System and method for charitable donations
First Claim
1. A business system for benefitting an organization, the business system on a global communications network comprising computers intercommunicating through communications links, selected computers of the network hosting software representing websites provided for purposes of information and commerce, the websites providing links referencing other websites, so that users may view selected websites through browsers residing on the computers and change viewed websites by referencing the links, the system comprising:
- a toolbar for use in conjunction with a browser on a computer, the toolbar being configurable by a value net integrator; and
a database residing on a website of the value net integrator, the database storing transactions made by the user, each transaction identifying the user, a referenced website accessed through the toolbar by the user, and any amount paid to the value net integrator that resulted from the access of the referenced website by the user through the toolbar;
wherein a first contractually specified interface is established between the value net integrator and a search engine partner, such thatthe business entity agrees to provide in the toolbar a button invoking a link to the search engine partner, which facilitates the performance of a search transaction by the user using the search engine partner, andthe search engine partner agrees to pay to the value net integrator a royalty based on each transaction made by the user, the transaction resulting from accessing the search engine partner by the user through use of the link to the search engine partner;
and wherein a second contractually specified interface is established between the value net integrator and a soliciting entity, such thatthe value net integrator provides to the soliciting entity the toolbar for its use in a soliciting activity performed by the soliciting entity,the toolbar is provided to the user that wishes to benefit the soliciting entity, andthe value net integrator provides to the soliciting entity a percentage of the royalty provided by the search engine entity.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system is provided, in which an interfacing device is distributed free by a value net integrator to end users, or supporting parties, whose normal use thereof may benefit a soliciting entity, such as a charity or social group, through various forms of interactive advertising, combined with an interactive and good will based referral incentive program. The interfacing device may comprise a special toolbar to identify and locate the participating third party vendors; to enable supporting parties to access a search engine partner for Internet searches, where the search engine partner agrees to provide a commission to the value net integrator on a per-click basis; and to allow supporting parties to easily make direct contributions to the soliciting entity. The special toolbar may provide additional value to encourage its use by the supporting parties, such as providing an intelligent pop-up blocking capability. The value net integrator may collect the commissions generated by the supporting party'"'"'s use of the special toolbar, pay a royalty to the soliciting entity out of the commissions on a periodic basis, and retain the remainder as compensation for its services.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A business system for benefitting an organization, the business system on a global communications network comprising computers intercommunicating through communications links, selected computers of the network hosting software representing websites provided for purposes of information and commerce, the websites providing links referencing other websites, so that users may view selected websites through browsers residing on the computers and change viewed websites by referencing the links, the system comprising:
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a toolbar for use in conjunction with a browser on a computer, the toolbar being configurable by a value net integrator; and a database residing on a website of the value net integrator, the database storing transactions made by the user, each transaction identifying the user, a referenced website accessed through the toolbar by the user, and any amount paid to the value net integrator that resulted from the access of the referenced website by the user through the toolbar; wherein a first contractually specified interface is established between the value net integrator and a search engine partner, such that the business entity agrees to provide in the toolbar a button invoking a link to the search engine partner, which facilitates the performance of a search transaction by the user using the search engine partner, and the search engine partner agrees to pay to the value net integrator a royalty based on each transaction made by the user, the transaction resulting from accessing the search engine partner by the user through use of the link to the search engine partner; and wherein a second contractually specified interface is established between the value net integrator and a soliciting entity, such that the value net integrator provides to the soliciting entity the toolbar for its use in a soliciting activity performed by the soliciting entity, the toolbar is provided to the user that wishes to benefit the soliciting entity, and the value net integrator provides to the soliciting entity a percentage of the royalty provided by the search engine entity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 8)
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3. (canceled)
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6. (canceled)
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7. (canceled)
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9. A method of benefitting a soliciting entity on a global communications network comprising computers intercommunicating through communications links, selected computers of the network hosting software representing websites provided for purposes of information and commerce, the websites providing links referencing other websites, so that users may view selected websites through browsers residing on the computers and change viewed websites by referencing the links, comprising the steps of:
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developing a toolbar by a value net integrator, the toolbar containing as a feature a link to the website of a search engine partner; establishing a first business arrangement between the value net integrator and the soliciting entity, wherein; the soliciting entity identifies to the value net integrator a set of features to be added to the toolbar; the value net integrator configures the toolbar with the set of features; the value net integrator provides to the soliciting entity the configured toolbar for its use in a soliciting activity for the benefit of the soliciting entity; the value net integrator maintains a database of transactions generated by the features on the toolbar; the value net integrator receives income from the transactions generated by features on the toolbar; and the value net integrator provides to the soliciting entity a royalty on the income provided by the search engine entity; establishing a second business relationship between the value net integrator and a search engine partner, wherein the search engine entity pays the value net integrator a percentage of the income that the search engine partner receives from websites that are selected by the user and that are obligated to pay the search engine partner when a selection is made, the websites being provided to the user as a result of a search request made by the user through the toolbar; and introducing the toolbar into a stream of commerce; - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, 21)
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10. (canceled)
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15. (canceled)
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17. (canceled)
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18. (canceled)
Specification