Lead distribution system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of providing sales leads comprising a processor for:
- (a) the processor, assigning a specific number of clicks to each of a plurality of sales entities each desirous of selling an asset, the number of clicks assigned being determined by the number of clicks purchased by each sales entity, wherein a click corresponds to an occurrence of a potential buyer selecting at least one characteristic of the asset on a first web page to thereby place the potential buyer into a browser session comprising a plurality of related web pages and based on the at least one characteristic, wherein the first web page is generated by a server and displayed on a display device;
(b) the processor, determining which sales entity is to be associated with a click based at least in part on the number of clicks purchased by each sales entity;
(c) the processor, associating a first browser session with linking information associated with one of the sales entities in accordance with the determination in step (b) in response to a click;
(d) the processor, debiting a click from the sales entity that is associated with the first browser session;
(e) the processor, associating a second browser session with linking information associated with one of the sales entities in response to a click in accordance with the determination in step (b); and
(f) the processor, debiting a click from the sales entity that is associated with the second browser session.
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Abstract
A method is disclosed for generating a sales referral over the Internet for the sale of an asset. A first and second salesperson is provided with an account that comprises a number of clicks and a first period during which the clicks will be delivered. A click comprises an assignment on a web site of linking information corresponding to a saleperson'"'"'s web site. A consumer who activates the click is transferred to a web site of the salesperson, and the click is debited from the salesperson'"'"'s account.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of providing sales leads comprising a processor for:
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(a) the processor, assigning a specific number of clicks to each of a plurality of sales entities each desirous of selling an asset, the number of clicks assigned being determined by the number of clicks purchased by each sales entity, wherein a click corresponds to an occurrence of a potential buyer selecting at least one characteristic of the asset on a first web page to thereby place the potential buyer into a browser session comprising a plurality of related web pages and based on the at least one characteristic, wherein the first web page is generated by a server and displayed on a display device; (b) the processor, determining which sales entity is to be associated with a click based at least in part on the number of clicks purchased by each sales entity; (c) the processor, associating a first browser session with linking information associated with one of the sales entities in accordance with the determination in step (b) in response to a click; (d) the processor, debiting a click from the sales entity that is associated with the first browser session; (e) the processor, associating a second browser session with linking information associated with one of the sales entities in response to a click in accordance with the determination in step (b); and (f) the processor, debiting a click from the sales entity that is associated with the second browser session. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer readable medium having computer executable instructions for performing a method of generating a sales lead over a communications network comprising:
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(a) generating a web page comprising a selectable characteristic of an asset using a first web server; (b) assigning each of a plurality of sales entities with a specific number of clicks, the number of clicks assigned being determined by the number of clicks purchased by each sales entity, wherein a click corresponds to an occurrence of a potential buyer using an input device to select the characteristic to thereby place the potential buyer into a browser session comprising a plurality of related web pages and based on the characteristic; (c) determining an order in which each sales entity is to be associated with the click; (d) operating the server to associate one of the plurality of sales entities with the click according to step (c); (e) transferring, upon detecting the click, the potential buyer into a first browser session sponsored by a first sales entity, wherein a sales lead is provided to the sales entity associated with the click when the potential buyer selects the characteristic; (f) debiting a click from the sales entity that is associated with the first browser session; and (g) associating a different sales entity with the click, according to the order determined in step (c). - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16)
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15. The method computer readable medium of 14, wherein the plurality of sales entities are participants in a multiple listing service.
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17. A system for providing sales leads for the sale of an asset comprising:
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a first web page accessible over a communications network; a file comprising a specific number of clicks purchased by each of a plurality of sales entities, wherein a click corresponds to an occurrence of a potential buyer selecting a characteristic of the asset displayed on the first web page to thereby place the potential buyer into a browser session comprising a plurality of related web pages and based on the characteristic; and a processor operably connected to the communications network, wherein the processor generates the first web page, associates each sales entity with the click only for the number of clicks purchased by that entity, causes to be displayed on a display device a second web page that is part of the browser session and is associated with one of the sales entities in response to the potential buyer selecting the characteristic, causes to be displayed on the display device a third web page that is part of the browser session and is associated with the same sales entity that is associated with the second web page, and debits a click from the same sales entity. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of providing sales leads in a communications network used by consumers to obtain information associated with one or more real estate listings in a geographic area, each real estate listing having a corresponding hyperlink comprising a processor for:
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(a) the processor, assigning a specific number of clicks to each of a plurality of sales entities associated with the network, the number of clicks assigned being determined by the number of clicks purchased by each sales entity, wherein a click corresponds to an occurrence of a potential buyer selecting at least one characteristic of a real estate listing on a first web page to thereby place the potential buyer into a browser session comprising a plurality of related web pages and based on the at least one characteristic; (b) the processor, determining an ordered list comprising the clicks for the sales entities, the ordered list identifying a sequence in which the clicks are to be associated with each sales entity; (c) the processor, in response to a first consumer selecting the at least one characteristic on the first web page, presenting to the first consumer real estate information corresponding to the at least one characteristic within a series of web pages that define a first browser session, wherein the first browser session is associated with a first sales entity in accordance with the sequence; and (d) the processor, debiting a click from the first sales entity. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification