Hierarchical referral system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A hierarchical referral system comprising:
- a user interface configured to enable a referrer to create an electronic message;
a computation component configured to generate a unique electronic coupon and to generate a unique electronic enrollment invitation; and
a message handling component configured to attach both the electronic coupon and the electronic enrollment invitation, generated by the computation component, to the electronic message and to dispatch the electronic message to a referree,wherein the attached electronic coupon represents a purchase incentive at a participating merchant and the electronic invitation represents an offer to enroll in a referral network of the referrer.
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Abstract
A hierarchical referral system. The system includes a user interface configured to enable a referrer to create an electronic message. The system also includes a computation component that generates a unique electronic coupon and a unique electronic enrollment invitation. A message handling component attaches both the electronic coupon and the electronic enrollment invitation, generated by the computation component, to the electronic message and dispatches the electronic message to a referree. The attached electronic coupon represents a purchase incentive at a participating merchant and the electronic invitation represents an offer to enroll in a referral network of the referrer.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A hierarchical referral system comprising:
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a user interface configured to enable a referrer to create an electronic message; a computation component configured to generate a unique electronic coupon and to generate a unique electronic enrollment invitation; and a message handling component configured to attach both the electronic coupon and the electronic enrollment invitation, generated by the computation component, to the electronic message and to dispatch the electronic message to a referree, wherein the attached electronic coupon represents a purchase incentive at a participating merchant and the electronic invitation represents an offer to enroll in a referral network of the referrer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method comprising:
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receiving a unique electronic coupon from a referrer in a hierarchical referral system; and utilizing the unique electronic coupon to make a face-to-face purchase from a merchant, wherein the merchant is a participant in the hierarchical referral system. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A hierarchical referral system comprising:
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an in-store point of sale component configured to accept a unique electronic coupon and to responsively provide a corresponding purchase discount and a related commission, wherein at least a portion of the related commission is provided to a referrer that sent the unique electronic component to a referree, and wherein the purchase discount is provided to the referree. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification