IP Library Granted Patent US 8,606,675
Granted Patent B1
US 8,606,675 · App. 13/795,034 · Granted Dec 10, 2013

Method of networking marketing

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,606,675
App. No.
13/795,034
Granted
Dec 10, 2013
Kind
B1
Abstract

The present invention is directed to an improved method of network marketing that combines direct response advertisement with network marketing. The invention includes providing a registry that stores debit and credit entries for individual IBO accounts, wherein the registry is in communication with a computer network. The invention also includes providing a hot leads database in communication with the computer network, wherein the hot leads database provides leads generated through a direct marketing campaign. The method further includes allowing qualified IBO terminals in communication with the computer network to access the hot leads database and request lead packages. The method includes debiting IBO accounts in the registry in response to these requests for lead packages. Additionally, the method includes providing a sales database in communication with the computer network wherein the sales database is accessible to the qualified IBO terminals.

Claims (39)

1. A method, comprising:

storing debit and credit entries for individual Independent Business Owner (IBO) accounts in a registry, wherein the registry is in communication with a computer network;

providing a database of hot lead packages generated through a direct marketing campaign, wherein the database is communicatively linked to the registry through the computer network;

at least one of allowing access to the database by qualified IBO terminals for requesting the hot lead packages, wherein the IBO terminals are also in communication with the computer network and providing a centralized routing system associated with the computer network wherein IBO terminals actively logged into the centralized routing system are identified and communications from lead customers are pushed to the identified IBO terminals; and

debiting individual IBO accounts in the database in response to a corresponding requests for the hot lead packages.

2. The method of claim 1 , comprising providing a sales database in communication with the computer network wherein the sales database is accessible to the qualified IBO terminals, wherein the sales database is configured to accept sales orders from qualified IBO terminals, and wherein the sales database is communicatively linked to the registry via the computer network.

3. The method of claim 2 , comprising crediting individual IBO accounts for sales orders according to terms of a payout agreement, wherein the sales database also is communicatively linked via the computer network to a centralized distribution system such that the entry of sales orders results in the shipment of the product ordered.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the payout agreement includes at least one of:

a plurality of payout tiers including at least a retail payout tier and a discount membership payout tier; and

an IBO payout tier governed by a geometric progression matrix which includes sales by a first IBO and sales by a plurality of additional IBOs sponsored by the first IBO.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the geometric progression matrix provides at least one of:

grows in multiples of four, such that each first IBO sponsors four additional IBOs and each additional IBO sponsors up to four additional IBOs; and

employs a growth spill factor to increase the number of additional IBOs that a first IBO may sponsor once that first IBO's matrix expands to a prescribed size.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein IBOs earn continuous monthly income when their customers register for an Order Assurance Program.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein registering for the Order Assurance Program allows customers to pre-purchase and take delivery of product on an established, recurring schedule.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the credit entry represents a cash payout to the IBO.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the cash payout includes one or more bonuses, including a bonus for sponsoring an additional IBO.

10. A system, comprising:

a computer network communicatively connecting a plurality of Independent Business Owner (IBO) terminals to a registry for storing debit and credit entries for individual IBO accounts;

a centralized routing system communicatively connected to the computer network, wherein the centralized routing system:

receives communications from hot lead customers in response to a direct marketing campaign,

communicates with the registry and identifies qualified IBO accounts in the registry having credit entries representing requests for the hot lead customers, and

pushes communications from the hot lead customers to the qualified IBO accounts associated with the plurality of IBO terminals; and

a dynamic sales database in communication with the computer network, wherein the dynamic sales database is:

accessible to the plurality of IBO terminals;

configured to accept sales orders from the plurality of IBO terminals, and

communicatively linked to the registry such that the entry of sales orders results in a credit entry to one or more individual IBO accounts associated with the plurality of IBO terminals.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of IBO terminals are devices such as computers, personal computing devices, cell phones, or any other devices capable of accessing the computer network via wired or wireless means.

12. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a server for storing the sales database.

13. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a database of lead packages generated through the direct marketing campaign and including hot lead customer information,

wherein the database is accessible to the plurality of IBO terminals via the computer network, and

wherein the database is communicatively linked to the registry such that requests for hot lead packages by IBOs associated with qualified IBO accounts signals the database to push hot lead customer information to the corresponding plurality of IBO terminals and debit the individual IBO accounts according to a prescribed hot lead fee agreement.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the credit entry corresponds with a payout agreement that comprises an IBO payout tier governed by a geometric progression matrix that includes sales by a first IBO and sales by a plurality of additional IBOs sponsored by the first IBO.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein each IBO in a geometric progression matrix may sponsor a plurality of additional IBOs on a sublevel, and wherein all additional IBOs contribute to a first IBO's group volume.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein each IBO receives qualifying bonuses and payouts when their geometric progression matrix expands to include a certain number of sublevels and their group volume sales figures reach prescribed reward milestones.

17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the geometric progression matrix grows in multiples of a set number, such that each first IBO sponsors the set number of additional IBOs and each additional IBO sponsors up to that set number of additional IBOs.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the geometric progression matrix employs a growth spill factor to increase the number of additional IBOs that a first IBO may sponsor once that first IBO's matrix expands to a prescribed size.

19. The system of claim 10 , wherein IBOs earn continuous monthly income when their customers register for an Order Assurance Program.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein registering for the Order Assurance Program allows customers to pre-purchase and take delivery of product on an established, recurring schedule.

Assignments (8)
OMNIBUS ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Nov 25, 2024
From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH (AS SUCCESSOR TO CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH IN ITS CAPACITY AS COLLATERAL AGENT)
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS THE SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 069438/0775 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEST CORPORATION; WEST NOTIFICATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 062160/0371 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 1, 2018
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEST CORPORATION; WEST INTERACTIVE SERVICES CORPORATION; WEST SAFETY SERVICES, INC.; WEST UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC.; RELIANCE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 046046/0547 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (FIRST LIEN) Recorded Oct 10, 2017
From: WEST CORPORATION
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044166/0901 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 030537, FRAME 0676 Recorded Oct 10, 2017
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: INTERCALL, INC. NKA WEST UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC.; WEST INTERACTIVE CORPORATION II (NKA WEST INTERACTIVE SERVICES CORP.); WEST NOTIFICATIONS, INC. (NKA WEST INTERACTIVE SERVICES CORP.); WEST CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 044166/0699 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 20, 2016
From: WEST CORPORATION; WEST INTERACTIVE SERVICES CORPORATION; WEST SAFETY SERVICES, INC.; WEST UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC.; RELIANCE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 039093/0944 →
SUPPLEMENTAL PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 20, 2014
From: WEST CORPORATION, AS GRANTOR; WEST NOTIFICATIONS, INC., AS GRANTOR
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 032483/0518 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 3, 2013
From: INTERCALL, INC.; WEST CORPORATION; WEST INTERACTIVE CORPORATION II; WEST NOTIFICATIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 030537/0676 →