Method and apparatus for facilitating and tracking personal referrals
US6968313B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 15, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 15, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99931
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention facilitates and tracks personal referrals made via electronic networks. In a preferred embodiment, using electronic mail delivered to a participant interface 110, a central controller 100 provides a Web page through which an individual may enter the electronic-mail addresses of those whom he or she wishes to refer. This spares the individual the inconvenience of generating his or her own electronic-mail referrals, and also enables the central controller to determine the format and tone of the referral. The address or contents of the Web page includes a unique identifier that is exclusively associated with that individual and a specific offer 120. In this way, the series of referrals may be tracked, duplicate referrals to the same electronic-mail address may be eliminated, offers may be withdrawn or modified, and referrals about an expired or withdrawn offer may be prevented.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.