U.S. patent application number 16/189370 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-16 for products and processes for revenue sharing and delivery.
The applicant listed for this patent is CFPH, LLC. Invention is credited to Howard W. Lutnick.
Application Number | 20190147459 16/189370 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40472746 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190147459 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lutnick; Howard W. |
May 16, 2019 |
PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES FOR REVENUE SHARING AND DELIVERY
Abstract
Various techniques of distributing revenue and/or other money,
selecting/bonding delivery agents, and performing other tasks are
providing herein. Methods include distributing portions of loan
payments to one or more referrers associated with one or more
loans, bonding of delivery agents, selecting delivery agents,
allocating portions of credit card payments and/or sharing
advertisement revenue. Other apparatus and methods are
disclosed.
Inventors: |
Lutnick; Howard W.; (New
York, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CFPH, LLC |
New York |
NY |
US |
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|
Family ID: |
40472746 |
Appl. No.: |
16/189370 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13775842 |
Feb 25, 2013 |
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16189370 |
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11859095 |
Sep 21, 2007 |
8386380 |
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13775842 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/10 20130101;
G06Q 40/02 20130101; G06Q 30/0283 20130101; G06Q 40/00 20130101;
G06Q 30/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20060101
G06Q030/02; G06Q 40/02 20060101 G06Q040/02; G06Q 20/10 20060101
G06Q020/10; G06Q 40/00 20060101 G06Q040/00 |
Claims
1-25. (canceled)
26. A method comprising: receiving, by a computing device, from a
user interface of a first remote device, an electronic
communication that includes an electronic signal representing data
for a request for delivery of at least one product; identifying the
at least one product to be delivered, the at least one product
having a value; transmitting, from the computing device, to a
second remote device, an electronic communication that includes an
electronic signal representing data for a request for bonding of a
delivery agent for delivery of the at least one product; after
identifying the at least one product, determining, by the computing
device, a bonding value for a delivery agent to deliver at least
one product based, at least in part, on the value of the at least
one product, in which the bonding value is different from the value
of the at least one product, in which the act of determining the
bonding value comprises generating the bonding value based on the
value of the at least one product; after determining the bonding
value and before sending the delivery agent any instruction to
deliver the at least one product, determining, by the computing
device, that a specific sum of money at least as great as the
bonding value is available to bond the delivery agent; in response
to determining that the sum of money at least as great as the
bonding value is available to bond the delivery agent,
transmitting, from the computing device to at least one processor
of a third remote device via an electronic computer network, an
electronic communication that includes an electronic signal
representing data for a request to deliver the at least one
product; receiving, by the computing device, from a fourth remote
device, an electronic communication that includes an electronic
signal representing an indication of advertisement content
associated with the at least one product to be delivered; and
transmitting, from the computing device, to the user interface of
the second remote device, an electronic communication that includes
an electronic signal representing data for the advertisement
content associated with the at least one product to be delivered,
the advertisement content to be rendered for display on at least a
portion of the user interface of the second remote device.
27. The method of claim 26, in which determining that the specific
sum of money is available includes: transmitting, from the
computing device, a request for a bonding of the delivery agent;
and receiving, by the computer system, an indication that the
specific sum of money is available to bond the delivery agent.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein transmitting the request for
the bonding includes transmitting a request to lock a charge on at
least one credit card.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein receiving an indication that
the specific sum of money at least as great as the bonding value is
available includes at least one of receiving an indication that the
money is held by a trusted entity, and receiving the money.
30. The method of claim 27, in which receiving the indication that
the specific sum of money is available to bond the delivery agent
includes receiving an indication that, on behalf of the delivery
agent, the specific sum of money is available to be forfeit in
response to a failed delivery of the at least one product.
31. The method of claim 26, wherein the act of determining the
bonding value comprises determining a percentage of the value of
the at least one product, in which the bonding value is less than
the value of the at least one product.
32. The method of claim 26, comprising: selecting, by the computer
system, the delivery agent based on a plurality of reviews, in
which each of the plurality of reviews includes a respective review
of at least one of the delivery agent and at least one other
respective delivery agent.
33. The method of claim 32, in which selecting the delivery agent
includes selecting the delivery agent based on a comparison of at
least one review of the delivery agent and at least one review of
at least one other delivery agent.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein selecting delivery agent
includes selecting a most positively reviewed delivery agent of a
plurality of delivery agents.
35. The method of claim 32, comprising determining, by the
computing device, the plurality of reviews based on a social
network of a merchant associated with the product, in which each
review of the plurality of reviews is from a member of the social
network.
36. The method of claim 32, comprising determining, by the
computing device, the plurality of reviews based on a social
network of a customer who purchased the product, in which each
review of the plurality of reviews is from a member of the social
network.
37. The method of claim 26, comprising: selecting, by the computing
device, the delivery agent from a plurality of delivery agents
based on an availability of the delivery agent in a desired
timeframe compared to an availability of at least one other
delivery agent in the desired timeframe.
38. The method of claim 26, comprising determining, by the
computing device, an allocation of a payment to each of the
delivery agent, a merchant associated with the product, and a
referrer of the request to deliver.
39. The method of claim 26, in which the bonding value is based on
a distance of the delivery.
40. The method of claim 26, in which the boding value is based on a
fragility of the at least one product.
41. The method of claim 26, in which the bonding value is based on
a risk adversity of at least one merchant.
42. The method of claim 26, in which the bonding is based on a risk
adversity of a destination of the delivery.
43. An apparatus comprising: a computing device; and a
non-transitory medium having stored thereon a plurality of
instruction that when executed by the computing device cause the
apparatus to: receive, from a user interface of a first remote
device, an electronic communication that includes an electronic
signal representing data for a request for delivery of at least one
product; identify the at least one product to be delivered, the at
least one product having a value; transmit, to a second remote
device, an electronic communication that includes an electronic
signal representing data for a request for bonding of a delivery
agent for delivery of the at least one product; after identifying
the at least one product, determine a bonding value for a delivery
agent to deliver at least one product based, at least in part, on a
value of the at least one product, in which the bonding value is
different from the value of the at least one product, in which the
act of determining the bonding value comprises generating the
bonding value based on the value of the at least one product; after
determining the bonding value and before sending the delivery agent
any instruction to deliver the at least one product, determine that
a specific sum of money at least as great as the bonding value is
available to bond the delivery agent; in response to determining
that the specific sum of money at least as great as the bonding
value is available to bond the delivery agent, transmit an
electronic communication that includes an electronic signal
representing data for a request to deliver the at least one product
to at least one processor of a third remoted device via a computing
network; receive, from a fourth remote device, an electronic
communication that includes an electronic signal representing an
indication of advertisement content associated with the at least
one product to be delivered; and transmit, to the user interface of
the second remote device, an electronic communication that includes
an electronic signal representing data for the advertisement
content associated with the at least one product to be delivered,
the advertisement content to be rendered for display on at least a
portion of the user interface of the second remote device.
44. The apparatus of claim 43, in which to determine that the
specific sum of money is available, the instructions are configured
to cause the apparatus to: transmit, a request for a bonding of the
delivery agent; and receiving, by the computer system, an
indication that the specific sum of money is available to bond the
delivery agent.
45. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon
instructions that are configured to, when executed by at least one
computing device, direct the at least one computing device to:
receive, from a user interface of a first remote device, an
electronic communication that includes an electronic signal
representing data for a request for delivery of at least one
product; identify the at least one product to be delivered, the at
least one product having a value; transmit, to a second remote
device, an electronic communication that includes an electronic
signal representing data for a request for bonding of a delivery
agent for delivery of the at least one product; after identifying
the at least one product, determine a bonding value for a delivery
agent to deliver at least one product based, at least in part, on a
value of the at least one product, in which the bonding value is
different from the value of the at least one product, and in which
the act of determining the bonding value comprises generating the
bonding value based on the value of the at least one product; after
determining the bonding value and before sending the delivery agent
any instruction to deliver the at least one product, determine that
a specific sum of money at least as great as the bonding value is
available to bond the delivery agent; in response to determining
that the specific sum of money at least as great as the bonding
value is available to bond the delivery agent, transmit an
electronic communication that includes an electronic signal
representing data for a request to deliver the at least one product
to at least one processor of a third remote device via a computing
network; receive, from a fourth remote device, an electronic
communication that includes an electronic signal representing an
indication of advertisement content associated with the at least
one product to be delivered; and transmit, to the user interface of
the second remote device, an electronic communication that includes
an electronic signal representing data for the advertisement
content associated with the at least one product to be delivered,
the advertisement content to be rendered for display on at least a
portion of the user interface of the second remote device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/775,842 filed Feb. 25, 2013 which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/859,095 filed
Sep. 21, 2007 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,386,380 issued on Feb. 26,
2013), which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to
scale. In the drawings, each identical or similar component that is
illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral.
For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled or act
identified in every drawing. In the drawings:
[0003] FIG. 1 shows a computer system architecture that may be used
to perform one or more acts in accordance with some embodiments of
the present invention;
[0004] FIG. 2 shows an example process that may be performed in
accordance with some embodiments;
[0005] FIG. 3 shows another example process that may be performed
in accordance with some embodiments;
[0006] FIG. 4 shows yet another example process that may be
performed in accordance with some embodiments;
[0007] FIG. 5 shows still another example process that may be
performed in accordance with some embodiments;
[0008] FIG. 6 shows a further example process that may be performed
in accordance with some embodiments; and
[0009] FIG. 7 shows a still further example process that may be
performed in accordance with some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Terms
[0010] A reference to "another embodiment" in describing an
embodiment does not imply that the referenced embodiment is
mutually exclusive with another embodiment (e.g., an embodiment
described before the referenced embodiment), unless expressly
specified otherwise. The term "product" means any machine,
manufacture and/or composition of matter, unless expressly
specified otherwise. The term "process" means any process,
algorithm, method or the like, unless expressly specified
otherwise. Each process (whether called a method, algorithm or
otherwise) inherently includes one or more steps, and therefore all
references to a "step" or "steps" of a process have an inherent
antecedent basis in the mere recitation of the term `process` or a
like term. Accordingly, any reference in a claim to a `step` or
`steps` of a process has sufficient antecedent basis. The term
"invention" and the like mean "the one or more inventions disclosed
in this application", unless expressly specified otherwise. The
term "variation" of an invention means an embodiment of the
invention, unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0011] The terms "including", "comprising", "having", "containing",
"involving", and variations thereof mean "including but not limited
to", unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a", "an" and
"the" mean "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise. The
term "plurality" means "two or more", unless expressly specified
otherwise. The term "herein" means "in the present application,
including anything which may be incorporated by reference", unless
expressly specified otherwise.
[0012] The phrase "at least one of", when such phrase modifies a
plurality of things (such as an enumerated list of things) means
any combination of one or more of those things, unless expressly
specified otherwise. For example, the phrase "at least one of a
widget, a car and a wheel" means either (i) a widget, (ii) a car,
(iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car, (v) a widget and a wheel,
(vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, a car and a wheel.
[0013] The phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on", unless
expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based
on" describes both "based only on" and "based at least on".
Similarly, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based on the
entirety of", "based on all of", or variations thereon, unless
expressly specified otherwise.
[0014] The term "e.g." and like terms mean "for example", and thus
does not limit the term or phrase it explains. For example, in the
sentence "the computer sends data (e.g., instructions, a data
structure) over the Internet", the term "e.g." explains that
"instructions" are an example of "data" that the computer may send
over the Internet, and also explains that "a data structure" is an
example of "data" that the computer may send over the Internet.
However, both "instructions" and "a data structure" are merely
examples of "data", and other things besides "instructions" and "a
data structure" can be "data".
[0015] The term "calculating" and grammatical variants thereof
(e.g., to calculating a price, calculating a value) is used in an
extremely broad sense. The term "calculating" encompasses a wide
variety of actions and therefore "calculating" can include
computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g.,
looking up in a table, a database or another data structure),
ascertaining and the like. Also, "calculating" can include
receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing
data in a memory) and the like. Also, "calculating" can include
resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.
[0016] The term "calculating" does not imply certainty or absolute
precision, and therefore "calculating" can include estimating,
predicting, guessing and the like. The term "calculating" does not
imply that mathematical processing must be performed, and does not
imply that numerical methods must be used, and does not imply that
an algorithm or process is used. The term "calculating" does not
imply that any particular device must be used. For example, a
computer need not necessarily perform the calculating.
[0017] Similarly, the term "determining" is used in an extremely
broad sense. The term "determining" should be understood to be at
least as broad as the term "calculating".
[0018] The terms "an embodiment", "embodiment", "embodiments", "the
embodiment", "the embodiments", "one or more embodiments", "some
embodiments", "certain embodiments", "one embodiment", "another
embodiment" and the like mean "one or more (but not all)
embodiments of the present invention", unless expressly specified
otherwise.
[0019] The term "electronic message" and variations thereof used
herein should be understood to mean any electronic representation
of information. For example an HTTP message, an XMLHTTP request, an
SMS message, an MMS message, a database message (e.g., SQL message)
or any other series of electrical signals that represent
information may be considered an electronic message. An electronic
message does not include information identifying a source and/or
destination such as the information typically present in a TCP/IP
packet header. Rather, the electronic message should be considered
the body/content of such a packet.
[0020] The terms "representation" and "indication" of a thing and
variations thereof used herein in reference to a thing should be
understood to refer to any indication of at least a portion and/or
characteristic of the thing. An indication of information, for
example, may include any indication of at least a portion of the
information. In some embodiments, the information may be determined
by a person or computing device from the indication of the
information. In some example implementations, an indication may
include a copy of the information in any of a variety of formats,
compressions, and/or encryptions. In another example
implementation, an indication may include an index or other
identifier, such as a position in a list, an ID number, or a
database key. An indication of a thing may be in the same or
different medium as an original thing. For example, a number "1"
may indicate a sound, a color, a menu item, or any other thing
depending, e.g., on the configuration of a computing system
configured to interpret the number. In some implementations, an
indication may be divided into a plurality of portions, such as a
plurality of electronic messages being transmitted from one
location to another. In some implementations, multiple indications
may be combined into a single message.
Forms of Sentences
[0021] Where a limitation of a first claim would cover one of a
feature as well as more than one of a feature (e.g., a limitation
such as "at least one widget" covers one widget as well as more
than one widget), and where in a second claim that depends on the
first claim, the second claim uses a definite article "the" to
refer to the limitation (e.g., "the widget"), this does not imply
that the first claim covers only one of the feature, and this does
not imply that the second claim covers only one of the feature
(e.g., "the widget" can cover both one widget and more than one
widget).
[0022] When an ordinal number (such as "first", "second", "third"
and so on) is used as an adjective before a term, that ordinal
number is used (unless expressly specified otherwise) merely to
indicate a particular feature, such as to distinguish that
particular feature from another feature that is described by the
same term or by a similar term. For example, a "first widget" may
be so named merely to distinguish it from, e.g., a "second widget".
Thus, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second"
before the term "widget" does not indicate any other relationship
between the two widgets, and likewise does not indicate any other
characteristics of either or both widgets. For example, the mere
usage of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term
"widget" (1) does not indicate that either widget comes before or
after any other in order or location; (2) does not indicate that
either widget occurs or acts before or after any other in time; and
(3) does not indicate that either widget ranks above or below any
other, as in importance or quality. In addition, the mere usage of
ordinal numbers does not define a numerical limit to the features
identified with the ordinal numbers (e.g., "a plurality of first
widgets" indicates two or more widgets that are distinct from other
widgets). For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers
"first" and "second" before the term "widget" does not indicate
that there must be no more than two widgets.
[0023] When a single device or article is described herein, more
than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) may
alternatively be used in place of the single device/article that is
described. Accordingly, the functionality that is described as
being possessed by a device may alternatively be possessed by more
than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate).
[0024] Similarly, where more than one device or article is
described herein (whether or not they cooperate), a single
device/article may alternatively be used in place of the more than
one device or article that is described. For example, a plurality
of computer-based devices may be substituted with a single
computer-based device. Accordingly, the various functionality that
is described as being possessed by more than one device or article
may alternatively be possessed by a single device/article.
[0025] The functionality and/or the features of a single device
that is described may be alternatively embodied by one or more
other devices which are described but are not explicitly described
as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments need
not include the described device itself, but rather can include the
one or more other devices which would, in those other embodiments,
have such functionality/features.
Disclosed Examples and Terminology are not Limiting
[0026] Neither the Title (set forth at the beginning of the first
page of the present application) nor the Abstract (set forth at the
end of the present application) is to be taken as limiting in any
way as the scope of the present invention. An Abstract has been
included in this application merely because an Abstract of not more
than 150 words is required under 37 C.F.R. .sctn. 1.72(b).
[0027] The title of the present application and headings of
sections provided in the present application are for convenience
only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any
way. The preambles of the claims that follow recite purposes,
benefits and possible uses of the claimed invention only and do not
limit the claimed invention.
[0028] Numerous embodiments are presented for illustrative purposes
only. The described embodiments are not, and are not intended to
be, limiting in any sense. One of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that the present invention may be practiced with various
modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical,
software, and electrical modifications. Although particular
features of the present invention may be described with reference
to one or more particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be
understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one
or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference to which
they are described, unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0029] Devices that are described as in communication with each
other need not be in continuous communication with each other,
unless expressly specified otherwise. On the contrary, such devices
need only transmit to each other as necessary or desirable, and may
actually refrain from exchanging data most of the time. For
example, a machine in communication with another machine via the
Internet may not transmit data to the other machine for long
periods of time (e.g., weeks at a time). In addition, devices that
are in communication with each other may communicate directly or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries.
[0030] A description of an embodiment with several components or
features does not imply that all or even any of such
components/features are required. On the contrary, a variety of
optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of
possible embodiments of the present invention. Unless otherwise
specified explicitly, no component/feature is essential or
required.
[0031] Although process acts, algorithms or the like may be
described in a particular sequential order, such processes may be
configured to work in different orders. In other words, any
sequence or order of acts that may be explicitly described does not
necessarily indicate a requirement that the acts be performed in
that order. The acts of processes described herein may be performed
in any order. Further, some acts may be performed simultaneously
despite being described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously
(e.g., because one act is described after the other act). Further
more, acts which are described as separate may be performed as a
single act in some embodiments. Moreover, the illustration of a
process by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the
illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and
modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process
or any of its acts are necessary to the present invention, and does
not imply that the illustrated process is preferred.
[0032] Although a process may be described as including a plurality
of acts, that does not imply that all or any of the acts are
preferred, essential or required. Various other embodiments within
the scope of the present invention may include other processes that
omit some or all of the described acts. Unless otherwise specified
explicitly, no act is essential or required.
[0033] Although a process or product may be described singly or
without reference to other processes or products, in some
embodiments the process or product may interact with other
processes or products. For example, such interaction may include
linking one business model to another business model. Such
interaction may be provided to enhance the flexibility or
desirability of the process.
[0034] An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be
numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually
exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. Likewise, an
enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does
not imply that any or all of the items are comprehensive of any
category, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the
enumerated list "a computer, a laptop, a PDA" does not imply that
any or all of the three items of that list are mutually exclusive
and does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list
are comprehensive of any category. Also, an enumerated list of
items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or
all of the items are equivalent to each other or readily
substituted for each other.
Computing
[0035] It should be appreciated that the various processes
described herein may be implemented by, e.g., appropriately
programmed computer systems, e.g., general purpose computers 101
and/or computing devices 103, such as those illustrated in FIG. 1.
A computing device 103 may include a specialized or general purpose
computing device such as a cellular phone, a personal digital
assistant, and/or any other portable or non-portable computing
system that is not a general purpose computer.
[0036] A "processor" 105 means one or more microprocessors, central
processing units (CPUs), computing devices, microcontrollers,
digital signal processors, application specific integrated
circuits, or like devices or any combination thereof. A processor
may include an Intel.RTM. Pentium.RTM., Centrino.RTM., and/or
Core.RTM. processor. Typically, a processor 105 will receive
instructions (e.g., from a memory or like device), and execute
those instructions, thereby performing one or more processes
defined by those instructions.
[0037] Thus a description of a process is likewise a description of
an apparatus for performing the process. The apparatus that
performs the process may include, e.g., a processor 105 and those
input devices and/or output devices (e.g., a keyboard 107, mouse,
trackball, microphone, touch screen, printing device, display
screen 109, speaker, network interface 111) that are appropriate to
perform the process.
[0038] Further, programs (i.e., collections of instructions) that
implement such methods (as well as other types of data) may be
stored and transmitted using a variety of media (e.g.,
machine-readable media) in a number of manners. In some
embodiments, hard-wired circuitry or custom hardware may be used in
place of, or in combination with, some or all of the software
instructions that can implement the processes of various
embodiments. Thus, various combinations of hardware and software
may be used instead of software only.
[0039] In some embodiments, processor 105 may execute an operating
system which may include, for example, the Windows-based operating
systems (e.g., Windows NT, Windows 2000 (Windows ME), Windows XP,
Windows Vista) available from the Microsoft Corporation, MAC OS
System X operating system available from Apple, one or more of the
Linux-based operating system distributions (e.g., the Enterprise
Linux operating system available from Red Hat, Inc.), the Solaris
operating system available from Sun Microsystems, or UNIX operating
systems available from various sources. Many other operating
systems may be used, and the invention is not limited to any
particular operating system.
[0040] The processor and operating system together may define a
computer platform for which programs stored on a machine-readable
medium may be written in various programming languages, including
an object-oriented programming language, such as SmallTalk, Java,
C++, Ada, Python, or C# (C-Sharp), functional programming
languages, scripting programming languages such as JavaScript,
and/or logical programming languages. Various aspects of the
invention may be implemented in a non-programmed environment (e.g.,
documents created in HTML, XML or other format that, when viewed in
a window of a browser program, render aspects of a GUI or perform
other functions). Some implementations of the present invention may
be implemented using a plurality of programming languages and
techniques known collectively as AJAX to provide a user with an
interactive web-based user interface.
[0041] Various embodiments of the present invention may include a
network environment including one or more computing systems (e.g.,
general purpose computers 101, other computing devices 103) in
communication through one or more communication networks (e.g., a
LAN 119, the Internet 121). The computer systems may communicate
directly or indirectly, via any wired or wireless medium (e.g., the
Internet 121, LAN 119, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, a telephone
line, a cable line, a radio channel, an optical communications
line, commercial on-line service providers, bulletin board systems,
a satellite communications link, cellular telephone networks, a
WI-FI network, a Bluetooth communication link, a combination of any
of the above).
[0042] Various aspects of the invention (e.g., program elements
stored on machine-readable media and executable by one or more
processors) may be distributed among one or more computer systems
configured to provide a service to one or more client computer
systems. For example, in some embodiments, a plurality of computing
systems may be organized as a central authority connected to a LAN
or other communication network. These computing systems may receive
requests and other information from remote computing systems
through the Internet 121.
[0043] In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more
computer systems may act as one or more database servers. The
database server may respond to database requests such as structured
query language (SQL) queries by providing access to a database
(e.g., searching of the database, writing to the database). The
database server may maintain one or more database tables having
information stored therein to facilitate the operation of some
embodiments.
[0044] Aside from database servers, in some embodiments, one or
more computer systems may act as a web server. A web server may be
configured to respond to network requests (e.g., HTTP messages,
XMLHTTP requests) from web browsers executed by remote computer
systems. For example, a web browser 123 executed by a computing
system may direct an HTTP message through the Internet 121 to an
edge routing device 125 connected to the LAN 119. The edge routing
device 125 may be configured to direct the HTTP message to the web
server through the LAN 119. The web server may provide a response
(e.g., an HTML document) to the web browser 123 through the edge
routing device 125 and Internet 121. The web server may be
configured to communicate with other computer systems (e.g., a
database server) to generate responses to such a received
request.
[0045] In some embodiments, a server computer/centralized authority
may not be necessary or desirable. For example, the present
invention may, in an embodiment, be practiced on one or more
computing devices without a central authority. In such an
embodiment, any functions described herein as performed by a server
or data described as stored on a general purpose computer may
instead be performed by or stored on one or more such computing
devices.
[0046] The term "machine-readable medium" refers to any medium that
participates in providing data (e.g., instructions, data
structures) which may be read by a computer, a processor or a like
device. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not
limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission
media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic
disks 113 and other persistent memory. Volatile media include
dynamic random access memory 115 (DRAM), which typically
constitutes the main memory of a computer system. Transmission
media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics,
including the wires that comprise a system bus 117 coupled to the
processor. Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves,
light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as those generated
during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications.
Common forms of machine-readable media include, for example, a
floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, any
other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, a DVD, any other optical medium,
punch cards, a paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns
of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory
chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a
computer system can read.
[0047] Various forms of machine-readable media may be involved in
carrying data (e.g., sequences of instructions) to a processor. For
example, data may be (i) delivered from RAM to a processor; (ii)
carried over a wireless transmission medium; (iii) formatted and/or
transmitted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols,
such as Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), SAP, ATP, Bluetooth.TM., and
TCP/IP, TDMA, CDMA, and 3G; and/or (iv) encrypted to ensure privacy
or prevent fraud in any of a variety of ways well known in the
art.
[0048] Thus a description of a process is likewise a description of
a machine-readable medium storing a program for performing the
process. The machine-readable medium can store (in any appropriate
format) those program elements that are appropriate to perform the
process.
[0049] Where a process is described, in some embodiments the
process may operate without any user intervention. In other
embodiments, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., an
act is performed by or with the assistance of a human).
[0050] Just as the description of various acts in a process does
not indicate that all the described acts are required, embodiments
of an apparatus may include one or more computer systems operable
to perform some (but not necessarily all) of the described
process.
[0051] Likewise, just as the description of various acts in a
process does not indicate that all the described acts are required,
embodiments of a machine-readable medium storing a program or data
structure include a machine-readable medium storing a program that,
when executed, can cause one or more processors to perform some
(but not necessarily all) of the described process.
[0052] Where databases are described, it will be understood by one
of ordinary skill in the art that (i) alternative database
structures to those described may be readily employed, and (ii)
other memory structures besides databases may be readily employed.
Any descriptions of any sample databases presented herein are
illustrative arrangements for stored representations of
information. Any number of other arrangements may be employed
besides those suggested herein. Further, any database format
(including relational databases, object-based models and/or
distributed databases) may be used to store and manipulate the data
types described herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a
database may be used to implement processes described herein. In
addition, the databases may, in a known manner, be stored locally
or remotely from a device which accesses data in such a
database.
Continuing Applications
[0053] The present disclosure provides, to one of ordinary skill in
the art, an enabling description of several embodiments and/or
inventions. Some of these embodiments and/or inventions may not be
claimed in the present application, but may nevertheless be claimed
in one or more continuing applications that claim the benefit of
priority of the present application. Applicants intend to file
additional applications to pursue patents for subject matter that
has been disclosed and enabled but not claimed in the present
application.
35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, Paragraph 6
[0054] In a claim, a limitation of the claim which includes the
phrase "means for" or the phrase "step for" means that 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 112, paragraph 6, applies to that limitation. In a claim, a
limitation of the claim which does not include the phrase "means
for" or the phrase "step for" means that 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112,
paragraph 6 does not apply to that limitation, regardless of
whether that limitation recites a function without recitation of
structure, material or acts for performing that function. For
example, in a claim, the mere use of the phrase "step of" or the
phrase "steps of" in referring to one or more steps of the claim or
of another claim does not mean that 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, paragraph
6, applies to that step(s).
[0055] With respect to a means or a step for performing a specified
function in accordance with 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, paragraph 6, the
corresponding structure, material or acts described in the
specification, and equivalents thereof, may perform additional
functions as well as the specified function.
[0056] Computers, processors, computing devices and like products
are structures that can perform a wide variety of functions. Such
products can be operable to perform a specified function by
executing one or more programs, such as a program stored in a
memory device of that product or in a memory device which that
product accesses. Unless expressly specified otherwise, such a
program need not be based on any particular algorithm, such as any
particular algorithm that might be disclosed in the present
application. It is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art
that a specified function may be implemented via different
algorithms, and any of a number of different algorithms would be a
mere design choice for carrying out the specified function.
[0057] Therefore, with respect to a means or a step for performing
a specified function in accordance with 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112,
paragraph 6, structure corresponding to a specified function
includes any product programmed to perform the specified function.
Such structure includes programmed products which perform the
function, regardless of whether such product is programmed with (i)
a disclosed algorithm for performing the function, (ii) an
algorithm that is similar to a disclosed algorithm, or (iii) a
different algorithm for performing the function.
[0058] Where there is recited a means for performing a function hat
is a method, one structure for performing this method includes a
computing device (e.g., a general purpose computer) that is
programmed and/or configured with appropriate hardware to perform
that function.
[0059] Also includes a computing device (e.g., a general purpose
computer) that is programmed and/or configured with appropriate
hardware to perform that function via other algorithms as would be
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
Disclaimer
[0060] Numerous references to a particular embodiment does not
indicate a disclaimer or disavowal of additional, different
embodiments, and similarly references to the description of
embodiments which all include a particular feature does not
indicate a disclaimer or disavowal of embodiments which do not
include that particular feature. A clear disclaimer or disavowal in
the present application shall be prefaced by the phrase "does not
include" or by the phrase "cannot perform".
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0061] Any patent, patent application or other document referred to
herein is incorporated by reference into this patent application as
part of the present disclosure, but only for purposes of written
description in accordance with 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, paragraph 1
and enablement in accordance with 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, paragraph
1, and should in no way be used to limit, define, or otherwise
construe any term of the present application where the present
application, without such incorporation by reference, would not
have failed to provide an ascertainable meaning, but rather would
have allowed an ascertainable meaning for such term to be provided.
Thus, the person of ordinary skill in the art need not have been in
any way limited by any embodiments provided in the reference.
[0062] Any incorporation by reference does not, in and of itself,
imply any endorsement of, ratification of or acquiescence in any
statements, opinions, arguments or characterizations contained in
any incorporated patent, patent application or other document,
unless explicitly specified otherwise in this patent
application.
Prosecution History
[0063] In interpreting the present application (which includes the
claims), one of ordinary skill in the art shall refer to the
prosecution history of the present application, but not to the
prosecution history of any other patent or patent application,
regardless of whether there are other patent applications that are
considered related to the present application, and regardless of
whether there are other patent applications that share a claim of
priority with the present application.
Exemplary Embodiments
[0064] Various techniques of distributing revenue and/or other
money are providing herein. One embodiment includes a method of
distributing portions of loan payments to one or more referrers
associated with one or more loans.
[0065] As mentioned above, one embodiment includes a method of
distributing parts of a loan payment to one or more referrers
associated with the loans. In one particular embodiment, a computer
system, for example, may implement a process similar to process 200
illustrated in FIG. 2. Process 200 may begin at block 201.
[0066] As indicated at block 203, process 200 may include receiving
at least one indication of at least one referral. In some
embodiments, the indication of the referral may include an
indication that a referrer has referred at least one borrower. In
some implementations, a plurality of indications each indicating
that a respective referrer has referred at least one respective
borrower may be received. In some implementations, an indication of
a referral may include, for example, a loan application identifying
a referrer, and/or any other information in any format. In some
embodiments, the indication of the referral may include an
indication that a referrer has referred at least one lender. In
some implementations, a plurality of indications each indicating
that a respective referrer has referred at least one respective
lender may be received.
[0067] In some embodiments, each indication of a referral may
indicate a referrer. In some implementations, a referrer may
include at least one of an individual, a referring webpage (e.g., a
webpage that redirects a user to a webpage for entering
lender/borrower information), an organization, and/or any other
entity. Some examples of indications of referrals are mentioned
above, other non-limiting examples may include electronic messages,
temporary internet browser storage (e.g., cookies), a URL (e.g.,
referrer.placereferredto.com), and/or any other type of
indication.
[0068] As indicated at block 205, process 200 may include receiving
at least one indication of information regarding at least one
lender. Some implementations may include receiving a plurality of
indications of respective information regarding a plurality of
respective lenders. Some implementations may include providing a
user interface (e.g., a web site) through which a lender may enter
such information. The lender may include, for example, a bank or
other financial institution, a private individual, and/or any other
individual or entity. In some implementations, such information may
include identification information such as names, contact
information, and/or any other identifying information desired. In
some implementations, such information may include lending
information such as one or more interest rates at which loans may
be lent, one or more amounts of money that may be lent, one or more
lending restrictions or policies, and/or any other desired lending
information. In some implementations, receiving such information
may occur substantially simultaneously with receiving an indication
of a referrer of a lender as described above. For example, a lender
may enter referrer information through a user interface and submit
such information as one or more electronic messages that include
both an indication of the information and an indication of the
referral.
[0069] As indicated at block 207, process 200 may include receiving
at least one indication of information regarding at least one
borrower. Some implementations may include receiving a plurality of
indications of respective information regarding a plurality of
respective borrowers. The borrowers may include individuals,
business entities, and/or any other desired borrowers. In some
implementations, such information may include, for example,
identification information such as a name, social security number,
contact information, and/or any other identifying information. In
some implementations, such information may include borrowing
information such as one or more desired interest rates, one or more
desired amounts of money to borrow, one or more credit related
details (e.g., credit rating, income, etc.), one or more desired
terms, and/or any other desired information. In some
implementations, receiving such information may occur substantially
simultaneously with receiving an indication of a referrer of a
borrower as described above. For example, a borrower may enter
referrer information through a user interface and submit such
information as one or more electronic messages that include both an
indication of the information and an indication of the
referral.
[0070] As indicated at block 209, process 200 may include
facilitating at least one loan. The loan may include a loan of
money from at least one lender (e.g., a lender about whom an
indication of information is received at block 205) to at least one
borrower (e.g., a borrower about whom an indication of information
is received at block 207). In some implementations, the at least
one loan may include a plurality of loans. In some implementations,
facilitating may include matching at least one lender with at least
one borrower based on the respective received indications of
information. For example, in some implementations, a lender willing
to provide a loan at a particular interest rate may be matched with
a borrower willing to take a loan at or near that interest rate. In
some implementations, other information such as terms, amounts of
money, credit worthiness, and/or any other desired items may be
matched as well or as an alternative to interest rates.
[0071] In some implementations, a plurality of lenders may be
matched to a single borrower. In others, a single lender may be
matched to a single borrower. Such a matching may, in some
implementations, include the lender and borrower with most similar
information. In some implementations, a representation of one or
more lenders may be provided to a borrower. The representation may
include, for example, a user interface through which the borrower
may view information about available loans from the one or more
lenders and/or may select one or more of the matched one or more
lenders from the representation to accept a loan or loans. In some
implementations, such matches may be ordered based on similarity of
information.
[0072] In some implementations, facilitating may include providing
a representation of one or more borrowers to one or more lenders.
The representation may include, for example, a user interface
through which the one or more lenders may view information
regarding the one or more borrowers. In some implementations, the
representation may include a sorted list of borrowers according to
closeness of match.
[0073] In some implementations, information may be exchanged
with/provided to respective borrowers and/or lenders so that a loan
may be established between them. In other implementations, a loan
may automatically be established if information regarding a lender
and a borrower matches to a sufficient degree. In still other
implementations, a loan may be established if one or both parties
verifies their desire for a loan (e.g., through a web page or other
user interface, by signing a loan document electronically or by
hand, etc.).
[0074] As indicated at block 211, process 200 may include
determining at least a portion of a payment associated with the one
or more loans to allocate to the at least one referrer. In various
embodiments, such a portion may be determined for all loans given
to a referred borrower and/or by a referred lender. In some
implementations, such a portion may include a portion of a
repayment of a principal of the loan, a payment of interest in the
loan, a payment of a fee associated with the loan, and/or any other
payment.
[0075] As indicated at block 213, process 200 may include
allocating the portion of the payment to the referrer. In some
implementation, process 200 may further include providing the
payment to the referrer. A referrer may thereby receive a payment
for each loan in which a party to the loan was referred by him or
her.
[0076] Process 215 may end at block 215. It should be understood
that process 200 may include some described acts in any order and
that other embodiments may include other non-described acts and/or
may not include some or all described acts. It should further be
understood that some acts may be performed simultaneously as a
single act rather than separate acts in some implementations.
[0077] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to
bonding of delivery agents. In one particular embodiment, a
computer system, for example, may implement a process similar to
process 300 illustrated in FIG. 3. Process 300 may begin at block
301.
[0078] As indicated at block 303, some embodiments of process 300
may include receiving an indication of a delivery request for at
least one product. In some implementations, the indication of the
delivery request may include an indication of the at least one
product, an indication of a source of the at least one product, an
indication of a destination for the at least one product, an
indication of a desired delivery agent, and/or any other desired
information. In some implementations, the indication may be
received from a source of the at least one product (e.g., a
merchant) a destination of the at least one product (e.g., a
customer), and/or any other entity.
[0079] As indicated at block 305, some embodiments of process 300
may include receiving an indication of a value of the at least one
product. In some implementations, the value may include an
estimated value of the product, a cost of the product, and/or any
other value. In some implementation the indication of the value may
be received with and/or substantially simultaneously to the
indication of the delivery request (e.g., in a same one or more
electronic messages). In some implementations, the indication of
the value may be received from the source of the product, the
destination of the product, and/or any other source.
[0080] As indicated at block 307, some embodiments of process 300
may include determining a bonding value based at least in part on
the value of the at least one product. In some implementations, the
bonding value may include a percentage of the value of the product
(e.g., 10%). Determining a bonding value may include determining
the amount of money equal to such a percentage. In some
implementations, a bonding value may vary based on other criteria
such as distance, fragility, risk adversity of source/destination,
and/or any other information.
[0081] As indicated at block 309, some embodiments of process 300
may include transmitting a request for a bonding of a delivery
agent. In some implementations, the request may include a request
to bond the agent with at least an amount of money equal to the
determined bonding value. In some implementations, the request may
be transmitted as an electronic message (e.g., an email message, a
credit card charge, etc.). In other implementations, the request
may be a verbal or other type of request. The request may be
transmitted to the delivery agent, a financial institution
associated with a delivery agent, and/or any other entity.
[0082] As indicated at block 311, some embodiments of process 300
may include receiving an indication of a completed bonding of the
delivery agent. Such an indication may include an indication that
the bonding value has been received or otherwise reserved. For
example, in some implementations, such an indication may include an
indication from a credit card company, bank and/or other financial
institution or individual that an amount of money equal to the
bonding value has been reserved (e.g., locked on a credit card,
etc.). In other implementations the indication may include an
indication that the amount of money has been received, for example,
by an entity performing the process, a trusted entity, and/or any
other entity. In some implementation at least part of the bonding
amount may be returned to its source of the bonding amount after
delivery is successfully completed.
[0083] As indicated at block 313, some embodiments of process 300
may include transmitting a request for the delivery agent to
deliver the at least one product. In some implementations the
request may include a request to act as an agent when delivering
the product to the destination. In some implementations, acting as
an agent may include accepting the product from the source without
taking ownership of the product. In some implementations, the
request may include a request to act as a principal when delivering
the product. In some implementations, acting as a principal may
include accepting the product from the source and taking ownership
of the product until delivery is complete.
[0084] In some implementations process 300 may include an act of
delivering at least one product from at least one source to at
least one destination. Delivering the product may include acting as
an identified one of an agent and/or a principal.
[0085] Process 300 may end at block 315. It should be understood
that process 300 may include some described acts in any order and
that other embodiments may include other non-described acts and/or
may not include some or all described acts. It should further be
understood that some acts may be performed simultaneously as a
single act rather than separate acts in some implementations.
[0086] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to
selecting delivery agents. In one particular embodiment, a computer
system, for example, may implement a process similar to process 400
illustrated in FIG. 4. Process 400 may begin at block 401.
[0087] As indicated at block 403, some embodiments of process 400
may include receiving a first indication of a delivery request for
at least one product. In some implementations, the indication of
the delivery request may include an indication of the at least one
product, an indication of a source of the at least one product, an
indication of a destination of the at least one product, and/or any
other desired information. In some implementations, the indication
may be received from a source of the at least one product (e.g., a
merchant), a destination of the at least one product (e.g., a
customer), and/or any other entity.
[0088] As indicated at block 405, some embodiments of process 400
may include receiving a plurality of reviews. In some
implementations, the reviews may include one or more of an opinion,
a fact, and/or any other information regarding one or more delivery
agents. For example, a review may include a rating, a
positive/negative story, a time needed for delivery, and/or any
other type of information. In some implementations reviews may be
received from a plurality of sources such as people that have used
a reviewed delivery agent in the past.
[0089] As indicated at block 407, some embodiments of process 400
may include selecting a delivery agent based at least in part on
the plurality of reviews. Selecting may include determining which
delivery agent delivers to a particular destination, determining
which delivery agent is willing/able to deliver within a particular
timeframe, and/or matching information regarding a delivery agent
with information about a particular delivery (e.g., type/size of
delivered product, time of delivery, location of delivery source or
destination, etc.). In some implementations, selecting may include
selecting a delivery agent associated with more positive reviews
than at least one other delivery agent. In some implementations,
selecting a delivery agent may include selecting a most favorably
reviewed delivery agent. In some implementations, a user may be
presented with a list of delivery agents and asked to select one
from the list. The list of delivery agents may be determined based,
at least in part, on the plurality of reviews (e.g., ordered based
on favorable ratings, etc.). In one implementation, a set of
reviews may be filtered based on a social network (e.g., of source,
destination, etc.) of the source and/or destination of the delivery
before determining a selected delivery agent.
[0090] As indicated at block 409, some embodiments of process 400
may include transmitting a request for the selected delivery agent
to deliver the at least one product. In some implementations the
request may include a request to act as an agent when delivering
the product to the destination. In some implementations, acting as
an agent may include accepting the product from the source without
taking ownership of the product during delivery. In some
implementations, the request may include a request to act as a
principal when delivering the product. In some implementations,
acting as a principal may include accepting the product from the
source and taking ownership of the product during delivery.
[0091] In some implementations process 400 may include an act of
delivering the product to the destination. Delivering the product
may include acting as an identified one of an agent and/or a
principal.
[0092] Process 400 may end at block 411. It should be understood
that process 400 may include some described acts in any order and
that other embodiments may include other non-described acts and/or
may not include some or all described acts. It should further be
understood that some acts may be performed simultaneously as a
single act rather than separate acts in some implementations.
[0093] Still other embodiments of the present invention relate to
allocating portions of credit card payments. In one particular
embodiment, one or more computer systems, for example, may
implement a process similar to process 500 illustrated in FIG. 5.
Process 500 may begin at block 501.
[0094] As indicated at block 503, some embodiments of process 500
may include receiving a first indication of a credit card payment.
The indication may be received, for example by a merchant, a credit
card company, or any other desired entity. The indication may
include credit card information identifying a credit card, payment
information identifying a payment to be made to the credit card,
authorization information authorizing the payment to be made to the
credit card, and/or any other desired information.
[0095] As indicated at block 505, some embodiments of process 500
may include determining at least one of a type of credit card and a
merchant associated with the credit card payment. In some
implementations, the merchant may receive the indication so that
determining the merchant may be substantially trivial. In other
implementations a credit card company or other entity may receive
the indication. In such embodiments, determining the merchant may
include inspecting the received indication of the credit card
payment. In some implementations, determining the type of the
credit card may include determining if the credit card matches one
or more desired types of credit cards. For example, determining the
type may include determining if the credit card is a proprietary
type or other promotional type associated with merchant, credit
card company, and/or other desired entity. For example, in some
implementations, a merchant may receive an indication of a payment
and determine if a credit card used to make the payment is a type
issued by the merchant or involved in some other promotion. In
other implementations, a credit card company may receive an
indication of a payment and determine if the merchant is an issuer
of the credit card, or otherwise related to the credit card (e.g.,
through a promotion).
[0096] As indicated at block 507, some embodiments of process 500
may include calculating, based, at least in part, on the at least
one of the type of credit card and the merchant, a first portion of
the credit card payment to allocate to a purchaser. For example, if
the merchant is an issuer of the card or otherwise
associated/matched with the card type, the first portion may be
allocated to the purchaser. Otherwise, the first portion may not be
allocated to the purchaser. In some implementations, the first
portion may include a percentage of the payment. In some
implementations, the percentage of the payment allocated may vary
with a value of the purchase, a characteristic of the purchaser,
and/or any other criteria. In some implementations, process 500 may
include offering a product or service for sale at an amount
included in the payment. In some implementations, the sale amount
may include a merchant portion and a fee portion. The merchant
portion may include an amount that a merchant sells a product
and/or service for. A fee portion may include a fee for offering
the product and/or service for sale and/or delivering. In some
implementations, the sale amount may be an amount that the merchant
typically sells the product or service for, and the merchant
portion may represent a discounted price that a reseller or other
agent may use to sell the product (e.g., in combination with the
fee portion). The fee portion may represent a markup to the
merchant portion that may return the merchant portion to the sale
amount. In some implementations, the first portion may include such
a fee portion and/or merchant portion.
[0097] As indicated at block 509, some embodiments of process 500
may include calculating a second portion of the credit card payment
to allocate to the merchant. The second portion, in some
implementations, may include some or all of the remainder of the
payment. In some implementations, a portion of the payment may be
calculated to be allocated to other entities, for use to pay fees,
and/or for other purposes. In some implementations, the second
portion may include a fee portion and/or merchant portion.
[0098] As indicated at block 511, some embodiments of process 500
may include allocating the first and second portions respectively.
In some implementations, process 500 may further include providing
the allocated portions to the respective merchant and
purchaser.
[0099] Process 500 may end at block 513. It should be understood
that process 500 may include some described acts in any order and
that other embodiments may include other non-described acts and/or
may not include some or all described acts. It should further be
understood that some acts may be performed simultaneously as a
single act rather than separate acts in some implementations.
Furthermore, while process 500 is described in terms of credit
cards, it should be understood that other payment methods and
credit methods may be used in various other embodiments.
[0100] In some embodiments, one or more computer systems, for
example, may implement a process similar to process 600 illustrated
in FIG. 6. Process 600 may begin at block 601.
[0101] As indicated at block 603, some embodiments may include
receiving an indication of a referral for a credit card. In some
implementations, such an indication may include any type of
indication that a person has been referred to obtain a credit card
from one or more credit card issuers. In some implementations, such
an indication may include, for example, a credit card application
that identifies a referrer, a URL that indicates a source of a
referral (e.g., source.issuer.com), a cookie or other storage
element associated with an internet browser, and/or any other type
of electronic message or other indication. In some implementations,
the indication may be received from a referrer and/or a subject of
the referral.
[0102] In some implementations, process 600 may include providing a
credit card or other form or line of credit, as indicated at block
605. For example, in some implementations, a credit card issuer may
perform some or all of the actions of process 600. In response to
receiving an indication of a referral for a credit card, a credit
card may be provided to the subject of the referral (e.g., a person
or entity being referred) by such a credit card issuer. In some
implementations, a verification process and/or various credit
processing acts (e.g., credit check) may be performed before
issuing a credit card. Such acts are well known in the credit
business.
[0103] As indicated at block 607, process 600 may include receiving
an indication of a payment associated with the credit card. A
payment for example, may include a payment of a principal balance
on the credit card, a payment of interest of a balance on the
credit card, and/or a payment of a fee associated with the credit
card. Such a payment may be associated with use of the credit card,
for example, to purchase one or more products or services by the
subject of the referral.
[0104] As indicated at block 609, some embodiments may include
calculating at least a portion of the payment to allocate to one or
more referrers associated with the referral. Such a referrer may
include an individual or entity identified by the indication of the
referral as having referred the subject of the referral. In some
implementations, a percentage of the payment or some part of the
payment may be calculated for allocation. In some implementations,
such a percentage may vary, for example in accordance with a size
of the payment, amount of interest charged, number of people
referred by the referrer, and/or any other criteria. In some
implementations, calculating at least the portion of the payment
may include calculating a portion of an interest part of the
payment, a principal part of the payment, a fee part of the
payment, and/or any other desired part for allocation to the
referrer.
[0105] As indicated at block 611, some embodiments of process 600
may include providing and/or allocating the calculated portion to
the referrer. Providing may include delivering money in any form to
a referrer and/or delivering a credit of any type to the
referrer.
[0106] Process 600 may end at block 613. It should be understood
that process 600 may include some described acts in any order and
that other embodiments may include other non-described acts and/or
may not include some or all described acts. It should further be
understood that some acts may be performed simultaneously as a
single act rather than separate acts in some implementations.
Furthermore, while process 600 is described in terms of credit
cards, it should be understood that other payment methods and
credit methods may be used in various other embodiments.
[0107] Yet another embodiment of the present invention relates to
sharing advertisement revenue with various entities. For example,
FIG. 7 illustrates an example process 700 that may be performed,
for example, by one or more computer systems. Process 700 may begin
at block 701.
[0108] In some implementations, not indicated in FIG. 7, process
700 may include receiving a representation of the advertisement.
The representation of the advertisement, for example, may be
received from an advertiser. In some implementations, an
advertisement plan may also be received. The advertisement plan may
indicate when to include the advertisement in a user interface, a
price paid for insertion of the advertisement, and/or any other
advertising information associated with the advisement. In some
implementations, an advertisement may include, for example, a popup
window, a website link, an image, textual information, audio
information, video information, and/or any other desired
information.
[0109] As indicated at block 703, process 700 may include receiving
an indication of content for a user interface. The content, for
example, may include information that may be present through a
typical user interface (e.g., a web page, mobile device interface,
etc.). In some implementations, the content may include menu
information, product information, service information, and/or any
other information. The content may be received, for example, from a
subject of the information (e.g., a restaurant may provide menu
information, etc.), or other sources (e.g., customers may provide
menu information, reviews, etc.).
[0110] As indicated at block 705, process 700 may include receiving
an indication of a referral. The indication of the referral may
take any desired form. In some implementations, for example, an
indication of the referral may include an electronic message. Some
example indications may include a URL e.g., source.ui.com, a cookie
stored by a web browser, and/or a direct identification by a user
of a reference to the user interface.
[0111] The referral may include a referral of a user to the user
interface in some implementations. The referral may alternatively
or additionally include a referral of a content provider associated
with the user interface (e.g., a restaurant to a delivery web
site), a referral of an advertiser, and/or any other entity to the
user interface.
[0112] As indicated at block 707, process 700 may include providing
the user interface. In some implementations, the user interface may
include one or more advertisements. In some implementations, the
user interface may include a web page presented through an internet
browser, a mobile device interface, and/or any other user
interface. The user interface may include any information, such as
information that may typically be presented through a web page,
mobile device interface and/or any other user interface. In some
implementations, the user interface may include a user interface
for a delivery service through which a user may enter information
requesting delivery of products and/or services. In some
implementations, process 700 may include receiving a request for
the interface, such as a request from a web browser. In some
implementations, presenting a user interface may include
transmitting one or more electronic messages.
[0113] In some embodiments, as indicated at block 709, process 700
may include receiving an indication of at least one payment for
inclusion of the at least one advertisement in the user interface.
The indication of the payment, for example, may be received from
the advertiser in accordance with an advertisement plan or other
agreement with the advertiser. In some implementations, the payment
may be associated with the advertisement on a pay per view basis, a
pay per click basis, and/or any other desired basis.
[0114] As indicated at block 711, process 700 may include
calculating at least a portion of the payment for the advertisement
inclusion in the provided user interface to allocate to at least
one of the referrers. The referrer may include the referrer of a
user to the user interface, a referrer associated with content of
the user interface, a referrer of the advertiser associated with
the advertisement, and/or any other referrer. In some
implementations, calculating may include determining a percentage
of the payment. In some implementations, the percentage may vary,
for example based on an amount of the payment, a basis for payment,
a number of references, a type of the subject of the referral,
and/or any other desired criteria.
[0115] Process 700 may end at block 713. It should be understood
that process 700 may include some described acts in any order and
that other embodiments may include other non-described acts and/or
may not include some or all described acts. It should further be
understood that some acts may be performed simultaneously as a
single act rather than separate acts in some implementations.
[0116] The above described processes are provided as non-limiting
examples of embodiments of the present invention. It should be
understood that other embodiments may include other acts and
techniques for sharing money, bonding and/or selecting delivery
agents, and any other desired result.
More Embodiments
[0117] A method comprising receiving a first indication of a first
information regarding at least one lender; receiving a plurality of
second indications, each of the plurality of second indications
indicating a respective second information regarding at least one
of a plurality of borrowers; and determining at least a portion of
payments associated with a plurality of loans from the at least one
lender to the plurality of borrowers to allocate to at least one
referrer, wherein each loan of the plurality of loans includes a
loan from the at least one lender to a respective one of the
plurality of borrowers.
[0118] The method of paragraph [116], wherein the at least one
referrer includes a referrer of the at least one lender.
[0119] The method of paragraph [117], further comprising receiving
at least one indication of a referral of the at least one
lender.
[0120] The method of paragraph [118], in which the at least one
indication of the referral includes at least one electronic
message.
[0121] The method of paragraph [118], wherein the indication of the
referral includes an identification of the referrer by the at least
one lender.
[0122] The method of paragraph [118], wherein the indication of the
referral includes content of a temporary storage element of an
Internet browser.
[0123] The method of paragraph [118], wherein the indication of the
referral includes a universal resource locator.
[0124] The method of paragraph [116], wherein the at least one
referrer includes a referrer of at least one borrower of the
plurality of borrowers.
[0125] The method of paragraph [123], further comprising receiving
at least one indication of a referral of the at least one borrower
of the plurality of borrowers.
[0126] The method of paragraph [124], in which the at least one
indication of the referral includes at least one electronic
message.
[0127] The method of paragraph [124], wherein the indication of the
referral includes an identification of the referrer by the at least
one borrower.
[0128] The method of paragraph [124], wherein the indication of the
referral includes at least one loan application.
[0129] The method of paragraph [124], wherein the indication of the
referral includes content of a temporary storage element of an
Internet browser.
[0130] The method of paragraph [124], wherein the indication of the
referral includes a universal resource locator.
[0131] The method of paragraph [116], wherein the first information
includes an offered interest rate by the at least one lender.
[0132] The method of paragraph [130], wherein the first information
includes at least one of an amount of money to be loaned, a loan
term, and a loan restrictions.
[0133] The method of paragraph [116], wherein the at least one
lender includes at least one financial institution.
[0134] The method of paragraph [116], wherein each respective
second information includes a desired interest rate of at least one
respective borrower of the plurality of borrowers.
[0135] The method of paragraph [133], wherein the second
information includes at least one of an amount of money to be
borrowed, a desired loan term, and credit information.
[0136] The method of paragraph [116], wherein the portion includes
a percentage of the payments.
[0137] The method of paragraph [135], wherein the payments includes
at least one of a payment of interest, a payment of principal, and
a payment of a fee.
[0138] The method of paragraph [135], wherein the percentage is
based, at least in part, on whether a referee of the referrer is
one of the at least one lender or one of the plurality of
borrowers.
[0139] The method of paragraph [116], further comprising receiving
the payments and providing the portion of the payments to the at
least one referrer.
[0140] The method of paragraph [116], further comprising
transmitting a representation of the portion of the payments.
[0141] The method of paragraph [116], further comprising
facilitating the plurality of loans.
[0142] The method of paragraph [140], wherein facilitating includes
providing at least a portion of the first information to each
borrower of the plurality of borrowers.
[0143] The method of paragraph [140], wherein facilitating includes
providing at least a portion of the second information to the at
least one lender.
[0144] The method of paragraph [140], wherein facilitating includes
providing at least one user interface that includes at least one of
the first information and the second information.
[0145] The method of paragraph [140], wherein facilitating includes
matching each borrower of the plurality of borrowers with the at
least one lender based, at least in part, on at least one of the
first information and the second information.
[0146] An apparatus comprising at least one machine readable
medium, the at least one machine readable medium having stored
thereon a plurality of machine instructions, the plurality of
machine instructions together being able to control at least one
computer system to perform a method according to paragraph
[116].
[0147] The apparatus of paragraph [145], further comprising at
least one processor configured to execute at least one instruction
of the plurality of machine instructions.
[0148] A method comprising receiving first information regarding at
least one lender; receiving second information regarding at least
one borrower; and determining at least a portion of a payment
associated with at least one loan from the at least one lender to
the at least one borrower to allocate to at least one referrer.
[0149] The method of paragraph [147], wherein the referrer includes
a referrer of the at least one lender.
[0150] The method of paragraph [148], further comprising receiving
at least one indication of a referral of the at least one
lender.
[0151] The method of paragraph [149], in which the at least one
indication of the referral includes at least one electronic
message.
[0152] The method of paragraph [149], wherein the indication of the
referral includes an identification of the referrer by the at least
one lender.
[0153] The method of paragraph [149], wherein the indication of the
referral includes content of a temporary storage element of an
Internet browser.
[0154] The method of paragraph [149], wherein the indication of the
referral includes a universal resource locator.
[0155] The method of paragraph [147], wherein the referrer includes
a referrer of the at least one borrower.
[0156] The method of paragraph [154], further comprising receiving
at least one indication of a referral of the at least one
borrower.
[0157] The method of paragraph [155], in which the at least one
indication of the referral includes at least one electronic
message.
[0158] The method of paragraph [155], wherein the indication of the
referral includes an identification of the referrer by the at least
one borrower.
[0159] The method of paragraph [155], wherein the indication of the
referral includes at least one loan application.
[0160] The method of paragraph [155], wherein the indication of the
referral includes content of a temporary storage element of an
Internet browser.
[0161] The method of paragraph [155], wherein the indication of the
referral includes a universal resource locator.
[0162] The method of paragraph [147], wherein the first information
includes an offered interest rate by the at least one lender.
[0163] The method of paragraph [161], wherein the first information
includes at least one of an amount of money to be loaned, a loan
term, and a loan restrictions.
[0164] The method of paragraph [147], wherein the at least one
lender includes at least one financial institution.
[0165] The method of paragraph [147], wherein the second
information includes a desired interest rate of the at least one
borrower.
[0166] The method of paragraph [164], wherein the second
information includes at least one of an amount of money to be
borrowed, a desired loan term, and credit information.
[0167] The method of paragraph [147], wherein the portion includes
a percentage of the payment.
[0168] The method of paragraph [166], wherein the payment includes
at least one of a payment of interest, a payment of principal, and
a payment of a fee.
[0169] The method of paragraph [166], wherein the percentage is
based, at least in part, on whether a referee of the referrer is
one of the at least one lender or one of the at least one
borrower.
[0170] The method of paragraph [147], further comprising receiving
the payment and providing the portion to the at least one
referrer.
[0171] The method of paragraph [147], further comprising
transmitting a representation of the portion.
[0172] The method of paragraph [147], further comprising
facilitating the at least one loan.
[0173] The method of paragraph [171], wherein facilitating includes
providing at least a portion of the first information to the at
least one borrower.
[0174] The method of paragraph [171], wherein facilitating includes
providing at least a portion of the second information to the at
least one lender.
[0175] The method of paragraph [171], wherein facilitating includes
providing at least one user interface that includes at least one of
the first information and the second information.
[0176] The method of paragraph [171], wherein facilitating includes
matching the at least one borrower with the at least one lender
based, at least in part, on at least one of the first information
and the second information.
[0177] An apparatus comprising at least one machine readable
medium, the at least one machine readable medium having stored
thereon a plurality of machine instructions, the plurality of
machine instructions together being able to control at least one
computer system to perform a method according to paragraph
[147].
[0178] The apparatus of paragraph [176], further comprising at
least one processor configured to execute at least one instruction
of the plurality of machine instructions.
[0179] A method comprising receiving a request for a delivery of at
least one product; receiving an indication of a value of the at
least one product; transmitting a request for a bonding of a
delivery agent, a value of the request for the bonding being based,
at least in part, on the value of the at least one product;
receiving an indication that a sum of money at least as great as
the value of the request for the bonding is available to bond the
delivery agent; transmitting, to the delivery agent, a request to
deliver the at least one product.
[0180] The method of paragraph [178], wherein transmitting the
request for the bonding includes transmitting a request to lock a
charge on at least one credit card, a value of the charge
corresponding to a value of the request for the bonding.
[0181] The method of paragraph [179], wherein receiving the
indication that the sum of money at least as great as the value of
the request for the bonding is available includes receiving an
indication that the charge has been successfully locked on the at
least one credit card.
[0182] The method of paragraph [178], wherein receiving an
indication that the sum of money at least as great as the value of
the request for the bonding is available includes at least one of
receiving an indication that the money is held by a trusted entity,
and receiving the money.
[0183] The method of paragraph [178], wherein the request to
deliver the at least one product includes a request to act as a
principal when delivering the at least one product.
[0184] The method of paragraph [182], wherein acting as a principal
includes paying at least one merchant for the at least one product
in order to take ownership of the at least one product during the
delivery of the at least one product; and transferring ownership of
the at least one product to at least one customer upon delivery of
the at least one product.
[0185] The method of paragraph [178], wherein the request to
deliver the at least one product includes a request to act as an
agent when delivering the at least one product.
[0186] The method of paragraph [184], wherein acting as an agent
includes taking possession of the at least one product from at
least one merchant without paying the at least one merchant to take
ownership of the at least one product during the delivery of the at
least one product; and transferring possession of the at least one
product to at least one customer upon delivery of the at least one
product.
[0187] The method of paragraph [178], further comprising delivering
the at least one product.
[0188] The method of paragraph [178], wherein the request for the
delivery includes a request to deliver the at least one product
from a merchant to a customer.
[0189] The method of paragraph [178], wherein the value of the
request includes at least a percentage of the value of the at least
one product.
[0190] An apparatus comprising at least one machine readable
medium, the at least one machine readable medium having stored
thereon a plurality of machine instructions, the plurality of
machine instructions together being able to control at least one
computer system to perform a method according to paragraph
[178].
[0191] The apparatus of paragraph [189], further comprising at
least one processor configured to execute at least one instruction
of the plurality of machine instructions.
[0192] A method comprising receiving a request for a delivery of at
least one product; receiving a plurality of reviews, each review of
the plurality of reviews corresponding to a respective one of a
plurality of delivery agents; selecting at least one delivery agent
from the plurality of delivery agents, based, at least in part, on
at least one of the plurality of reviews; and transmitting, to the
at least one delivery agent, a request to deliver the at least one
product.
[0193] The method of paragraph [191], wherein each review of the
plurality of reviews includes at least one of a fact and an opinion
regarding a respective one of the plurality of delivery agents.
[0194] The method of paragraph [192], wherein each review is
received from a user of a respective one of the plurality of
delivery agents.
[0195] The method of paragraph [191], wherein the request to
deliver the at least one product includes a request to act as a
principal when delivering the at least one product.
[0196] The method of paragraph [191], wherein acting as a principal
includes paying at least one merchant for the at least one product
in order to take ownership of the at least one product during the
delivery of the at least one product; and transferring ownership of
the at least one product to at least one customer upon delivery of
the at least one product.
[0197] The method of paragraph [191], wherein the request to
deliver the at least one product includes a request to act as an
agent when delivering the at least one product.
[0198] The method of paragraph [196], wherein acting as an agent
includes taking possession of the at least one product from at
least one merchant without paying the at least one merchant to take
ownership of the at least one product during the delivery of the at
least one product; and transferring possession of the at least one
product to at least one customer upon delivery of the at least one
product.
[0199] The method of paragraph [191], wherein the request for
delivery includes a request to deliver a product from a merchant to
a customer.
[0200] The method of paragraph [191], wherein selecting the at
least one delivery agent includes selecting a relatively positively
reviewed delivery agent.
[0201] The method of paragraph [199], wherein selecting the
relatively positively reviewed delivery agent includes selecting an
available delivery agent.
[0202] The method of paragraph [200], wherein the available
delivery agent is willing to delivery the at least one product from
a merchant to a customer within a desired timeframe.
[0203] The method of paragraph [199], wherein selecting the
relatively positively reviewed delivery agent includes selecting a
most positively reviewed delivery agent of the plurality of
delivery agents.
[0204] The method of paragraph [199], further comprising filtering
the reviews before selecting the delivery agent.
[0205] The method of paragraph [203], wherein filtering the reviews
includes filtering the reviews based at least on one of a social
network of a merchant, and a social network of a recipient.
[0206] An apparatus comprising at least one machine readable
medium, the at least one machine readable medium having stored
thereon a plurality of machine instructions, the plurality of
machine instructions together being able to control at least one
computer system to perform a method according to paragraph
[191].
[0207] The apparatus of paragraph [205], further comprising at
least one processor configured to execute at least one instruction
of the plurality of machine instructions.
[0208] A method comprising receiving an indication of a credit card
payment; determining at least one of a type of a credit card and a
merchant associated with the credit card payment; calculating,
based, at least in part, on the at least one of the type of the
credit card and the merchant, at least a first portion of the
credit card payment to allocate to a purchaser associated with the
credit card payment; and calculating at least a second portion of
the credit card payment to allocate to the merchant associated with
the credit card payment.
[0209] The method of paragraph [207], further comprising offering
at least one of a product and a service from the merchant;
receiving an indication of a purchase of the at least one of the
product and the service, wherein the credit card payment includes a
payment for the at least one of the product and the service.
[0210] The method of paragraph [208], wherein offering the at least
one of the product and the service includes indicating at least one
price for the at least one of the product and the service, the at
least one price being a normal price at which the at least one of
the product and the service is offered by the at least one
merchant, and wherein the at least one price includes a merchant
portion and a fee portion.
[0211] The method of paragraph [209], wherein the second portion
includes the merchant portion, and the first portion includes at
least part of the fee portion.
[0212] The method of paragraph [210], wherein the first portion
includes a predetermined percentage of the fee portion.
[0213] The method of paragraph [210], wherein the first portion
includes a percentage of the fee portion that varies with a
magnitude of the payment.
[0214] The method of paragraph [207], wherein the first portion
includes a predetermined percentage of the payment.
[0215] The method of paragraph [207], wherein the first portion
includes a percentage of the payment that varies with a magnitude
of the payment.
[0216] The method of paragraph [207], determining if the type of
the credit card and the merchant match.
[0217] The method of paragraph [215], wherein determining if the
type of the credit card and the merchant match includes determining
if the merchant is an issuer of the credit card.
[0218] The method of paragraph [215], wherein calculating, based,
at least in part, on the at least one of the type of the credit
card and the merchant, at least the first portion of the credit
card payment to allocate to the purchaser associated with the
credit card payment includes calculating at least the first portion
of the credit card payment to allocate to the purchaser if the type
of the credit card and the merchant are determined to match.
[0219] The method of paragraph [207], further comprising allocating
the first portion to the purchaser and allocating the second
portion to the merchant.
[0220] An apparatus comprising at least one machine readable
medium, the at least one machine readable medium having stored
thereon a plurality of machine instructions, the plurality of
machine instructions together being able to control at least one
computer system to perform a method according to paragraph
[207].
[0221] The apparatus of paragraph [219], further comprising at
least one processor configured to execute at least one instruction
of the plurality of machine instructions.
[0222] A method comprising receiving an indication of a referral of
a credit card; receiving an indication of a payment associated with
the credit card; and calculating at least a portion of the payment
to allocate to a referrer associated with the referral.
[0223] The method of paragraph [221], wherein the indication of the
referral includes an indication that at least one of a person and
an entity has referred a customer to a credit card company.
[0224] The method of paragraph [222], wherein the indication of the
referral includes an electronic message.
[0225] The method of paragraph [222], wherein the indication of the
referral includes an identification of the referrer by the
customer.
[0226] The method of paragraph [222], wherein the indication of the
referral includes a credit card application.
[0227] The method of paragraph [222], wherein the indication of the
referral includes content of a temporary storage element of an
Internet browser.
[0228] The method of paragraph [222], wherein the indication of the
referral includes a universal resource locator.
[0229] The method of paragraph [221], further comprising providing
a credit card to a target associated with the referral.
[0230] The method of paragraph [221], wherein the indication of the
payment includes an indication that a monetary amount has been paid
to a credit card company.
[0231] The method of paragraph [221], wherein the payment includes
at least one of a payment of interest, a payment of principal, and
a payment of a fee.
[0232] The method of paragraph [221], allocating the portion of the
payment to the referrer associated with the referral.
[0233] The method of paragraph [221], wherein the portion includes
a percentage of at least a part the payment.
[0234] The method of paragraph [232], wherein the pat least the
part includes at least one of an interest part, a fee part, and a
principal part.
[0235] The method of paragraph [221], further comprising providing
the portion of the payment to the referrer associated with the
referral.
[0236] An apparatus comprising at least one machine readable
medium, the at least one machine readable medium having stored
thereon a plurality of machine instructions, the plurality of
machine instructions together being able to control at least one
computer system to perform a method according to paragraph
[221].
[0237] The apparatus of paragraph [235], further comprising at
least one processor configured to execute at least one instruction
of the plurality of machine instructions.
[0238] A method comprising providing a user interface, the user
interface including at least one advertisement; receiving at least
one payment for inclusion of the at least one advertisement;
allocating at least a portion of the at least one payment to at
least one of a referrer associated with the user interface and a
content provider associated with the user interface.
[0239] The method of paragraph [237], wherein the user interface
includes a delivery service interface.
[0240] The method of paragraph [237], wherein the referrer includes
at least one of a referrer of an advertiser associated with the
advertisement, a referrer of a user accessing the user interface,
and a referrer of the content provider associated with the user
interface.
[0241] The method of paragraph [239], further comprising receiving
an indication of a referral of the advertiser.
[0242] The method of paragraph [240], wherein the indication of the
referral of the advertiser includes an electronic message.
[0243] The method of paragraph [239], further comprising receiving
an indication of a referral of the user accessing the user
interface.
[0244] The method of paragraph [242], wherein the indication of the
referral includes an electronic message.
[0245] The method of paragraph [242], wherein the indication of the
referral includes content of a temporary storage element of an
Internet browser.
[0246] The method of paragraph [242], wherein the indication of the
referral includes a universal resource locator.
[0247] The method of paragraph [239], further comprising receiving
an indication of a referral of the content provider.
[0248] The method of paragraph [246], wherein the indication of the
referral of the content provider includes an electronic
message.
[0249] The method of paragraph [246], wherein the indication of the
referral includes content of a temporary storage element of an
Internet browser.
[0250] The method of paragraph [246], wherein the indication of the
referral includes a universal resource locator.
[0251] The method of paragraph [237], wherein the content provider
includes at least one of a merchant associated with the user
interface, a provider of menu information associated with the user
interface, a provider of association information associated with
the user interface, and a provider of review information associated
with the user interface.
[0252] The method of paragraph [237], further comprising receiving
an indication of content for the user interface from the content
provider.
[0253] The method of paragraph [237], wherein content includes at
least a portion of information provided through the user
interface.
[0254] The method of paragraph [237], further comprising receiving
at least one representation of the at least one advertisement.
[0255] The method of paragraph [237], further comprising providing
the portion of the at least one payment to the at least one of the
referrer associated with the user interface and the content
provider associated with the user interface.
[0256] An apparatus comprising at least one machine readable
medium, the at least one machine readable medium having stored
thereon a plurality of machine instructions, the plurality of
machine instructions together being able to control at least one
computer system to perform a method according to paragraph
[237].
[0257] The apparatus of paragraph [255], further comprising at
least one processor configured to execute at least one instruction
of the plurality of machine instructions.
[0258] A method comprising receiving an indication of a payment,
the payment including a merchant portion and a fee portion;
determining at least a portion of the fee portion to allocate to at
least one of a payer, a referrer, and a content provider associated
with the payment.
[0259] The method of paragraph [257], further comprising offering
at least one of a product and a service from a merchant; receiving
an indication of a purchase of the at least one of the product and
the service, wherein the payment includes a payment for the at
least one of the product and the service.
[0260] The method of paragraph [258], wherein offering the at least
one of the product and the service includes indicating at least one
price for the at least one of the product and the service, the at
least one price being a normal price at which the at least one of
the product and the service is offered by the at least one
merchant, and wherein the at least one price includes the merchant
portion and the fee portion.
[0261] The method of paragraph [258], wherein the payer includes a
payer of the payment.
[0262] The method of paragraph [257], further comprising
determining at least a portion of the merchant portion to allocate
to at least one merchant.
[0263] The method of paragraph [261], wherein the at least one
payment includes a payment for at least one of a product and a
service from the at least one merchant.
[0264] The method of paragraph [257], wherein determining the at
least the portion includes determining a percentage of the fee
portion.
[0265] The method of paragraph [263], wherein the percentage
includes a fixed percentage.
[0266] The method of paragraph [263], wherein the percentage varies
with a magnitude of the payment.
[0267] The method of paragraph [257], further comprising allocating
at least the portion of the fee portion to the at least one of the
payer, the referrer, and the content provider associated with the
payment.
[0268] The method of paragraph [257], wherein the referrer includes
at least one of a referrer of an advertiser, a referrer of a user
accessing a user interface, and a referrer of the content
provider.
[0269] The method of paragraph [267], further comprising providing
the user interface.
[0270] The method of paragraph [268], wherein the content provider
includes a provider of content for the user interface.
[0271] The method of paragraph [269], wherein the content provider
includes at least one of a merchant associated with the user
interface, a provider of menu information associated with the user
interface, a provider of association information associated with
the user interface, and a provider of review information associated
with the user interface.
[0272] The method of paragraph [268], further comprising receiving
an advertisement from the advertiser.
[0273] The method of paragraph [257], further comprising receiving
at least one indication of a referral.
[0274] The method of paragraph [272], wherein the indication of the
referral identifies the referrer and includes a referral of at
least one of a referrer of an advertiser, a referrer of a user
accessing a user interface, and a referrer of the content
provider.
[0275] An apparatus comprising at least one machine readable
medium, the at least one machine readable medium having stored
thereon a plurality of machine instructions, the plurality of
machine instructions together being able to control at least one
computer system to perform a method according to claim [257].
[0276] The apparatus of paragraph [274], further comprising at
least one processor configured to execute at least one instruction
of the plurality of machine instructions.
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