Abstract:
A data exchange facilitator utilizes a designated webserver to assist in the electronic exchange of consumer data between a plurality of consumers and a plurality of data purchasers. Each consumer continuously uploads data, such as personal information and purchasing preferences, onto a designated consumer profile page hosted by the webserver. Certain content provided by each consumer is restricted for access by data purchasers based on temporal and financial terms, which are initially stipulated by the consumer but remain negotiable between parties. Once the terms for such content are mutually agreed upon by both parties, the webserver provides access to the content and initiates the required payment transaction through a designated financial processing service. To authenticate the veracity of consumer data prior to purchase, the data exchange facilitator engages in a verification process and marks properly authenticated consumer profiles with an appropriate identifier.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of consumer marketing and, more particularly, to the acquisition of consumer data to more effectively engage in targeted marketing, staffing, recruiting, ecommerce, advertising, lead generation, as well as customer reviews and ratings. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Targeted marketing is a process in which businesses direct, or target, the marketing of specific products and/or services to a particular group of consumers. As part of an effective targeted marketing strategy, consumer data is commonly acquired and analyzed in order to identify useful patterns and trends amongst the consuming public. As can be appreciated, consumer data often encompasses a variety of different consumer factors, such as geographic, socioeconomic and behavioral factors. All this information is then evaluated to identify the consumer groups that are most likely to purchase a particular product and, in turn, determine the most effective means to market the product to such groups. 
         [0003]    Traditionally, relevant consumer data is obtained by targeted marketers from data aggregation and analytic services. The underlying data is generally compiled by such services either through the use of consumer surveys and/or by monitoring electronic historical activity of the consuming public, often without their direct knowledge or permission. 
         [0004]    In view thereof, it is to be understood that consumer data has a considerable amount of value to product marketers. However, the individuals that provide such valuable information (i.e. the consuming public) typically derive little, if any, financial benefit from providing such data. In fact, at this time, the consuming public not only receives inadequate compensation for providing valuable consumer data but also is largely helpless in controlling its dissemination. The majority, if not the entirety, of the compensation for access to valuable consumer data is received by corporate entities, such as data aggregation services, marketing agencies, retail businesses and social media. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved system and method for facilitating the electronic exchange of consumer data, such as personal information and preferences, between a plurality of consumers and a plurality of data purchasers. 
         [0006]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a data exchange system and method as described above that affords each of the plurality of consumers with full control over the dissemination of his/her consumer data to the plurality of data purchasers. 
         [0007]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a data exchange system and method as described above that affords each of the plurality of consumers with appropriate compensation for access to his/her consumer data. 
         [0008]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a data exchange system and method as described above that enables each of the plurality of consumers to negotiate with the plurality of data purchasers regarding the compensation rate required for access to his/her consumer data. 
         [0009]    It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide a data exchange system and method as described above that is simple to use, readily scalable in size, and inexpensive to implement. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, as one feature of the present invention, there is provided a system for facilitating the electronic exchange of consumer data, the system comprising (a) a plurality of consumers, each of the plurality of consumers having a compute device, (b) a plurality of data purchasers, each of the plurality of data purchasers having a compute device, and (c) a data exchange facilitator having a server in electronic communication with the compute device for each of the plurality of consumers, the server being in electronic communication with the compute device for each of the plurality of data purchasers, (d) wherein the data exchange facilitator compiles consumer data uploaded from each of the plurality of consumers, the data exchange facilitator maintaining a table that cross-references data uploaded by each of the plurality of consumers with terms for electronic access by each of the plurality of data purchasers. 
         [0011]    Various other features and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, an embodiment for practicing the invention. The embodiment will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    In the drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like parts: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of a system for facilitating the electronic exchange of consumer data, the system being designed according to the teachings of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart depicting an overview of a novel method for facilitating the electronic exchange of consumer data using the system shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3( a )-( m )  are a series of sample screen displays which are useful in understanding the method shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Data Exchange System  11   
       [0016]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is a shown a simplified block diagram of a system that facilitates the electronic exchange of consumer data, the system being designed according to the teachings of the present invention and identified generally by reference numeral  11 . As will be described further below, system  11  provides a consumer with full control and appropriate compensation for access to his/her personal information, which is a principal object the present invention. 
         [0017]    As can be seen, system  11  comprises a data exchange facilitator  13  which serves as the central hub between a plurality of individual consumers, or members,  15 - 1  thru  15 - n,  and a plurality of individual data purchasers, or customers,  17 - 1  thru  17 - n.  Each consumer  15  (i.e., a person of the general consuming public) and each data purchaser  17  (i.e., a business entity typically engaged in compiling and evaluating consumer data) preferably interacts within system  11  using an appropriate compute device  18 , such as a personal computer or web-enabled mobile device. 
         [0018]    Data exchange facilitator  13  is also electronically linked with at least one financial processing service  19  that is able to conduct an electronic financial transaction on behalf of each participant in system  11 . For simplicity purposes only, financial processing service  19  is shown comprising a central controller  20 , such as a web server. 
         [0019]    As defined herein, financial processing service  19  represents any service capable of conducting an electronic financial transaction amongst participants in system  11 . For instance, service  19  may be in the form of the PayPal® digital payment service. Accordingly, by enrolling each participant with financial transaction service  19 , appropriate funds can be delivered to, or withdrawn from, each participant by facilitator  13  through a corresponding financial account established with service  19 . 
         [0020]    Facilitator  13  preferably comprises a central controller  21  and a data storage device  23  in electronic communication with one another via network path  25 . As can be appreciated, central controller  21  serves as the functional hub of system  11  and is electronically linked with members  15 , customers  17 , and financial processing service  19  by any communication means suitable for the electronic transfer of data, such as the internet. For instance, controller  21  is represented herein as a web server that is responsible for regulating the exchange of data between participants of system  11  through one or more designated web pages. 
         [0021]    As will be explained further below, data storage device  23  is responsible for, among other things, compiling and cross-referencing consumer data (e.g., purchasing preferences) with a consumer-specified cost for the right to access to such data. In this manner, data exchange facilitator  13  streamlines the manner in which consumer data is purchased by marketers by eliminating the involvement of traditional intermediaries that receive financial compensation for access to the data in lieu of the actual consumer. 
       Method for the Exchange of Consumer Data between Members and Customers 
       [0022]    As referenced above, system  11  facilitates the electronic exchange of validated, personal consumer data from a member  15  to an interested customer  17  under temporal and financial terms that are agreed upon by both parties. In the description that follows, a preferred method for the exchange of consumer data between members  15  and customers  17  is shown in  FIG. 2 , the method being identified generally by reference numeral  111 . 
         [0023]    As will be explained further in detail below, method  111  relies generally upon a three stage process for facilitating the exchange of consumer data between a member  15  and a customer  17 . Specifically, method  111  includes (i) a profile establishment process  113  wherein each member  15  establishes and continuously updates a user profile that includes validated, personal consumer information as well as the terms and conditions for access thereto, (ii) a profile examination stage  115  wherein a customer  17  reviews a limited content overview of certain member profiles and selects profiles of interest, and (iii) a profile negotiation stage  117  wherein customer  17  negotiates with selected members  15  for full profile access and, if the terms mutually agreed upon, exchange full profile access for payment in compliance with the agreed-upon terms. 
         [0024]    As seen in  FIG. 2 , the first step of data exchange process  111  requires each member  15  to create an electronic profile, or account, through a designated web portal, as represented by reference numeral  119 . As part of the initial setup, a user name and password is preferably established for member. In  FIG. 3( a ) , there is shown a sample screen display  211  which shows how member  15  can modify the password associated with the account, if desired. 
         [0025]    As part of account creation step  119 , member  15  is required to enter some basic user information. In  FIG. 3( b ) , there is shown a sample screen display  213  which indicates certain basic user information required from member  15  including, but not limited to, first name  215 , last name  217 , middle name  219 , gender  221 , date of birth  223 , ethnicity  225 , place of residence  227 , and telephone number  229 . At any time, the basic user information can be modified and updated by member  15 , as required. 
         [0026]    Referring back to  FIG. 2 , once the member account is created, facilitator  13  engages in a verification process to authenticate the identity of member  15 , as represented by step  121 . Verification step  121  is preferably achieved through direct personal interaction with member  15  by a representative, or agent, of facilitator  13 . To verify authenticity, the agent preferably requires member  15  to provide one or more of the following: a license, passport or bank information. In this manner, facilitator  13  is able to ensure that member  15  is an actual person of a legal age and holds only a single account within system  11  (i.e. not a virtual identity created for unscrupulous reasons). 
         [0027]    Accordingly, verification step  121  functions as a quality control factor to ensure that the information provided by each member  15  is validated as authentic, true and accurate. Upon verification, the user profile is provided with an authenticated marker, or label, which is represented in later figures as logo  231 . 
         [0028]    In step  123 , member  15  completes the core user profile. Completion of the core user profile is accomplished by answering a set of endorsement questions relating to the user, examples of which are provided below. As will be explained further below, certain personal information entered in steps  119  and  123  remains private and is unavailable for examination by customers  17  and/or other members  15  until payment for access is received. 
         [0029]    Step  123  is achieved primarily by logging into system  11 , which directs member  15  to his/her dashboard, or homepage. For ease in understanding, a sample dashboard  233  is shown in  FIG. 3( c ) . As can be seen, in addition to verification logo  231 , dashboard page  233  displays the primary state of the account through status windows  235 - 1  thru  235 - 4 , scrollable activity window  237  and controls  239 . Additionally, dashboard  233  includes a vertical column of links  241  which enable the user to access separate functional pages of the account. 
         [0030]    As noted above, each profile is provided with a series of basic endorsement questions that completes the core user data for the profile. For instance, as seen in sample screen display  243  shown in  FIG. 3( d ) , certain socioeconomic and general profile questions are requested of the user (through corresponding dropdown windows), the questions including, among other things, the education status  245 , work status  247 , and relationship status  249  of the user. 
         [0031]    Once all of the standard endorsement questions are answered, the user profile status is reflected as such. Specifically, endorsement questions status window  235 - 2  in  FIG. 3( c )  is displayed with the positive indicator, “yes.” 
         [0032]    In step  125  of  FIG. 2 , member  15  preferably expands his/her profile by incorporating more detailed personal information (e.g. consumer preferences) with the user profile. It is to be understood that the inclusion of this additional information is at the sole discretion of member  15 . 
         [0033]    As an example,  FIG. 3( e )  is a sample screen display  251  which includes a series of extended questions. Using the series of extended questions, member  15  is able to incorporate very specific personal information and consumer preferences into his/her profile. For instance, in the example shown, member  15  has the option to answer one or more extended questions that relate to, inter alia, video games and gambling. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to any particular set of extended questions, but rather could include any set of questions that are useful to target marketers in determining consumer preferences. 
         [0034]    Additionally, the user has the capability to further enhance his/her profile by answering additional information through a community pinboard of specific questions, the details of the pinboard to be explained further below. 
         [0035]    As referenced above, answering endorsement and/or pinboard questions is optional and at the sole discretion of member  15 . However, it is to be understood that the more data added to the member profile in step  125  increases its overall value to potential customers  17  since effective targeted marketing commonly relies upon as much consumer data as possible. In view thereof, a sliding profile scale is preferably associated with each account to reflect the amount and quality of data provided by member  15 . More particularly, as the amount and quality of information is input by member in step  125 , the status of the profile sequentially advances from bronze status, to silver status, to gold status, and finally to platinum status. As will become apparent below, the particular status of a member profile is useful in determining the commensurate value for access to its content. 
         [0036]    In addition to linking personal information with his/her member profile, member  15  is able to establish the parameters for access to the restricted content, this access parameter step being represented by reference numeral  127  in  FIG. 2 . More specifically, member  15  is able to define, among other things, the price and length of time that one may access the entirety of the member profile, including restricted content. Additionally, member  15  preferably provides his/her unique banking information (e.g. an account number) with financial processing service  19  so that payments can be electronically wired to the member account in exchange for access to the restricted content. For ease in understanding, a sample payment configuration screen display is shown in  FIG. 3( f )  and identified generally by reference numeral  253 . 
         [0037]    The access price defined by member  15  in step  127  preferably reflects the quantity and quality of information provided in his/her profile. In other words, a profile containing quality content should be able to carry a relatively expensive access rate (e.g. $10). A rate above a maximum threshold (e.g. $25) may require direct contact with facilitator  13  to determine its appropriateness. 
         [0038]    As a principal feature of the present invention, full control of consumer data is therefore retained by the individual who provides the information. Additionally, compensation for such information is paid directly to the party who is providing the information and not to an intermediary party. Optionally, a small transactional fee (e.g., $1) may be automatically withdrawn by facilitator  13  in exchange for supporting and managing the compensated data exchange process. 
         [0039]    All member profiles  17  are compiled and stored in database  23 , with profiles  17  available for continuous updates by members  15 , as desired. Access to such profiles by customers  17  (as well as other members  15 ) is readily available through web server  21 . 
         [0040]    Having completed the profile establishment stage  113 , method  111  proceeds to the profile review stage  115 . Specifically, in step  129 , customer  17  (or potentially another member  15 ) reviews member profiles for possible purchase of the consumer data contained therein. As can be appreciated, each data purchaser  17  is similarly required to create an account with facilitator  13  in order to gain access to member profiles. Preferably, each customer account is similar to a member account in that certain basic information (e.g. banking information) needs to be provided via internet server  21 . However, unlike a member profile, each customer account may include a plurality of sub-accounts (e.g. if a single company has multiple employee users). 
         [0041]    Preferably, each member profile is represented to other viewers (e.g., customers  17 ) through a series of webpages that together form an electronic profile wall, or Ewall. As will be explained below, each Ewall provides a user-intuitive and stylistic means for viewing both selected free content and restricted content associated with the profile. 
         [0042]    Specifically, as seen in as seen in sample screen display  255  shown in  FIG. 3( g ) , the user Ewall includes a profile homepage, or post page, that includes a user-intuitive overview of certain core information provided by the user, such as name, gender, location, date of birth, contact information, etc. Additionally, the profile homepage indicates the current user profile status (e.g. silver) and the number of times member  15  has received compensation for full access to the member profile (e.g. paid 1). 
         [0043]    It should also be noted that profile homepage  255  functions not only as a user-intuitive page for reviewing certain profile information but also as a social media forum where member  15  can post photographs or other interesting information that he/she wishes to share with others in system  11 . 
         [0044]    As seen in sample screen display  257  shown in  FIG. 3( h ) , each member profile additionally includes a profile page which includes much of the user information provided in step  123  (e.g. education, work status, and consumer preferences). Lastly, as seen in sample screen display  259  shown in  FIG. 3( i ) , each member profile additionally includes an extended question page which includes any extended questions (i.e. the consumer preferences) or pinboard questions that were answered by member in step  125 . 
         [0045]    It should be noted that, as part of profile review step  129 , a party interested in compiling consumer data (e.g. customer  17 - 1 ) is only able to view limited profile content (e.g. questions answered in step  123 ) without payment. For instance, a sample screen display  265  is shown in  FIG. 3( j )  which displays some of the limited data that one can view on another member Ewall without payment (e.g. profile status, posts and selected basic member information). In addition to the limited data, screen display  265  includes a purchase window  267  which indicates the profile access parameters established by member  15  in step  127  (e.g. $9.00 for 1 hour of profile access) as well as a “buy” button  269  and a “negotiate” button  271 , the function of each to be explained further below. 
         [0046]    To assist in profile review step  129 , the user-interface provided by server  21  includes a search tool. Specifically, as seen most clearly in sample screen display  275  shown in  FIG. 3( k ) , a search window  277  is provided at the top of each webpage. Using an appropriate filtering term (e.g. test), a group of profiles  279 - 1  thru  279 - 5  with similar characteristics of potential interest to the data purchasing party (e.g. members  15  within a certain geographic region) is extracted from database  23  and provided in list form for examination. 
         [0047]    As can be seen, the search list includes only a limited amount of information regarding the profiles  239  that meet the search parameters. Namely, a brief synopsis of each user includes the following information—user account name, profile status, recommendation status, verification status, and access parameters. 
         [0048]    Thereafter, in step  131 , data purchaser  17  selects the one or more profiles of interest and, in turn, evaluates whether to negotiate payment for access to the restricted content associated with each selected member profile. It should be noted that the consumer profiles can be selected individually or as part of a bulk purchase. 
         [0049]    Once at least one profile of interest has been selected by customer  17 , process  111  advances to profile negotiation stage  117 . Specifically, as seen in step  133 , the customer  17  determines whether the user-defined access terms associated with each desired profile are acceptable. If the terms are acceptable, customer  17  purchases access to the profile (e.g. by clicking on “buy” button  269  provided on the profile Ewall). 
         [0050]    In response, server  21  electronically transacts the data exchange, as represented by step  135  in  FIG. 2 . Namely, facilitator  13  provides access to the restricted content to customer  17 . In exchange, facilitator  13  instructs financial processing service  19  to withdraw the agreed-upon access fee from the financial account associated with customer  17  and credit that fee to the financial account associated with member  15 , less any processing fees retained by facilitator  19 . 
         [0051]    Once profile access is available, customer  17  can review the entire profile in detail (e.g. as part of targeted marketing research). If additional information about member  15  is desired by customer  17  (e.g. a consumer question not listed on the member profile), customer  17  can contact member  15  directly using previously restricted user contact information, such as an email or telephone number. 
         [0052]    By contrast, if the original terms are not deemed acceptable, customer  17  has the option to provide a counteroffer to member  15 , as represented in step  137 . If a counteroffer of access terms is desired, customer  17  proposes the counteroffer terms in step  139  (e.g. by clicking on “negotiate” button  271  provided on profile Ewall and inputting the terms in appropriate windows). If a counteroffer is not desired, customer  17  determines whether further review of profiles is desired in step  141 . If further review is desired, method  111  returns to review step  129 . Otherwise, method  111  terminates with end step  143 . 
         [0053]    The counteroffer proposed by customer  17  is then displayed on the member dashboard when consumer  15  logs into system  11 . In response, member  15  determines whether to accept the counteroffer in step  145 . If the terms are acceptable, member  15  accepts the terms in step  147  (e.g. by clicking on an “accept” button through the user interface) and, in turn, method  111  proceeds to transaction step  135 . 
         [0054]    If the terms are not acceptable, member  15  has the option to present new terms for profile access in step  149 . If member  15  does not wish to present a modified offer, method  111  advances to step  141 . However, if a modified offer is desired, member  15  inputs the new access parameters through an appropriate user-interface in step  151 . The status of the new offer is then displayed to customer  17  (e.g. through the customer dashboard). Method  111  thus returns to step  133  and customer  17  decides whether to accept the member terms, as modified. In this manner, additional negotiation between member  15  and customer  17  can occur, as needed. 
         [0055]    As noted briefly above, system  11  is designed to support a community pinboard where members  15  and customers  17  can ask and answer specific questions at negotiated prices. In this manner, the pinboard can be used as a forum for posting various types of needs or wants within the system community. As such, the pinboard offers a wide range of potential applications including, but not limited to, use as an advertising, recruiting, and/or referral tool. 
         [0056]    For instance, as seen in sample screen display  291  shown in  FIG. 3 ( 1 ), the pinboard includes a plurality of posts  293 - 1  thru  293 - 6  that were created by either members  15  or customers  17  within the community. By clicking on an individual post (e.g. post  293 - 2 ) the user is directed to a page which includes the post details, an example of which is seen in sample screen display  301  shown in  FIG. 3( m ) . 
         [0057]    As can be seen, pinboard post  239 - 2  in  FIG. 3( m )  includes a consumer question  303  and a response window  305  where the user can respond to the question posed. If desired, the answering party can require payment for access to his/her response via price window  307 . The party that posted the question, in turn, is able to negotiate with the answering party for access to the response, if desired. If the price terms are successfully negotiated between the two parties, the purchasing party receives the information and the data is permanently posted on the Ewall for the providing party, thereby enhancing the user profile. 
         [0058]    In addition to the other features set forth above, system  11  is additionally designed to electronically support the referral of new participants (e.g. by submitting the email address of a potential new member). More specifically, system  11  is designed to provide the referring party with a referral fee (e.g. $1) for every new member  15  that is ultimately verified by facilitator  13 . Additionally, the referring party may receive a bonus fee (e.g. $1) every time that the profile of a referred member is accessed at a minimum threshold cost. 
         [0059]    The embodiment shown above is intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art shall be able to make numerous variations and modifications to it without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.