US007548877B2
`
`United States Patent
`US 7,548,877 B2
`(0) Patent No.:
`(12)
`Jun. 16, 2009
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Palazzo
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING
`ORDERS FOR MULTIPLE MULTILEVEL
`MARKETING BUSINESS MODELS
`
`Inventor: Craig M. Palazzo, Grand Rapids, MI
`(US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: Quixtar, Inc., Ada, MI (US)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 870 days.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 10/929,529
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 30, 2004
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2006/0047575 Al
`
`Mar.2, 2006
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`(2006.01)
`G06Q 30/00
`(2006.01)
`G06Q 50/00
`US. C1. ieee eee cneeseescne tenes cseseressenenes 705/26
`
`Field of Classification Search................... 705/26,
`705/28, 30, 1
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`(52)
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6/1994 King,Jr. etal.
`5,319,542 A
`5,694,551 A * 12/1997 Doyleetal. oe 705/26
`5,893,076 A
`4/1999 Hafneret al.
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`9/1999 Huangetal.
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`10/1999 Allsopetal.
`6,249,772 Bl
`6/2001 Walkeret al.
`6,263,317 B1*
`7/2001 Sharpetal.0... 705/26
`6,587,827 Bl
`7/2003 Hennigetal.
`6,980,962 B1* 12/2005 Arganbright et al.
`2002/0002513 Al
`1/2002 Chiasson
`2002/0010615 AL*
`1/2002 Jacobs ...... ce eeeeeeeeeeeeeee 705/9
`
`.......... 705/26
`
`2002/0099631 Al
`2002/0103690 Al
`2002/0107747 Al
`2002/0161674 Al
`2002/0178028 Al
`2002/0188449 Al
`2003/0018502 Al*
`2003/0036977 AL*
`2003/0105722 Al
`2003/0130900 Al
`2003/0156185 Al
`2003/0163346 Al
`
`7/2002 Vankeretal.
`8/2002 Lyon et al.
`8/2002 Gerogianni
`10/2002 Scheer
`11/2002 King
`12/2002 Nukagaetal.
`1/2003 Rodriguez ........ ee 7105/7
`2/2003 Morse ....... ce eeeeeeeeeeeee 705/27
`6/2003 Welt
`7/2003 Telford et al.
`8/2003 Katz
`8/2003 Tinti etal.
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`“Europe’s largest network marketing company now hasthe world’s
`best bonuses,” M2 Presswire, Dec. 24, 2003.*
`
`Primary Examiner—Matthew S Gart
`Assistant Examiner—Scott A Zare
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system for processing orders for multiple multilevel mar-
`keting business models comprises a user interface, a product
`order processing server, a first suborder processing server,
`and a second suborderprocessing server. A user inputs at last
`one main order at a user interface. The main orderis sent to the
`product order processing unit where the main orderis parsed
`into a first suborder comprising a first product type and a
`second suborder comprising a second product type. The prod-
`uct order processing unit then routes the first suborder to the
`first suborder processing unit to process the first suborder
`accordingto a first multilevel marking business model. Addi-
`tionally, the product order processing unit routes the second
`suborderto the second suborder processing unit to process the
`second suborder according to a second multilevel marketing
`business model, wherein the first and second multilevel mar-
`keting business models are different.
`
`13 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`100 1
`
`102
` User
`
`Interface
`
`
`Product Order
`
`Processing Unit
`
`104
`
`Additional
`Internet-Based
`Traditional
`
`
`Multilevel
`Multilevel
`Multilevel
`
`
`Marketing Business
`Marketing Business
`Marketing Business
`
`
`
`
`Models Processing
`ModelProcessing
`Model Processing
`Unit
`Unit
`Unit
`
`
`
`
`
`PROVI-1017 - Page 1
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`PROVI-1017 - Page 1
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`

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`US 7,548,877 B2
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`Page 2
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2003/0184588 Al
`10/2003 Lee
`2004/0010442 Al*
`1/2004 Merkeretal. 0.0.0... 705/10
`2005/0075955 Al*
`4/2005 Milovina-Meyeret al.
`.... 705/30
`
`2005/0144082 Al*
`2005/0209965 Al*
`
`.......0.... 705/26
`6/2005 Coolman etal.
`9/2005 Ganesan ........cc eee 705/40
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`PROVI-1017 - Page 2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 16, 2009
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 7,548,877 B2
`
`100
`
` User
`
`Interface
`
`104
`
` Product Order
`Processing Unit
`
`102
`
`
`
`
`
`Additional
`Internet-Based
`Traditional
`
`
`
`Multilevel
`Multilevel
`Multilevel
`
`
`
`
`Marketing Business
`Marketing Business
`Marketing Business
`Models Processing
`ModelProcessing
`ModelProcessing
`
`
`
`
`Unit
`Unit
`Unit
`
`
`
`
`Figure 1
`
`PROVI-1017 - Page 3
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 16, 2009
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 7,548,877 B2
`
`
`
`{ssaidxg)punoin|5
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`(21945)prepuars<x)
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`iPaeqydureayayeacy
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 16, 2009
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 7,548,877 B2
`
`304
`
`Product
`Type?
`
`Company
`
`User
`Classification
`?
`
`Rout order to
`Internet-Based
`Processing Unit
`
`Split Order
`by Type
`
`Split Order
`by Type
`
`Rout
`Suborder to
`Product
`
`Rout Suborder to
`Internet-Based
`Processing Unit
`
`Rout Suborder
`to Traditional
`Processing
`Unit
`
`Figure 3
`
`PROVI-1017 - Page 5
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 16, 2009
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 7,548,877 B2
`
`Receive suborder from
`Product Order Processing
`Unit
`
`Rout suborder to Product
`Company for Direct
`Fulfillment
`
`Update incentive point
`values
`
`unit
`
`Send notification message
`displaying portion of main
`order being processed by
`Internet-based processing
`
`Figure 4
`
`PROVI-1017 - Page 6
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 16, 2009
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 7,548,877 B2
`
`Receive suborder from
`Product Order Processing
`Unit
`
`Associated
`upline
`distributor?
`
`message
`
`Rout suborderto
`associated upline
`distributor
`
`Assign an upline
`distributor
`
`Sendnotification
`
`Figure 5
`
`PROVI-1017 - Page 7
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`US 7,548,877 B2
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING
`ORDERS FOR MULTIPLE MULTILEVEL
`MARKETING BUSINESS MODELS
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`A multilevel marketing business model is a business in
`which individuals who are independent representatives of a
`product company market andsell a company’s products, and
`sponsor new independent representatives to do the same.
`Typically, to provide an incentive to market andsell the com-
`pany’s product, the company will pay performance bonuses
`to the independent representatives based on their sales vol-
`ume andthe sales volumeof those they have sponsored.
`Traditionally, companies implementing multilevel market-
`ing businesses models have generally used two typesof busi-
`ness models. The variations in the multilevel marking busi-
`ness models are often based on how productordersare placed
`and fulfilled.
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`2
`29
`referred to as independent business owners (“IJBO’s”), are
`eligible to purchase products directly from the product com-
`pany using an internet web site. Product orders are then ful-
`filled directly to the ordering IBO. Underthe internet-based
`multilevel marketing business model, the incentive value of
`each productis earned in the same mannerasin the traditional
`multilevel marketing business model described above
`wherein the IBO earns the incentive value associated with
`products purchased by themselvesandtheir sponsored IBO’s.
`Further, performance bonuses are computed andpaid in the
`same mannerasthe traditional multilevel marketing business
`model.
`In both the traditional and internet-based multilevel mar-
`keting business model, IBO’s or distributors may earn a per-
`formance bonusbasedonthe sales of products to themselves
`and to their sponsored participants, i.e. their downline. The
`sale of these products may be for personal consumption,
`further downline distribution, or retail sale. Normally, the
`amount of the performance bonus is based on the accumu-
`
`Inatraditional multilevel marketing business model, inde- lated incentive value forall products purchased by that IBO/
`pendentrepresentatives are knownas distributions. Distribu-
`distributor over the course of a pre-defined period, typically a
`tors may purchase the company’s products for themselves,
`month.For every purchase made by the IBO/distributoror his
`for those distributors they have sponsored, and for sale to
`downline, the assigned incentive value for purchased prod-
`retail customers. There are typically two types ofdistributors.
`ucts is separately accumulated. At the end of the accumula-
`A direct distributor is authorized to purchase products
`tion period, e.g. at the end of the month, the accumulated
`directly from the product company where a non-direct dis-
`amount of incentive value is referenced against a look-up
`tributor must order their products and receive fulfillment of
`table to determine the amountthat will be paid as cash value
`their orders through a sponsoring distributor. The sponsoring
`to the IBO/distributor and his downline as a performance
`distributor similarly mustplace their orders, including orders
`bonus. Once the performance bonusis paid, the accumulated
`oftheir sponsored distributors, with their sponsoring distribu-
`point total is reset to zero for the next accumulation period.
`tors, and so on, knownasthe upline, until the order reaches a
`In addition to performance bonuses, a product company
`direct distributor who places their order directly with the
`typically pays sales commissionsto distributors or IBO’s for
`product company. Normally, fulfillment of product orders
`purchases madeat retail prices by their downline orretail
`occurs in the opposite direction through the chain ofdistribu-
`customers. For direct sales madebya distributor in thetradi-
`tors, known as the downline.
`tional multilevel business marketing method knownas“Stan-
`At each distributor level, the distributor receives orders for
`dard Fulfillment”, the retail commission is essentially the
`products from their downline, combines these orders with
`profit margin betweentheselling price and the price at which
`their own orders for personal consumption and for sale to
`the distributor purchased the products, wherein the distributor
`their retail customers, and places this combined order with
`simply retains this profit for themselves. According to the
`their sponsoring distributor or directly with the company, as
`“Direct Fulfillment” multilevel marketing method, for sales
`in the case ofa directdistributor.
`made viaawebsite to clients atretail prices, the profit margin
`Typically, each product sold by a multilevel marketing
`is similarly measured but accounted andpaid by the company
`company is assigned an incentive value. The incentive value
`to the referring IBO.
`is used to help determine performance bonusespaid to the
`Currently, there is no single order processing system which
`distributors. Often, the incentive value attempts to balance the
`can route orders to be processed through both the traditional
`profit earned by the company on the sale of the product
`and the internet-based multilevel marketing business model
`against the amount of incentive required for a distributor to
`depending on the type of product being purchased. For
`sell a particular product. Further, incentive values are often
`example, if single a multilevel marketing organization allows
`assigned on a product by product basis andtheir value has no
`individuals to sell products according to both the traditional
`basis on the overall value of a given transaction,
`i.e. the
`multilevel marketing business model and the internet-based
`individual incentive value assigned to a product does not
`multilevel marketing business model, that multilevel market-
`change based on the quantity of the product purchasedor the
`ing company must be able to accept and fulfill two separate
`combination of products purchased. Additionally, there is no
`types oforders. A first order contains a set ofproducts handled
`predefined mathematical relationship between the incentive
`through the traditional multilevel marketing business model
`value and theprice of the product. For example, a $10 bottle
`and a second order containsa set ofproducts handled through
`of vitamins may have different incentive value than a $10
`the internet-based multilevel marketing business model. In
`water filter due to the characteristics of the products, such as
`addition, the multilevel marketing company mustbe able to
`their manufacturing cost or market penetration.
`track incentives and pay performancefor distributors selling
`within both the traditional and the internet-based multilevel
`Whena distributor places their order with their sponsoring
`distributor, or with the company, the incentive value for each
`product in the order is added to that distributor’s periodic
`accumulated incentive value. The accumulated incentive
`value is used to determine the performance bonus owed to that
`distributor.
`
`In an internet-based multilevel marketing business model,
`the business model is similar to the traditional multilevel
`
`marketing business model except that all distributors, often
`
`marketing systems. Hence, a company implementing both
`traditional and internet-based multilevel marketing models is
`forced to maintain two order systems. Further, the individuals
`are required to parse out their orders,
`i.e. identify which
`products can be ordered from which system.
`Therefore, It would be desirable to have an order process-
`ing system that integrates the traditional and internet-based
`multilevel marketing business models wherein an individual
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`US 7,548,877 B2
`
`3
`whois both a distributor and an IBO canplace a single order
`with all of their desired products and have the processing
`system parse, route, and process the order througheither the
`traditional or internet-based multilevel marketing business
`model.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG.1 is a block diagram of one embodimentof an Order
`Processing System according to one embodiment;
`FIG.2 is a screen shot ofa user interface for use with the
`system of FIG.1;
`FIG.3 is a flow diagram of a product order processing unit
`according to one embodiment;
`FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an internet-based multilevel
`marketing business model processing unit (“anternet-based
`processing unit’) according to one embodiment; and
`FIG.5 is a flow diagram ofa traditional multilevel market-
`ing business model processing unit (“traditional processing
`unit”) according to one embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`AND THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 1 showsan order processing system 100 according to
`one embodiment which includesa userinterface 102, a prod-
`uct order processing unit 104 coupled with the user interface
`102, an internet-based multilevel marketing business model
`processing unit 106 (‘internet-based processing unit”)
`coupled with the product order processing unit 104; and a
`traditional multilevel marketing business model processing
`unit 108 (“traditional processing unit”) coupled with the
`product order processing unit 104. In alternative embodi-
`ments,
`it may be possible to couple additional multilevel
`marketing business model processing units 109 to the product
`order processing unit 104. Herein, the phrase “coupled with”
`is defined to mean directly connected to or indirectly con-
`nected through one, or more intermediate components. Such
`intermediate components may include both hardware and
`software based components. Toclarify the use in the pending
`claims and to hereby provide notice to the public, the phrases
`“at least one of <A>, <B>, ... and <N>”or “at least one of
`<A>, <B>, ...<N>, or combinations thereof” are defined by
`the Applicant in the broadest sense, superceding any other
`implied definitions herebefore or hereinafter unless expressly
`asserted by the Applicantto the contrary, to mean one or more
`elements selected from the group comprising A, B,...and N,
`that is to say, any combination of one or more ofthe elements
`A, B,...or N including any one element alone or in combi-
`nation with one or more ofthe other elements which mayalso
`include, in combination, additional elements notlisted.
`Generally, a user inputs a main order for various types of
`products at the user interface 102. The main orderis sent to
`the product order processing unit 104 whoreceives the main
`order and examines a product database to determinea classi-
`fication for each product in the main order. Depending on the
`classification of products and the classification of the user
`placing the main order, the product order processing unit 104
`parses the main orderinto suborders and routes the suborders
`to lower-level processing units, such as the internet-based
`processing unit 106 and the traditional processing unit 108.
`The internet-based processing unit 106 accepts the suborder
`from the product order processing unit and processes the
`suborder according to the internet-based multilevel market-
`ing business model. The traditional processing unit 108
`
`4
`accepts the order and processes the suborder accordingto the
`traditional multilevel marketing business model.
`Atthe user interface 102, a user typically creates at least
`one main order file comprising various types of products
`available through both the traditional and internet-based mul-
`tilevel marketing models. As shownin FIG.2, the user inter-
`face 202 may be any type of spreadsheet or graphical user
`interface (“GUI”) where a user can input at least a product
`identifier 210 (Stock Keeping Unit (“SKU”) Number), a
`quantity for each productidentifier 212, and an IBO identifi-
`cation 214. A main order mayalso contain information such
`as an order number 216, a shipping address 218, a delivery
`email address 220, delivery options 222, product descriptions
`224, incentive values 226 associated with a product, or pric-
`ing information 228 associated with a product. A user may
`create a main order file comprising any type of product
`regardless of whether the user is a direct distributor, non-
`direct distributor, or IBO in a traditional or internet-based
`multilevel marketing business model.
`Referring again to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the user
`interface 102 may be a GUI implemented as one or more
`World Wide Web pages using dynamic or static Hypertext
`Markup Language (“HTML”), Extensible Markup Language
`(“XML”), Application Server Pages, or combinations thereof
`as are known.
`In another embodiment, the user interface 102 may be a
`stand-alone computer, such as an Intel-based computer.
`Using the stand-alone computer, the user may create a main
`order in a spreadsheet using software such as Microsoft
`Access while the stand-alone computer is not connected to a
`network, such as the internet. The user may then connect the
`stand-alone computer to the product order processing unit
`104 via a hard-wire connection or a network connection to
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`send the main orderfile to the product order processing unit
`104.
`
`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`In one embodiment, the user may connectthe stand-alone
`computerto the internet through an Internet Service Provider
`(“ISP”) and transfer a main orderfile to the order processing
`unit 104 using Hypertext Transfer Protocol
`(“HTTP”),
`Simple Object Access Protocol (“SOAP”), File Transfer Pro-
`tocol (“FTP”), or any other means knownintheart. In another
`embodiment, the user may connect the stand-alone computer
`to the product order processing unit 104 through a direct
`dialup connection to send the main orderfile.
`The product order processing unit 104 maybe any type of
`hardware or software operable to accept the main order from
`the user interface 102, access a product database containing a
`classification of each product within the main order, access a
`user database containing a classification for the user placing
`the mainorder, parse the main order into suborders according
`to productclassification and userclassification, and route the
`subordersto lowerlevel processing units, such as the internet-
`based andtraditional processing units 106, 108.
`In one embodiment, the product order processing unit 104
`may be an Intel-based server such as a Microsoft Structured
`Query Language (“SQL”) Server. Typically, the Microsoft
`SQL Server comprises a hard drive, a memory, a network
`interface, and at least one processor running at least one
`program written in Visual Basic NET to perform the func-
`tions of the product order processing unit 104. Additionally,
`the Microsoft SQL Serveris typically able to access product
`and user DB2 databases. DB2 is a family of relational data-
`base management system products from IBM. Typically, the
`DB2 databases may be run on any enterprise or personal
`Intel-based computer comprising a hard drive, a memory, a
`network interface, and at
`least one processor running
`Microsoft Windows 2000or greater, as is knownin theart.
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`US 7,548,877 B2
`
`5
`As shownin FIG.3, the product order processing unit 304
`typically receives the main orderfile from the user interface
`102 (FIG. 1) through a network interface. In response to
`receiving the main orderfile, at least one program, stored ina
`memory ofthe product order processing unit 304 and running
`on a processorof the order processing unit 304, accesses a
`product database containing a classification of each product
`within the main order. The at least one program running on a
`processorofthe productorder processing unit 304 determines
`the classification for each product within the main order. Ifthe
`product order processing unit 304 determines that the main
`orderfile only contains products available through the inter-
`net-based multilevel marketing business 308, also known as
`non-coreline products, at least one program running on a
`processor of the processing unit 304 routes the order to the
`internet-based processing unit 106 (FIG.1).
`In one embodiment, at least one program running on a
`processorof the product order processing unit 304 converts
`the main orderfile created by the user in programs such as
`Microsoft Access
`into an Extensible Markup Langue
`(“XML”)file before sending the order of non-coreline prod-
`ucts to the internet-based processing unit 406. In alternative
`embodiments, any otherfile type other than XML known in
`the art could be used.
`
`Referring to FIG.4, the internet-based processing unit 406
`may be any type of hardware or software operable to accept
`the non-coreline order 408 from the product order processing
`unit 104 (FIG. 1) through a network interface and process the
`non-coreline order according to the internet-based multilevel
`marketing business model. In one embodiment, the internet-
`based processing unit 406 may be an IBM AS/400 server
`comprising a hard drive, a memory, a networkinterface, and
`at least one processor, but any type of hardware or software
`knownin the art could be used.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`35
`
`6
`tributor, also known as a non-warehouse authorized user, is
`typically notentitled to buy coreline products directly from a
`product company.
`If the user is a direct distributor 314, at least one program
`running on a processor of the product order processing unit
`304 parses any portion of the main order comprising coreline
`products into a first suborder and parses any portion of the
`main order comprising non-coreline products into a second
`suborder 316. In one embodiment,the first and second sub-
`order may be XMLfiles, but any file type knownin the art
`could be used.
`According to one example, the user is a direct distributor.
`Accordingly, at least one program running on a processor of
`the productorder processing unit 304 routes the first suborder
`of coreline products to the product company for shipment
`directly from the product company to the user (318). Addi-
`tionally, at least one program running on a processor of the
`productorder processing unit 304 routes the second suborder
`to the internet-based processing unit 106 (FIG. 1) for direct
`fulfillment 320 as described above. In embodiments contain-
`ing additional types oflower-level processing units other than
`the traditional and internet-based processing units 106, 108
`(FIG. 1), the main order can be parsed into third, fourth, or
`more suborders.
`If the user is a non-direct distributor 322, at least one
`program running on a processorin the productorder process-
`ing unit 304 parses the main orderintoa first suborder com-
`prising coreline products and a second suborder comprising
`non-coreline products 324. At least one program running on
`the processor of the product order processing unit 304 then
`routes each suborder to the appropriate lower-level process-
`ing unit. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the product order
`processing unit 304 routes the second suborder 326 to the
`internet-based processing unit 106 (FIG. 1) for direct fulfill-
`mentas described above. Additionally, the product order pro-
`cessing unit 304 routesthe first suborder 328to the traditional
`processing unit 108 (FIG. 1) for processing.
`Referring to FIG.5, the traditional processing unit 508 may
`be any type of hardware or software operable to accept the
`coreline order from the product order processing unit 104
`(FIG.1) through a network interface and process the coreline
`order according to the traditional multilevel marketing busi-
`ness model. Thetraditional processing unit 508 may receive
`the suborder from the product order processing unit 104 (FIG.
`1) through the use of HTTP, SOAP, FTP, a direct dialup
`connection, or any other means known in the art. In one
`embodiment, the traditional processing unit 508 may be an
`IBM AS/400 server comprising a hard drive, a memory, a
`network interface, and at least one processor, but any type of
`hardware or software knownin the art could be used.
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`PROVI-1017 - Page 10
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`The internet-based processing unit 406 mayreceive the
`non-coreline order 408 from the product order processing
`unit 104 (FIG. 1) through the use of HTTP, SOAP, FTP, a
`direct dialup connection, or any other means knownintheart.
`Typically, at least one program, stored in a memory of the
`internet-based processing unit 406 and running on a proces-
`sor ofthe internet-based processing unit 406, routes the non-
`coreline order to the appropriate product company 410 for
`direct fulfillment. Additionally, at least one program running
`on a processorofthe internet-based processing unit 406 may
`update any incentive point totals 412 stored in a database
`associated with the user or any sponsorofthe user.
`Further, as part of processing the non-coreline order, at
`least one program running on a processor of the internet-
`based processing unit 406 may send a notification message
`Typically, after receiving the suborder 510, at least one
`414, such as an email, to the user and sponsor of the user,
`program, stored in amemory ofthe traditional processing unit
`displaying the portion of the main order being processed
`508 and running on a processorofthe traditional processing
`through the internet-based processing unit 406. This email
`unit 508, searches a user database or someother type ofrecord
`mayor maynotbe sentin real time as the non-coreline order
`for an upline distributor associated with the user who placed
`is processed.
`the main order 512. If an associated distributor is found 514,
`Referring again to FIG. 3, if after accessing the product
`a least one program running on a processorofthetraditional
`
`order database,at least one program running onaprocessor of processing unit 508 routes the suborder to the associated
`the product order processing unit 304 determines that the
`distributor to order the products for the user 516. As part of
`main order contains products available through a traditional
`processing the suborder, at least one program running on a
`multilevel marketing business 310, also known as coreline
`processorofthe traditional processing unit 508 may send a
`items, at least one program running on a processor of the
`notification message 518, such as an email, to the user to
`product order processing unit 304 determines whether the
`notify the userthat a portion oftheir main order was a coreline
`user placing the orderis a direct distributor or a non-direct
`product and could not be directly fulfilled. The notification
`distributor 312. A direct distributor, also known as a ware-
`message may also indicate that the portion of main order
`house authorized user, is typically entitled to buy any coreline
`comprising coreline products was forwardedto an associated
`product directly from a product company. A non-direct dis-
`distributor for processing.
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`7
`If at least one program running on the processor of the
`traditional processing unit 108 does not find an associated
`distributor, the traditional processing unit 108 may assign an
`associated distributor 522 based on geographic location or
`any other factor desired by the company.At least one program
`running on a processorofthetraditional processing unit 108
`then routes the suborder to the associated distributor to order
`
`the products for the user 516.
`It is therefore intendedthat the foregoing detailed descrip-
`tion be regardedasillustrative rather than limiting, and thatit
`be understood that it is the following claims, including all
`equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of
`this invention.
`The invention claimedis:
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`7. An order processing system comprising:
`an order processing unit server configured to receive a
`main order from a userinterface, the main order com-
`prising at least one product of a first product type, a
`second type, or combination thereof, access a product
`database to determinea productclassification of each of
`the at least one product comprising the main order,
`access a user database to determinea userclassification
`1. A method for processing an order comprising:
`of the user, and parse the main orderinto atleasta first
`inputting at least one main order comprising at least one of
`suborder and a second suborder based at least in part on
`a first product type, a second product type, or combina-
`the userclassification the user placing the order and the
`tions thereof, into a user interface;
`producttypesofthe first and second products;
`storing each ofthe at least one main order as a main order
`a first product type processing unit server configured to
`file;
`receive thefirst suborder from the order processing unit
`sending each ofthe at least one main orderfile to a product
`server and fulfill the first suborder accordingtoafirst
`processing unit;
`multilevel marketing business model; and
`accessing a productdatabase to determineaproduct typeof
`a second producttype processing unit server configured to
`each ofthe at least one product comprising eachofthe at
`receive the second suborder from the order processing
`least one mainorderfile, wherein the product type iden-
`unit server and fulfill the second suborder according to a
`tifies an association between a product and a type of
`second multilevel marketing business model;
`multilevel marketing business model;
`whereinthe first and second multilevel marketing business
`accessing a user database to determinea userclassification
`models are different;
`for a user placing the main order, wherein the user clas-
`wherein the product type identifies an association between
`sification identifies a classification of a user with respect
`a product and a type of multilevel marketing business
`to one or more multilevel marketing business models;
`model; and
`parsing each of the at least one main orderfile intoafirst
`wherein the userclassification identifies a classification of
`suborder and a second suborder basedat least in part on
`a user with respect to one or more multilevel marketing
`the userclassification of the user placing the order and
`business models.
`the producttypes ofthefirst and second products;
`8. The order processing system of claim 7, wherein:
`storing each of the first suborderasafirst suborderfile;
`the order processing unit server receives the main order
`storing each of the second suborder as a second suborder
`from the user interface using Hypertext Transfer Proto-
`file;
`col.
`sending the eachofthe first suborderfiles to a first product
`type processing unit
`to fulfill each of the first suborders;
`processing each ofthe first suborders according toa first
`multilevel marketing business model;
`sending each of the second suborderfiles to a second prod-
`uct type processing unit to fulfill each of the second
`suborders; and
`processing each of the second suborders according to a
`second multilevel marketing business model, wherein
`the first and second multilevel marketing business mod-
`els are different.
`
`US 7,548,877 B2
`
`8
`5. The methodof claim 1, further comprising:
`connecting the user interface to the product processing unit
`through a direct dialup connection.
`6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
`notifying a user ofthe contents ofeach ofthe first suborders
`and the second suborders.
`
`2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising:
`connecting the userinterfaceto the product processing unit
`using Hypertext Transfer Protocol.
`3. The methodof claim 1, further comprising:
`connecting the userinterfaceto the product processing unit
`using Simple Object Access Protocol.
`4. The methodof claim 1, further comprising:
`connecting