System, method and article of manufacture for commoditizing the delivery of promotions

• US 20020065717A1
• Filed: 02/14/2001
• Published: 05/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NeoMedia Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: NeoMedia Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Carpenter, William H. Jr., Miller, Michael Robert, Miller, Gregory Paul
• Application Number:
  US09/783,951
• Publication Number:
  US 20020065717A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0257 User requested
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0271 Personalized advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for delivering a promotional offer. A request is received for delivery of a promotional offer for a product to a plurality of users. Users are selected to receive the promotional offer based on input by the users of a product identifier of the product. The promotional offer is sent to the selected users. A fee is charged for each promotional offer sent.

Claims

1. A method for delivering a promotional offer, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a request for delivery of a promotional offer for a product to a plurality of users;

(b) selecting users to receive the promotional offer based on input by the users of a product identifier of the product;

(c) sending the promotional offer to the selected users; and

(d) charging a fee for each promotional offer sent.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the product identifier is a representation of a bar code associated with the product.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein multiple requests for delivery of promotional offers is received from a plurality of sellers of the product, wherein an additional fee is charged for prioritizing the promotional offer one of the sellers.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the promotional offer is sent to a client device of at least one of the users, wherein the client device is selected from the group consisting of:

a personal computer, a scanner, a portable computing device, a telephone, a pager, and a facsimile machine.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the promotional offer is sent to each of the users via a web page personalized for the particular user.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the promotional offer includes information about a vendor of the product.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a commission is collected for a sale of the product to one of the users.

8. A computer program product for delivering a promotional offer, comprising:

(a) computer code for receiving a request for delivery of a promotional offer for a product to a plurality of users;

(b) computer code for selecting users to receive the promotional offer based on input by the users of a product identifier of the product;

(c) computer code for sending the promotional offer to the selected users; and

(d) computer code for charging a fee for each promotional offer sent.

9. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein the product identifier is a representation of a bar code associated with the product.

10. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein multiple requests for delivery of promotional offers is received from a plurality of sellers of the product, wherein an additional fee is charged for prioritizing the promotional offer one of the sellers.

11. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein the promotional offer is sent to a client device of at least one of the users, wherein the client device is selected from the group consisting of:

a personal computer, a scanner, a portable computing device, a telephone, a pager, and a facsimile machine.

12. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein the promotional offer is sent to each of the users via a web page personalized for the particular user.

13. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein the promotional offer includes information about a vendor of the product.

14. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein a commission is collected for a sale of the product to one of the users.

16. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein the product identifier is a representation of a bar code associated with the product.

17. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein multiple requests for delivery of promotional offers is received from a plurality of sellers of the product, wherein an additional fee is charged for prioritizing the promotional offer one of the sellers.

18. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein the promotional offer is sent to a client device of at least one of the users, wherein the client device is selected from the group consisting of:

a personal computer, a scanner, a portable computing device, a telephone, a pager, and a facsimile machine.

19. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein the promotional offer is sent to each of the users via a web page personalized for the particular user.

20. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein the promotional offer includes information about a vendor of the product.

21. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein a commission is collected for a sale of the product to one of the users.

15. A system for delivering a promotional offer, comprising:

(a) logic for receiving a request for delivery of a promotional offer for a product to a plurality of users;

(b) logic for selecting users to receive the promotional offer based on input by the users of a product identifier of the product;

(c) logic for sending the promotional offer to the selected users; and

(d) logic for charging a fee for each promotional offer sent.