METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING REWARDS IN NETWORK-BASED APPLICATIONS

• US 20100057550A1
• Filed: 08/26/2009
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: eBay Inc.
• Original Assignee: eBay Inc.
• Inventors: Nguyen, Thuc Trung
• Application Number:
  US12/548,144
• Publication Number:
  US 20100057550A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.250
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date

Abstract

A reward program that includes identifying a seller from a plurality of sellers in a network-based marketplace based on a set of criteria. When a seller is identified to qualify for a reward program, one or more listings of the seller may be promoted. The set of criteria may include seller'"'"'s rating information. The set of criteria may also include other information relating to volume or activities.

Claims

1. A method to determine a reward in a network-based system, the method comprising:

retrieving a set of criteria relating to a user from criteria relating to a plurality of users stored in the network-based system, the user being identified to qualify for a reward program, the set of criteria being retrieved from one or more databases coupled to the network-based system;

using one or more processors within the network-based system to compare the set of criteria relating to the user and retrieved from the one or more databases to a predetermined set of criteria; and

based on a determination from a comparison of the set of criteria relating to the user that the user qualifies for the reward program;

promoting one or more listings of the user on the network-based system; and

monitoring updates to the set of criteria relating to the user to determine whether the user remains qualified for the reward program.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of criteria relating to the user includes selecting information relating to a volume associated with listings the network-based system has hosted for the user.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the volume information relates to a currency-based volume.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the volume information relates to a quantity of listings volume.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the volume information relates to a sold quantity volume.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of criteria includes selecting information relating to rating information of the user.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the reward program to expire after a predetermined amount of time has passed.

8. A machine-readable storage medium comprising instructions, which when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform a method to determine a reward in a network-based system, the method comprising:

retrieving a set of criteria relating to a user from criteria relating to a plurality of users stored in the network-based system, the user being identified to qualify for a reward program, the set of criteria being retrieved from one or more databases coupled to the network-based system;

using one or more processors within the network-based system to compare the set of criteria relating to the user and retrieved from the one or more databases to a predetermined set of criteria; and

based on a determination from a comparison of the set of criteria relating to the user that the user qualifies for the reward program;

promoting one or more listings of the user on the network-based system; and

monitoring updates to the set of criteria relating to the user to determine whether the user remains qualified for the reward program.

9. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the set of criteria relating to the user includes selecting information relating to a volume associated with listings the network-based system has hosted for the user.

10. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the volume information relates to a currency-based volume.

11. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the volume information relates to a quantity of listings volume.

12. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the volume information relates to a sold quantity volume.

13. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the set of criteria includes selecting information relating to rating information of the user.

14. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises selecting the reward program to expire after a predetermined amount of time has passed.

15. A system for determining a reward in a network-based environment, the system comprising:

a means for storing a set of criteria relating to a user;

a means for retrieving the set of criteria relating to the user from criteria relating to a plurality of users in the network-based environment, the user being identified to qualify for a reward program, the set of criteria relating to the user being retrieved from the means for storing;

a means for comparing the set of criteria relating to the user and retrieved from the means for storing to a predetermined set of criteria; and

based on a determination from the comparing of the set of criteria relating to the user that the user qualifies for the reward program;

a promoting means for promoting one or more listings of the user on the network-based environment; and

a monitoring means for providing updates to the set of criteria relating to the user to determine whether the user remains qualified for the reward program.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the means for comparing is located with one or more application servers within the network-based environment.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more application servers comprise a payment application module to provide payment processing for goods or services sold by the user.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more application servers comprise an on-line auction module within the network-based environment.