Compensation model for network services

Abstract

A compensation model is disclosed for compensating a network service provider.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for compensating a service provider on a communications network, comprising performing the following steps by computational equipment:
 providing a service for a user to access via a first network connection to the network, wherein the service includes presentations that provide for interactivity between the user and a network site for the service, the service being provided by the computational equipment: (a) determining service data for providing the service to the user, and (b) transmitting the service data to user communication equipment in communication with the network site via the first network connection;   providing a criteria for the user to satisfy when interacting with the service via the network, wherein the criteria relates to a proficiency of the user in interacting with the service;   evaluating the proficiency of the user in interacting with the service via the network according to the criteria;   charging the user a fee if the evaluation indicates the user has not satisfied the criteria;   if the evaluation indicates that the user has satisfied the criteria, perform the steps of: charging a reduced fee or no fee, and providing the user with access to an instance of a prize-winning service not available to the user unless the user satisfies the criteria;   receiving on a subsequent second network connection, after the user terminates the first network connection, a user request to activate the service;   receiving first responsive information from the user communication equipment via a transmission on the second network connection, the first responsive information indicative of information stored on the user communication equipment during the first network connection for the service, the first responsive information transmitted on the second network connection without the user requesting the transmission thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the prize-winning service is free for the user. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the network service is provided at a first site operated by the first operator, and, including:
 receiving by at a second site, operated by a second operator, a confirmation that the user has satisfied the criteria; and   determining by the second operator that the user is not required to provide the fee.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of a plurality of users is required to authorize an initial activation fee to access the interactive network service. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein (a) an advertiser provides the fee for the user, (b) the advertiser is selected by the user, and (c) the advertiser sponsors the prize-winning service. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further including:
 obtaining third party network site information from a communication station used by the user to access the network; 
 determining, using the third party network site information, data related to network information accessed by the user; 
 determining an advertisement by using a correspondence between subject matter of the advertisement and the data. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the criteria includes the user achieving a predetermined level of proficiency related to the network service. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein if the user, after a given amount of time, does not achieve the level of proficiency, the user the fee is charged. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein during the prize-winning service, the user also receives advertising related information. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further including a step of receiving a design from the user for the network service, wherein the design is selected from the group consisting of landscape designs, auto designs, and house designs. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network service and the prize-winning service both are dependent upon a creation of a musical composition or a video provided by the user. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the criteria includes a level of proficiency by the user, wherein the level is determined by a predetermined group of judges. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further including a step of providing the user with a ranking of a second user that is participating in the interactive network service. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further including obtaining information related to Internet interactions by the user, including information related to a plurality of websites visited by the user. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said network service requires that a user's funds are only retained by the service when the user fails to satisfy a predetermined criteria related to the service. 
     
     
         16 . A method for compensating a network service provider, comprising:
 providing a service for a network user to access;   establishing (i) a criteria for the user to satisfy through network interactions with service, the user consenting to the criteria, and (ii) a fee for the user, the user consenting to the fee;   when the user does not satisfy the criteria, charging the fee to the user;   when the user satisfies the criteria, providing the user with access to the prize-winning service not available to the user unless the user satisfies the criteria, and reducing the fee for the service.