NL1039646C2 - Computer implemented method for growing an electronic network. - Google Patents

Computer implemented method for growing an electronic network. Download PDF

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Publication number
NL1039646C2
NL1039646C2 NL1039646A NL1039646A NL1039646C2 NL 1039646 C2 NL1039646 C2 NL 1039646C2 NL 1039646 A NL1039646 A NL 1039646A NL 1039646 A NL1039646 A NL 1039646A NL 1039646 C2 NL1039646 C2 NL 1039646C2
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Netherlands
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user
application software
merchant
server
seller
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NL1039646A
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Dutch (nl)
Inventor
Norbert Pieter Deelstra
Arie Roy
Douwe Johannes Monsma
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Commerceradar C V
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Priority to NL1039646A priority Critical patent/NL1039646C2/en
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Publication of NL1039646C2 publication Critical patent/NL1039646C2/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

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  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
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Description

Computer implemented method for growing an electronic network Technical field
The present invention relates to a computer implemented method for growing an 5 electronic network of handheld devices with application software and a server. Preferably, the network comprises a registry of users of application software on handheld devices and a registry of merchants with physical store locations.
Preferably, the method provides users of application software on handheld devices with information on merchants’ physical store location and their offerings.
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Background to the invention
Various networks have been used and described in the art. For instance, the website Adddeal.com offers a customer loyalty card. Customers and businesses can sign up for free. The program has a local geographic focus on Torbay, United Kingdom. The 15 website grouponclone.com offers a group buying website with a referral system for on-line businesses. Worldpay offers a referral system for business clients to sign up other merchants for Worldpay’s telephone services by using a 800 telephone number, requiring extensive support staff investments. Paypal also offers a referral program allowing new business clients to sign up Paypal’s services via a link at the bottom of 20 an e-mail. Google ads offers third party to display their advertisements on third party websites, essentially increasing the scope of customers viewing the ads. Other networks have been described in patent applications. For instance, US 2005/0267816 (Jaramillo) discloses subscription (fee) based services to provide customers with promotions of businesses. WO 2009/073433 (American Express) discloses software 25 for handheld computers for presenting promotions to customers on mobile phones. WO2011/159487 (Microsoft Corporation) discloses improving and correcting location based information through user feedback.
We have found that these systems require extensive sales force or marketing support 30 function investments. They lead to slow network growth, particularly for geographically dispersed businesses with physical store locations, so-called “brick and mortar” stores. The processes are often complex and cumbersome involving coupon prepayment (Groupon), placement of links on websites, use of verification codes, sales transaction verification procedures, and limited operating hours for 1039646 2 support helpdesks. Surprisingly, we have found that the present invention provides a technical solution to the technical problem of growing networks of merchants and users.
5 Summary of the invention
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a computer implemented method for growing an electronic network of handheld devices with application software and a server, wherein the network comprises a registry of users of application software on handheld devices and a registry of merchants with physical store locations, wherein 10 the method provides users of application software on handheld devices with information on merchants’ physical store location and offering, the method comprising: i) receiving at the server, information representative of the identity of an additional user of application software on a handheld device; 15 ii) receiving at the server from the user of application software on a handheld device, information representative of the identity of an additional merchant with a physical store location; iii) recording at the server, an affiliation between the user of application software on a handheld device and the merchant with a physical store location; 20 iv) receiving at the server from the merchant, instructions for providing users of application software on handheld devices with information representative of the offering of the merchant; v) identifying the user of the application software on a handheld device affiliated with the merchant; and 25 vi) providing a payment to the affiliated user of the application software on the handheld device.
Preferably, provision of the information of step i) is facilitated by a first generation registered user of application software on a handheld device, wherein the additional 30 user is registered as a second generation registered user, wherein a user-user affiliation is recorded between the first generation registered user and the second generation registered user and wherein the first registered user of application software is provided with a payment that is related to the payment provided to the second generation registered user in step vi).
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Preferably, the server as part of step ii) further receives information representative of the merchant’s physical store location from the location of the handheld devices and subsequently displays the merchant’s physical store location on the handheld device of the user of step ii).
5 Preferably, the user as part of step i) and merchant as part of step ii) confirm registration and server adds the user to the registry of users of application software on handheld devices as part of step i) and the merchant to the registry of merchant’s with physical store location as part of step ii).
Preferably, the affiliation between the user and the merchant in step iii) is recorded 10 after receipt of a confirmation message from the merchant.
Preferably, as part of step iv), information is received representative of a payment by the merchant.
Preferably, the electronic network subsequent to step iv) displays information representative of the merchant’s physical store locations and offering on the handheld 15 devices of at least some of the users of application software on handheld devices in the registry.
Preferably, steps i) to vi) are processed electronically.
Preferably, the handheld device is a mobile phone or smart phone.
Preferably, the server is further provided with payment account details of the user and 20 the merchant.
Preferably, the merchant’s physical store location and offering are displayed on the handheld devices of at least some of the users of application software on handheld devices.
Preferably, the application software enables the user to perform one or more of the 25 following: to register the user, to register the merchant, to display the merchant’s physical store location on a map, to display the merchant’s offering, and to display the payment account of the user.
Preferably, the application software on the handheld device of the user transfers the user’s information of step i) and the merchant’s information of step ii) to the server.
30 Preferably, step iv) is facilitated by the server, wherein the server offers the merchant to display offerings to users of application software on handheld devices in exchange for a payment.
The invention further relates to a system comprising electronic handheld devices with application software and a server with application software wherein the application 4 software on the handheld device is adapted to cause the system to register a handheld device user, to register a merchant, to display the merchant’s physical store location on a map, to display the merchant’s offering, and to display a payment account of the user, and wherein the application software on the server is adapted to cause the 5 system to store a user registry, to store a merchant registry, to store a merchant-user affiliation registry and to store a user-user affiliation registry.
The present invention is particularly useful for growing an quickly expanding network of merchants with physical store locations that display offerings to users of 10 application software on handheld devices. Thus far, growing a network required an extensive sales effort in order to sign up merchants for displaying their offerings, in particular due to the merchants’ dispersed physical store locations. The same can be said about signing up users to view and potentially benefit from those offerings. Our invention does not require such extensive efforts, yet leads to excellent network 15 creation and growth.
The present invention provides for a technical solution by using a particularly set-up electronic network as well as information on the user, the merchant and their affiliation to grow the network. Our technical solution preferably provides for correct 20 assembly of all required information, for easy and correct processing of the information, for accurate display of merchant’s offerings and physical store locations, and/or for precise payment transactions. According to the invention, users of application software on handheld devices are provided with a payment after signing up merchants with physical store locations who subsequently display an offering to 25 the users of handheld devices with application software. Amongst other things, the invention preferably uses a step of affiliating the user with the merchant he registers. Our invention provides a solution by technical means that substantially lowers otherwise extensive investments in marketing and customer service support functions when signing-up and registering merchants with physical store locations to a network 30 for displaying offerings to users of handheld devices with application software.
We have realized that the use of a large and wide-spread user base of users with handheld devices with application software allows for the creation of the growing network. In particular, the invention provides an easy way for these large and wide- 5 spread users to register and sign-up merchants with physical store locations. Once the merchant displays offerings on the network, the affiliated user benefits from a payment, through recording of an affiliation with that merchant.
5 In certain preferred embodiments, the user can also benefit from signing up other users to the network. This creates a larger user base not only for attracting and registering more merchants to present their offerings through the network but also for viewing the displayed merchant’s offerings. It is thus believed that the method according to the invention leads to large numbers of participating users and large 10 numbers of participating merchants with physical store location, while requiring minimal client support due to the technical solution of our invention. Creation of a network that grows with minimal hurdles is one of the objectives of the present invention. In fact, the present invention provides to a large extend a self growing network of users and merchants requiring minimal marketing support which is at least 15 partially due to the affiliation and a payment for users when they sign up merchants or users that are not yet registered.
Brief description of the figures
Figure 1 schematically illustrates the details of an electronic network according to an 20 embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 schematically illustrates the details of the user registration according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 schematically illustrates the details of a user registering a merchant according to an embodiment of the present invention.
25 Figure 4 schematically illustrates the details of a merchant displaying an offering according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 schematically illustrates the details of a user registering a new user and the new user registering a merchant according to an embodiment of the present invention.
30 Detailed description of the invention
The following definitions are applicable in the present invention.
A “prospective user” refers to an individual who has not installed the application software on his handheld device.
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An “additional user” refers to an individual who is not on the registry of users of application software on handheld devices. An “additional user” may or may not have installed the application software on his handheld device.
A “user” refers to an individual with installed application software on his handheld 5 device that desires ietms from a merchant or to obtain displayed offering. A “user” may or may not be registered on the network. It is noted that the terms "customer," "consumer," or "user" are used interchangeably herein.
A “registered user” refers to an individual who has been included in the registry of users of application software on handheld devices.
10 An “affiliation” is recorded between the first generation registered user and the second generation registered user as part of step i) of the invention (“user-user affiliation”) or between a user and a merchant (“merchant-user affiliation”).
An “affiliated user” refers to a registered user who is affiliated with another user (“user affiliated user”) or with a merchant (“merchant affiliated user”).
15 A “first generation registered user” and a “second generation registered user” refer to the order (in time and/or rank) of registration of two individuals in the registry on network wherein the “first generation registered user” registers first on the network and then facilitates registration on the network of the “second generation registered user”, following step i) of the invention.
20 A “merchant affiliated user” refers to a registered user who has provided information representative of the identity of an additional merchant with a physical store location. The user provides this information in step ii) of the invention and an affiliation (merchant-user affiliation) between the user and the merchant is recorded in step iii). An “merchant” refers to any business entity that desire to offers goods or services for 25 sale.
An “affiliated merchant” refers to a merchant with an affiliation with a user.
The present invention provides a computer implemented method for growing an electronic network of handheld devices with application software and a server. The 30 method provides users of application software on handheld devices with information on merchants’ physical store location and offering.
In step i), the information representative of the identity of an additional user of application software on a handheld device is preferably provided by the user using the 7 handheld device and preferably the application software on the handheld device. Preferably, information representative of the identity of user includes his email address, more preferably also a payment account, most preferably also his name and address including street, city, zip code and country. Preferably, the user provides the 5 information to the network using the application software on the handheld device of the user. Optionally, the information may be provided by other means such as one or more personal computers. Preferably, the information is stored in the network, more preferably on the server. Preferably, the user, as part of step i), confirms registration. Preferably, the user is added to the registry of users of application software on 10 handheld devices after confirmation. Preferably, the registration is stored in the network, more preferably on the server.
In step ii) of the invention, preferably the user uses the application software on his handheld device to provide information representative of the identity of an additional 15 merchant with a physical store location to the server. Preferably, information representative of the identity of merchant includes the merchant’s email address and the merchant’s physical store location, more preferably also a payment account, most preferably also a name and trade name and detailed address including street, city, zip code and country. Preferably, the user provides the information using the application 20 software on the handheld device of the user. Optionally, the information may be provided by other means such as one or more fixed line computers. Preferably, the information is stored in the network, more preferably on the server. Preferably, the merchant, as part of step ii), confirms registration. Preferably, the merchant is added to the registry of merchants with physical store locations after confirmation.
25 Preferably, the registration is stored in the network, more preferably on the server.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the server, as part of step ii) receives information representative of the merchant’s physical store location by identifying the geographic location of the handheld device of the user. Preferably, the location is 30 identified using an antenna on the handheld device with application software and one or more cell phone towers that are part of a communication network. Preferably, the network subsequently displays, as part of step ii), the merchant’s physical store location on the user’s handheld device with application software. In a preferred 8 embodiment, the physical store location is displayed on a map on the handheld device of the user before confirmation by the merchant as part of step ii).
In step iii) of the invention, an affiliation (“merchant-user affiliation”) is recorded 5 between the user of application software on handheld device and the merchant with a physical store location. The affiliation reflects that information on the merchant with the physical store location has been provided to the network by the user of application software on the handheld device and that the merchant and the user are connected. Preferably, the affiliation is recorded in the network, more preferably on the server.
10 Preferably, the affiliation between the user and the merchant in step iii) is recorded after receipt of a confirmation message from the merchant.
In step iv) of the invention, the merchant provides instructions to the server for providing users of application software on handheld devices with information 15 representative of the offering of the merchant. Preferably, instructions are provided by electronic means. Preferably, the offering is provided in combination with the merchant’s physical store location. Preferably, the offering is displayed on the handheld device with application software of the users in the network, more preferably on a map. Preferably, the merchant provides information representative of 20 a payment. Preferably, step iv) is facilitated by the network, wherein the network offers the merchant to display the offerings to users of application software on handheld devices in exchange for a payment. Preferably, the server in the network makes the offer. The network’s offer could represent a premium advertising package for the merchant to for instance display information representative of the offering to 25 for a longer time, to more users or prominently displayed on the handheld device.
Subsequent to step iv), the network preferably displays information representative of the merchant’s physical store locations and offering on the handheld devices of at least some of the users of application software on handheld devices.
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In step v), the user of the application software on a handheld device affiliated with the merchant is identified. Preferably, the network, more preferably the server, identifies the user affiliated with the merchant in step iii) of the invention. Preferably, step v) is conducted at the server.
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In step vi), a payment is provided to the affiliated user of the application software on the handheld device. Preferably, the network, more preferably the server, provides a payment to the affiliated user. Preferably, step vi) is conducted at the server.
Preferably, steps i) to vi) are processed electronically.
According to a preferred aspect of the invention, provision of the information of step i) is facilitated a first generation registered user of application software on a handheld 10 device, wherein the additional user is registered as a second generation registered user, wherein an affiliation is recorded between the first generation registered user and the second generation registered user and wherein the first generation registered user of application software is provided with a payment that is related to the payment provided to the second generation registered user in step vi).
15 According to this preferred aspect, the second generation registered user preferably provides the information of an additional merchant of step ii), the affiliation between the second generation registered user and the merchant is recorded according to step iii), the instructions of the merchant on the offering of step iv) are received, and the affiliated second generation registered user is identified in step v), before the payment 20 of step vi) is provided.
In one preferred embodiment, the first generation registered user provides the information representative of the identify of the second generation registered user. In another preferred embodiment, the first generation registered user facilitates provision of the information by sending the additional user an invitation to visit the first 25 generation registered user’s website. In one embodiment, the invitation is sent by email. In another embodiment, the invitation is sent by social media website. Examples of such websites are Twitter, Linked-in, Facebook, etc. Preferably, the first generation registered user uses the application software of the present invention to send the registration information invitation. The additional user subsequently visits 30 the first generation registered user’s website and provides information representative of the additional user’s identity to the network.
Following provision of the information representative of the identity of the additional user, the network preferably sends a confirmation message, the additional user registers by confirming and the network adds the additional user to the registry of 10 users of application software on handheld devices as second generation registered user.
The first generation registered user of application software is preferably provided with a payment that is related to the payment of the affiliated second generation registered 5 user of application software on a handheld device in step vi), following registration by the second generation registered user of a merchant with a physical store location according to steps ii), iii), iv) and v).
According to the invention, information representative of the identity of a user 10 preferably includes his email address, more preferably also a payment account, most preferably also his name and address including street, city, zip code and country. Preferably, the user enters the information in the application software installed on the handheld device. The application software preferably allows for processing of information, displaying of information, receiving of information, and/or sending of 15 information. Preferably, the user downloads the application software directly on the handheld device for subsequent installment thereon.
Preferably, the application software transfers the user’s instructions (for instance the user’s information of step i) or the merchant’s information of step ii)) from the handheld device via the communication network to the server. Preferably, the 20 application software is used to perform one or more of the following: to register the user, to register the merchant, to upgrade the merchant to a promotional plan, to display the merchant’s physical store location on a map, to display the merchant’s offering, and to display the payment account of the user.
Upon provision of the information representative of the identity of an additional user 25 of application software on a handheld device in step i) of the invention, the server preferably compares the user’s information with the registry to determine if the user is an additional user. According to the invention, an additional user is defined as not listed in the registry of users of application software on handheld devices. After receipt of the user’s confirmation, the user is preferably added to the registry of users 30 of application software on handheld devices. In a preferred embodiment, the network subsequently generates a user’s website, preferably with personalized information on the user, preferably on the network and preferably accessible via the internet. Preferably, the handheld device is electronic and more preferably comprises an antenna. Preferably, the handheld device is portable and preferably wireless.
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Preferably, the handheld device is selected from mobile telephones, beepers, pagers, iPods(R), personal digital assistants (PDAs), Blackberry(R) type devices and/or tablet computer with wireless communication capabilities and is capable of being moved from one location to another. More preferably, the handheld device is a mobile phone 5 or smart phone.
We have found that our technical solution is particularly useful for setting up a network with merchants’ having physical store locations. We have found that it is more challenging to grow a network of physical store locations for instance in view of 10 the complexities of reaching and registering those merchants. Physical store locations often require a personal visit of a representative of the network. Accordingly, the invention is directed to merchant having a physical store location, so-called “bricks & mortar” merchants (vs virtual or on-line only businesses). These merchants offer their services at least through a physical store location to the public. Merchants may have 15 one or more physical store locations. The physical store location is preferably defined in at least two dimensions. In some instances, such as in high rises, a three dimensional location is preferred.
Preferably, information representative of the identity of merchant includes the merchant’s email address and the merchant’s physical store location, more preferably 20 also his payment account, most preferably also his name and trade name and detailed address including street, city, zip code and country. The physical store location may be provided by the user (or by the merchant), but in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the physical store location is deduced from the geographical location of the handheld device during step ii). Preferably, the method of the invention provides for 25 determining the physical location of a handheld device with application software.
Preferably, the communication network allows for such identification by providing at least one, preferably at least two and more preferably at least three cell phone towers that receive signals from the handheld device with application software and provide information for identification of the geographical position of the handheld device with 30 application software.
Preferably, the user enters in step ii) into the application software on the handheld device information of at least the additional merchant’s email and physical store location. Subsequently, the server preferably compares the merchant’s information with the registry to determine if the merchant is an additional merchant. According to 12 the invention, an additional merchant is defined as not listed in the registry of participating merchant. After receipt of the merchant’s confirmation, the merchant is added to the registry of merchants with physical store locations.
Merchant may provide services (which for the purpose of this invention includes 5 products) such as wellness and beauty (hairdressers, beauty saloons), shopping (grocery stores), transportation (taxi, bus), food & drinks (restaurants), clothing (fashion store, department stores), home and garden centers, spare-time activities, city tours, real estate and entertainment. Preferred services include city tours and real estate. For example, a merchant may be a restaurant or a real estate agent that wishes 10 to offer a discount to consumers within a defined geographic proximity of the store location.
The method of the invention provides users of application software on handheld devices with information on merchants’ physical store location and/or the merchant’s 15 offering. Preferably, the merchant’s offering and the merchants’ physical store location are displayed together on the handheld device. In certain cases, offerings may be called “promotions” or “advertising”. Offerings - provide information on the merchant’s services (including products) to the users. Offerings may include price reductions, free gifts, package deals, coupons, last minute offers, sales, advertisement, 20 etc. Preferably, the displayed offering is combined with the merchant’s physical store location. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method of the invention displays the merchant’s offering based on a comparison of the physical store location of the offering and the physical location of the handheld device.
25 According to the invention, payment may be an incentive, a monetary reward, a bonus plan, a coupon plan or a comparable incentive. Preferably, the payment is a monetary reward or a price reduction coupon, most preferably a monetary reward.
The network registers an affiliation between the user and the merchant after receipt of 30 the confirmation from the merchant. This affiliation links the user with the merchant which he has introduced to the network. The affiliation is preferably used to provide payments to the user. Such affiliate related payments provide an incentive for users to register additional merchants, growing the network. At the same time, the growing 13 network of merchants will lead to more merchants’ offerings, attracting more users and leading to a fast growth network of users and merchants.
The registry of users of application software on handheld devices and the registry of merchants with physical store locations facilitates the affiliation program and reflect 5 the affiliation between the user and the merchant. Preferably these registries are located on the server. Without being registered, users of application software on handheld device may benefit from the merchant’s offerings. In other words, the merchant’s offerings are preferably also displayed on the handheld devices of users who are not on the user registry.
10 In addition to the above merchant-user affiliation, the invention provides in a preferred embodiment a user- user affiliation program , wherein provision of the information of step i) is facilitated by a first generation registered user of application software on a handheld device, wherein the additional user is registered as a second generation registered user, wherein a user-user affiliation is recorded between the first 15 generation registered user and the second generation registered user and wherein the first registered user of application software is provided with a payment that is related to the payment provided to the second generation registered user in step vi).
In one embodiment, the first generation registered user provides the information 20 respective of the additional user’s identity using the application software on his handheld device. In another embodiment, the first generation registered user invites the additional user by email or by requesting a visit to the first generation registered user’s website where the additional user subsequently provides information representative of his identity, preferably at least his email address. The network then 25 sends out a confirmation request to the additional user. Following the additional user’s confirmation, the network will register the additional user as second generation registered user and will register an affiliation between the first generation registered user and the second generation registered user. Once the second generation registered user has registered an additional merchant, a user-merchant affiliation is established. 30 Then, after payment by the merchant, the second generation registered user will receive a payment (based on the user-merchant affiliation) and the first generation registered user will also receive a payment (based on the user-user affiliation).
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The network of the present invention preferably provides a means for communication, a means for storage of information and a means for processing of information. Preferably, the network further comprises a communication network. The communication network provides an electronic connection for data exchange between 5 the handheld devices with application software and the server. The communication network may include a satellite channel, a telephony channel, an optical channel, a wireless channel, a cable channel, or the Internet. Preferably, the electronic connection is wireless. Preferably, the communication network comprises cell phone towers. Such towers can receive and send signals from and to the handheld devices 10 with application software, from and to the server, optionally via or more data interchange format device.
Preferably, the communication network comprises at least one data interchange format device that preferably distinguishes the types of devices and routes communication to the server.
15 According to the invention, the server may present one or more computers or one or more computer networks. The server may include any suitable personal computer, network computer, workstation, minicomputer, mainframe or the like. Computers may be in a home or business environment with fixed access to a network. The server can also be dispersed over multiple locations, in other words it may be placed “in the 20 cloud”.
Useful electronic devices for use in the present invention include laptop computers, table computers, desktop computers and network computers and the communication network comprises fixed line connections (preferably through the internet) for computer equipment including laptop computers, tablets, desktop computers and 25 network computers.
Preferably, the method of the invention provides for a growing electronic network of interconnected users with handheld devices with application software and merchants with physical store locations.
30 The system according to the invention comprises electronic handheld devices with application software and a server with application software wherein the application software on the handheld device is adapted to cause the system to register a handheld device user, to register a merchant, to display the merchant’s physical store location on a map, to display the merchant’s offering, and to display a payment account of the 15 user, and wherein the application software on the server is adapted to cause the system to store a user registry, to store a merchant registry, to store a merchant-user affiliation registry and to store a user-user affiliation registry.
5 In a further embodiment of the invention, the handheld device preferably comprises a computer readable medium with loaded application software adapted to cause the handheld device to register a handheld device user, to register a merchant, to display the merchant’s physical store location on a map, to display the merchant’s offering, and to display a payment account of the user.
10
In a further embodiment of the invention, the server preferably comprises a computer readable medium with loaded application software adapted to cause the server to store a registry of users, a registry of merchants, a registry of merchant-user affiliations and a registry of user-user affiliations.
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Detailed description of the figures
Figure 1 schematically illustrates a preferred electronic network (1) with electronic devices (2, 3,4, 5,6, 7) that may include handheld devices with application software (2, 3, 4), laptop computer (5) and desktop computers (6) and network computers (7). 20 Electronic connection (8) connects the electronic devices wirelessly and/or with a fixed line via a communication network (9). Communication network (9) preferably includes at least one cell phone tower (not shown) to receive and send signals from and to the handheld devices with application software. Communication network (9) preferably includes fixed line connections (through the internet) for other equipment 25 such as laptop computers (5), desktop computers (6) and network computers (7). Data interchange format device (10) distinguishes the types of devices and routs communication to servers (11,12,13).
Figure 2 schematically illustrates preferred steps for registering a new user, wherein 30 the following numbers represent the following steps: 201: User downloads and installs application software on handheld device 202: User provides identity 203: Server verifies uniqueness of identity and requests confirmation 204: User confirms registration 16 205: User is entered in user registry on network
The first step is that a new user downloads the application software on a handheld device. The user then provides his/her identity information. The server verifies the uniqueness of the identity and requests a confirmation, preferably by email. The user 5 subsequently confirms registration. The user is then entered to the user registry on the network.
Figure 3 schematically illustrates preferred steps for a user to register a merchant, wherein the following numbers represent the following steps: 10 301: User visits merchant’s physical store location to register 302: User provides merchant’s identity using application software on handheld device 303: Server displays merchant’s physical store location on map on user’s handheld device 304: Server sends confirmation email to merchant 15 305: Merchant confirms registration 306: Merchant is entered in registry on network 307: Server records affiliation between user and merchant
As a first step, the user visits the physical store location of the merchant to register the merchant to the network. The user provides the merchant’s identity information using 20 the application software on his/her handheld device. The server displays the merchant’s physical store location on a map on the user’s handheld device. Then, the server sends a confirmation message (preferably an e-mail) to the merchant. The merchant subsequently confirms registration. The merchant is entered in registry on network. The server records an affiliation between the user and the merchant.
25
Figure 4 schematically illustrates preferred steps for a merchant to display an offering, wherein the following numbers represent the following steps: 401: Merchant instructs to display offering on handheld devices with application software of users 30 402: Merchant provides payment 403: Server identifies affiliated user 404: Server provides payment to affiliated user
As a first step, a registered merchant provides instructions to display an offering on the handheld devices with application software of users. Then, the merchant provides 17 a payment. The server identifies affiliated user. Subsequently, the server provides payment to the affiliated user.
Figure 5 illustrates preferred steps for a first generation registered user to register a 5 second generation registered user, wherein the following numbers represent the following steps: 501: First generation registered user facilitates registration of identify of additional user 502: Server records affiliation between first generation registered user and second 10 generation registered user 503: Second generation registered user registers merchant by providing identify of merchant using application software on handheld device 504: Server displays merchant’s physical store location on map on second generation registered user’s handheld device 15 505: Server sends confirmation email to merchant 506: Merchant confirms registration 507: Merchant is entered in registry on network 508: Server records affiliation between merchant and second generation registered user 20 509: Merchant provides instructions for displaying information representative of merchant’s offering to users of application software on handheld devices 510: Merchant provides payment 511: Server identifies affiliated second generation registered user 512: Server provides payment to affiliated second generation registered user 25 513: Server identifies affiliated first generation registered user 514: Server provides payment to affiliated first generation registered user As a first step, the first generation registered user facilitates registration of identity of additional user. The additional user is registered as second generation registered user. The server records an affiliation between the first and the second generation registered 30 user. The second generation registered user then registers a merchant by providing identify of merchant using application software on his handheld device. The server displays the merchant’s physical store location on map on the second generation registered user’s handheld device. The server sends a confirmation email to the merchant. The merchant confirms registration. The merchant is entered in registry on 18 network. The server records an affiliation between the merchant and the second generation registered user. The merchant provides instructions for displaying information representative of the merchant’s offering to the users of application software on handheld devices. The merchant provides a payment. The server 5 identifies the affiliated second generation registered user. The server provides a payment to the affiliated second generation registered user. The server identifies the affiliated first generation registered user. The server provides a payment to the affiliated first generation registered user.
1039646

Claims (15)

1. Computer uitgevoerde methode voor het groeien van een elektronisch netwerk van handgehouden apparaten met applicatie software en een server, waarbij het netwerk 5 een register van gebruikers van applicatie software op handgehouden apparaten en een register van verkopers met fysieke winkel locaties heeft, waarbij de methode de gebruikers van applicatie software op handgehouden apparaten voorziet van informatie van fysieke winkel locaties en aanbiedingen van verkopers, de methode bestaande uit: 10 i) ontvangen door de server van informatie representatief voor de identiteit van een additionele gebruiker van applicatie software op een handgehouden apparaat; ii) ontvangen door de server, van de gebruiker van applicatie software op een handgehouden apparaat, van informatie representatief voor the identiteit van een additionele verkoper met een fysieke winkel locatie; 15 iii) vastleggen door de server van een affiliatie tussen de gebruiker van de applicatie software op een handgehouden apparaat en de verkoper met een fysieke winkel locatie; iv) ontvangen door de server van instructies van de verkoper voor het voorzien van gebruikers van applicatie software op handgehouden apparaten met informatie 20 representatief voor de aanbieding van de verkoper; v) identificeren van de gebruiker van applicatie software op handgehouden apparaten die aan de verkoper geaffilieerd is; en vi) voorzien van een betaling aan de geaffilieerde gebruiker van applicatie software op handgehouden apparaten. 25A computer-implemented method for growing an electronic network of handheld devices with application software and a server, wherein the network has a register of users of application software on handheld devices and a register of vendors with physical store locations, the method provides users of application software on handheld devices with information from physical store locations and offers from sellers, the method comprising: i) receiving by the server of information representative of the identity of an additional user of application software on a handheld device; ii) received by the server, from the user of application software on a handheld device, of information representative of the identity of an additional vendor with a physical store location; Iii) capturing by the server an affiliation between the user of the application software on a handheld device and the vendor with a physical store location; iv) receiving from the server instructions from the seller for providing users with application software on handheld devices with information representative of the seller's offer; v) identify the user of application software on handheld devices affiliated with the seller; and vi) providing a payment to the affiliate user of application software on handheld devices. 25 2. Methode volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de informatie van stap i) is gefaciliteerd door een eerste generatie geregistreerde gebruiker van applicatie software op handgehouden apparaten, waarbij de additionele gebruiker wordt geregistreerd als een tweede generatie geregistreerde gebruiker, waarbij een gebruiker-gebruiker affiliatie 30 wordt vastgelegd tussen de eerste generatie geregistreerde gebruiker en de tweede generatie geregistreerde gebruiker en waarbij de eerste generatie geregistreerde gebruiker wordt voorzien van een betaling dat is gerelateerd aan de betaling voorzien aan de tweede generatie geregistreerde gebruiker in stap vi). 10396462. Method according to claim 1, wherein the information of step i) is facilitated by a first generation of registered user of application software on handheld devices, wherein the additional user is registered as a second generation of registered user, whereby a user-user becomes affiliation recorded between the first generation registered user and the second generation registered user and wherein the first generation registered user is provided with a payment related to the payment provided to the second generation registered user in step vi). 1039646 3. Methode volgens conclusies 1-2, waarbij de server als onderdeel van stap ii) verder informatie representatief voor de verkoper’s fysieke winkel locatie ontvangt van de locatie van de handgehouden apparaten en vervolgens de verkoper’s fysieke winkel locatie toont op het handgehouden apparaat van de gebruiker van stap ii). 5The method of claims 1-2, wherein the server as part of step ii) further receives information representative of the seller's physical store location from the location of the handheld devices and then shows the seller's physical store location on the user's handheld device from step ii). 5 4. Methode volgens conclusies 1-3, waarbij de gebruiker van stap i) en de verkoper als onderdeel van stap ii) de registratie bevestigen en de server de gebruiker toevoegt aan het register van gebruikers van applicatie software op handgehouden apparaten als onderdeel van stap i) en de verkoper toevoegt aan het register van verkopers met 10 fysieke winkel locaties als onderdeel van stap ii).Method according to claims 1-3, wherein the user of step i) and the vendor as part of step ii) confirm the registration and the server adds the user to the register of users of application software on handheld devices as part of step i ) and add the seller to the register of sellers with 10 physical store locations as part of step ii). 5. Methode volgens conclusies 1.-4, waarbij de affiliatie tussen de gebruiker en de verkoper van stap iii) wordt vastgelegd na ontvangst van een bevestigingsbericht van de verkoper. 15Method according to claims 1-4, wherein the affiliation between the user and the seller of step iii) is recorded after receipt of a confirmation message from the seller. 15 6. Methode volgens conclusies 1-5, waarbij als onderdeel van stap iv), informatie representatief van een betaling door de verkopers wordt ontvangen.Method according to claims 1-5, wherein as part of step iv), information representative of a payment is received by the sellers. 7. Methode volgens conclusies 1-6, waarbij het electronische netwerk volgend op stap 20 iv) informatie representatief voor de verkoper’s fysieke winkel locatie en aanbieding toont op de handgehouden apparaten van tenminste enige gebruikers van applicatie software op handgehouden apparaten in het register.The method of claims 1-6, wherein the electronic network following step 20 iv) displays information representative of the vendor's physical store location and listing on the handheld devices of at least some users of application software on handheld devices in the register. 8. Methode volgens conclusies 1-7, waarbij stappen i) tot en met vi) elektronisch 25 worden verwerkt.8. Method according to claims 1-7, wherein steps i) to vi) are processed electronically. 9. Methode volgens conclusies 1-8, waarbij het handgehouden apparaat een mobiele telefoon of smartphone is.The method of claims 1-8, wherein the handheld device is a mobile phone or smartphone. 10. Methode volgens conclusies 1 -9, waarbij de server verder wordt voorzien van de betalingsrekening details van de gebruiker en de verkoper.Method according to claims 1-9, wherein the server is further provided with the payment account details of the user and the seller. 11. Methode volgens conclusies 1-10, waarbij de verkoper’s fysieke winkel locatie en aanbieding worden getoond op de handgehouden aparaten van tenminste enige gebruikers van applicatie software op handgehouden apparaten.A method according to claims 1-10, wherein the seller's physical store location and offer are displayed on the handheld devices of at least some users of application software on handheld devices. 12. Methode volgens conclusies 1-11, waarbij de applicatie software het de gebruiker mogelijk maakt om een of meer van de volgende handelingen uit te voeren: een gebruiker registreren, een verkoper registreren, een verkoper’s fysieke winkel locatie tonen op een kaart, een verkoper’s aanbieding tonen, en een betalingsrekening van de gebruiker tonen. 10A method according to claims 1-11, wherein the application software allows the user to perform one or more of the following actions: register a user, register a seller, show a seller's physical store location on a map, a seller's show offer, and show a payment account of the user. 10 13. Methode volgens conclusies 1-12, waarbij de applicatie software op het handgehouden apparaat van de gebruiker de gebruikers informatie van stap i) en de verkoper’s informatie van stap ii) overbrengt naar de server.The method of claims 1-12, wherein the application software on the user's handheld device transfers the user information from step i) and the vendor's information from step ii) to the server. 14. Methode volgens conclusies 1-13, waarbij step iv) wordt gefaciliteerd door de server, waarbij de server de verkoper aanbiedt om aanbiedingen aan gebruikers van applicatie software op handgehouden apparaten te tonen tegen een betaling.A method according to claims 1-13, wherein step iv) is facilitated by the server, wherein the server offers the seller to show offers to users of application software on handheld devices for a payment. 15. Systeem bestaande uit elektronische handgehouden apparaten met applicatie 20 software en een server met applicatie software waarbij de applicatie software op het handgehouden apparaat is aangepast om te bewerkstellingen dat het systeem de gebruiker van het handgehouden apparaat registreert, de verkoper registreert, de verkoper’s fysieke winkel locatie op een kaart vertoont, de verkoper’s aanbieding vertoont, en de betalingsrekening van de gebruiker vertoont en waarbij de applicatie 25 software op de server is aangepast om te bewerkstelligen dat het systeem een gebruikers register vastlegt, een verkopers register vastlegt, een verkoper-gebruiker affiliatie register vastlegt en een gebruiker-gebruiker affiliatie register vastlegt. 103964615. System consisting of electronic hand-held devices with application software and a server with application software where the application software on the hand-held device is adapted to cause the system to register the user of the hand-held device, the seller to register, the seller's physical store displays location on a map, displays the seller's offer, and displays the user's payment account, and where the application software on the server is adapted to cause the system to record a user's register, a seller's register, a seller-user affiliation register and a user-user affiliation register. 1039646
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