiments, email module 318 may additionally be used to send email to non-subscribers of Applicants' social network. In certain embodiments, email sent via email module 218 may be retrieved by the receiving subscriber using a private email client.
In certain embodiments, email sent via email module 318 is forwarded to another email address specified by the receiving subscriber. By way of example and not limitation, a subscriber may specify that all email sent to him through email module 318 is forwarded to a work email address. The subscriber may then receive and reply to the email using whatever email client has been configured to receive his work email.
List module 320 comprises an itemized list created by a subscriber of Applicants' social network 100. A list can include, by way of example and not limitation, to-do items, project tasks, grocery lists, favorite songs lists, recommended reading lists, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, a list may be shared and, if desired, modified by other subscribers.
Returning to
As is further illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment of
Similar to private chat 330, group chat 332 allows subscribers to share messages with all other subscribers present in the chat room. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, a chat room is a website, or part of a website, that provides a venue for communities of users to communicate in real time. In certain embodiments, subscribers of Applicants' social network 100 can designate a chat room as private or public. A public chat room can be entered by any subscriber of Applicants' social network 100. By comparison, private chat rooms, once established by a subscriber, can be accessed by other subscribers by invitation only.
In certain embodiments, Applicants' social network 100 additionally includes internet portal 334. In such embodiments, internet portal 334 is an internet browser, allowing a subscriber to access and search the web pages not associated with Applicants' social network 100 without leaving network 100.
Returning to
In certain embodiments, subscribers may additionally request distributor status for Applicants' social network 100. Distributor subscribers are eligible to earn referral rewards beyond any amount needed to waive the subscription fee. In certain embodiments, to be eligible to be a distributor a subscriber must have referred the number of new subscribers required to waive the subscription fee. In other embodiments, any subscriber may be a distributor regardless of whether they have referred the number of new subscribers required to waive the subscription fee. In certain embodiments, to be a distributor the subscriber must additionally pay a distributor fee. In certain embodiments, all or part of the distributor fee may be donated to a charity.
Compensation paid to distributor subscribers is based upon the number of new subscribers the distributor subscriber has directly referred and enrolled. To refer potential subscribers, a subscriber, such as subscriber 108(a), may contact the potential subscriber directly by, for example and not limitation, talking to them in person, sending a text message or email, or calling them on the telephone. Alternatively, subscriber 108(a) may send a potential subscriber an email using Applicants' social network 100. In such an embodiment, the email may be delivered to a private email account of the potential new subscriber and may contain an identifier identifying subscriber 108(a) as the referring subscriber. The identifier can then be used upon enrollment, as will be discussed in detail below.
If subscriber 108(a) is a distributor then new subscribers referred by subscriber 108(a) become part of subscriber 108(a)'s referral network, wherein the structure of the referral network is based on a distributor compensation plan. The distributor compensation plan may have any form known to network marketing, such as unilevel, matrix, or binary, or may be a hybrid thereof. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, a unilevel plan is one where a distributor subscriber is compensated for an unlimited number of directly referred new subscribers. These new subscribers are considered to be in the distributor subscriber's “frontline” or “first level.” In a matrix plan, only a limited number of directly referred new subscribers can be associated with the first level. Referrals beyond the maximum number of first level positions are associated with lower level positions. Compensation for those referrals associated with lower levels may be less than for those associated with the distributor subscriber's first level. In a binary plan the first level is restricted to two referred subscribers. Excess referred subscribers are associated with levels below the first level.
Upon receiving the request, Applicants' method determines whether the request includes an identifier identifying a referring subscriber and, if not, in certain embodiments associates the subscriber to a “house” referral network, as indicated by blocks 404 and 406. In certain embodiments, no distributor subscriber is compensated for those subscribers associated with the house referral network. In certain embodiments, if the request does not include an identifier, Applicants' method may request that the new subscriber identify the referring subscriber, if any.
If the request did include an identifier, the associated referring subscriber is identified, as indicated by block 408. As indicated by block 410, it is then determined whether the referring subscriber has met the subscription requirement, if any, such that the referring subscriber has referred the number of new subscribers necessary to have the subscription fee for access to network 100 offset. If the referring subscriber has not, the new subscriber is counted towards the referring subscriber's subscription requirement, as indicated by block 412. In certain embodiments, a notification is provided to the referring subscriber indicating that the new subscriber has joined Applicants' social network 100, as is indicated by block 418.
If the referring subscriber has met the subscription requirement, it is next determined whether the referring subscriber is a distributor, as indicated by block 414. If not, the new subscriber is added to a house referral network, as indicated by block 415, as the referring subscriber has chosen not to participate in Applicants' distributor compensation plan. If the referring subscriber is a distributor, the new subscriber is associated with the referring subscriber's referral network, as indicated by block 416. In certain embodiments, a notification is then provided to the referring subscriber indicating that the new subscriber has joined Applicants' social network 100, as is indicated by block 418.
In certain embodiments, individual blocks described above may be combined, eliminated, or reordered.
In certain embodiments, instructions, such as instructions 118 (
In yet other embodiments, the invention includes instructions residing in any other computer program product, where those instructions are executed by a computer external to, or internal to, a computing system to perform one or more of the blocks 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, and 418 recited in
In certain embodiments, a distributor subscriber, such as subscriber 108(a), additionally receives compensation for indirectly referred subscribers, i.e., those new subscribers referred by a subscriber that was directly referred by the distributor subscriber. In such embodiments, the distributor subscriber is compensated differently for indirectly referred subscribers as compared to those that are directly referred. In certain embodiments, the compensation received by the distributor subscriber is based upon the number of steps removed the distributor is from the new subscriber, as illustrated by the level of the distributor subscriber's referral network with which the new subscriber is associated. By way of example and not limitation, new subscriber D may be referred by subscriber C, who was in turn referred by subscriber B, who was in turn referred by subscriber A. Thus, new subscriber D is three steps away from subscriber A and, for compensation purposes, is associated with the third level of subscriber A's referral network. New subscriber D would also be associated with the second level of subscriber B's referral network and the first level of subscriber C's referral network. If the compensation for directly referring a new subscriber is, by way of example and not limitation, $1.00 and is reduced by $0.10 for each level of the referral network, then upon new subscriber D's enrollment, subscriber C would earn $1, subscriber B $0.90, and subscriber A $0.80.
In certain embodiments, there is a defined number of levels a distributor subscriber's referral network may comprise. This limit is referred to as the “depth” of the distributor compensation plan. By way of example and not limitation, a distributor compensation plan that is seven levels deep allows a distributor subscriber to be compensated for those subscribers that are associated with levels 1 through 7 of the distributor subscriber's referral network.
If the new subscriber was referred, the new subscriber is associated with multiple distributor subscribers at the appropriate level in the distributor subscriber's referral network as determined by the number of steps removed the new subscriber is to the referring distributor subscriber. As is indicated by blocks 456 and 458, for each level (n) of a distributor's referral network, the referring subscriber (n) of subscriber (n−1) is identified, where subscriber (0) is the new subscriber and where (n) is initially equal to unity (1). As indicated by blocks 460, Applicants' method then determines whether subscriber (n) has met the subscription requirement. If not and if (n) is equal to unity, then the new subscriber is counted towards referring subscriber (n)'s subscription requirement, as indicated by blocks 462 and 464. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the process described allows only directly referred subscribers to be counted towards a referring subscriber's subscription requirement. In other embodiments indirectly referred subscribers may also be counted towards a referring subscriber's subscription request. In such embodiments, an indirectly referred subscriber may be counted differently towards the subscription requirement than a directly referred subscriber. By way of example and not limitation, for each directly referred subscriber needed to waive the subscription requirement, a subscriber may fulfill the requirement by having two (2) referred subscribers associated with the first level of their referral network, four (4) with the second level, eight (8) with the third level, and so forth.
As indicated by block 466, in certain embodiments a notification is provided to referring subscriber (n) indicating that the new subscriber has joined Applicants' social network 100. The method then returns to block 456 and, if (n) is less than the total number of levels (N) in a referral network, (n) is set to (n+1) and the processes represented by blocks 458 and 460 are repeated.
If referring subscriber (n) has met the subscription requirement, then, as indicated by block 468, Applicants' method determines if referring subscriber (n) is a distributor. If not, the new subscriber is associated with a house referral network at level (n), as indicated by block 469. If referring subscriber (n) is a distributor, the new subscriber is associated with the referring subscriber (n)'s referral network at level (n), as indicated by block 470. In certain embodiments a notification is provided to referring subscriber (n) indicating that the new subscriber has subscribed to network 100, as indicated by block 466. As indicated by block 456, if (n) is less than the total number of levels (N) in a referral network, (n) is set to (n+1) and the processes indicated by blocks 458 through 464 are repeated.
In certain embodiments, individual blocks described above may be combined, eliminated, or reordered.
In certain embodiments, instructions, such as instructions 118 (
In yet other embodiments, the invention includes instructions residing in any other computer program product, where those instructions are executed by a computer external to, or internal to, a computing system to perform one or more of the blocks 450, 452, 454, 456, 458, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468, and 470 recited in
In illustration of the method depicted in the exemplary flowchart of
Returning to
In certain embodiments, compensation is monetary. In certain such embodiment, the compensation is distributed to a financial account associated with an account identifier, where the distributor subscriber is able to use the funds associated with their account as they would with any other financial account. In such embodiment, funds may be transferred to any other financial account or withdrawn. In certain embodiments, the distributor subscriber is provided a portable consumer payment device associated with their account such as, and without limitation, a debit card, smart card, credit card, or prepaid debit card. In certain embodiments, the distributor subscriber is provided checks associated with their account.
In certain embodiments where the compensation is monetary, a subscriber can designate to have all or a portion of the compensation donated to one or more charities of the subscriber's choice. In such embodiments, the designated charity may then receive a check.
In other embodiments, compensation is in the form of rewards. In such embodiments the rewards may be exchanged for consumer goods. In certain such embodiments, the rewards may be exchanged for consumer goods offered via store 326 or university 328 (
The amount of compensation earned by each distributor subscriber depends on the distributor compensation plan and the number of referred subscribers associated with the distributor subscriber's referral network.
If subscriber (i) has met the subscription requirement, then, as indicated by block 506, it is determined whether subscriber (i) is a distributor. If not, subscriber (i) is not eligible to be compensated and the process returns to block 502. If subscriber (i) is a distributor, the compensation owed to subscriber (i) is determined. As indicated by blocks 508 and 510, for each compensation level (n) in the distributor compensation plan, the number of referred subscribers associated with level (n) of subscriber (i)'s referral network is determined, where (n) initially equals unity. Once done, then the compensation due to subscriber (i) for the number of subscribers associated with level (n) of subscriber (i)'s referral network is determined and added to a running total for subscriber (i), as indicated by blocks 512 and 514. The method then returns to block 508 and, if (n) is less than the total levels (N) in the distributor compensation plan, (n) is set to (n+1) and the processes indicated by blocks 510, 512, and 514 are repeated.
Once the total compensation due to subscriber (i) for the relevant period has been determined, the total compensation is applied to the account associated with subscriber (i) and stored in database 106, as indicated by block 516. In certain embodiments, subscriber (i) may then be notified of the payment made to the account, as indicated by block 518. The process then returns to block 502, (i) is increased by unity, and, if (i) is less than (I), blocks 502-518 are repeated.
In certain embodiments, individual blocks described above may be combined, eliminated, or reordered.
In certain embodiments, instructions, such as instructions 118 (
In yet other embodiments, the invention includes instructions residing in any other computer program product, where those instructions are executed by a computer external to, or internal to, a computing system to perform one or more of the blocks 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512, 514, 516, and 518 recited in
In further illustration of the method depicted by
As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the method discussed in connection to
While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.
This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/326,105, filed on Apr. 20, 2010, titled “NETWORK MARKETING SOCIAL NETWORK,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61326105 | Apr 2010 | US |
