Electronic commerce transactions within a marketing system that may contain a membership buying opportunity

• US 6,980,962 B1
• Filed: 02/29/2000
• Issued: 12/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Amway Corporation (Alticor Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Quixtar Investments Incorporated
• Inventors: Lang, Gregory J., Parker, John P., Hazard, William, Carlson, Bruce H., McCormick, Kathryn E., Visser, Steven R., Kamphuis, Aaron M., Dangl, William, Mahieu, Gary A., Arganbright, Daniel A., Hunking, Jim, Popp, Andrew J., Bancino, Randy S., Bamborough, Dave, Horder-Koop, Robin, McDonald, Kenneth J., Savage, Kelly K., Blodgett, James G., Zevalkink, Claire
• Primary Examiner(s): Coggins, Wynn W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZURITA, JAMES H
• Application Number:
  US09/515,860
• Time in Patent Office: 2,128 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14, 705/15, 705/26
• US Class Current: 705/14.31
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0214 Referral reward systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0222 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0231 Awarding of a frequent usage incentive independent of the monetary value of a good or service purchased, or distance travelled
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0258 Registration
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0268 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing complete electronic commerce (“E-Commerce”) transactions and solutions for a marketing company'"'"'s products via the World Wide Web, including facilities for signing up new customers and recruiting, training and supporting new Independent Business Owners through an interactive online process. In another aspect, the present invention relates to the combination of a marketing business with a membership buying opportunity using both electronic commerce and face-to-face transactions. The present invention is also directed to a system and method for combining a marketing business with a membership buying opportunity, so that Independent Business Owners participating in the marketing plan can introduce customers to a membership buying opportunity and earn bonuses or commissions based on the purchases by those members, while Members in the buying opportunity can consume products or, at their option, qualify to become Independent Business Owners.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating electronic commerce transactions in a marketing system through a network, the network comprising at least one server computer capable of communicating with a browser system located at a remote client computer, the method comprising:

establishing an interactive online registration process between the client browser system and the server computer so that an individual may register with the marketing system as a Client, a Member or an Independent Business Owner (“

IBO”

), wherein a Client is not eligible to earn compensation and is eligible to buy products or services at a Client price, wherein a Member is not eligible to earn compensation and is eligible to buy products or services at a Member price, and wherein an IBO is eligible to buy products or services at an IBO price and is eligible to earn compensation;

providing a plurality of web files operatively coupled to a web site associated with the marketing system; and

allowing access to a plurality of marketing system products or services to the registered Client, Member, or IBO via at least one of the plurality of web files.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of web files is a shopping page web file.

3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising:

allowing a registered Client, Member, and IBO to purchase marketing system products or services via the shopping page web file directly from a marketing company associated with the marketing system.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the allowing step further comprises:

accumulating a selected list of the marketing system products or services selected for purchase by the registered Client, Member, and IBO via the shopping page web file, wherein the selected list is maintained at the server computer.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the accumulating step further comprises:

receiving at the server computer identification of at least one of the marketing system products or services selected for purchase from the shopping page web file; and

at the server computer, adding to the selected list each marketing system product or service received by said receiving step.

6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising:

establishing a session when each of the registered Client, Member, and IBO accesses the web site associated with the marketing system;

terminating the session when each of the registered Client, Member, and IBO terminates access with the web site; and

at the server computer, maintaining the selected list for a holding period that begins when the registered Client, Member, and IBO terminates the session with the web site.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the holding period is at least 30 days.

8. A method according to claim 6, further comprising:

tracking a dormant period that begins when the registered Client, Member, and IBO terminates the session; and

if no marketing system products or services are added to the selected list during the dormant period, then sending an electronic notification to the registered Client, Member, at the expiration of the dormant period.

9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising:

resetting the dormant period if the registered Client, Member, and IBO adds a marketing system products or service to the selected list during the dormant period.

10. A method according to claim 8, further comprising:

canceling the dormant period if a purchase is made by the registered Client, Member, and IBO.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein the sending step comprises:

notifying the registered Client, Member, and IBO that the marketing system products or services in the selected list will be deleted following a deletion period if no additional marketing system products or services are added to the selected list or a purchase is not made by the registered Client, Member, and IBO, wherein the deletion period begins at the expiration of the dormant period.

12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

resetting the dormant period and the deletion period if the registered Client, Member, and IBO adds a marketing system product or service to the selected list during the deletion period.

13. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

resetting the deletion period if the registered Client, Member, and IBO adds a marketing system product or service to the selected list during the deletion period.

14. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

canceling the deletion period and the dormant period if a purchase is made by the registered Client, Member, and IBO.

15. A method according to claim 11, wherein the dormant period and the deletion period are at least 15 days.

16. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

deleting each of the marketing system products or services from the selected list subsequent to expiration of the deletion period.

17. A method according to claim 6, further comprising:

deleting each of the marketing system products or services from the selected list subsequent to expiration of the holding period.

18. A method according to claim 5, further comprising:

processing an order containing the selected list of marketing products or services selected for purchase, wherein the order is initiated via an on-line order form by the registered Client, Member, and IBO; and

sending an electronic notification to the registered Client, Member, and IBO subsequent to processing the order.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the electronic notification comprises an order status, an order number, an identifier, wherein the identifier indicates each of the marketing system products or services ordered, and a total sales price.

20. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of web files is a vendor partner page web file.

21. A method according to claim 20, further comprising:

allowing a registered Client, Member, and IBO to purchase marketing system products or services via the vendor partner page web file from a vendor partner associated with the marketing system.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the allowing step further comprises:

accumulating a selected list of the marketing system products or services selected for purchase by the registered Client, Member, and IBO via the vendor partner page web file, wherein the selected list is maintained at the server computer.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the accumulating step further comprises:

receiving at the server computer identification of at least one of the marketing system products or services selected for purchase from the vendor partner page web file; and

at the server computer, adding to the selected list each marketing system product or service received by said receiving step.

24. A method according to claim 2, further comprising:

allowing a registered Client, Member, and IBO to purchase marketing system products or services via the shopping page web file directly from a marketing company and from a vendor partner, wherein the marketing company and the vendor partner are associated with the marketing system.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the allowing step further comprises:

accumulating a selected list of the marketing system products or services selected for purchase by the registered Client, Member, and IBO via the shopping page web file, wherein the selected list is maintained at the server computer.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the accumulating step further comprises:

receiving at the server computer identification of at least one of the marketing system products or services selected for purchase from the shopping page web file; and

at the server computer, adding to the selected list each marketing system product or service received by said receiving step.

27. A method according to claim 26, further comprising:

establishing a session when each of the registered Client, Member, and IBO accesses the web site associated with the marketing system;

terminating the session when each of the registered Client, Member, and IBO terminates access with the web site; and

at the server computer, maintaining the selected list of marketing system products or services selected for purchase via the shopping page web file for a holding period that begins when the registered Client, Member, and IBO terminates the session with the web site.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the holding period is at least 30 days.

29. A method according to claim 27, further comprising:

tracking a dormant period that begins when the registered Client, Member, and IBO terminates the session; and

if no marketing system products or services are added to the selected list during the dormant period, then sending an electronic notification to the registered Client, Member at the expiration of the dormant period.

30. A method according to claim 29, further comprising:

resetting the dormant period if the registered Client, Member, and IBO adds a marketing system products or service to the selected list during the dormant period.

31. A method according to claim 29, further comprising:

canceling the dormant period if a purchase is made by the registered Client, Member, and IBO.

32. A method according to claim 29, wherein the sending step comprises:

notifying the registered Client, Member, and IBO that the marketing system products or services in the selected list will be deleted following a deletion period if no additional marketing system products or services are added to the selected list or a purchase is not made by the registered Client, Member, and IBO, wherein the deletion period begins at the expiration of the dormant period.

33. A method according to claim 32, further comprising:

resetting the dormant period and the deletion period if the registered Client, Member, and IBO adds a marketing system product or service to the selected list during the deletion period.

34. A method according to claim 32, further comprising:

resetting the deletion period if the registered Client, Member, and IBO adds a marketing system product or service to the selected list during the deletion period.

35. A method according to claim 32, further comprising:

canceling the deletion period and the dormant period if a purchase is made by the registered Client, Member, and IBO.

36. A method according to claim 32, wherein the dormant period and the deletion period are at least 15 days.

37. A method according to claim 32, further comprising:

deleting each of the marketing system products or services from the selected list subsequent to expiration of the deletion period.

38. A method according to claim 27, further comprising:

deleting each of the marketing system products or services from the selected list subsequent to expiration of the holding period.

39. A method according to claim 26, further comprising:

processing an order containing the selected list of marketing products or services selected for purchase, wherein the order is initiated via an on-line order form by the registered Client, Member, and IBO; and

sending an electronic notification to the registered Client, Member, and IBO subsequent to processing the order.

40. A method according to claim 39, wherein the electronic notification comprises an order status, an order number, an identifier, wherein the identifier indicates each of the marketing system products or services ordered, and a total sales price.

41. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

providing online access to the plurality of marketing system products or services to a registered Member via an on-line redemption form associated with one of the plurality of web files; and

allowing the registered Member to submit a rewards exchange request for marketing system products or services via the on-line redemption form.

42. A method according to claim 41, wherein the allowing step further comprises:

accumulating a selected list of the marketing system products or services selected for redemption by the Member via the on-line redemption form, wherein the selected list is maintained at the server computer.

43. A method according to claim 42, wherein the accumulating step further comprises:

receiving at the server computer identification of at least one of the marketing system products or services selected for redemption from the on-line redemption form; and

at the server computer, adding to the selected list each marketing system product or service received by said receiving step.

44. A method according to claim 43, further comprising:

establishing a session when the registered Member accesses the web site associated with the marketing system;

terminating the session when the registered Member terminates access with the web site; and

at the server computer, maintaining the selected list of marketing system products or services selected for redemption via the on-line redemption form for a holding period that begins when the registered Member terminates the session with the web site.

45. A method according to claim 44, wherein the holding period is at least 30 days.

46. A method according to claim 44, further comprising:

tracking a dormant period that begins when the registered Member terminates the session; and

if no marketing system products or services are added to the selected list during the dormant period, then sending an electronic notification to the registered Member at the expiration of the dormant period.

47. A method according to claim 46, further comprising:

resetting the dormant period if the registered Member adds a marketing system products or service to the selected list during the dormant period.

48. A method according to claim 46, further comprising:

canceling the dormant period if a purchase is made by the registered Member.

49. A method according to claim 46, wherein the sending step comprises:

notifying the registered Member that the marketing system products or services in the selected list will be deleted following a deletion period if no additional marketing system products or services are added to the selected list or a purchase is not made by the registered Member, wherein the deletion period begins at the expiration of the dormant period.

50. A method according to claim 49, further comprising:

resetting the dormant period and the deletion period if the registered Member adds a marketing system product or service to the selected list during the deletion period.

51. A method according to claim 49, further comprising:

resetting the deletion period if the registered Member adds a marketing system product or service to the selected list during the deletion period.

52. A method according to claim 49, further comprising:

canceling the deletion period and the dormant period if a purchase is made by the registered Member.

53. A method according to claim 49, wherein the dormant period and the deletion period are at least 15 days.

54. A method according to claim 49, further comprising:

deleting each of the marketing system products or services from the selected list subsequent to expiration of the deletion period.

55. A method according to claim 44, further comprising:

deleting each of the marketing system products or services from the selected list subsequent to expiration of the holding period.

56. A method according to claim 43, further comprising:

processing an order containing the selected list of marketing products or services selected for redemption, wherein the order is initiated via an on-line redemption form by the registered Member; and

sending an electronic notification to the registered Member subsequent to processing the order.

57. A method according to claim 56, wherein the electronic notification comprises a redemption order status, a redemption order number, an identifier, wherein the identifier indicates each of the marketing system products or services selected for redemption, and a total redemption points total.

58. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of web files is an office page web file, wherein the office page web file is accessible only by each IBO.

59. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of web files is an office page web file, wherein the office page web file is accessible only by each Member and IBO.

60. A method according to claim 58, further comprising:

establishing a personal group associated with a first IBO, wherein the personal group comprises at least one individual selected from the group consisting of a registered Client, Member, and a second IBO.

61. A method according to claim 60, further comprising:

creating an identifier associating the at least one individual with the first IBO; and

storing the identifier at the server computer.

62. A method according to claim 60, further comprising:

providing to the first IBO information relating to sales of marketing system products or services to the personal group and sales of marketing system products or services by the personal group.

63. A method according to claim 60, further comprising:

providing to the first IBO information relating to sales of marketing system products or services to the first IBO and sales of marketing system products or services by the first IBO.

64. A method according to claim 60, further comprising:

establishing a line of sponsorship, wherein the line of sponsorship comprises at least the first IBO, the second IBO, and a third IBO.

65. A method according to claim 64, further comprising:

providing to the first IBO market system and personal information relating to each of the second and third IBO.

66. A method according to claim 60, further comprising:

totaling a plurality of individual point values assigned to the marketing system products or services sold to the at least one individual of the personal group and by the at least one individual of the personal group to achieve a total individual point value;

totaling a plurality of individual business volumes assigned to the marketing system products or services sold to the at least one individual of the personal group and by the at least one individual of the personal group to achieve a total individual business volume; and

allowing the first IBO to view the total individual point value and the total individual business volume via the office page web file.

67. A method according to claim 66, further comprising:

adding a plurality of individual point values assigned to the marketing system products or services sold to the first IBO and by the first IBO to achieve a total first IBO point value;

adding a plurality of individual business volumes assigned to the marketing system products or services sold to the first IBO and by the first IBO to achieve a total first IBO business volume;

allowing the first IBO to view the total first IBO point value and the total first IBO business volume via the office page web file.

68. A method according to claim 60, further comprising:

totaling a plurality of individual point values assigned to the marketing system products or services sold to the personal group and by the personal group to achieve a total group point value;

totaling a plurality of individual business volumes assigned to the marketing system products or services sold to the personal group and by the personal group to achieve a total group business volume; and

allowing the first IBO to view the total group point value and the total group business volume via the office page web file.

69. A method according to claim 68, further comprising:

adding a plurality of individual point values assigned to the marketing system products or services sold to the first IBO and by the first IBO to achieve a total first IBO point value;

adding the total first IBO point value to the total group point value;

adding a plurality of individual business volumes assigned to the marketing system products or services sold to the first IBO and by the first IBO to achieve a total first IBO business volume;

adding the total first IBO business volume to the total group business volume; and

allowing the first IBO to view the total group point value and the total group business volume via the office page web file.

70. A method according to claim 60, further comprising:

establishing a plurality of escalating levels, wherein the escalating levels are a function of sales of marketing system products or services; and

providing an interactive calculation method via the office page web file, wherein the interactive calculation method allows the first IBO to determine a quantity of sales of marketing system products or services needed to reach one of the plurality of escalating levels.

71. A method according to claim 70, further comprising:

providing an interactive calculation method via the office page web file, wherein the interactive calculation method allows the first IBO to determine a quantity of sales of marketing system products or services needed by one of the at least one individual of the personal group to reach one of the plurality of escalating levels.

72. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of web files is a income options page web file, wherein the income options page web file comprises an interactive presentation of information relating to the marketing system.

73. A method according to claim 72, wherein the interactive presentation comprises a multimedia presentation of information.

74. A method according to claim 72, wherein only a registered Client, Member, and IBO may view the interactive presentation via the income options page web file.

75. A method according to claim 72, further comprising:

providing an interactive calculation method via the income options page web file, wherein the interactive calculation method allows an individual to determine an income based on a quantity of sales of marketing system products or services sold through the marketing system.

76. A method according to claim 75, further comprising:

establishing a plurality of escalating levels wherein the escalating levels are a function of sales of marketing system products or services; and

providing an interactive calculation method via the income options page web file, wherein the interactive calculation method allows the individual to determine a quantity of sales of marketing system products or services needed to reach one of the plurality of escalating levels and to determine an income associated with the quantity of sales.

77. A method according to claim 72, further comprising:

allowing a visitor to the web site access to the interactive presentation;

presenting a series of dialog boxes to the visitor;

receiving from the visitor an income submitted via one of the dialog boxes;

receiving from the visitor a number of customers submitted via one of the dialog boxes;

receiving from the visitor a sales figure submitted via one of the dialog boxes, wherein the sales figure represents a dollar volume of sales to customers; and

receiving from the visitor a sponsor group number submitted via one of the dialog boxes, wherein the sponsor group number represents a number of individuals to be sponsored by the visitor.

78. A method according to claim 77, further comprising:

multiplying the number of customers by the sales figure to obtain a total sales figure;

multiplying the number of customers by a retail price to obtain a total retail price;

subtracting the total retail price from the total sales figure to obtain a total discount sales income;

calculating a total point value based on the total sales figure;

calculating a total business volume value based on the total sales figure;

calculating a performance bonus income based on a combination of the total point value and the total business volume;

adding the performance bonus income and the total discount sales income to obtain a total income; and

presenting the total income to the visitor via the income options page web file.

79. A method according to claim 78, further comprising:

calculating a total sponsor group point value based on sales of products or services by the sponsor group;

calculating a total sponsor group business volume based on sales of products or services by the sponsor group;

calculating a total sponsor group bonus income based on a combination of the total sponsor group point value and the total sponsor group business volume;

adding the total sponsor group bonus income and the total discount sales income to obtain a total sponsor group income; and

and presenting the total sponsor group income to the visitor via the income options web page file.

80. A method according to claim 79, further comprising:

obtaining a revised sponsor group number from the visitor;

recalculating the total sponsor group point value and the total sponsor group business volume using the revised sponsor group number to obtain a revised total sponsor group bonus income;

adding the revised total sponsor group bonus income and the total discount sales income to obtain a revised total sponsor group income; and

presenting the revised total sponsor group income to the visitor via the income options web page file.

81. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of web files is a member service page web file.

82. A method according to claim 81, further comprising:

supplying an on-line form associated with the member service page web file to a registered Client, Member, and IBO;

allowing the registered Client, Member, and IBO to enter personal information onto the on-line form;

storing the personal information on the server computer; and

customizing a layout of the plurality of web files based on the personal information.

83. A method according to claim 82, further comprising:

establishing a plurality of marketing system products or services based on the personal information supplied by the registered Client, Member, and IBO; and

presenting the plurality of marketing system products or services to the registered Client, Member, and IBO.

84. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

establishing a customer service page web file, wherein the customer service page web file is accessible to the registered Client, Member, and IBO and to non-registered visitors to the web site.

85. A method according to claim 1, wherein the allowing step is carried out so that one of the registered Client or Member does not have access to all marketing system products or services.

86. A method according to claim 1, wherein the allowing step is carried out so that only a registered IBO has access to all marketing system products or services.

87. A method according to claim 1, wherein the allowing step is carried out so that a different group of marketing system products or services is presented to each of the registered Client, Member, and IBO.

88. A method according to claim 1, wherein the allowing step is carried out so that a registered Client, Member, or IBO may purchase any marketing system product or service if an identification number associated with the product or service is known.

89. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

assigning the registered Client or Member to a registered IBO.

90. A method according to claim 89, wherein the registered Client or Member is assigned to a registered IBO based on a geographic proximity of the registered IBO to the registered Client or Member.

91. A method according to claim 3, further comprising:

providing an on-line order status request form, wherein the order status request form allows the registered Client, Member, and IBO to check on a status of purchases of marketing system products or services.

92. A method according to claim 21, further comprising:

providing an on-line order status request form, wherein the order status request form allows the registered Client, Member, and IBO to check on a status of purchases of marketing system products or services.

93. A method according to claim 24, further comprising:

providing an on-line order status request form, wherein the order status request form allows the registered Client, Member, and IBO to check on a status of purchases of marketing system products or services.

94. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

checking a user'"'"'s identifier when a user attempts to access one of the plurality of web files to determine whether the identifier describes a participation level associated with the user, and wherein the participation level is selected from the group consisting of Client, Member, IBO;

redirecting the user to a marketing page web file if the user does not have an identifier;

redirecting the user to the marketing page web file if the identifier fails to describe the participation level as one of Client, Member and IBO; and

redirecting a registered Client, Member, and IBO to an information page, wherein the information page explains that the participation level of the registered Client, Member, and IBO does not allow access to the one of the plurality of web files.

95. A method according to claim 94, wherein the information page comprises marketing information to encourage the registered Client, Member, and IBO to upgrade the participation level.

96. A method according to claim 3, further comprising:

providing an on-line form to the registered Client, Member, and IBO, wherein the on-line form allows the registered Client, Member, and IBO to return or exchange products or services purchased through the marketing system;

allowing the registered Client, Member, and IBO to enter a plurality of information relating to the products or services on the on-line form;

providing a preformatted form containing the information relating to the products or services, wherein the form can be printed and returned by the registered Client, Member, and IBO with the products or services; and

providing an on-line prepaid postage label, wherein the postage label can be printed and used to return the products or services.

97. A system for facilitating electronic commerce transactions in a marketing system comprising:

a memory device having embodied therein information relating to a plurality of marketing system products or services; and

a processor in communication with said memory device, said processor configured for

establishing an interactive online registration process so that an individual may register with the marketing system as a Client, a Member or an Independent Business Owner, wherein a Client is not eligible to earn compensation and is eligible to buy products or services at a Client price, wherein a Member is not eligible to earn compensation and is eligible to buy products or services at a Member price, and wherein an IBO is eligible to buy products or services at an IBO price and is eligible to earn compensation,

providing a plurality of web files operatively coupled to a web site associated with the marketing system, and

allowing access to a plurality of marketing system products or services to the registered Client, Member, or IBO via at least one of the plurality of web files.

98. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for enabling a processor in a computer system to facilitate electronic commerce transactions in a marketing system, said computer program logic comprising:

establishing means for enabling the processor to establish an interactive online registration process so that an individual may register with the marketing system as a Client, a Member or an Independent Business Owner (“

IBO”

), wherein a Client is not eligible to earn compensation and is eligible to buy products or services at a Client price, wherein a Member is not eligible to earn compensation and is eligible to buy products or services at a Member price, and wherein an IBO is eligible to buy products or services at an IBO price and is eligible to earn compensation;

providing means for enabling the processor to provide a plurality of web files operatively coupled to a web site associated with the marketing system; and

allowing means for enabling the processor to allow access to a plurality of marketing system products or services to the registered Client, Member, or IBO via at least one of the plurality of web files.