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US6049778A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for administering a reward program

Assignee: ByteDance Inc
•
Filing: 1997-10-31
•
Granted: 2000-04-11
•
Expires: 2017-10-31
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Abstract

Abstract In accordance with the present invention, a central controller stores a series of registrations, each of which corresponds to a purchaser of a product. The central controller calculates a measurement of product success, such as the number of products sold or the market share of the product. The central controller determines if the measurement is within a predetermined range. For example, the central controller may determine if the number of products sold exceeds a predetermined threshold. A selected set of registrations which are "early-adopter" registrations are selected. The set of registrations thereby defines a set of early-adopter purchasers. For example, the central controller may select a set of registrations having ordinal positions within a predetermined range of positions, such as the first hundred registrations. Thus, one hundred early-adopter purchasers are defined. If the measurement of product success is within the predetermined range, a reward, such as a refund or a free product, is provided to each early-adopter purchaser. For example, if sales of the product exceed 1,000,000 units, a reward is provided to each early-adopter purchaser.

Inventors

  • 👤 Jay S. Walker
  • 👤 Andrew S. Van Luchene
  • 👤 James A. Jorasch
  • 👤 Dean Alderucci

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 07:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0207; G06Q30/0211; G06Q30/0201; G06Q30/0204; G06Q30/0212; G06Q30/0236; G06Q30/0239

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 96
Claim 1
Independent Claim 77 words
A computer-based method for administering a reward program based on a series of registrations, each registration corresponding to a purchaser, comprising: calculating a measurement of product success; determining if the measurement is within a predetermined range; selecting from the series of registrations a set of registrations which are early-adopter registrations, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; and providing a reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the measurement is within the predetermined range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 77 words
A computer-based method for administering a reward program based on a series of registrations, each registration corresponding to a purchaser, comprising: calculating a measurement of product success; determining if the measurement is within a predetermined range; selecting from the series of registrations a set of registrations which are early-adopter registrations, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; and providing a reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the measurement is within the predetermined range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of calculating a measurement of product success comprises: calculating a quantity of product sales.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the measurement of product success is selected from the group consisting of product market share, purchase price, product revenue and product profit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 43 words
The method of claim 1, wherein each registration of the series of registrations has an ordinal position; and wherein the step of selecting comprises selecting from the series of registrations a set of registrations having ordinal positions within a predetermined range of positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the ordinal position of each registration indicates the order in which corresponding registration information was received.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the step of selecting comprises selecting from the series of registrations a randomly selected set of registrations having ordinal positions within a predetermined range of positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of claim 4, further comprising: transmitting a message indicating the ordinal position of at least one registration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein each registration of the series of registrations has a corresponding date.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of selecting comprises: selecting from the series of registrations a set of registrations having dates before a predetermined date.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of selecting comprises: selecting from the series of registrations a set of registrations having dates within a predetermined range of dates.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 31 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of selecting comprises selecting from the series of registrations a randomly selected set of registrations having dates within a predetermined range of dates.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 63 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the set of registrations comprises a first group of registrations and a second group of registrations, and wherein the step of providing a reward comprises: providing a first reward to each early-adopter purchaser of the first group and a second reward to each early-adopter purchaser of the second group if the measurement is within the predetermined range.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 77 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining comprises: determining if the measurement is within a first predetermined range; and determining if the measurement is within a second predetermined range; and and wherein the step of providing a reward comprises: providing a first reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the measurement is within the first predetermined range; and providing a second reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the measurement is within the second predetermined range.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing rewards comprises: providing money to the early-adopter purchasers if the measurement is within the predetermined range.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 48 words
The method of claim 1, wherein each registration includes a corresponding purchase price, and wherein the step of providing rewards comprises: for each registration, providing to each corresponding early-adopter purchaser an amount of money based on the corresponding purchase price if the measurement is within the predetermined range.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 47 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the step of providing rewards comprises: for each registration, providing to each corresponding early-adopter purchaser an amount of money based on the difference between the corresponding purchase price and a current purchase price if the measurement is within a predetermined range.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing rewards comprises: providing an access code for permitting access to a network.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing rewards comprises providing an increased payout on a winning lottery entry.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing rewards comprises: adjusting an account balance.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing rewards comprises transmitting rewards via electronic mail.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing rewards comprises printing a mailing address.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein each registration includes a registration identifier for uniquely identifying the registration.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 22, wherein each registration identifier includes a product serial number.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 22, wherein each registration identifier includes a seller identifier for specifying a product seller.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 68 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: storing a package, which includes a plurality of products, a package condition and an increased reward; selecting from the set of early-adopter purchasers a subset of package purchasers, each package purchaser meeting the package condition; and wherein the step of providing a reward further comprises providing the increased reward to each package purchaser if the measurement is within the predetermined range.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 25, wherein the package condition specifies a number of the plurality of products for which each early-adopter must be registered.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of claim 1, in which each early-adopter registration represents a purchaser of a predetermined plurality of products.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting a message indicating the measurement of product success.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 1, in which the measurement of product success is calculated relatively.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 63 words
A computer-based method for administering a reward program, comprising: receiving signals indicative of registration information; generating a registration corresponding to the received registration information; calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a first predetermined range of quantities; selecting the registration if the registration is an early-adopter registration; and transmitting signals indicative of the selected registration.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 63 words
A computer-based method for administering a reward program, comprising: receiving signals indicative of registration information; generating a registration corresponding to the received registration information; calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a first predetermined range of quantities; selecting the registration if the registration is an early-adopter registration; and transmitting signals indicative of the selected registration.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 10 words
The method of claim 30, further comprising: storing the registration.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 41 words
The method of claim 30, wherein the step of selecting comprises: determining an ordinal position of the registration with respect to a series of registrations; and determining if the ordinal position of the registration is within a predetermined range of positions.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 32, wherein the ordinal position of the registration indicates the order in which the registration information was received.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 32, further comprising: transmitting a message indicating the ordinal position of the registration.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 30, wherein the step of selecting comprises: determining a date of the registration; and determining if the date of the registration is before a predetermined date.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of claim 30, wherein the step of selecting comprises: determining a date of the registration; and determining if the date of the registration is within a predetermined range of dates.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 117 words
A computer-based method for administering a reward program based on success of at least one of a plurality of products, comprising storing a series of registrations, each registration corresponding to a purchaser and a product of the plurality of products, each registration thereby defining a registered purchaser of the product; calculating a measurement of success of a first product of the plurality of products; determining if the measurement is within a predetermined range; selecting a set of purchasers who are registered purchasers of the first product and registered purchasers of a second product of the plurality of products; and providing a reward to each of the set of purchasers if the measurement is within the predetermined range.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 117 words
A computer-based method for administering a reward program based on success of at least one of a plurality of products, comprising storing a series of registrations, each registration corresponding to a purchaser and a product of the plurality of products, each registration thereby defining a registered purchaser of the product; calculating a measurement of success of a first product of the plurality of products; determining if the measurement is within a predetermined range; selecting a set of purchasers who are registered purchasers of the first product and registered purchasers of a second product of the plurality of products; and providing a reward to each of the set of purchasers if the measurement is within the predetermined range.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 77 words
A computer-implemented method for administering a reward program, comprising: calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a predetermined range of quantities; selecting from a series of registrations a set of registrations having ordinal positions within a predetermined range of positions, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; and providing a reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the predetermined range of quantities.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 77 words
A computer-implemented method for administering a reward program, comprising: calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a predetermined range of quantities; selecting from a series of registrations a set of registrations having ordinal positions within a predetermined range of positions, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; and providing a reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the predetermined range of quantities.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 111 words
A computer-implemented method for administering a reward program, comprising: calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a first predetermined range of quantities; determining if the quantity is within a second predetermined range of quantities; selecting from a series of registrations a set of registrations having ordinal positions within a predetermined range of positions, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; providing a first reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the first predetermined range of quantities; and providing a second reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the second predetermined range of quantities.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 111 words
A computer-implemented method for administering a reward program, comprising: calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a first predetermined range of quantities; determining if the quantity is within a second predetermined range of quantities; selecting from a series of registrations a set of registrations having ordinal positions within a predetermined range of positions, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; providing a first reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the first predetermined range of quantities; and providing a second reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the second predetermined range of quantities.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 76 words
A computer-implemented method for administering a reward program, comprising: calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a predetermined range of quantities; selecting from a series of registrations a set of registrations having dates within a predetermined range of dates, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; and providing a reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the predetermined range of quantities.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 76 words
A computer-implemented method for administering a reward program, comprising: calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a predetermined range of quantities; selecting from a series of registrations a set of registrations having dates within a predetermined range of dates, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; and providing a reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the predetermined range of quantities.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 110 words
A computer-implemented method for administering a reward program, comprising: calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a first predetermined range of quantities; determining if the quantity is within a second predetermined range of quantities; selecting from a series of registrations a set of registrations having dates within a predetermined range of dates, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; providing a first reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the first predetermined range of quantities; and providing a second reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the second predetermined range of quantities.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 110 words
A computer-implemented method for administering a reward program, comprising: calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a first predetermined range of quantities; determining if the quantity is within a second predetermined range of quantities; selecting from a series of registrations a set of registrations having dates within a predetermined range of dates, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; providing a first reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the first predetermined range of quantities; and providing a second reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the second predetermined range of quantities.
Claim 49
Independent Claim 111 words
An apparatus for administering a reward program based on a series of registrations, each registration corresponding to a purchaser, the apparatus comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to perform the steps of calculating a measurement of product success; determining if the measurement is within a predetermined range; selecting from the series of registrations a set of registrations which are early-adopter registrations, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; and providing a reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the measurement is within the predetermined range.
Claim 50
Independent Claim 111 words
An apparatus for administering a reward program based on a series of registrations, each registration corresponding to a purchaser, the apparatus comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to perform the steps of calculating a measurement of product success; determining if the measurement is within a predetermined range; selecting from the series of registrations a set of registrations which are early-adopter registrations, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; and providing a reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the measurement is within the predetermined range.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the step of calculating a measurement of product success comprises: calculating a quantity of product sales.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the measurement of product success is selected from the group consisting of product market share, purchase price, product revenue and product profit.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim 43 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein each registration of the series of registrations has an ordinal position; and wherein the step of selecting comprises selecting from the series of registrations a set of registrations having ordinal positions within a predetermined range of positions.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the ordinal position of each registration indicates the order in which corresponding registration information was received.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the step of selecting comprises selecting from the series of registrations a randomly selected set of registrations having ordinal positions within a predetermined range of positions.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus of claim 45, in which the processor is further operative with the program to perform the step of: transmitting a message indicating the ordinal position of at least one registration.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein each registration of the series of registrations has a corresponding date.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the step of selecting comprises: selecting from the series of registrations a set of registrations having dates before a predetermined date.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim 29 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the step of selecting comprises: selecting from the series of registrations a set of registrations having dates within a predetermined range of dates.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim 31 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the step of selecting comprises selecting from the series of registrations a randomly selected set of registrations having dates within a predetermined range of dates.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim 63 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the set of registrations comprises a first group of registrations and a second group of registrations, and wherein the step of providing a reward comprises: providing a first reward to each early-adopter purchaser of the first group and a second reward to each early-adopter purchaser of the second group if the measurement is within the predetermined range.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim 77 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the step of determining comprises: determining if the measurement is within a first predetermined range; and determining if the measurement is within a second predetermined range; and and wherein the step of providing a reward comprises: providing a first reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the measurement is within the first predetermined range; and providing a second reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the measurement is within the second predetermined range.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the step of providing a reward comprises: providing money to the early-adopter purchasers if the measurement is within the predetermined range.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim 49 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein each registration includes a corresponding purchase price, and wherein the step of providing a reward comprises: for each registration, providing to each corresponding early-adopter purchaser an amount of money based on the corresponding purchase price if the measurement is within the predetermined range.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim 48 words
The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the step of providing a reward comprises: for each registration, providing to each corresponding early-adopter purchaser an amount of money based on the difference between the corresponding purchase price and a current purchase price if the measurement is within a predetermined range.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim 23 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the step of providing a reward comprises: providing an access code for permitting access to a network.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the step of providing a reward comprises providing an increased payout on a winning lottery entry.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the step of providing a reward comprises: adjusting an account balance.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the step of providing a reward comprises transmitting a reward via electronic mail.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the step of providing a reward comprises: printing a mailing address.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein each registration includes a registration identifier for uniquely identifying the registration.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 63, wherein each registration identifier includes a product serial number.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus of claim 63, wherein each registration identifier includes a seller identifier for specifying a product seller.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim 81 words
The apparatus of claim 42, in which the processor is further operative with the program to perform the steps of: storing a package, which includes a plurality of products, a package condition and an increased reward; selecting from the set of early-adopter purchasers a subset of package purchasers, each package purchaser meeting the package condition; and wherein the step of providing a reward further comprises providing the increased reward to each package purchaser if the measurement is within the predetermined range.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the package condition specifies a number of the plurality of products for which each early-adopter must be registered.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 42, in which each early-adopter registration represents a purchaser of a predetermined plurality of products.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim 29 words
The apparatus of claim 42, in which the processor is further operative with the program to perform the step of: transmitting a message indicating the measurement of product success.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim 15 words
The apparatus of claim 42, in which the measurement of product success is calculated relatively.
Claim 79
Independent Claim 95 words
An apparatus for administering a reward program, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to perform the steps of receiving signals indicative of registration information; generating a registration corresponding to the received registration information; calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a first predetermined range of quantities; selecting the registration if the registration is an early-adopter registration; and transmitting signals indicative of the selected registration.
Claim 80
Independent Claim 95 words
An apparatus for administering a reward program, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to perform the steps of receiving signals indicative of registration information; generating a registration corresponding to the received registration information; calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a first predetermined range of quantities; selecting the registration if the registration is an early-adopter registration; and transmitting signals indicative of the selected registration.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim 23 words
The apparatus of claim 71, in which the processor is further operative with the program to perform the step of: storing the registration.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim 41 words
The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the step of selecting comprises: determining an ordinal position of the registration with respect to a series of registrations; and determining if the ordinal position of the registration is within a predetermined range of positions.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the ordinal position of the registration indicates the order in which the registration information was received.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim 30 words
The apparatus of claim 73, in which the processor is further operative with the program to perform the step of: transmitting a message indicating the ordinal position of the registration.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim 30 words
The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the step of selecting comprises: determining a date of the registration; and determining if the date of the registration is before a predetermined date.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the step of selecting comprises: determining a date of the registration; and determining if the date of the registration is within a predetermined range of dates.
Claim 87
Independent Claim 149 words
An apparatus for administering a reward program based on success of at least one of a plurality of products, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to perform the steps of storing a series of registrations, each registration corresponding to a purchaser and a product of the plurality of products, each registration thereby defining a registered purchaser of the product; calculating a measurement of success of a first product of the plurality of products; determining if the measurement is within a predetermined range; selecting a set of purchasers who are registered purchasers of the first product and registered purchasers of a second product of the plurality of products; and providing a reward to each of the set of purchasers if the measurement is within the predetermined range.
Claim 88
Independent Claim 149 words
An apparatus for administering a reward program based on success of at least one of a plurality of products, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to perform the steps of storing a series of registrations, each registration corresponding to a purchaser and a product of the plurality of products, each registration thereby defining a registered purchaser of the product; calculating a measurement of success of a first product of the plurality of products; determining if the measurement is within a predetermined range; selecting a set of purchasers who are registered purchasers of the first product and registered purchasers of a second product of the plurality of products; and providing a reward to each of the set of purchasers if the measurement is within the predetermined range.
Claim 89
Independent Claim 109 words
An apparatus for administering a reward program, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to perform the steps of calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a predetermined range of quantities; selecting from a series of registrations a set of registrations having ordinal positions within a predetermined range of positions, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; and providing a reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the predetermined range of quantities.
Claim 90
Independent Claim 109 words
An apparatus for administering a reward program, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to perform the steps of calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a predetermined range of quantities; selecting from a series of registrations a set of registrations having ordinal positions within a predetermined range of positions, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; and providing a reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the predetermined range of quantities.
Claim 91
Independent Claim 143 words
An apparatus for administering a reward program, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to perform the steps of calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a first predetermined range of quantities; determining if the quantity is within a second predetermined range of quantities; selecting from a series of registrations a set of registrations having ordinal positions within a predetermined range of positions, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; providing a first reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the first predetermined range of quantities; and providing a second reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the second predetermined range of quantities.
Claim 92
Independent Claim 143 words
An apparatus for administering a reward program, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to perform the steps of calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a first predetermined range of quantities; determining if the quantity is within a second predetermined range of quantities; selecting from a series of registrations a set of registrations having ordinal positions within a predetermined range of positions, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; providing a first reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the first predetermined range of quantities; and providing a second reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the second predetermined range of quantities.
Claim 93
Independent Claim 108 words
An apparatus for administering a reward program, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to perform the steps of calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a predetermined range of quantities; selecting from a series of registrations a set of registrations having dates within a predetermined range of dates, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; and providing a reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the predetermined range of quantities.
Claim 94
Independent Claim 108 words
An apparatus for administering a reward program, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to perform the steps of calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a predetermined range of quantities; selecting from a series of registrations a set of registrations having dates within a predetermined range of dates, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; and providing a reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the predetermined range of quantities.
Claim 95
Independent Claim 142 words
An apparatus for administering a reward program, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to perform the steps of calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a first predetermined range of quantities; determining if the quantity is within a second predetermined range of quantities; selecting from a series of registrations a set of registrations having dates within a predetermined range of dates, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; providing a first reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the first predetermined range of quantities; and providing a second reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the second predetermined range of quantities.
Claim 96
Independent Claim 142 words
An apparatus for administering a reward program, comprising: a storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to perform the steps of calculating a quantity of sales of a predetermined product; determining if the quantity is within a first predetermined range of quantities; determining if the quantity is within a second predetermined range of quantities; selecting from a series of registrations a set of registrations having dates within a predetermined range of dates, the set of registrations thereby defining a set of early-adopter purchasers; providing a first reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the first predetermined range of quantities; and providing a second reward to each early-adopter purchaser if the quantity is within the second predetermined range of quantities.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2003-04-11 2003-10-11 2004-04-11 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-04-11 2007-10-11 2008-04-11 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-04-11 2011-10-11 2012-04-11 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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