(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. N0.: US 2010/0275129 A1
`Besecker
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Oct. 28, 2010
`
`US 20100275129A1
`
`(54) INTERNET-BASED SMALL-BUSINESS
`PROMOTIONAL NETWORK
`
`(76) Inventor.
`
`Barry Jay Besecker’Xe/nia, OH
`(US)
`
`lcfnlelszpgn?enie Addgless IP LLC
`a“
`c aa slfla’ Ovus ’_
`521_ West supenor street’ sulte 221
`Chlcagos IL 60654 (Us)
`
`(21) APP1- NOJ
`
`12/386,815
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 23, 2009
`
`//
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) IHLCL
`(2006.01)
`G06F 3/00
`(52) us. c1. ...................................................... .. 715/745
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`In accordance With the principles of the resent invention, an
`Internet-based business promotional service that helps tradi
`tional “brick and mortar” small businesses link-up and pro
`mote one another through an online, automated service is
`provided. A user registers for the system. The user searches
`for businesses that are also members. The user invites mem
`bers to join a user’s unique businesses promotional network.
`The user creates a promotion. A promotional material is auto
`matically generated based on the user’s and any user’s pro
`motional network member’s promotions. Which members of
`the user’s promotional netWork Who are sending a user cus
`tomers is tracked.
`
`1
`
`Google Inc., Nest Labs, Inc., and Dropcam, Inc.
`GOOG 1018
`IPR of US Pat. No. 8,311,524
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 28, 2010 Sheet 1 0f 8
`
`US 2010/0275129 A1
`
`//
`
`=
`o
`o
`
`2
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 28, 2010 Sheet 2 0f 8
`
`US 2010/0275129 A1
`
`UREGISTER ITOURD
`O Q h @ FIND PARTNERS ?r 0R cm, STATE OR STREET woraessjQ
`ADVANCED PARTNER SEARCH
`A u
`
`[Ell-06'"
`
`WELCOME TO THE ADSHEET NETWORK. JOIN mom/Q)
`
`. WI:
`PASSWORD: O)
`FORGOT PASSWORD? D REMEMBER ME
`
`(VIEW A SAMPLE ADSHEET)
`HOW ADSHEET WORKS ——
`
`Q REGISTER AFAHPOWEHFKASJ FPIOAWEFKSADJFKAWJHFHASKJEHFWOIEJHFLWK
`0 AFAHPOWEHFKASJFPIOAWEFKSADJFKAWJEKFHASKJEHFWOIEJHFLWKFD
`Q AFAHPOWEHFKASJFPIOAWEFKSADJFKAWJEKFHASKJEHFWOIEJHFLWK
`. AFAHPOWEHFKASJFPIOAWEFKSADJFKAWJEKFHASKJEHFWOIUHFLWKFASDFIBDFASDFAS
`o AFAHPOWEHFKASJFPIOAWEFKSADJFKAWJEKFHASKIEHFWOIEIHFLWKFASDFASDFASDF
`o AFAHPOWEHFKASJFPLOAWEFKSADJFKAWJEKFHASIUEHFWOIEJHFLWKFASDFASDFASDFAS
`
`AFAHPOWEHFKASJFPIOAWEFKSADJFKAWJEKFHASKJEHFWOIEJHFLWKFASDFASDFASD
`AFAHPOWEHFKASJFPIOAWEFKSADJFKAWJEKFHASKJEHFWOIEJHFLWKFASDFASDFAS
`AFAHPOWE'IFKASJFPIOSFGHFS (SAMPLE ADSHEEU AFAHPOWEi-IFKASJFPIOSFGHFSFD. AFAHP
`AFAHPOWEHFKASJFHOAWEFKSADJFKAWJEKFHASKJEHFWOIEIHFLWKFASDFASDFASD
`AFAHPOWEHFKASJFPIOAWEFKSADJFKAWJEKFHASKIEHFWOIBHFLWKFASDFASDFAS
`
`TO LEARN MORE
`TAKE A TOU_R.DO A SEARCH FOR OTHER AOSHEET MEMBERS IN YOUR AREA.
`QUESTIONS? EMAIL US AT |NFO@AD$HEET.OOM.
`
`FIG. 2
`
`3
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 28, 2010 Sheet 3 0f 8
`
`US 2010/0275129 A1
`
`“
`A O is h e
`
`UREGISTER ITOURU
`nun PARTNERS [21F 0R cm, smz 0R STREET ADDRESiIQ
`ADVAMID PARTNER SEARCH
`
`IQ‘ LOGIN
`
`MEMBER REGISTRATION (STEP 10F a)
`EMAIL ADDRES$= I:
`m
`E“ L: wNHRM m :1
`PASSWORD: o)
`PASSWORD:
`FORGOT PASSWORWDREMEMBER ME CONFIRM msswono; |:_|
`REGISTER
`
`FIG. 3
`
`MEMBER PROFILE
`ADSHEH (M5573)
`600 N. WESTSHORE BLVD.
`TAMPA FL 33601
`800-000-0000
`H‘l'TP;//WWW.WEBSITE.COM
`
`EDIT PROFILE
`
`CHANGE PASSWORD
`
`PROMOTION STATUS FOR MAR 2009 [ED
`PRESS smus FOR MAR 2009 _ Printed
`
`AFASFASDFSAGERYGADSGAWERGASGAWGASGWAGEWRGWSEFWEGERGERGERG
`AFASFASDFSAGERYGADSGAWERGASGAWGASGWAGEWRGWSEWEGERGERG
`AFASFASDFSAGERYGADSGAWERGASGAWGASGWAGEWRGWSEFWEGERGERGERGEGFD
`AFASFASDFSAGERYGADSGAWERGASGAWGASGWAGEWRGWSEFWEGERGERGERGEG
`AFASFASDFSAGERYGADSGAWERGASGAWGASGWAGEWRGWSEFWEGERGERGERGEGFD
`AFASFASDFSAGERYGADSGAWERGASGAWGASGWAGEWRGWSEFWEGERGERGERG
`AFASFASDFSAGERYGADSGAWERGASGAWGASGWAG EWRGWSEFWEGERGERGERGEG
`AFASFASDFSAGERYGADSGAWERGASGAWGASGWAG EWRGWSEFWEGERGERGERGEGFD
`AFA§FASDFSAGERYGADSGAWERGASGAWGASGWAG EWRGWSEFWEGERGERGERGEGFD
`AFASFASDFSAGERYGADSGAWERGASGAWGASGWAG EWRGWSEFWEGERGERGERGEG
`AFASFASDFSAGERYGADSGAWERGASGAWGASGWAGEWRGWSEFWEGERGERGERG
`AFASFASDFSAGERYGADSGAWERGASGAWGASGWAG EWRGWSEFWEGERGERGERGEGFD
`AFASFASDFSAGERYGADSGAWERGASGAWGASGWAGEWRGWSEFWEGERGERG
`AFASFASDFSAGER
`
`PHOTOS
`ICUCK 0N THUMBNAIL TO VIEW FULL SIZE)
`
`FIG. 4
`
`4
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 28, 2010 Sheet 4 0f 8
`
`US 2010/0275129 A1
`
`o heeII
`
`UREGISTER ITOURD
`
`FIND PARTNERS T ZIP 0R cmr, STATE 0R STREET ADDRESS] Q
`ADVANCED PARTNER SEARCH
`
`SEARCH FOR PROMOTION PARTNERS
`ADSHEET IS A NEW SERVICE IF YOU DON'T FIND PROMOTION PARTNERS IN YOUR AREA,
`& LOGIN
`EMAIL S PLEASE REGISTER AND WELL SEND YOU AN EMAIL AS OTHERS IN YOUR COMMUNITY JOIN.
`
`FORGOT PASSWORD'IDREMEMBER ME
`
`I“ I ,STAT O TRE
`PASSWORDS Q ZOOM TO ADDRESS 3' R II
`FINDS 100 NEAREST LOCATIONS
`FILTER RESULTS BY
`BUSINESS NAME
`|
`
`KEYWORDS
`| I
`
`TARGET CUSTOMERS
`ll -AL_L_ M
`
`FIG. 5
`
`SERACH FOR PROMOTION PARTNERS w
`
`ZOOM TO ADDRESS [TAMPA
`FINDS 100 NEAREST LOCATIONS
`FILTER RESULTS BY
`
`TARGET CUSTOMERS l
`KEYWORDS
`I BUSINESS NAME
`L__—| T____| BEL-Jr]
`
`I
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`MP W
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`
`I
`
`LEGEND
`Q MY BUSINESS
`
`MY PARTNERS
`
`ADSHEET MEMO
`
`5
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 28, 2010 Sheet 5 0f 8
`
`US 2010/0275129 A1
`
`SERACH FOR PROMOTION PARTNERS
`
`|
`
`ZOOM TO ADDRESSlTAMPA
`FINDS 100 NEAREST LOCATIONS
`FILTER RESULTS BY
`BUSINESS NAME
`
`TARGET CUSTOMERS
`
`ll
`gl
`E‘
`
`KEYWORDS
`
`||
`
`|| -ALL— Ml
`'1 MAP ] SATELLITE [ HYBRID ]
`‘ g _./
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`1
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`0
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`K
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`Q
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`_
`
`LEGEND
`
`9 MY BUSINESS
`
`MY PARTNERS
`
`Ct?
`
`i
`
`O
`
`BUSINESS NAME
`
`CITY
`
`STATE
`
`SEND MESSAGE
`
`ABC COMPANY
`BAYSHORE SOLUTTONS
`ABC COMPANY
`
`TAMPA
`TAMPA
`TAMPA
`
`FL
`FL
`FL
`
`SEND MESSAGE
`SEND MESSAGE
`SEND MESSAGE
`
`PROMO SOLUTION
`JUN 2009
`I NOT READY I
`NOT READY
`I NOT READY I
`
`PRTNT STATUS
`JUN 2009
`[NOT PRINTEDI
`NOT PRINTED
`[NOT PRINTED‘
`
`LOGGED
`REDEMPTIONS
`6
`1
`3
`
`FIG. 7
`
`6
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 28, 2010 Sheet 6 of 8
`
`US 2010/0275129 A1
`
`
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`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 28, 2010 Sheet 7 0f 8
`
`US 2010/0275129 A1
`
`THANK YOU FOR
`SHOPPING WITH
`US TODAY!
`
`PLEASE ENJOY MORE
`GREAT SAVINGS FROM MY
`ADSHEEI PARTNERS!
`
`MARCH 2009
`
`JANE'S CRAFT STORE
`
`50% OFF ANY
`CUSTOM FRAMING
`
`OFFER CODE:
`ADSHEET ID: TE5-98098
`
`BEV'S NAIL SALON
`
`$35 FOR A MANICURE
`AND PEDICURE
`
`OFFER CODE: 87689
`ADSHEET ID: TE5-98098
`
`ACE PRINTING
`
`SAVE 20% ON ALL
`CUSTOM PRINTING
`
`OFFER CODE: 94534
`ADSHEET ID: TE5-98098
`
`MORE PARTNERS
`COMING SOON!
`
`MORE PARTNERS
`COMING SOON!
`
`MORE PARTNERS
`COMING SOON!
`
`MORE PARTNERS
`COMING SOON!
`
`FIG. 9
`
`8
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 28, 2010 Sheet 8 0f 8
`
`US 2010/0275129 A1
`
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`

`
`US 2010/0275129 A1
`
`Oct. 28, 2010
`
`INTERNET-BASED SMALL-BUSINESS
`PROMOTIONAL NETWORK
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to the Internet.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The Internet is a global network of computers. Net
`Work servers support hypertext capabilities that permit the
`Internet to link together Webs of documents. User interfaces
`such as Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) are typically used to
`navigate the Internet to retrieve relevant documents. Uniform
`Resource Locators (URLs) are used to identify speci?c Web
`sites and Web pages on the Internet. URLs also identify the
`address of the document to be retrieved from a netWork
`server. The Transfer Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol
`(TCP/IP) is used to transfer information.
`[0003] The Internet uses a hypertext language referred to as
`the hypertext mark-up language (HTML). HTML is a com
`monly used scripting or programming language that permits
`content providers or developers to place hyperlinks Within
`Web pages. These hyperlinks link related content or data,
`Which may be found on multiple Internet host computers.
`HTML document links may retrieve remote data by use of
`HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP). Alternatively, File
`Transfer Protocol (FTP) for ?le transfer, the netWork neWs
`protocol (NNTP) for discussion groups, and the simple mail
`transport protocol (SMTP) for email or other Internet appli
`cation protocols can be used. When a user selects a link in a
`Web document, the link icon in the document contains the
`URL that the client employs to initiate the session With the
`server storing the linked document. HTTP is the protocol
`used to support the information transfer.
`[0004] While most of today’s users of the Internet believe it
`is a recent communications phenomenon, the origins of the
`Internet actually go back several decades. Today’s Internet
`greW out a computer resource-sharing netWork created in the
`1960s by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA).
`This computer resource-sharing netWork, Which came to be
`knoWn as the ARPAnet, Was primarily designed by ARPA’s
`chief scientist, Larry Roberts. The initial problem facing a
`Wide-area computer resource-sharing netWork Was hoW to
`e?iciently transmit digitiZed information in a reliable Way. To
`solve this problem, in 1968, Roberts mandated use of a
`packet- sWitching design in the ARPAnet.
`[0005] Packet sWitching breaks up blocks of digitiZed
`information into smaller pieces called packets. These packets
`are transmitted through the netWork, usually by different
`routes, and are then reassembled at their destination. Eight
`years prior to ARPA’s Request for Proposal, Len Kleinrock
`invented packet sWitching. See, e.g., Len Kleinrock, “Infor
`mation FloW in Large Communications Nets,” RLE Quarterly
`Progress Report (1960); Len Kleinrock, Communication
`Nets (1964). See also Paul Baren, “On Distributed Commu
`nications NetWorks,” IEEE Transactions on Systems (March
`1964). Roberts believed that packet sWitching Was the means
`to e?iciently transmit digitiZed information in a reliable Way.
`[0006] The next problem to solve Was hoW to interconnect
`a number of mainframe computers, most of Which utiliZed
`different languages and different operating systems. Wesley
`Clark of Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., devised the
`solution to this huge incompatibility problem. Clark pro
`posed that a smaller microcomputer should interface betWeen
`
`every mainframe and the netWork. All of these minicomputers
`Would run on the same operating system and use the same
`language. Each mainframe, therefore, Would only be required
`to interface With its oWn minicomputer, With the minicom
`puter translating into the netWork operating system and lan
`guage. These Interface Message Processors (IMP), Which
`provided an interface betWeen the ARPAnet ho st mainframe
`computers and the ARPAnet, Were the predecessors to today’s
`routers. With this basic design, the ?rst tWo nodes on the
`ARPAnet communicated on 1 Oct. 1969.
`[0007] By 1971, 15 nodes, mostly academic institutions,
`Were up on the ARPAnet; hoWever, the original goal of the
`ARPAnet Was not being realiZed. Resource sharing of the
`mainframe computers Was simply too cumbersome. In March
`1972, Ray Tomlinson of consulting ?rm Bolt, Beranek &
`NeWman invented e-mail. Use of this message transfer pro
`gram quickly greW to be the initial major use of the ARPAnet.
`[0008] By the mid-seventies, the ARPAnet Was not the only
`netWork utiliZing sWitching packets. Once again, an incom
`patibility problem emerged. Each of these different netWorks
`used a different protocol. Thus, interconnection of these dif
`ferent netWorks Was not possible. The solution, devised by
`Robert Kahn of ARPA and Vincent Cerf of Stanford Univer
`sity, Was called the Transmission Control Protocol/Intemet
`Protocol. The Transmission Control Protocol packetiZed
`information and reassembled the information upon arrival.
`The Internet Protocol routed packets by encasing the packets
`betWeen netWorks. See, e. g., Robert Kahn and Vincent Cerf,
`“A Protocol for Packet NetWork Intercommunication,” IEEE
`Transactions on Communications Technology (May 1974).
`Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol Was
`adopted by the ARPAnet in 1983. With the addition of the
`Domain Name System (DNS) in November 1983, the noW
`familiar Internet address protocol Was established.
`[0009] A ?nal step in creating the Internet occurred in 1990,
`When an Englishman, Tim Berners-Lee Working at the Euro
`pean Center for Particle Research (CERN) in SWitZerland,
`invented the World Wide Web. This softWare, based on a
`program Berners-Lee had Written in 1980 to alloW users to
`store information using random associations, alloWed mate
`rial from any computer, from any format to be translated into
`a common language of Words, images, and addresses. Bem
`ers-Lee’s program established the three core components of
`the World Wide Web: the Universal Resource Locator, Hyper
`text Transfer Protocol, and HyperText Markup language.
`[0010] NoW, the World Wide Web has become a neW mass
`media system for information distribution. With the help of
`advertising support, neW media companies have created thou
`sands of neWs, sports, entertainment, and special interest Web
`sites. The initial focus of e-commerce technologies on the
`Internet Was to facilitate business-to-consumer (B2C) trans
`actions. This lead to a frenZy of investment into nearly any
`Internet related B2C idea, even Where the idea lacked real
`merit. This investment frenZy came to an abrupt end When the
`Internet valuation bubble burst in March 2000: from its March
`2000 high of 5,047.69, the technology rich NASDAQ stock
`index fell over 40%.
`[0011] More recently, the Internet has seen the rise of social
`netWork Web-sites. Social netWork Web-sites focus on build
`ing online communities of people Who share interests and/or
`activities, or Who are interested in exploring the interests and
`activities of others. Most social netWork Web-sites provide a
`variety of Ways for users to interact, such as e-mail and instant
`messaging services. The main types of social netWorking
`
`10
`
`

`
`US 2010/0275129 A1
`
`Oct. 28, 2010
`
`services are those Which contain category divisions (such as
`former school-year or classmates), means to connect With
`friends (usually With self-description pages), and a recom
`mendation system linked to trust. Popular methods noW com
`bine many of these, With MySpace and Facebook being the
`most Widely used in North America.
`[0012] MySpace and Facebook Were created at about the
`some time, approximately in 2003. MySpace (http://WWW.
`myspace.com) is a social networking Website With an inter
`active, user-submitted network of friends, personal pro?les,
`blogs, groups, photos, music, and videos for teenagers and
`adults internationally. In June 2006, MySpace Was the most
`popular social netWorking site in the United States. Accord
`ing to comScore (1 1950 Democracy Drive, Suite 600, Reston,
`Va. 20190), MySpace Was overtaken internationally by main
`competitor Facebook in April 2008, based on monthly unique
`visitors. The 100 millionth account Was created on 6 Aug.
`2006.
`[0013] In Facebook (http://WWW.facebook.com), users can
`join netWorks organiZed by city, Workplace, school, and
`region to connect and interact With other people. People can
`also add friends and send them messages, and update their
`personal pro?les to notify friends about themselves. Myspace
`and Facebook are seen mainly as personal, non-business mar
`keting and communication among friends to share personal
`preferences in music, people, and other social topics.
`[0014] While Myspace and Facebook are primarily per
`sonal, professional netWork Web-sites attempt to create a
`virtual community that it is focused on professional interac
`tions instead of social interactions. Linked In (http://WWW.
`linkedin.com) is a business-oriented social netWorking site
`founded launched in May 2003 mainly used for professional
`netWorking. As of February 2009, it had more than 35 million
`registered users, spanning 170 industries. HoWever, these
`professional netWorking sites are primarily targeted toWards
`professionals and do not provide an opportunity for a netWork
`of small businesses to link-up and promote one another. What
`is thus needed is an Internet-based service that helps small
`businesses link-up and promote one another is provided.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0015] In accordance With the principles of the present
`invention, an Internet-based service that helps traditional
`“brick and mortar” small businesses link-up and promote one
`another through an online, automated service is provided. The
`user searches for businesses that are also members. The user
`invites members to join a user’s unique promotional netWork.
`The user creates a promotion. A promotional material is auto
`matically generated based on the user’s and any user’s pro
`motional netWork member’s promotions. Which members of
`the user’s promotional netWork Who are sending a user cus
`tomers is tracked.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic of a non-limiting example
`hardWare architecture that can be used to run the system of the
`present invention.
`[0017] FIG. 2 is an example of a homepage for the present
`invention.
`[0018] FIG. 3 is an example of a creating a user pro?le page
`of the present invention.
`[0019] FIG. 4 is an example of a user pro?le page of the
`present invention.
`
`[0020] FIG. 5 is an example of an advanced partner search
`page of the present invention.
`[0021] FIG. 6 is an example of an advanced partner search
`results page of the present invention.
`[0022] FIG. 7 is an example ofa user’s netWork page ofthe
`present invention.
`[0023] FIG. 8 is an example of a create promotions page of
`the present invention.
`[0024] FIG. 9 is an example of an AdSheet of the present
`invention.
`[0025] FIG. 10 is an example of logging redemptions
`results page of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`[0026] Every small business is trying to reach neW custom
`ers. Advertising is expensive and results are almost impos
`sible to measure. Many local businesses promote themselves
`by asking other local businesses to hand out ?yers. In return,
`that local business Would often hand out ?yers for other
`businesses. Some businesses have become more sophisti
`cated and have organiZed associations for the purpose of cross
`promotion With other businesses in a community. But such
`cross-promotion is labor and time intensive, and small busi
`ness oWners already cannot ?nd enough hours in the day. In
`addition, such efforts employ no standardization, no means of
`tracking participation, etc.
`[0027] In accordance With the principles of the present
`invention, an Internet-based service is provided that helps
`o?iine small businesses link-up and promote one another. By
`o?iine What is meant is a business that has at least a “brick and
`mortar” component to them, but does not exclude businesses
`that have Web-sites. In addition, While the present invention is
`particularly suited for small businesses, it is by no means so
`limited. In accordance With the present invention, a user reg
`isters for the system and creates a pro?le for the user’s busi
`ness. The user can search for businesses in a user’s area that
`are also members. The user can invite members that serve
`similar customers to join a user’s promotional netWork. Such
`members are non-limitingly referred to herein as partners.
`The user can create a neW promotion in a given time period,
`such as for example each month. As described in detail beloW,
`creating a neW promotion takes as little as 30 seconds, With no
`graphic skills needed. In addition, the present invention stan
`dardiZes promotion exchange, With promotions prepared on a
`given schedule.
`[0028] A deliverable of the present invention is a promo
`tional material non-limitingly referred to herein as an
`“AdSheet”. AnAdSheet is a page that is automatically created
`each month by the system of the present invention. A user’s
`promotion Will appear on the page, at the top of the page in
`one example, and a user’s partners’ promotions Will appear
`beloW, for example. The promotions on a user’s AdSheet Will
`include the unique ID of the user that printed the AdSheetiso
`that so When customers from a user’s business visits another
`business, this ID Will tell a user’s partner Which user sent
`them. LikeWise, a user Will be able to track Which partners are
`sending customers to the user’s store from the user’s partners’
`AdSheet ID printed on the promotions that are redeemed in a
`user’s business.
`[0029] Copies of a user’s AdSheet are printed and distrib
`uted to a user’s customers in a user’s business. A user’s part
`ners Will be distributing a user’s promotion, While the user
`Will be distributing a user’s oWn promotion plus the promo
`
`11
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`US 2010/0275129 A1
`
`Oct. 28, 2010
`
`tions of a user’s partners. Which partners are sending a user
`customers can be tracked through their unique ID.
`[0030] Participation in the system of the present invention
`is simple and requires only a feW minutes of a user’s time each
`month. Once registered, all a user needs to do is invite other
`members to join a user’s promotional network, set up a
`monthly promotion, print a user’s AdSheet, and distribute
`copies (With no graphic skills required). A user only needs to
`make copies of a user’s AdSheet in a user’s business. The
`poWer of the present invention can be seen With an example:
`imagine a user’s promotion being distributed to all of the
`customers in the businesses of 16 partners. At an average of
`just 250 customers per business per month, a user reaches
`4,000 neW customers With the endorsement of a user’s part
`nersievery single month!
`[0031] In more detail, a Web-site implementation the
`present invention can be accessed using a Web broWser, inte
`grated desktop application or any other means of receiving
`and rendering content from a Web server. Referring to FIG. 1,
`a non-limiting example of a high level implementation that
`can be used to run a system of the present invention is seen.
`The infrastructure should include but is not limited to: Wide
`area netWork connectivity; netWork infrastructure; an operat
`ing system such as for example Redhat Linux Enterprise
`Linux AS Operating System available from Red Hat, Inc.,
`1801 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, NC; appropriate netWork
`sWitches and routers; electrical poWer (backup poWer); net
`Work backup hardWare and softWare, and message softWare
`such as for example Tibco SmartSockets messaging softWare
`available from Tibco Software Inc., 3303 HillvieW Avenue,
`Palo Alto, Calif.
`[0032] The match engine (1) and administrative applica
`tions server (3) can run for example on an HP Proliant DL740
`server With 4 3.0 GHZ processors, 64 GB or RAM, 60 GIG
`Raid level 1 and 1 GHZ netWork connection, available from
`the HeWlett-Packard Company, 3000 Hanover Street, Palo
`Alto, Calif. The database server (2) can be run for example on
`an HP Proliant DL740 server With 4 3.0 GHZ processors, 64
`GB or RAM, 300 GIG Raid level 3 and tWo 1 GHZ netWork
`connections, and an active backup system, capable of backing
`up and restoring While the system is active. The order routing
`and management applications (5) can be run for example on
`HP Proliant DL360 server With 2 3 .6 GHZ processors, 8 GB or
`RAM, 60 GIG Raid level 1 and 1 GHZ netWork connection,
`also available from the HeWlett-Packard Company.
`[0033] Referring to FIG. 2 an example homepage for a
`Web-based service that helps small businesses link-up and
`promote one another of the present invention is seen. In
`addition to site information and marketing, the homepage can
`include a user login, a link to a registration page, and a link to
`a tour of the site. In addition, the homepage can include a link
`to a ?nd partners subroutine, as described in more detail
`beloW.
`[0034] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, creating a user pro?le
`subroutine is described. Registration can be designed to take
`just a feW minutes. The user can include the same information
`typically include in a telephone directory listing (e.g., busi
`ness name, address, etc.). An example of a creating a user
`pro?le page is seen in FIG. 3 . A user can also add a description
`of a user’s business and upload photos to personaliZe a user’s
`pro?le. To help other members decide Whether to invite a user
`to join their promotional netWork, the types of customers a
`
`user serve, hoW a user Will distribute the AdSheet, and other
`helpful information can be highlighted, an example of Which
`is seen in FIG. 4.
`[0035] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a ?nding partners sub
`routine is described. To ?nd partners, a location near a user is
`entered (e.g., Zip code, city & state, etc.). In one embodiment,
`an advanced partner search subroutine can be provided,
`Which enables the user to ?lter the search results, such as for
`example by business name, keyWords, target customers, etc.
`An example of an advanced partner search page is seen in
`FIG. 5. The potential partners Will be shoWn in the results. In
`one example, the potential partners can be listed by geo
`graphic proximity. In one example the result can be displayed
`on a map, an example of Which is seen in FIG. 6. A user’s
`business Will appear as highlighted, for example as a gold
`map pin; a user’s partners in a different highlight, for example
`green map pins; and non-partners in a different highlight, for
`example red map pins. A user can ?lter a user’s search results.
`For instance, if a user runs a business that appeals to Women
`over 30, a user may Wish to invite partners that also serve
`Women over 30.
`[0036] To vieW a partner and pro?le, the user simply clicks
`a map pin. To ask another member to join a user’s promotional
`netWork, the user simply clicks on an “invite” link. A notice of
`an invite can be e-mailed to a user’s registered email account.
`[0037] Referring to FIG. 7, vieWing a user’s promotional
`netWork subroutine is described. To vieW a user’s promo
`tional netWork, the user can select the “my netWor ” link in a
`menu. A map can be displayed and a list vieW of those part
`ners that have accepted a user’s invitations or vice versa can
`be shoWn. On a list vieW, a user can also see a “promotion
`status” and “print status” of a user’s partners. That is, Whether
`a user’s partners have set up their promotion or printed their
`AdSheet for a time period, such as for example for an “active
`month”. If a user is keeping track via the “logged redemp
`tions” tool, a user can also see total partner redemptions on
`this screen.
`[0038] Referring to FIG. 8, creating promotions subroutine
`is described. The “create promotions” link in the menu is
`selected. A user can create a promotion for each time period
`such as for example each month of the year. A user can choose
`to set the up one time period at a time or set up the Whole year.
`[0039] A description of a user’s promotion is entered (e. g.,
`“Save 20% on all holiday merchandise”). An optional offer
`limit, if applicable, can be included (e. g., one per customer).
`An “offer code” is also an optional ?eld. A user can use “offer
`code” if the user has a cash register that accepts a discount
`code or another tracking system. If a user has more than one
`location, a user may choose to limit the promotion to one
`location. Finally, a user can previeW a user’s promotion.
`[0040] Referring to FIG. 9, printing a user’s AdSheet sub
`routine is described. The “print AdSheet” link on the menu
`can be selected. Before a user’sAdSheet is created, a user Will
`have an opportunity to revieW if a user’s partners’ promotions
`are ready. If a user prints a user’s AdSheet before a partner’s
`promotion is ready, then that partner’s promotion Will not
`appear on a user’s AdSheet. A user may choose to send them
`a reminder message before sprinting.
`[0041] The “print” button is selected and a user’s AdSheet
`Will be automatically generated, for example as a Portable
`Document Format (PDF) ?le (a format available on most
`computers). The user’s AdSheet can then be printed, copies
`made, and distributed to customers. An example of an
`AdSheet is seen in FIG. 9.
`
`12
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`

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`US 2010/0275129 A1
`
`Oct. 28, 2010
`
`[0042] Referring to FIG. 10, printing logging redemptions
`subroutine is described. Coupons that customers redeem in a
`user’s business are collected. Coupons include the unique ID
`of an AdSheet member. The “log redemptions” link in the
`menu is selected. The AdSheet ID from the coupon redeemed
`and the appropriate month are entered, and “submit” is
`selected. A user can sort redemptions by offer date, business
`name, ID and date. A user can vieW total redemptions by
`partner on the “my netWor ” screen.
`[0043] In an additional embodiment, an email notice
`reminding members to create their promotion before the next
`time period can be automatically generated, With another
`email notice telling members to print their AdSheet can be
`automatically generated.
`[0044] While the invention has been described With speci?c
`embodiments, other alternatives, modi?cations, and varia
`tions Will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly,
`it Will be intended to include all such alternatives, modi?ca
`tions and variations set forth Within the spirit and scope of the
`appended claims.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. An Internet-based method for creating a business pro
`motional netWork for o?line businesses comprising:
`a user registering for the system;
`the user searching for businesses that are also members;
`the user inviting members to join a user’s promotional
`network;
`the user creating a promotion; and
`automatically generating a promotional material based on
`the user’s and any user’s promotional netWork member’s
`promotions.
`2. The Internet-based method for creating a business pro
`motional netWork for of?ine businesses of claim 1 further
`comprising a user registering for the system and creating a
`pro?le for the user’s business.
`3. The Internet-based method for creating a business pro
`motional netWork for of?ine businesses of claim 1 further
`comprising the user searching for businesses in a user’s area
`that are also members.
`4. The Internet-based method for creating a business pro
`motional netWork for of?ine businesses of claim 3 further
`comprising displaying on a map businesses in a user’s area
`that are also members.
`5. The Internet-based method for creating a business pro
`motional netWork for of?ine businesses of claim 1 further
`comprising the user inviting members in a de?ned category to
`join a user’s promotional netWork.
`6. The Internet-based method for creating a business pro
`motional netWork for of?ine businesses of claim 5 further
`comprising the user inviting members that serve customers in
`the same demographic category to join a user’s promotional
`netWork.
`7. The Internet-based method for creating a business pro
`motional netWork for of?ine businesses of claim 1 further
`comprising the user creating a promotion for a given time
`period.
`8. The Internet-based method for creating a business pro
`motional netWork for of?ine businesses of claim 7 further
`comprising the user creating a promotion for a month.
`9. The Internet-based method for creating a business pro
`motional netWork for of?ine businesses of claim 1 further
`comprising automatically generating a promotional sheet and
`printing the promotional sheet.
`
`10. The Internet-based method for creating a business pro
`motional netWork for o?line businesses of claim 9 further
`comprising the user distributing the promotional sheet.
`11. The Internet-based method for creating a business pro
`motional netWork for o?line businesses of claim 9 further
`comprising a user’s promotional netWork member distribut
`ing the promotional sheet.
`12. The Internet-based method for creating a business pro
`motional netWork for o?line businesses of claim 1 further
`comprising tracking Which members are sending a user cus
`tomers.
`13. The Internet-based method for creating a business pro
`motional netWork for o?line business