Abstract:
A computer system that allows a user of the system access to a product or service only when they have been invited by a user already authorized by the computer system. The system storing details of the users of the system allowing links to be made between the users.

Description:
STATEMENT OF RELATED CASES  
         [0001]    This case claims priority of Great Britain patent application number GB  0208060 . 4  filed Apr. 6, 2002.  
         FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to a computer system, method, database or computer readable medium for forming a relational database.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    Business methods are well-known devices for promoting products and services comprising advertising, a distribution system and the formation of a database of consumers.  
           [0004]    The purchase of databases can be an unreliable and expensive basis for distribution, compiling abstract information on individuals as discrete entities rather than connections in a chain, circle or network of acquaintances, colleagues, friends is and family who might actively promote and disseminate a product by word of mouth, such word of mouth being a powerful form of advertising in its own right. Moreover, mass advertising and market research necessarily rely on high volumes of turnover for their effectiveness and accuracy, and by nature cannot monitor, quantify, qualify or analyze the transmission of the word of mouth on a product or service as it occurs in real time. Furthermore, the proliferation of advertising and unsolicited mail has caused many consumers to ignore advertising sent to them directly and tend to respond more favourably to recommendations made by people whom they already know and trust. In addition, there are certain types of products and services the mass advertising and indiscriminate distribution of which would cause such a product or service to be devalued.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0005]    The present invention avoids at least some of the problems of the prior art by allowing a user of a computer system access to a product or service only when the user has been invited by a user that is already authorized by the computer system. The system advantageously stores details of the users of the system enabling links to be made between the users.  
           [0006]    In some embodiments of the present invention, a database links an authorized user of the product or service with a user who has been invited by the authorized user. The files of the database are stored in a hierarchy whereby the authorized user&#39;s files are at a higher hierarchical level than that of the invited user&#39;s files.  
           [0007]    In some embodiments of the present invention, a computer readable medium having instructions thereon is provided. In conjunction with a computer, the computer readable medium and instructions generate a code for allowing a user to access a product or service, wherein that user may subsequently invite further users to access the product or service.  
           [0008]    In some embodiments of the present invention, a computer readable medium having instructions thereon causes a computer to provide a series of web pages that enable a user to enter details, including a code and registration details, in order to access a product or service. Furthermore, the computer readable medium having instructions thereon causes a computer to subsequently invite a further user to access the product or service by sending a communication with a unique code to the invited user.  
           [0009]    In some embodiments of the present invention, a computer readable medium having instructions thereon causes a computer to create database files for storing codes generated by the computer and receive details from a user associated with the first code, and to subsequently provide an option to invite further users whereby database files are created that are associated with the first user and that store information related to the invited user.  
           [0010]    In some embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for accessing a product or service on line by using a unique code, and subsequently inviting a further user to access the product or service on line by providing them with a second unique code.  
           [0011]    In some embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for distributing a product or service that directly monitors the dissemination of the word-of-mouth on a product or service and forms a database of the connections between its consumers.  
           [0012]    Some embodiments of the present invention provide a business method comprising the means to form a relational database of users of a confidential distribution service for one or more products or services, the database relating the identities of users who are personally known to each other, access to use the distribution service authorized only by personal invitation of an agent of the distribution service or by a registered user thereof, the registered user choosing and providing to the database the identity of one or more potential users, such potential users thereby being authorized to access, become registered users of and invite other potential users to use the distribution service and so on and so forth, the means being provided by the distribution service to authenticate the identities of its users and relate them in the database to the identities of the users by whom they have been invited, a security system being provided by the distribution service to prohibit unauthorized consumers from accessing the distribution service and the products or services it distributes, and prohibit unauthorized distribution of those products or services by tracking the users of those products or services and seeing who invited them and who they invited. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following figures in which:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 shows a distributing agent giving an authorized invitation in person to a consumer to access a website;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 shows the consumer accessing the website;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 shows the consumer registering his identity and payment details on the website;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 shows the consumer continuing to a menu web page, either directly or after registration or by logging off and subsequently logging on;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 shows the consumer choosing and paying for a product;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 shows the consumer accessing the product and continuing to a menu web page; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 shows the consumer issuing an email invitation to a consumer of his choosing via the website.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 shows a distributing agent giving an authorized invitation in person to a consumer to access a website;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 shows the consumer registering his name and mobile telephone number on the website;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 shows the consumer calling a premium rate telephone number in order to proceed further on the website;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 shows the consumer accessing the product; and  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 show a consumer issuing an authorized invitation by text message via the website to the mobile telephone of a consumer of his choosing.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 13 shows a distributing agent giving an authorized invitation in person to a consumer to access a website;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 14 shows the consumer accessing the website, registering his email address for authentication by the distribution service;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 15 shows the consumer accessing another website which contains the product distributed by the distribution service;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 16 shows the consumer issuing an authorized invitation by email to another consumer of his choosing and sending a copy of that email to the distribution service; and  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 17 shows the invited consumer accessing the website containing the product. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0031]    Referring to FIGS.  1  to  7 , the first embodiment of the invention, whereby a relational database of consumers&#39; credit or debit card details is formed, is now described.  
         [0032]    Referring to FIG. 1, the database management system  1  of the distribution service controls a database  101  having a number of files. A program for controlling the database management system  1  is loaded from any suitable computer readable medium  102  into the database management system  1 . The database management system provides the distributing agent  1 C one or more passcodes generated by a passcode dispenser  1 A and filed in a file  1 B relating to those passcodes distributed by the distributing agent, a different passcode generated for each consumer who receives a passcode from the distributing agent. The distributing agent gives one such passcode, CODE XA, which is associated with the distributing agent, and a Uniform Resource Locator URLX in printed, written or oral form ID to consumer A  2 , in person, additionally communicating to Consumer A that the passcode is nontransferable, as shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0033]    Consumer A, via his computer  2 A and Internet browser, accesses the website at URLX. The website is provided by a server  201 , which has the website format, page construction and technical features of the website loaded onto it via any suitable computer readable medium  202 . Consumer A is prompted to register by clicking link  2 B whereupon he is prompted to enter his passcode in text field  2 C. If authenticated by the database management system Consumer A is provided access by way of link  2 F to a set of legal terms of use  2 G to which he must agree by clicking link  2 H in order to proceed, as shown in FIG. 2. If the passcode is not found in the database and therefore not authenticated by the database management system the consumer would not be provided the link to proceed further and would be prompted to exit the website (not shown). Similarly, should a consumer not agree to the legal terms of use he would not proceed to register and would be prompted to exit the website (not shown).  
         [0034]    Consumer A, in this example, is then provided a registration form  3  in which he is prompted to enter a passcode of his choosing, CODE A in text field  3 A which replaces CODE XA in file  1 B, CODE XA being disposed of 3G, in order to ensure that the passcode, CODE XA, is used only by its recipient. He is prompted also to choose a user name, USER A, in text field  3 B and choose an email address from which authorized invitations to other consumers of his choosing would be sent, EMAILA©URLX, in text field  3 C. In text field  3 D he is prompted to enter his payment details in the form of a credit or debit card which are sent to an authenticating third party  3 E. If authenticated, the details are filed in the database of the distribution service and the link  3 F is provided for Consumer A to proceed, as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the details may be stored without subsequent authentication. The option, (not shown) may also be provided for Consumer A to pay a registration fee, the payment transaction being made via his credit or debit card details. If a consumer&#39;s card details are not authenticated (not shown), the consumer therefore not being identified by the distribution service the link to access the website further would not be provided, the entries made by the consumer would be deleted from the database and the consumer would be prompted to exit the website.  
         [0035]    Consumer A, in this example, thus is authorized to proceed to a menu web page  5  either directly by means of link  3 F or indirectly, by logging off and subsequently returning to URLX and clicking link  21  taking him to a log on page  4  wherein he is prompted to enter his chosen passcode and user name for authentication, thus providing the link  4 C. If a user name and corresponding passcode is not found in the database and therefore not authenticated, the link to the menu web page would not be provided thereby protecting registered users&#39; credit or debit card details. Once at menu web page  5  Consumer A is provided the option to proceed to the products P and or Q and or invite other consumers to register. Consumer A, in this example, chooses to access product P by clicking the link  5 A, as shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0036]    At web page  5 B he is advised of the cost of product P and by clicking the link  5 C a payment transaction from Consumer A&#39;s credit or debit card is made via the authenticating and authorising third party  3 E. Once payment has been authorized, the transaction is filed in file  1 B and the database management system provides Consumer A the link  5 D to access the product, as shown in FIG. 5. If payment is not authorized, the link  5 D would not be provided and a consumer would be prompted to enter details of a different credit or debit card (not shown).  
         [0037]    On accessing product P at a web page  6 , Consumer A is provided the link  6 A to the menu web page  5  wherein he may choose to click the link  5 A in order to invite one or more other consumers to register to use the distribution service, by clicking link  6 B, as shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0038]    Consumer A then proceeds to an invitation form  7  containing text field  7 A in which he is prompted to enter the email address of a person known to him, EMAIL B, and to compose an email message, MESSAGE AB, to be received by that person, EMAIL B and MESSAGE AB being entered into the database of the distribution service in a new file  7 C, the file relating to those invited by USER A. File  7 C may further contain information associated with the person who invited Consumer A. Into this file is also added a different passcode for each recipient of such invitations, such as CODE AB for the addressee of EMAIL B, Consumer B. The database management system of the distribution service then sends the email  7 E to Consumer B, adding the card name of Consumer A  7 D, in order for Consumer B to identify the sender, the CC text field entered with the email address of the distribution service in order or advise the recipient that the email has been monitored by the distribution service. URLX and CODE AB are also added to enable Consumer B to access the registration web page of the website. In addition a message composed by the distribution service, MESSAGE X, is added to the email communicating that the passcode is personal to the addressee and non-transferable. Consumer B thus receives the email as shown in FIG. 7 and may therefore register as a user, access the products on the website and or invite other consumers of his choosing, such consumers&#39; identities being entered into a new file, relating to those invited by USER B, those consumers in turn being permitted to register and thus invite others and so on and so forth. The relational database thereby compiled may subsequently be used as the basis for the distribution other products or services which are accessed exclusively via this distribution service and revenue is provided by any registration fees and or sales commission. In addition, the database may be leased or sold to producers at the discretion of the distribution service and its users.  
         [0039]    Referring to FIGS.  8  to  12 , the second embodiment of the invention, whereby a relational database of consumers&#39; mobile telephone numbers is formed, is now described.  
         [0040]    Referring to FIG. 8, the database management system  8  of the distribution service provides the distributing agent  8 C one or more passcodes generated by a passcode dispenser  8 A and filed in the database of the distributing agent in a file  8 B this file relating to those passcodes distributed by the distributing agent, a different passcode generated for each consumer who receives a passcode from the distributing agent. The distributing agent gives one such passcode, CODE XA, and a Uniform Resource Locator URLX in printed, written or oral form to Consumer A  9 , in person, additionally communicating to Consumer A that the passcode is non-transferable, as shown in FIG. 8.  
         [0041]    Consumer A, via his computer  9 A and Internet browser accesses the website at URLX and is prompted to read a set of legal terms  9 B to which he must agree by clicking the link  9 C in order to proceed. If a consumer does not agree to the legal terms of use he would not be provided a link to proceed further and would be prompted to exit the website (not shown). Consumer A, in this example, is provided a registration form  9 D which advertises the cost of the product COST N and he is prompted to enter his passcode in the text field  9 E, a user name such as his first name, USER A, in text field  9 F and his mobile telephone number, NUMBER A, in text field  9 G. If the passcode is authenticated by the database management system, the user name and the first name of Consumer A is filed in file  8 B whereupon the link  9 H is provided for him to access web page  9 I which prompts him to call a premium rate telephone number, NUMBER Z, the cost of such a call being COST N, as shown in FIG. 9. If the passcode is not found in the database and therefore not authenticated the consumer would not be provided the link  9 H to proceed (not shown). Consumer A, in this example, from his mobile telephone  10 A places the call to NUMBER Z hosted by a premium rate telephone service provider  10 B which by way of its computer  10 C and Caller Line Identification software  10 D identifies the source of the call and sends the identified telephone number, NUMBER A, to the database management system of the distribution service whereupon the entry is made in the appropriate user account, thus registering in file  8 B that the call has been placed. Consumer A receives a response by way of a text or voice message  10 F advising him that access to the product page is authorized and to await a link to be provided as shown in FIG. 10. If the source of the call can not be identified the call is not answered by the premium rate telephone service provider and thus the link would not be provided.  
         [0042]    At the website, Consumer A is thus provided the link  11 A by the database management system of the distribution service and proceeds to the product web page  11 B. On accessing the product he is provided the link  11 C in order to proceed to invite other consumers of his choosing to access the product, as shown in FIG. 11. By clicking link  11 C Consumer A accesses an invitation form  12  in order to invite one or more other consumers and is prompted to enter the first name of, mobile telephone number of and a text message to be received by such consumers. In this example, Consumer A chooses to invite one such consumer, Consumer B, by entering Consumer B&#39;s first name, USER B, in text field  12 A, Consumer B&#39;s mobile telephone number, NUMBER B, in text field  12 B and, by composing a message to be received by Consumer B, TEXT AB, in text field  12 C. The database management system of the distribution service files these entries in a new file  12 D, the file relating to those invited by USER A. Into this file is also added a different passcode for each recipient of such invitations such as, in this instance, CODE AB for the recipient, Consumer B. The database management system of the distribution service then sends the text message  12 E to Consumer B&#39;s mobile telephone adding the Uniform Resource Locator URLX, the name of the inviter, USER A, and the mobile telephone number of the inviter, NUMBER A, the name of the recipient, USER B and the message composed by the inviter TEXT AB. Also included in this text message is CODE AB and a text composed by the distribution service, TEXT X, communicating that the passcode is personal to the recipient, non-transferable and provides access to URLX and the product URLX contains. Consumer B,  12 H thus receives the text message on his mobile telephone  12 G via the database management system&#39;s mobile telephone facility  12 F, as shown in FIG. 12.  
         [0043]    Consumer B may therefore proceed in a similar manner to Consumer A as in FIGS. 9, 10,  11  and  12 , but entering his own passcode, first name and mobile telephone number for authentification in the registration page  9 D before being authorized to proceed to pay for and access the product and thereby invite other consumers of his choosing, such consumers&#39; names, mobile telephone numbers and messages he composes for them being filed in a new file relating to those invited by USER B who in turn may proceed as did USER B and so on and so forth.  
         [0044]    The relational database thereby compiled may subsequently be used as the basis for the distribution other products or services which are accessed exclusively via this distribution service and revenue is provided by a share of the premium rate calls. In addition, the database may be leased or sold to producers at the discretion of the distribution service and its users.  
         [0045]    Referring to FIGS.  13  to  17  a third embodiment of the invention, whereby a relational database of consumers&#39; email addresses is formed, will now be described.  
         [0046]    Referring to FIG. 13, the database management system  13  of the distribution service provides a distributing agent  13 C one or more passcodes generated by a passcode dispenser  13 A and filed in the database of the distribution service in a file  13 B, the file relating to those passcodes distributed by the distributing agent, a different passcode generated for each consumer who receives a pass code from the distributing agent. The distributing agent gives one such passcode, CODE XA, a Uniform Resource Locator URLX and the email address of the distribution service, EMAIL X, in printed, written or oral form to Consumer A in person  14 , additionally communicating to Consumer A that the passcode is non-transferable, as shown in FIG. 13.  
         [0047]    Consumer A, via his computer  14 A and internet browser accesses the website at URLX and is prompted to read a set of legal terms  14 B to which he must agree by clicking the link  14 C in order to proceed. If a consumer chooses not to agree to the terms of use he cannot proceed further and is prompted to exit (not shown). Consumer A, in this example, is provided a web page containing text fields  14 D and  14 E in which he is prompted to enter the email address and passcode that he was given by the distributing agent. If authenticated by the database management system the passcode is disposed of  14 I, in order to ensure that this passcode, CODE XA, is used only by its recipient. If the passcode and email address are not authenticated a consumer would be prompted to exit and would not be able to proceed further (not shown). In this example the link  14 F is provided to Consumer A to access a page prompting him to enter his email address, EMAIL A, in text field  14 G, the email address being filed in file  14 H the file relating to those consumers invited in person by the distributing agent. In order to authenticate the email address, the database management system composes an email  143  to be received by Consumer A from the email address EMAIL X, the email containing a new passcode CODE A generated by the passcode dispenser, CODE A entered in the file  14 H replacing CODE XA. The email  14 J also contains a new Uniform Resource Locator URLY and a message, MESSAGE X, communicating to the recipient that the passcode is personal to the addressee and non-transferable and provides access to the product contained by URLY. The email is then sent to consumer A&#39;s email address, EMAIL A, as shown in FIG. 16.  
         [0048]    On receipt of this email Consumer A accesses the website at URLY via the internet where he is provided a web page  15  prompting him to enter his passcode in text field  15 A. If the passcode is authenticated by the database management system CODE A disposed of in order to ensure the passcode provides only one access to the product, and the link  15 B is provided for Consumer A to access the product  15 C. On accessing the product he is provided the link  15 D to web page ISE wherein he is given instructions on how to invite one or more other consumers of his choosing as shown in FIG. 15. Consumer A follows these instructions and chooses, in this example, to invite one person known to him, Consumer B, by composing a message MESSAGE AB to be sent from his own email address EMAIL A to the email address of Consumer B, EMAIL B, a copy also being sent to the email address of the distribution service, by entering EMAIL X in the CC text field of his email composition window. Thus the email  16  is sent to Consumer B and the distribution service simultaneously. On receipt of the copy of the email the database management system identifies the sender by means of a route tracing program  16 B and if authenticated, opens a new file  16 C relating to those invited by the addressee of EMAIL A. Into this file is entered the email address of the recipient of the invitation, EMAIL B and the message composed by Consumer A, MESSAGE AB. A new passcode CODE B for use by Consumer B is provided by the passcode dispenser and entered in the file. The database management system then composes an email from EMAIL X to Consumer B&#39;s email address EMAIL B. In order for the recipient of the email to authenticate that the email has been sent on behalf of Consumer A, Consumer A&#39;s email address, EMAIL A, is provided in the email. Also included in this email is the Uniform Resource Locator URLY and the passcode, CODE B, to access the product contained by the website at URLY and a message, MESSAGE X, communicating to the recipient that the passcode is personal to the addressee and non-transferable. The database management system then sends this email to Consumer B who opens it and reads it as shown in FIG. 16.  
         [0049]    Consumer B thus proceeds via the internet to URLY, the web page  17  prompting him to enter his passcode to be authenticated by the database management system. If authenticated the passcode is disposed of  14 I, in order to ensure that the passcode provides only one access to the product. The database management system, identifying that Consumer B has not yet read the legal terms of use  17 C provides the link  17 B to them. Agreeing to the terms of use by clicking link  17 D, Consumer B accesses the product  15 C thereafter being provided the link  15 D to web page  15 E wherein he is given instructions as how to invite other consumers of his choosing, as shown in FIG. 17. If a passcode is not authenticated and or a consumer does not agree to the legal terms of use the consumer would not be able to proceed to the product and would be prompted to exit the website (not shown).  
         [0050]    Consumer B, in this example, may proceed as did Consumer A as shown in FIG. 16 inviting one or more other consumers, by sending copies of his invitations to the email address of the database management system, a new file relating to those invited by Consumer B being opened and passcodes sent to the consumers to access the product contained in URLY and thus send invitations of their own and so on and so forth. In the absence of any payment being made by consumers in this embodiment of the invention, the distribution service and the producer of the product provide the product as a loss-leader in order to form an initial database. Revenue may also be gained by leasing or selling such a database to other producers.  
         [0051]    An embodiment of the legal terms of use as referred to in FIGS. 2G, 9B,  14 B and  17 C of the accompanying drawings, will now be described by way of example only.  
         [0052]    The terms of use of the distribution service:  
         [0053]    You, the user, agree to keep all information provided by or via the distribution service strictly confidential. You understand that a breach of this confidentiality agreement could in extreme circumstances result in civil liabilities.  
         [0054]    You understand that you may only access the products and services via the distribution service and not directly from the producers of those products and services themselves.  
         [0055]    You acknowledge that this distribution service is by personal invitation only. You accept that you are not permitted to use this service unless you have been invited by a distributing agent or a registered user.  
         [0056]    You understand that the distribution service permits you to invite individuals whom you trust to access the distribution service. You permit the distribution service to pass on to those individuals, on your behalf, the means to access the products or services provided by the distribution service.  
         [0057]    You understand that to receive the products or services provided by or via the distribution service, you may be required to provide proof of your identity and the means for the distribution service to identify the individual by whom you have been invited.  
         [0058]    You permit the distribution service to use your personal details to send you information about the products or services provided via the distribution service or about the distribution service itself.  
         [0059]    It will be clear that the form of the messages sent by the user inviting a subsequent user to use a product or service may be in a form other than a text message. For example, the message may be in the form of a photo message or video message.  
         [0060]    It will be clear that the product or service being supplied may be available online or via an online service. For example, the product or service may be a charity fund raising scheme, a supplier of e.books, music or videos or a tipster for gambling purposes. Also the product or service may only be available in a non-electronic form.  
         [0061]    It will be understood that embodiments of the invention are described herein by way of example only, and that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.