Methods and apparatus for evaluating a user's affinity for a property

• US 7,766,743 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2002
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Douglas Schoellkopf Jebb, James Everett Byrne
• Original Assignee: Douglas Schoellkopf Jebb, James Everett Byrne
• Inventors: Jebb, Douglas Schoellkopf, Byrne, James Everett
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo; Peter DungBa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoel; Matthew D.
• Application Number:
  US10/231,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20040043372A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,896 Days
• Field of Search: 434/236, 434/219, 434/322, 434/307.R, 434/307.A, 434323-364, 463/23, 463 25- 29, 463/9, 463 40- 42, 705/14.1, 705/14.2, 705/14.31, 705/14.32, 705/14
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0218 based on score
• 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 30/0232 Frequent usage rewards other than merchandise, cash or travel
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/02 of the type wherein the student is expected to construct an answer to the question which is presented or wherein the machine gives an answer to the question presented by a student

Abstract

A system, method, apparatus, means, and computer program code for facilitating or allowing a user'"'"'s affinity for a property to be evaluated, recognized, rewarded and/or monetized. A user may access a Web site, computer system, kiosk, or other resource operated by, for or on behalf of a property. For example, a server may implement a Web site on behalf of one or more properties. The user may then provide or authorize a payment that allows the user to receive or take a test directed to examining the user'"'"'s knowledge of a property and/or to receive information regarding one or more actions that the user may complete to demonstrate the user'"'"'s affinity for the property. A user demonstrating affinity for the property may receive recognition or other benefit associated with the property.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, at a computer from a user who wants to demonstrate an affinity with a property, a request for a test to evaluate the user'"'"'s knowledge of or devotion to the property;

receiving, at the computer, a payment associated with the user, receipt of the payment allowing the user to take the test;

determining, by the computer, a test that satisfies the user'"'"'s request;

customizing the test, by the computer, by basing a portion of the test at least in part on a demonstrated affinity for the property, an attribute of the user and by setting a difficulty level of the test based at least in part on the amount of the payment;

providing the test to the user, by the computer, at least in part in response to the user'"'"'s request;

providing, to the user by the computer, in the instance the user passes the test, a certification designation identifying a level of affinity demonstrated by the user'"'"'s taking and passing of the test; and

providing the certification designation in electronic format for display to third parties.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the payment includes at least one of demographic information associated with the user, contact information associated with the user, or an action performed by the user.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, by the computer, if the user has passed the test.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the test includes requiring the user to perform a task, and wherein the task includes at least one of attending an event, purchasing a ticket to an event, or purchasing merchandise associated with the property.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the customized portion of the test includes at least one question.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the certification designation provided to the user allows the user to receive an incentive.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the incentive includes at least one of an opportunity to purchase a consumer good indicating the certification designation, a special offer, a promotion, and a discount.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the incentive includes at least one of a reward, a benefit, and a recognition, that is customized by being based at least in part on an attribute of the user.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the certification designation includes designating the user as a certified fan of the property.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the certification designation is provided to the user in an electronic file.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, at the computer, an indication that the user wishes to notify others in the instance the user passes the test.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the indication includes a brag list comprising contact information for a plurality of individuals that the user wishes to send the notification to.