METHOD OF OFFERING INCENTIVES TO USERS OF INTERNET SERVICES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The present invention relates to a method of offering monetary, merchandise, and services incentives to users of Internet services, also known as "web services."

Description of the existing art Standard search engines receive revenue from direct advertising and affiliate programs such as pay per click search results. Search engine owners are motivated to attract as many users as possible in order to make their site as interesting as possible to advertisers and affiliates and, therefore, to maximize their revenue. Presently, users are given no other incentives to use a search engine other than the ability to conduct searches. This situation makes it very difficult for a new search engine to compete against large established ones such as Google. One technique available to businesses operating with a website is to attempt to use certain key words and phrases in order to be given a high ranking in a listing of search results. Thus, the ranking of a given website in a search engine search result listing depends on the phrases or key words chosen to define the business. This ranking changes as new businesses are created and so the ranking must be monitored and modified from time to time. It would be desirable to have an alternative method of not only attracting users to an

advertiser's website but to induce those users to use the website in as many ways as possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The system is implemented on or through a computer or other device capable of accessing services on the Internet, such services also known and referred to as herein, as "web services." The invention comprises a method of awarding incentives to users of web services to encourage the users to use the web services provided by a particular website or entity. The method may include the steps of registering each user, providing a log-in facility for each user, providing a search engine for each user, providing a user log-out, combined with incrementing user incentives each time any of the foregoing steps are performed. The incentives may be direct awards of goods and services such as "air miles" with an airline, or the incentives may be incentive points that accumulate in a user's account.

The web services may include, for example, an email system for each user, wherein the incentives are awarded when the email system is used.

The web services may include, for example, a file sharing and file storage facility, wherein the incentives are awarded when files are stored or shared. The web services may include, for example, the provision of web advertising, wherein the incentives are awarded when the user purchases the web advertising.

The web services may include, for example, providing users with a directory of accredited charities and allowing users to donate accumulated incentives to charities registered on the directory.

Accumulated incentives, for instance in the form of incentive points, can be exchanged for cash, merchandise, services, or some combination thereof. Additionally, a user can earn or purchase stock in a company operating the website after reaching a predetermined point accumulation. The company may redeem user purchased stock using the company's own points.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of example, of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a flow diagram of an overview of the system. Fig. 2 is a flow diagram of the Email services.

Fig. 3 is a flow diagram of the file storage and file sharing services. Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of the search engine operation at a high level. Fig. 5 is a flow diagram for purchasing advertising. Figs 6A and 6B are a flow diagram for registration of charitable organizations and a flow diagram for adding a specific charity to a user's charity group, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A user incentive program for web services users is based on the ability to earn incentives for utilizing the web services, thereby encouraging the users to use the services. The method involves user registration using a current user Email address to register the user. After registration, the user uses the web services in order to accumulate incentives.

Registration

One effective method of registering users is shown in FIG. 1. A user visits the website, referred to, for instance, as myGuide.com at 101. The user is queried 201 as to whether or not the user has previously registered. If the user has not previously registered, the user is invited 301 to register. If the user declines to register, then the user is invited to utilize minimal web services and to partake of other free services 401. The uses of non-registered searches or other non-member functions are recorded at 501 for analysis.

If the user is not registered and requests registration, then the user enters a registration routine where he is prompted to enter personal information including contact information and a current Email address. A confirmation code and/or a link is sent to the user's Email address 701. An account for accumulating the incentives acquired by the user is set up 801 , and the user's information is stored in a data base 901. Upon checking his Email, the user is directed to the log-in page by clicking the confirmation code or link. The user is

then permitted to log-in and is awarded points 1001 for the initial log-in and for all subsequent log-ins.

Main menu functions If the user indicated at 201 that he is registered, the user proceeds directly to log-in 1001 , which automatically increments the user's incentives in the user's account. The log-in activity with time, date and IP address, and the log-in points are recorded in the database 901.

The user is given a repeating log-out option 1101 that appears whenever the user completes a function and the points data and other data identifying the session are written to database 901. If the user declines to log-out, a menu of options 1201 is presented.

The menu shown in FIG 1 represents a relatively simple embodiment of the method comprising three options in addition to exiting. By making the appropriate choice, the user may enter a search engine routine 1301 , enter an Email routine 1401 , enter a file uploading/sharing routine 1501 , or exit. If the user chooses to exit (option 4), no points are awarded 1701 , the activity is logged and recorded in the database 901 , and the user is given the log-out option 1101. If the user chooses one of options 1 - 3 at the main menu, the user is awarded points, the user's activity is logged 1601 , and the data are written to the user's record in the database 901. After completing each function, the user is presented with the log-out option 1101 and may leave the web site 601 or return to the main menu 1201. Optionally, for each type of web service offered, the

points may be awarded after the user finishes using the web service rather than at the time the user calls up the web service. Implementation goals and design criteria will determine which approach is best suited for a given situation.

File sharing and storage functions

File storage and file sharing services may be optionally provided as exemplified by FIG. 3. The user enters the file functions routine by making the appropriate choice in the main menu 103. The user is presented a file function menu 203 that gives the user the options of uploading files to the web site's server 303, sending files to another user 403, or exiting the file functions routine. If the user chooses to exit, the user's activity is logged 503 with time, date, IP address, and other details, and the user's record in database 901 is updated.

If the user chooses to upload files 303 or share files with other users 403, then the user's incentive points are incremented 1601 and information is logged as noted above, and database 901 is updated. The points may be awarded on the basis of the number of files uploaded or the number of users with whom files are shared. For instance, points are awarded for every Email address with which the user shares one or more files.

Search engine functions

A method of search engine operation and awarding incentive points is shown in FIG. 4. At 104 the user enters the search engine routine from the main menu. At 204 the user enters a term into the search engine. This entry may,

depending on the implementation, result in a increase in the user's accumulated incentive points, which increase is logged by the system at 604. Results from the search are presented and they are viewed by the user 304. The program then enters a loop in which every time the user clicks on one of the displayed search results, the user's points are incremented 504. Eventually, the user indicates he does not wish to view any more results. At that point the user's points are tallied, the activity is logged 1601 with time, date, IP address and other details, and the user's record in database 901 is updated. The user then has the option 804 to log-out of the search engine and return 904 to the main menu or to enter another search term 204.

Advertising purchases

In a standard pay per click search engine, advertisers are able to direct their advertising dollars to qualified target prospects in top positions within the search engine results for specific keyword or key-phrase searches. The present system offers further incentives to advertisers by allowing the user to accumulate incentive points for each advertising dollar they spend. The points can be redeemed in a number of ways including cash or merchandise depending on the program offered at any given time. Referring to Fig. 5, at 105 a user proceeds from a main menu to the advertising routine. The user is given the option 205 to purchase advertising. If the user chooses to purchase advertising, the transaction is completed online 305, the user's incentive points are incremented according to the amount of

advertising purchased, the transaction is logged 1601 , and the data are written to the database 901. At 405 the user is invited to log-out. If the user logs out, then the user is returned to the main menu 605. Optionally or alternatively, the user may be awarded log-out points. Should the user prefer not to log-out, the user is given another opportunity to purchase advertising. 205

Points redemption and promotions

As described above, users earn incentive points for using various web services. These points can be redeemed, either within or through the myGuide website, for cash, merchandise, or services. Optionally, promotions can be offered to modify users' behavior. For instance, additional incentive points may be offered during peak and non-peak hours to increase peak and non-peak user traffic to the site. Other examples of promotions are:

(a) A first promotion could give away a $500 cash point redemption offer to the 1000 ^th , 2000 ^th , and 3000 ^th person clicking on the promotion link.

(b) A second promotion could give 500 bonus points to the 1000 ^th person to login on Wednesday.

(c) A third promotion could give a digital camera for redemption of only 200 points to the 200 ^th person to login on Friday. (d) A fourth promotion could give the a person 1000 bonus points for being the one to use the site the most in one month.

(e) A fifth promotion could give $500 cash for only 200 points to the person who refers the most people to MyGuide.com in November.

Many such promotions are possible. Another possible promotion is to offer the registered user the opportunity to earn stock in a company that operates the myGuide website. For instance, the stock purchase option could be offered after the user's account accumulates a predetermined number of incentive points. The promotion may also provide that the company is entitled to purchase its own stock by exchanging stock for incentive points.

The present system may optionally provide multiple types or classes of points. For instance, point classification may define what a user is able to purchase with points. Some points are redeemable for cash and some may be redeemed for products and/or services. By controlling the number of each type of point released for distribution and sale one can control long and short term debt.

Registered user's may be given an option to purchase points. One purpose of purchasing these points is to take advantage of promotions offered by myGuide that could not be taken advantage of otherwise. Purchaser's can enter their credit card or send in a money order and their points would be added to their account.

Security Issues Providing security against user's attempting to increment their points using automated programmed scripts is an area of concern. Such factors as a user studying user pattern changes and flagging changes that are anomalous provides a basis for monitoring and identifying user patterns. Examples of the

latter would be a 50 year old searching for skateboards or a user who uses only email suddenly beginning to use file sharing a great deal.

Also, during redemption of points, pattern identifiers may be used to flag an account if certain criterion are met. Criterion considered in monitoring and identifying user patterns include age, country, speed, time, software identifiers and user pattern changes. As to age, younger users are generally quicker with their activities justifying more clicks. As to country, if an account is being accessed from Canada and then from China, within a few hours or minutes, the account might be used by more than one person and would not qualify for points. As to time, all transactions are logged with time in order to measure time between actual clicks. Activities happening outside of reasonable time parameters might identify the incrementing of points by automated scripts. As to software identifiers, browsers and computers leave identifiers, for example, Internet Explorer leaves a browser type and version number, and a computer leaves IP addresses and many other identifiers. As to user pattern changes, when a user logs in, their normal activities might be to check their inbox or to search the search engine. A change in this pattern for the user may suggest a security breach, and a flag would be triggered.

Charitable donations

The present system optionally offers free services to charitable organizations and is designed to connect them with donors and volunteers. Users may offer volunteer hours or monetary donations to these organizations. Alternatively, the user may donate accumulated incentive points to one or more charities. This may be done manually, or the user's account may be flagged to automatically transfer incentive points to a designated charity.

Charitable organizations can apply to register and be listed on a Charity Directory; i.e. they may seek to be accredited by the system. The Charity Directory may be available to all registered and non-registered users to view and add to their user profiles a Charity of choice to which they can volunteer or donate money.

Referring to Fig. 6A, an organization seeks to register 106 with the Charity Directory and is deemed either accredited or not 206. If not accredited, the listing is refused 306. If accredited, then the listing is accepted 406, the event is logged 506, and a record for the charity is set up in a charities database 606.

Users who wish to donate to an accredited charity may review the charity database and add selected charities to the user's record in the users' database. This process is shown at FIG 6B and is carried out by entering a charities routine from the main menu 706 and viewing a directory of charities 806. This directory is produced from the charity database 606. The user is given an option of adding a charity to the user's list of charities 906. If the user declines the invitation, he returns to the main menu 1106. If the user wishes to add a new charity, he

makes his choice, which is logged 1006, and the user's file in the users' database 1206 is updated.

Summary Accordingly, while this invention has been described with reference to various illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description.