Abstract:
An Internet search provider and incentive system includes a database and a processor. The database contains user account data, data relating to items available, and a rule set for obtaining the items. A software system can receive a selection for a search to be performed and interface with an Internet search engine. The Internet search engine can perform the user-selected search and increment a user account by a reward unit. The search results are displayed, and also an available reward. Available purchase options are displayed for obtaining an item based upon the associated rule set. A first option is based upon a reward unit total in the user account; a second option, upon a monetary total; and a third option, upon a combination of reward units and a monetary amount. A user selection can be received relating to the item to obtain and relating to a purchase option.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/848,944, filed Oct. 3, 2006. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a system and method of conducting a search or performing another type of action on the Internet, and, more particularly, to a system and method for conducting a search or action in which a reward is awarded to a user.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     A primary source of revenue for search providers on the Internet is money generated from paid advertisements, leading to the rapid growth of some search providers, including Google and Yahoo. Consequently, strategies to further increase income to search providers have been formulated. An original strategy for income generation was the pay-per-impression strategy, wherein an advertiser pays whenever a listing is displayed. However, this strategy led to conflicts among advertisers who sought preferable positions in a search listing in order that traffic be directed to their web sites.  
         [0004]     Another strategy comprises bidding on keywords associated with one or more advertisers, so that those advertisers&#39; websites were preferentially identified in search results. Variations of the keyword search strategy have been used by all known search engine providers.  
         [0005]     A more recent strategy is the use of paid advertisements that are displayed along with search engine results, which is commonly referred to as pay-per-click or pay-for-performance advertising. In this scheme, an advertiser bids on a popular search term in exchange for prominent placement of its advertisement. Typically, more than one advertiser bids on more popular search terms, so that the listings are placed based upon the amount bid and the performance of the listing as measured by the number of users who use the listing. Those listings with the highest bids and the best performance are given the most prominence. This scheme has several drawbacks. For example, low-performing listings generate little revenue and will not be given prominent placement no matter how much the advertiser has bid for a position because there is no revenue for the search provider. Still another limitation is that the requirement for a minimum bid may eliminate smaller users from taking advantage of the system  
         [0006]     It would thus be advantageous to create a pull-through form of advertising that brings additional revenue to the search provider based upon demand from search engine users for advertised items.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention is directed to a system that creates advertising revenue for a search engine provider based upon a pull-through marketing technique and that provides users with an incentive to use the search engine. This incentive can comprise a rebate of a fractional portion of the advertising paid to the search engine provider that accrues to a user in the form of points, which in the specific embodiment of the present software system are referred to as search points, or “miles,” in analogy to frequent flier miles.  
         [0008]     In particular, an Internet search provider and user incentive system is provided that comprises a processor accessible by a user over the Internet and a database in signal communication with the processor. The database contains user account data, data relating to a plurality of items available to the user, and a rule set for obtaining each of the items.  
         [0009]     A software system is resident on the processor that comprises code segments adapted to receive a user selection for a search to be performed on the Internet and interface with an Internet search engine. Code segments are further provided that can direct the Internet search engine to perform the user-selected search and increment a user account by a reward unit. The results obtained by the search engine are displayed to the user, and also a reward available to the user. A plurality of purchase options available to the user are further displayed, the purchase options for obtaining an item based upon the associated rule set. A first option is based upon a reward unit total in the user account; a second option is based upon a monetary total; and a third option is based upon a combination of reward units and a monetary amount. A user selection can be received relating to the item to obtain and relating to a purchase option.  
         [0010]     The reward units, or points, that are awarded to the user can be based upon a number of factors, including, but not intended to be limited to, the revenue provided to the search provider from the advertiser, whether the advertiser subsidizes the points as a loss leader in an effort to attract users to its website and to make purchases there, whether the user when making a purchase chooses to pay for the transaction in dollars or points, a scheme associated with the margin of product, and the number of searches the user makes. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating various embodiments of the present invention, in which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of the relationship of a plurality of modules to the main search module.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of the system for incrementing search points and displaying the user&#39;s total number of points.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of the business scheme for determining the worth of a search point.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of how search points are awarded in a web keyword search module.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of how items are purchased and search points are redeemed through a redemption center zone.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of how search points are awarded in a classifieds zone.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a flow diagram of how search points are awarded in a blog zone.  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a flow diagram of how search points are awarded in a video zone.  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of how search points are awarded in a travel zone.  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  is a flow diagram of how search points are awarded in a social zone.  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  is a flow diagram of how search points are awarded in an auction zone.  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  is a flow diagram of how search points are awarded in an email module.  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  is an exemplary page for displaying selections of “popular shortcuts” for searching.  
         [0025]      FIG. 14  is an exemplary page for displaying results of a selection of a travel shortcut.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 15 and 16  is an exemplary page for displaying results of a user-defined search.  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  is an exemplary page for displaying exchange rates for reward units. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternate embodiments.  
         [0029]     An Internet search system  100  ( FIG. 1 ), which can reside on a server/processor  99 , for example, can include a plurality of zones/modules that permit a user to obtain search points for each of a plurality of available actions. The search engine provider can award the user with a number of search points if actions are taken that result or that may result in the search engine provider&#39;s earning revenue from a commercial link. As used herein, an action can comprise a search, accessing a hyperlink, an upload or download of information, or other activity that a user might take when accessing an Internet search engine on which the search system  100  resides. Each specific action can be associated with a number of points that can be provided to a user when the specific action is performed.  
         [0030]     The processor  99  on which software system  100  resides is in signal communication with a database  101  that allows a user to perform at least one of a variety of actions by accessing at least one of a plurality of modules, or “zones,” which can include, for example, a search engine  102 ; a classifieds zone  103 ; a blog zone  104 ; a video zone  105 ; a travel zone  106 ; a social zone  107 ; an email module  108 ; and an auction zone  109 . In addition, the software system  100  can include a search points redemption center  110  that functions in similar fashion to a retail purchase website, allowing the user to redeem search points alone or in combination with a monetary purchase for goods or services.  
         [0031]     Any time a user conducts a search, accesses a zone, or performs any other action for which the system has assigned a search point value will hereinafter be referred to as an action ( FIG. 2 ; block  111 ). In at least some of the plurality of modules  102 - 109  in the system  100 , there exists a search point data table associated with the particular action taken (block  112 ). Upon the user&#39;s conducting an action, the system  100  determines the search points associated with the action, displays the user&#39;s total points accumulated, and records the value in a search points recording table (block  113 ). The system  100  then inquires whether the user is registered (block  114 ). If not, the system  100  assigns the search points to an unassigned account (block  115 ). If the user is registered, the system  100  assigns the appropriate number of search points depending upon the action taken to the user&#39;s registration account (block  116 ).  
         [0032]     Until such time as the search points are redeemed, they have no monetary value. An exemplary search point value scheme  117  for assigning a dollar value to search points is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The monetary value of a search point is a variable based upon a number of factors, which can include the manufacturer&#39;s suggested retail price of the item to be purchased, the wholesale cost of the item, its list price, and its outlet center price. The scheme name, shown in  FIG. 3  as “51%-55%,” is indicative of the margin available to the retailer, which in this instance is a search engine provider. Generally, the greater the margin available to the retailer for the sale of an item, the higher the search point value associated with the item. As shown in the table  117 , the system  100  further includes a discounted purchase system, which permits a user to purchase the item entirely with dollars, entirely with search points, or with some combination of the two. The system  100  also has a sliding scale of search point values, so that when a user purchases an item entirely with search points having value Z, those search points are worth less in dollar value than if the user had purchased the same item with a product with search points to obtain a twenty percent discount, valued at V dollars, for example. This provides the user with an incentive to purchase the item with money, using the search points to obtain a discount rather than making a complete purchase with search points.  
         [0033]     The search engine  102  allows the user to perform a keyword web search using a number of pre-existing search engine providers ( FIG. 4 ; block  118 ), such as Google, for example, as well as its own system. Upon entering a search, the system  100  accesses an action table associated with the search engine module  102  to determine the number of search points, if any, that may be awarded to the user (block  119 ). Points can also be earned by performing additional actions, such as, but not intended to be limited to, taking a survey offered by the system  100  or purchasing an item or service offered through the system  100 .  
         [0034]     The system  100  then inquires whether the user is registered (block  120 ). If not, the user is permitted to conduct the search, but any search points awarded are directed to an unassigned account (block  120 ). In such case, the user is asked if he/she wishes to register (block  121 ). This request to register may occur immediately, or may occur somewhat later, for example, after the user has accrued a certain number of search points. If so, the system  100  then brings up a registration screen, and the user can register (block  122 ). If not, the search points remain unassigned (block  123 ). Once registered, the search points are awarded to a registration account that is maintained on the system  100  (block  124 ). The system  100  then increments a recording table that is associated with the user&#39;s registration account (block  125 ).  
         [0035]     The search points redemption center  110  is in communication with a database  101  having a selection of items a user may purchase ( FIG. 5 ). A user can access the search point redemption center zone  110  by selecting a link on a system homepage or by direct access (block  126 ). If the user completes any actions before proceeding with a purchase, at least one search point per action can be awarded (block  127 ). The user then selects an item for purchase (block  128 ). A search point value table  117  associated with the particular product selected appears and offers the user a choice of a combination of search points and money associated with the selected item (block  129 ). As previously shown, the user then selects the option of all dollars or a twenty percent discount on the price of the item. The user can use a credit card or other form of currency to purchase an item (block  130 ). The search points have a value identified in the table  117  of search point values associated with the item decremented from the registration account upon purchase (block  131 ). Points may also accrue if the user spends at least some money in addition to points for the item. Also, the user&#39;s registration account is incremented by at least one search point if the user refers a new user to the redemption center zone  100  (block  132 ).  
         [0036]     The system  100  further includes a classifieds zone  103 . When a user accesses the classifieds zone  103  or completes another action incentive ( FIG. 6 ; block  140 ), the registration account is incremented by at least one search point (block  141 ), and also when an item is uploaded for sale (block  142 ). The registration account is also incremented by at least one search point when a registration account holder refers a new user to the classifieds zone (block  143 ).  
         [0037]     If a user accesses a zone for posting user-created material, or, a “blog” zone  104  ( FIG. 7 ; block  150 ), the registration account is incremented by at least one search point (block  151 ). When a user registers with the blog zone  104  (block  152 ), the registration account is incremented by at least one search point, and also when a user posts a blog or comments on another user&#39;s blog (block  153 ). The registration account is further incremented by at least one search point when a user comments on a blog posting (block  154 ), and also when a registration account holder refers a new user to the blog zone (block  155 ).  
         [0038]     When a user accesses a video zone  105  ( FIG. 8 ; block  160 ), the registration account is incremented by at least one search point (block  161 ), and also when a user uploads a video (block  162 ). The registration account is further incremented by at least one search point when a user-uploaded video is viewed (block  163 ), and further by at least one search point when a registration account holder refers a new user to the video zone (block  164 ).  
         [0039]     When a user accesses a travel zone  106  ( FIG. 9 ; block  170 ), the registration account is incremented by at least one search point (block  171 ). The user can select (block  172 ) and purchase an item with a combination of search points and money according to defined schemes relationally associated with the selected item (block  173 ). In some embodiments, travel items may not be available for redemption solely using search points, but such items may be available at deeply discounted monetary values. The user pays the monetary portion (block  174 ), and the requisite search point values are decremented from the user&#39;s registration account (block  175 ). Again, the registration account is incremented by at least one search point when the account holder/user refers a new user to the travel zone (block  176 ).  
         [0040]     When a user accesses a social zone  107  ( FIG. 10 ; block  180 ), the registration account is incremented by at least one search point (block  181 ), and also when the user registers with the social zone (block  182 ). The registration account is incremented by at least one search point when a registration account holder refers a new user to the social zone (block  183 ).  
         [0041]     When a user accesses an email module  108  ( FIG. 11 ; block  190 ), the registration account is incremented by at least one search point (block  191 ), and also when the user registers for the module  108  (block  192 ) and for a newsletter having additional links to add search points (block  193 ). The registration account is incremented by at least one search point when the user accesses a hyperlink in the newsletter (block  194 ), or in a system email including an opportunity to obtain additional search points (block  195 ). The registration account is incremented by at least one search point when an account holder refers a new user to the email module (block  196 ).  
         [0042]     When a user accesses an auction zone  109  ( FIG. 12 ; block  200 ), the registration account is incremented by at least one search point (block  201 ). At least one search point can also be earned by uploading an item for auction (block  202 ), when a user bids on an auction item (block  203 ), and when a user wins an auction (block  204 ) The registration account is incremented by at least one search point when a user registers with the auction zone  109  (block  205 ), and when an account holder refers a new user to the auction zone (block  206 ).  
         [0043]     A set of exemplary web pages are illustrated in  FIGS. 13-17 . It will be understood by one of skill in the art that the exact configuration and connectivity of these pages are not intended to form a limitation on the invention, and that the look and feel of the pages may be altered without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, these pages are provided merely as being illustrative in nature, to indicate some of the features of the invention.  
         [0044]     In a page ( FIG. 13 ) for displaying “popular shortcuts”  11  are presented a plurality of generic categories, such as finance  12 , autos  13 , etc. This page shows an exemplary point chart  14 , a search box  15 , and a plurality of tabs  16 , of which the “popular shortcuts” tab  17  is highlighted. Revenue is generated for the system administrator every time a user transitions to a sponsored site through this means. Also, if the user decides to make the system&#39;s home page his/her home page, additional points may accrue.  
         [0045]     Selecting one of the shortcuts  11 , here, travel  18 , brings up a screen ( FIG. 14 ) with a list of hyperlinks  19  to travel-related sites. This screen also displays the user&#39;s current search point total  20 , along with a box  21  relating to the user. A box  22  of related results is also displayed.  
         [0046]     If the user elects to enter his/her own search term(s) in the search box  15 , screens such as illustrated in  FIGS. 15 and 16  appear, again providing hyperlinks  23  to websites located in the search and related results  24 . A list of informational hyperlinks  25  is also brought up ( FIG. 16 ) relating to the system  100  itself.  
         [0047]     In a particular embodiment, the system  100  is adapted to direct a user&#39;s search through one or more extant search engines  26 , which are user-selectable  27  if desired, and which can be entered via their respective hyperlinks.  
         [0048]     If the “exchange center” tab  28  is selected, a table  29  of exchange categories, “miles,” dollar equivalents, current total miles, and total monetary value is displayed for the current user ( FIG. 17 ). The user can trade in miles with or without combining the miles with a monetary portion.  
         [0049]     Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.