Business transaction system and method
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method for allocating proceeds of a business transaction over a network, using at least one information server entity and at least one payment entity to conduct the business transaction, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) inputting user-specified parameters into the computer;
wherein the user-specified parameters include a search object of at least one good, service, and information, and at least one user-specified beneficiary group to receive an allocation of proceeds from the business transaction;
(b) searching, on the fly, for providers of the search object who are associated with the at least one user-specified beneficiary group;
(c) determining, on the fly, if at least one responding provider matches the user-specified parameters;
(d) automatically prioritizing the user-specified parameters, on the fly, if no providers match the parameters or if the matches are unacceptable to the user;
(e) repeating steps (c)-(d) until at least one match occurs;
(f) generating a list of providers matching the user-specified parameters;
(g) selecting a provider from the list of providers acceptable to user to conduct the business transaction;
(h) determining an arrangement based upon the user-specified parameters, on the fly, between the user and the provider;
wherein the arrangement includes the user receiving the search object from the provider and a business transaction proceeds allocation, wherein the provider receives a portion of the business transaction proceeds, the at least one user-specified beneficiary group receives a benefit in the form of the portion of the business transaction proceeds, and the information server entity receive a fee; and
wherein the information server entity'"'"'s fee is the portion of the proceeds in the form of a percentage of the transaction proceeds or a fixed consideration per transaction;
(i) repeating steps (g)-(h) until the user-specified parameters have been met;
(j) executing the business transaction, upon the user'"'"'s acceptance of the arrangement, by causing the delivery of the search object to the user and causing the at least one payment entity to distribute the business transaction allocation proceeds to the at least one user-specified beneficiary, the information server entity, and the provider, pursuant to the arrangement.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for enabling a user, over a computer and communications network, to allocate a portion of proceeds of a transaction to a beneficiary by selecting a provider acceptable to a user, determining an arrangement on the fly based on user defined prioritized parameters, and allocating a determined portion of the proceeds to an information server, the provider, and the beneficiary, using a payment entity. The user may quickly and efficiently expand a search for providers of a specified good, service, and/or information, while maintaining a desired link to the beneficiary, such as a particular geographic community, a community of interest, or a user-preferred class of providers. Thus, a user may conduct an on-the-fly targeted search for a specified search object from providers associated with a similarly specified beneficiary group resulting in an allocation of proceeds to the beneficiary.
47 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method for allocating proceeds of a business transaction over a network, using at least one information server entity and at least one payment entity to conduct the business transaction, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) inputting user-specified parameters into the computer;
wherein the user-specified parameters include a search object of at least one good, service, and information, and at least one user-specified beneficiary group to receive an allocation of proceeds from the business transaction;(b) searching, on the fly, for providers of the search object who are associated with the at least one user-specified beneficiary group; (c) determining, on the fly, if at least one responding provider matches the user-specified parameters; (d) automatically prioritizing the user-specified parameters, on the fly, if no providers match the parameters or if the matches are unacceptable to the user; (e) repeating steps (c)-(d) until at least one match occurs; (f) generating a list of providers matching the user-specified parameters; (g) selecting a provider from the list of providers acceptable to user to conduct the business transaction; (h) determining an arrangement based upon the user-specified parameters, on the fly, between the user and the provider;
wherein the arrangement includes the user receiving the search object from the provider and a business transaction proceeds allocation, wherein the provider receives a portion of the business transaction proceeds, the at least one user-specified beneficiary group receives a benefit in the form of the portion of the business transaction proceeds, and the information server entity receive a fee; and
wherein the information server entity'"'"'s fee is the portion of the proceeds in the form of a percentage of the transaction proceeds or a fixed consideration per transaction;(i) repeating steps (g)-(h) until the user-specified parameters have been met; (j) executing the business transaction, upon the user'"'"'s acceptance of the arrangement, by causing the delivery of the search object to the user and causing the at least one payment entity to distribute the business transaction allocation proceeds to the at least one user-specified beneficiary, the information server entity, and the provider, pursuant to the arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification