Method and system for implementing a search engine with reward components and payment components
First Claim
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1. A method for executing an online search over a networked computer system comprising the steps of:
- a. accessing from a user computing device a search entry web element from a search engine web site running on a search engine computer adapted to allow a user to enter a search term associated with a desired product and associated search criteria;
b. a user initiating a search by operating said user computing device to enter (i) a search term into an input field on said search entry web element, said search term associated with a desired product, and (ii) associated search criteria, said search criteria specifying the availability of using a payment component comprising points previously accumulated by the user towards the purchase of the product;
c. the user computing device transmitting said search term and said search criteria to said search engine web site over a computer network;
d. the search engine web site using said search term to perform a search for web pages matching said search term in accordance with said search criteria;
e. the search engine web site returning to said user a plurality of links to web pages determined by said search engine web site to match said search term in accordance with said search criteria;
f. the user computing device connecting with a merchant web site associated with a selected link;
g. the user executing a transaction to purchase the desired product from the merchant web site, wherein said transaction comprises tendering at least partial payment for said desired product with a points payment process, said points payment process comprising the steps of;
i. transmitting a points a payment request from the user computing device to the search engine web site;
ii. the search engine web site arranging for the redemption of reward points from a reward point account stored on a reward point server on behalf of the user in order to at least partially pay the merchant for the selected product.
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Abstract
A system and method for implementation of product searches via a search engine over a networked computer system such as the Internet. In particular, a user may execute a search for product offers that are accompanied with reward components (e.g. reward points, rebates, coupons, etc.) and/or those that allow payment in whole or in part with payment components (e.g. reward points, rebates, coupons, etc.).
148 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for executing an online search over a networked computer system comprising the steps of:
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a. accessing from a user computing device a search entry web element from a search engine web site running on a search engine computer adapted to allow a user to enter a search term associated with a desired product and associated search criteria; b. a user initiating a search by operating said user computing device to enter (i) a search term into an input field on said search entry web element, said search term associated with a desired product, and (ii) associated search criteria, said search criteria specifying the availability of using a payment component comprising points previously accumulated by the user towards the purchase of the product; c. the user computing device transmitting said search term and said search criteria to said search engine web site over a computer network; d. the search engine web site using said search term to perform a search for web pages matching said search term in accordance with said search criteria; e. the search engine web site returning to said user a plurality of links to web pages determined by said search engine web site to match said search term in accordance with said search criteria; f. the user computing device connecting with a merchant web site associated with a selected link; g. the user executing a transaction to purchase the desired product from the merchant web site, wherein said transaction comprises tendering at least partial payment for said desired product with a points payment process, said points payment process comprising the steps of; i. transmitting a points a payment request from the user computing device to the search engine web site; ii. the search engine web site arranging for the redemption of reward points from a reward point account stored on a reward point server on behalf of the user in order to at least partially pay the merchant for the selected product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification