Devices, systems, and methods for solving challenges in telecom and sales marketing

• US 7,403,908 B1
• Filed: 03/08/2002
• Issued: 07/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hothand Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hothand Incorporated
• Inventors: Jaramillo, Randolph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss; John G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Meyers; Matthew S
• Application Number:
  US10/094,379
• Time in Patent Office: 2,328 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/5, 705/16, 705/26
• US Class Current: 705/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

Handheld communication devices, such as wireless phones, include one or more application programs that permit a person to sell handheld communication products at a point of contact with a potential customer. The methods reward the user of the handheld communication device by providing incentives for selling communication products. By purchasing the handheld communication devices, the customer may then sell other communication products to other customers. The sales of the handheld communication products result in an expanding network of customers and increased revenue for telecommunication companies.

Claims

1. A method of selling portable handheld communication products, comprising:

a. providing a first consumer with a portable handheld communication device, wherein the first consumer'"'"'s portable handheld communication device is a wireless phone;

b. inputting a second consumer'"'"'s purchase transaction data into a first consumer'"'"'s portable handheld communication device, wherein the purchase transaction data includes the second consumer'"'"'s personal information and payment information necessary to complete a sale of a portable handheld communication product to the second consumer;

c. transmitting the purchase transaction data for the second consumer over a communication network; and

d. receiving a first consumer reward in exchange for completing the sale of the portable handheld communication product to the second consumer, the first consumer receiving the first consumer reward without having registered as a distributor or paid a sign-up fee.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the purchase transaction data are input into the first consumer'"'"'s portable handheld communication device by pressing one or more keys on a keypad communicatively coupled to the first consumer'"'"'s portable handheld communication device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the purchase transaction data are input into the first consumer'"'"'s portable handheld communication device by speaking into the first consumer'"'"'s portable handheld communication device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication network comprises a wireless network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication network comprises a global communication network.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the data storage device is a database.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the inputting step is performed at a point of contact between the first consumer and the second consumer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first consumer reward comprises one or more selections chosen from—

cash, credit, stock options, and frequent flier miles.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second portable handheld communication product comprises a second consumer'"'"'s portable handheld communication device, and further comprising:

e. inputting a third consumer'"'"'s purchase transaction data into the second consumer'"'"'s portable handheld communication device, wherein the third consumer'"'"'s purchase transaction data include the third consumer'"'"'s personal information and payment information necessary to complete a sale of a portable handheld communication product to the third consumer;

f. transmitting the purchase transaction data for the third consumer over a communication network; and

g. receiving a second consumer reward in exchange for completing the sale of the third portable handheld communication product to the third consumer.

10. A method of selling portable handheld communication products, comprising:

h. receiving a first portable handheld communication device;

i. selecting an application in the first portable handheld communication device to order a handheld communication product for a second consumer over a communication network;

j. initiating a sale by activating a purchase order form that stores data related to a purchase of the second portable handheld communication product by a second consumer;

k. inputting personal information data for the second consumer into the first portable handheld communication device and storing the personal information data using the purchase order form;

l. inputting payment method information data into the first portable handheld communication device;

m. selecting a second portable handheld communication device product to be purchased by the second consumer;

n. selecting a communication service plan associated with the selected portable handheld communication device product to be purchased by the second consumer;

o. transmitting the purchase order data over a communication network and storing the purchase order data in a database;

p. validating the payment method information data necessary to complete the sale; and

q. qualifying for a reward for completing the sale, without having been required to have registered as a distributor or to have paid a sign-up fee.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the method is performed at a point of contact between a first consumer who received the first portable handheld communication device and the second consumer.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first consumer'"'"'s portable handheld communication device is a wireless phone.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the data is input into the first portable handheld communication device via a keyboard.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the data is input into the first portable handheld communication device via a voice signal.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the communication network comprises a global communication network.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the communication network comprises a wireless network.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the second consumer receives the second portable handheld device, and selects an application in the second portable handheld communication device to order a third handheld communication product for a third consumer over the communication network, the application executing a method that:

r. initiates a sale by activating the purchase order form to store data related to a second purchase of the third portable handheld communication product by the third consumer;

s. receives input of personal information data for the third consumer into the second portable handheld communication device and stores the personal information data using the purchase order form;

t. receives input of payment method information data into the first consumer'"'"'s portable handheld communication device;

u. allows the third consumer to select the third portable handheld communication device product to be purchased and to select a communication service plan associated with the selected third portable handheld communication device product;

v. transmits the purchase order data over the communication network and stores the purchase order data in a database;

w. receives validation of the payment method information data necessary to complete the sale; and

x. qualifies the second consumer for a reward for completing the second sale, without requiring the second consumer to have registered as a distributor or to have paid a sign-up fee.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising accumulating reward points for each sale completed, the reward points being accumulated to increase the value of the reward selected by the first consumer.