Method and apparatus for defining routing of customers between merchants
US6405174B1 · kind B1 · utility
142Cited by
86References
26Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 5, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07G1/14
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A server or Internet service provider computer selects a soliciting merchant and an outputting merchant based on various factors. In one embodiment, the soliciting merchant is selected if its activity rate (e.g. sales rate) is low. The outputting merchant provides offers for bonuses to customers on behalf of the soliciting merchant. The bonus is provided to the customer in exchange for consummating a transaction with the soliciting merchant. Thus, the soliciting merchant benefits from the increased patronage such offers encourage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.