Electronic Trading System and Method for Marketing Products and Services

Abstract

A consumer is provided with a first asset in return for a promise to earn an agreed to number of points over an agreed to redemption period. The consumer subsequently earns the points by purchasing one or more second assets. At least one of the second assets is different than the first asset. Each purchase has an associated with point value, at least one of the point values being different than at least one other point value. A trading system includes a first set of websites where a consumer can select and obtain a first asset in return for a promise to earn points by making future purchases of one or more second assets. The consumer can fulfill its obligation to earn the stated number of points by purchasing one or more second assets at a second set of websites. Each of the second assets has an associated point value.

1 - 116 . (canceled) 
     
     
         117 . A computer-implemented process for providing products and/or services to consumers, said process comprising:
 storing information into an electronic database via one or more communication interfaces to assist in providing products and/or services, said information corresponding to:   i. one or more first assets from a one or more first suppliers provided to a first consumer selecting said one or more first assets;   ii. an obligation of said first consumer, in return for receiving said one or more first assets prior to fulfillment of the obligation, comprising a promise to make at least one future purchase of one or more second assets;   creating records in said electronic database for a plurality of consumers regarding selected first assets and related promises to make future purchases of second assets, the electronic database being accessible over an electronic network;   determining, using a processor, whether said first consumer has satisfied the obligation; and   updating said records in said electronic database based on whether the obligation has been fulfilled.   
     
     
         118 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein the first consumer's promise to make future purchases is associated with a fulfillment date. 
     
     
         119 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein said promise is for a purchase regarding second assets that are in a different category of assets than said assets of said first assets. 
     
     
         120 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein said one or more first assets consists of a single asset. 
     
     
         121 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein said selected one or more first assets is supplied by a single supplier. 
     
     
         122 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein said selected one or more first assets and the one or more second assets are supplied by a single supplier. 
     
     
         123 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein the selected one or more first assets are delivered from a web site. 
     
     
         124 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein the selected one or more first assets and the one or more second assets are delivered from a web site. 
     
     
         125 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein the products and/or services are made available to consumers from a web site. 
     
     
         126 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein the selected one or more first assets are provided for free. 
     
     
         127 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein the selected one or more first assets are provided at a discount. 
     
     
         128 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein first assets of said first suppliers are delivered through an intermediary that charges said first suppliers a fee. 
     
     
         129 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein first assets of said first suppliers are delivered through an intermediary that charges said first suppliers a fee corresponding to each selected first asset delivered to a consumer 
     
     
         130 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein said selected first one or more assets are in the same category as said second one or more assets and said selected first one or more assets are a different asset type as said second one or more assets. 
     
     
         131 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein said selected first one or more assets and said second one or more assets are in the computer category. 
     
     
         132 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein said selected first one or more assets is in the computer category and said second one or more assets is a different type of asset in the computer category that increases the functionality or capability of said selected first one or more assets. 
     
     
         133 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein said second one or more assets enables the selected first one or more assets to operate or function. 
     
     
         134 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein said selected first one or more assets is a computer and the second one or more assets is software. 
     
     
         135 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein said selected first one or more assets is a computer and the second one or more assets is a computer accessory. 
     
     
         136 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein said selected first one or more assets is a computer device and the second one or more assets is a communication device enabling the computer device to transmit information. 
     
     
         137 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein said selected first one or more assets is a service and the second one or more assets is a communication device enabling the computer device to transmit information. 
     
     
         138 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein said selected first one or more assets is first software and the second one or more assets comprises a product or service enhancing said first software. 
     
     
         139 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein said selected first one or more assets is first software and the second one or more assets is second software. 
     
     
         140 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein said selected first one or more assets is first software provided for free and the second one or more assets is second software. 
     
     
         141 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein said selected first one or more assets is first software provided at a discount and the second one or more assets is second software. 
     
     
         142 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein said selected first one or more assets is first software and the second one or more assets is second software, the first software and second software being the same. 
     
     
         143 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein said selected first one or more assets is first software and the second one or more assets is second software, the first software and second software having different functionalities. 
     
     
         144 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein said selected first one or more assets is first software and the second one or more assets is second software, the second software having greater functionality than said first software. 
     
     
         145 . The process of  claim 117 , wherein said selected first one or more assets is first software and the second one or more assets is a service used with said first software. 
     
     
         146 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein said one or more suppliers comprises a financial institution. 
     
     
         147 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein said selected one or more first assets comprises one or more products and the future purchase is for one or more second assets comprising one or more services. 
     
     
         148 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein said selected one or more first assets comprises one or more services and the future purchase is for one or more second assets comprising one or more products. 
     
     
         149 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein each of said one or more first assets is a first service and each of said one or more second assets is a second service which is different in kind than said first service. 
     
     
         150 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein said obligation to make at least one future purchase comprises a promise to earn an agreed number of points, at least some of said points being earned by purchasing said one or second assets. 
     
     
         151 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein said obligation to make at least one future purchase is conditioned on an event occurring after the promise is made. 
     
     
         152 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein said obligation to make at least one future purchase is triggered by an event occurring after the promise is made. 
     
     
         153 . A computerized process for assisting in the marketing of products and/or services, said computerized process comprising:
 entering information into an electronic database, via one or more communication interfaces, to assist in the marketing of products and/or services, said information corresponding to:   i. a first set of one or more assets provided to a consumer from a first set of one or more suppliers; and   ii. an agreement with the consumer, the agreement comprising at least a promise to make future purchases of one or more second assets in return for receiving said first set of assets prior to fulfillment of the promise by the consumer, at least one of said second assets being a different than said assets of said first set of assets;   delivering at least one of said first set of assets using a web site over a global communication network;   creating at least one record in said electronic database for said consumer reflecting the first set of one or more assets and the promise from the consumer to make future purchases of the one or more second assets;   evaluating using a computer processor the at least one record for monitoring promise fulfillment based on events subsequent to the promise; and   updating said electronic database regarding promise fulfillment.   
     
     
         154 . The process according to  claim 153 , wherein the selected one or more first assets are ordered at a web site. 
     
     
         155 . The process according to  claim 153 , wherein the selected one or more first assets and the one or more second assets are delivered from a web site. 
     
     
         156 . The process of  claim 153 , wherein the products and/or services are made available to consumers from a web site. 
     
     
         157 . The process of  claim 153 , wherein the selected one or more first assets are provided for free. 
     
     
         158 . The process of  claim 153 , wherein the selected one or more first assets are provided at a discount. 
     
     
         159 . The process of  claim 153 , wherein first assets of said first suppliers are delivered through an intermediary that charges said first suppliers a fee. 
     
     
         160 . The process of  claim 153 , wherein first assets of said first suppliers are delivered through an intermediary that charges said first suppliers a fee corresponding to each selected first asset delivered to a consumer 
     
     
         161 . . The process of  claim 153 , wherein said selected first one or more assets are in the same category as said second one or more assets and said selected first one or more assets are a different asset type as said second one or more assets 
     
     
         162 . The process of  claim 153 , wherein said selected first one or more assets is a computer and the second one or more assets is software. 
     
     
         163 . The process of  claim 153 , wherein said selected first one or more assets is a computer and the second one or more assets is a computer accessory. 
     
     
         164 . The process of  claim 153 , wherein said selected first one or more assets is first software and the second one or more assets is second software. 
     
     
         165 . The process of  claim 153 , wherein said selected first one or more assets is first software and the second one or more assets is second software, the first software and second software being the same. 
     
     
         166 . The process according to  claim 153 , wherein said promise to make at least one future purchase is conditioned on an event occurring after the promise is made. 
     
     
         167 . The process according to  claim 153 , wherein said promise to make at least one future purchase is triggered by an event occurring after the promise is made. 
     
     
         168 . An electronic marketplace system, comprising:
 a first set of websites operating on one or more servers enabling a consumer to select one or more first assets in return for an obligation to earn points, at least some of said points to be earned by making future purchases of one or more second assets, wherein the number of points which said consumer must earn varies as a function of which of said first assets said consumer selects;   a second set of websites operating on one or more servers where said consumer can fulfill said obligation to earn points by purchasing one or more of said second assets, each said second asset having an associated point value;   wherein said first and second sets of websites are hosted by at least one server, said server being further associated with at least one processor, and   determining, via the at least one processor, whether the consumer has satisfied the obligation.   
     
     
         169 . The trading system of  claim 168 , wherein information is provided at said second set of websites indicating the number of points which will be earned by said consumer when he or she purchases a given second asset. 
     
     
         170 . The trading system of  claim 168 , wherein said first set of websites is a single website. 
     
     
         171 . The trading system of  claim 168 , wherein said second set of websites is a single website. 
     
     
         172 . The trading system of  claim 168 , wherein said first and second set of websites comprise a single common website. 
     
     
         173 . The process according to  claim 168 , wherein the first set of assets comprises an up-front cash payment. 
     
     
         174 . The process according to  claim 153 , wherein the first set of assets comprises an up-front cash payment.