Network-based voting systems and methods and recording media storing programs for use in such systems
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method of stimulating use of a network-based voting system, the method comprising transmitting user-specific ranking information to a user of the system.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to voting systems, and more particularly to network-based voting systems. Aspects of the present invention relate to systems, devices, computer-implemented methods, computer programs stored on a computer-readable medium, and signals for use in such network-based voting systems. Embodiments of the present invention motivate new users to join the system, and stimulate existing and new users to use the system more.
38 Citations
30 Claims
- 1. A computer-implemented method of stimulating use of a network-based voting system, the method comprising transmitting user-specific ranking information to a user of the system.
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9. A computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program which causes a computer in a network-based voting system to generate user-specific ranking information for transmission to a user of the system.
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10. In a network-based voting system in which at least some users of the system are registered, a computer-implemented method of identifying a registered user comprising:
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prior to carrying out a transaction with a person over a communication link, obtaining terminal-equipment identification data from terminal equipment of that person; and
identifying the person as a registered user of the system in dependence upon the terminal-equipment identification data alone. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program which causes a computer in a network-based voting system, in which at least some users of the system are registered, to identify a registered user, said computer programs comprising:
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a first program portion operable, prior to carrying out a transaction with a person over a communication link, to obtain terminal-equipment identification data from terminal equipment of that person; and
a second program portion operable to identify the person as a registered user of the system in dependence upon the terminal-equipment identification data alone.
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14. A method of stimulating use of a network-based voting system, the method comprising:
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maintaining a prize fund from which monetary prizes are periodically awarded in a prize draw;
financing at least a part of the prize fund by means of a lottery syndicate, such that lottery winnings of the syndicate are paid into the prize fund; and
entering a user of the system into the prize draw based on a use of the system related to that user. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer-readable medium storing a computer program which causes a computer in a network-based voting system to stimulate use of the system, the computer program comprising:
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a first program portion operable to maintain a prize fund from which monetary prizes may be periodically awarded in a prize draw, at least a part of the prize fund being financed by means of a lottery syndicate such that lottery winnings of the syndicate are paid into the prize fund; and
a second program portion operable to enter a user of the system into the prize draw based on a use of the system related to that user.
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21. In a network-based voting system, a computer-implemented method of sharing revenues generated by users of the system amongst those users, the method comprising:
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apportioning a share of said revenues to a first one of said users in dependence upon use made of the voting system relating to the first user; and
if the first user was introduced to the voting system by a second one of said users, apportioning a part of said share to the second user. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A computer-readable medium storing a computer program which causes a computer in a network-based voting system to share revenues generated by users of the system amongst those users, the computer program comprising:
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a first program portion operable to apportion a share of said revenues to a first one of said users in dependence upon use made of the voting system relating to the first user; and
a second program portion operable, if the first user was introduced to the voting system by a second one of said users, to apportion a part of said share to the second user.
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26. In a network-based voting system, a computer-implemented method of distributing money to at least one party, the method comprising:
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maintaining, for each of a plurality of users of the system, a record of one or more parties to which at least part of any user-generated revenues allocated to the user concerned are to be distributed;
enabling each said user having such a record to update his/her record from time to time; and
when a user'"'"'s allocated revenues are to be distributed, distributing those revenues to each party specified in his/her record. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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30. A computer-readable medium storing a computer program which causes a computer in a network-based voting system to distribute money to at least one party, the program comprising:
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a first program portion operable to maintain, for each of a plurality of users of the system, a record of one or more parties to which at least part of any user-generated revenues allocated to the user concerned are to be distributed;
a second program portion operable to enable each said user having such a record to update his/her record from time to time; and
a third program portion operable, when a user'"'"'s allocated revenues are to be distributed, to distribute those revenues to each party specified in his/her record.
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Specification