Patent ID: 6662164
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
A method for determining commissions to pay out to a set of recipients based on one or more transactions, wherein the method is implemented using a data processing system that includes (A) a model to store data useful for governing aspects of commission processing, wherein the model includes (i) a quota module, (ii) allocation rules, and (iii) a promotions data module and (B) a processing engine to access the model and receive each transaction, to process each transaction in accordance with the model, and to prepare ledger items, the method comprising:executing instructions in the data processing system for: obtaining the one or more transactions; obtaining from the quota module of the model one or more quotas that apply to the one or more transactions, and which represent levels of commissions available to a set of recipients; determining a quota state for each recipient using the processing engine, wherein each quota state includes recipient identification data and current performance data of the identified recipient; obtaining from the promotion data module of the model one or more promotions that specify a reward for one or more of the levels; calculating performances of the set of recipients using the processing engine, wherein calculating performances comprises: obtaining one or more of the allocation rules of the model corresponding to the transactions wherein for each of the transactions, each of the allocation rules apportions one or more credits in varying proportions to one or more subsets of the set of recipients; and applying the allocation rules to the transactions using the quotas and quota states to calculate the performances; determining, using the processing engine, if the performances qualify for the promotions; and preparing ledger items, using the processing engine, that specify compensation to be paid for the set of recipients in amounts determined by the promotions if the performances of the set of recipients reach a qualifying threshold of the level.