System and method for creating a network directory
First Claim
1. A method for using an existing computer network directory of a first plurality of providers associated with a master entity to create a new computer network directory of a second plurality of providers associated with a subordinate entity, the method comprising:
- establishing computer communications between the master entity and the subordinate entity;
defining a customization model;
using the existing computer network directory and the customization model to create the new computer network directory;
assigning an identifier corresponding to the subordinate entity; and
embedding, under computer control of the master entity, the identifier into at least a portion of the new computer network directory.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for using an existing computer network directory of a master entity, for example the publisher of an Internet online shopping mall, to provide a new computer network directory that facilitates the tracking of referrals from and the consolidated payment of commissions to a subordinate entity that desires to create, for example, a new online shopping mall. The subordinate entity may customize the new mall, at least in part, by selecting certain providers, for example merchants, from the existing directory or mall of the master entity for inclusion in the new directory. The subordinate entity may establish communications with the master entity over the Internet, and the subordinate entity may be presented with a series of options, rules and templates to define a customization model to use in creating the new directory. The master entity may assign a master identifier to the subordinate entity and associate this master identifier with provider identifiers corresponding to the subordinate entity that are provided by providers listed in the new directory to assist in tracking referrals from the subordinate entity.
19 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for using an existing computer network directory of a first plurality of providers associated with a master entity to create a new computer network directory of a second plurality of providers associated with a subordinate entity, the method comprising:
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establishing computer communications between the master entity and the subordinate entity;
defining a customization model;
using the existing computer network directory and the customization model to create the new computer network directory;
assigning an identifier corresponding to the subordinate entity; and
embedding, under computer control of the master entity, the identifier into at least a portion of the new computer network directory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer system for using an existing computer network directory of a first plurality of providers associated with a master entity to create a new computer network directory of a second plurality of providers associated with a subordinate entity, comprising a computer for:
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establishing computer communications between the master entity and the subordinate entity;
defining a customization model;
using the existing computer network directory and the customization model to create the new computer network directory;
assigning an identifier corresponding to the subordinate entity; and
embedding, under computer control of the master entity, the identifier into at least a portion of the new computer network directory.
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19. A program product for use with a computer, having computer readable program code for using an existing computer network directory of a first plurality of providers associated with a master entity to create a new computer network directory of a second plurality of providers associated with a subordinate entity, the program product comprising:
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computer readable program code for establishing computer communications between the master entity and the subordinate entity;
computer readable program code for defining a customization model;
computer readable program code for using the existing computer network directory and the customization model to create the new computer network directory. computer readable program code for assigning an identifier corresponding to the subordinate entity; and
computer readable program code for embedding, under computer control of the master entity, the identifier into at least a portion of the new computer network directory.
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20. A method for tracking referrals from a plurality of subordinate entities, wherein each of the plurality of subordinate entities markets to customers using a new computer network directory generated from selected portions of an existing computer network directory, wherein the existing computer network directory comprises a list of a first plurality of providers associated with a master entity, and wherein the new computer network directory comprises a list of a second plurality of providers associated with a subordinate entity, the method comprising:
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defining a customization model;
using portions of data from the existing computer network directory as governed by the customization model to create the new computer network directory;
assigning, by the master entity, a master identifier corresponding to the subordinate entity;
assigning, by each of the second plurality of providers, a provider identifier corresponding to the subordinate entity; and
maintaining an association, by the master entity, between the master identifier and each provider identifier assigned by the second plurality of providers to track referrals from the subordinate entity. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification