| Network-based voting systems and methods and recording media storing programs for use in such systems -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Network-based voting systems and methods and recording media storing programs for use in such systemsRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), In A Chance Application, Lot Match Or Lot Combination (e.g., Roulette, Lottery, Etc.)Network-based voting systems and methods and recording media storing programs for use in such systems description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060178193, Network-based voting systems and methods and recording media storing programs for use in such systems. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CLAIM TO PRIORITY [0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/650477 filed on 7 Feb. 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to voting systems, and more particularly to voting systems distributed over a network such as the Internet, and/or other communication networks. In addition, the present invention relates to methods, especially computer-implemented methods, and recording media storing programs, for use in such systems. [0003] It will therefore be appreciated that, although the examples and embodiments disclosed herein relate to online or Internet-based systems, the present invention is applicable to any type of network. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Conventional online voting systems, such as the V3.0 release of the Vote-for-Me service (originally located at www.Vote-for-Me.com), enable users of the system to submit personal manifestos (profiles) and opinions for consideration by other users of the system. Accordingly, users of the system may review the submitted manifestos and opinions and optionally vote for a number of those manifestos and opinions, or submit further opinions in response thereto. That is, such conventional online voting systems support the creation and management of a population universe (comprising users of the system) retained and operated via an interactive database (provided in a server and accessible over the Internet) with the objective of generating, recording, reviewing, promoting or ranking (based on popularity as expressed by the population) the combined or individual opinions, intellectual property and/or votes of the population. Such systems may introduce similar-thinking users or groups of users to each other. Such conventional systems charge for services provided to the users by the system, so as to realise profit therefrom. [0005] The V3.0 release of the Vote-for-Me service comprises the following features. The online nature of the service enables a controlled expansion and extension of the service internationally, thereby enabling international syndicates of users to be formed. Schools, colleges, universities, not-for-profit organisations and commercial organisations may be rewarded for use of the service. Existing users and/or sponsors of the service may reward and further motivate additional users. The system allows networked communities of users to evolve, and, as such, marketing (e.g. viral marketing) can be targeted at such communities to maximise impact. For example, marketing can be targeted at those most likely to vote or participate. Partners and users of the system may add a co-branded voting "booth" to their websites, and be rewarded for doing so. User-generated content is stored in a freely-searchable interactive database, however opinions and intellectual property generated by the users may be sold to interested organisations for profit. The users of the system may be categorised in a number of different ways (for example, by geography, occupation, age, or sex) which enables targeted sponsorship, advertising and market-research opportunities. [0006] One aim of such online voting systems, apart from the generation of marketable opinions and other intellectual property, is the maximising of profit or other value therefrom. Such profit and value can be maximised by increasing the number of users of the system, and by increasing the use rate of the system made by existing and new users. However, in conventional online voting systems, there are no satisfactory methods for motivating new users to join the system, and/or to motivate existing or new users to use the system more. [0007] Another aim of such online voting systems is to create an environment that is easy to use both from the point of view of the system itself, and from the point of view of users of the system. Conventional systems can be cumbersome to use and to manage. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention relates to systems, methods and computer programs for use in a network-based voting system with the aim of increasing the number of users of the system, increasing the use rate of the system by each user, and ultimately maximising profit or other value derived therefrom. The network may, for example, comprise the Internet, such that the system is an online voting system. The present invention also relates to code carried by a signal or held on a carrier medium which when executed on a computing device provides a display element and/or a web page for a user of the system. [0009] According to an embodiment of a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-implemented method of stimulating (e.g. encouraging and/or promoting) use of a network-based voting system, the method comprising transmitting user-specific ranking information to a user of the system. [0010] One advantageous result of such a method is the benefit derived therefrom by the user. Such information may be useful to the user enabling him (or, once and for all, her) to keep up-to-date with activity occurring within the system. Such information may relate directly to the user concerned (e.g. to how many votes he has), or relate to other activity as specified by that user. That user may, for example, be interested in how many votes another user has (for example if they are competing to win a prize). [0011] Another advantageous result of such a method is the generation of interest in the system, and thereby an increase in use thereof, and ultimately an increase in profit derived therefrom. The receipt of such ranking information by a user of the system may advantageously serve as a reminder of the system, and thereby motivate further use thereof. As mentioned above, such information may relate to how many votes and/or points the user has been credited with. The information may relate to an amount of money held for said user. Such money may be held in an account registered within the system. [0012] The information may be update information, updating the user as to, for example, the current number of votes and/or points attributed to that user. A user of the system may be notified by such ranking information as to how many votes his manifesto or opinions have received. If the user has received a large number of votes, he may be encouraged to `brag` (or boast) about his high level of votes to his friends or colleagues. Such bragging (or boasting) may encourage that user to increase his use of the system to try to obtain more votes, for example to try to win one of a number of prizes awarded to users with a high number of votes. Such prizes could include, for example, holidays, experiences, property, or cash. Such bragging may also encourage his friends and colleagues to try to obtain more votes for themselves in order to compete with him. Alternatively, if the user has received a low number of votes, he may be encouraged to try to convince his friends and colleagues to vote for him so as to increase his number of votes. The number of votes possessed by a user may be linked to a number of points or an amount of revenue awarded to the user. In summary, the delivery of such ranking information may serve to increase the use made of the system by the users. [0013] Preferably, such ranking information is delivered to the user without instigation from the user. Preferably, such delivery is effected via an electronic communication network to terminal equipment of the user. This method of delivery may be faster and more reliable than, for example, delivery by post. The ranking information may advantageously be delivered to the telephone (mobile or fixed) of a user over a telephone network (e.g. a land line, a cellular, or a satellite network) in the form of an SMS message (text message). The delivery of such SMS messages may be advantageous as compared to, for example, the delivery of such information by e-mail. This is because a user is likely to check his phone, especially if it is a mobile phone, for new messages more regularly than he checks his e-mail account for new e-mails. It will be appreciated that such messages could also be video, picture, or voice messages. [0014] Preferably, the user is charged for delivery of said ranking information so as to generate income. Such charges may only be raised for some deliveries of such information, or may alternatively be raised for all such deliveries. It may, for example, be advantageous to make a number of deliveries, either initially or per pre-determined period, free of charge as a means of marketing the system, and to encourage the user to purchase further such messages. [0015] In the case of certain types of terminal equipment used by users of the system, billing systems may already be in place for charging the user for use of such equipment. In that case, charges for delivery of said ranking information are preferably raised via that billing system. For example, in the case of a telephone, charges for receiving the information by SMS message may appear on the user's telephone bill. Such billing systems allow ease of raising charges to the user, ease of collecting revenue therefrom, and allow the user to take advantage of voting-system services without having to enter credit-card details or the like. [0016] According to an embodiment of a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable medium storing a computer program which causes a computer in a network-based voting system to transmit user-specific ranking information to a user of the system. [0017] A computer-readable medium embodying the aforementioned second aspect of the present invention may be part of a server of the network-based voting system. The computer program may, in that case, be operable to cause the server to transmit user-specific ranking information to the user. Preferably, the computer program is also operable to generate the user-specific ranking information for transmission. [0018] A computer-readable medium embodying the aforementioned second aspect of the present invention may be part of a communication device of the network-based voting system located on a communication path between the system server and a user terminal. [0019] According to an embodiment of a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network-based-voting-system server operable to cause a communication device to transmit user-specific ranking information to a user of the system. [0020] According to an embodiment of a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network-based-voting-system server operable to generate user-specific ranking information and to transmit that information to a user of the system. Continue reading about Network-based voting systems and methods and recording media storing programs for use in such systems... Full patent description for Network-based voting systems and methods and recording media storing programs for use in such systems Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Network-based voting systems and methods and recording media storing programs for use in such systems patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Network-based voting systems and methods and recording media storing programs for use in such systems or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Lottery system/electronic gaming device interface and gambling game Next Patent Application: System and method for conducting and playing supplemental lottery game Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Network-based voting systems and methods and recording media storing programs for use in such systems patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.15912 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Software: Finance , AI , Databases , Development , Document , Navigation , Error 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
