(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLI (19) World Intellectual Property Organization International Bureau (43) International Publication Date 29 October 2009 (29.10.2009) "ATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) NOONE VU 00 (10) international Publication Number WO 2009/131743 Al PCT (1) International Patent Classification: (81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every 6060 40/00 (2006.01) G06Q 30/00 (2006.01) kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM, AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BR, BW, BY, BZ, 21) International Application Number: ent cHicnicolce! corceineine’ ot potbes csr FC, FP, BG, PS, PL, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, IIN, (22) International Filing Date: HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, 15, IP, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP, KR, 4 February 2009 (24.02.2009) KZ, LA, LC, LK, ER. LS, LT, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, 25) Filing Language: English NZ, OM, PG, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, RU, SC, SD, SE, SG, (26) Publication Language: English SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW. er) Y April 2008 (25.04.2008) Us. 4) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every ind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH, (TY Applicant or all designated States except US): MI GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM, CROSOFT CORPORATION [US/US]; One Microsoft ZW), Funssian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TH, ‘Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 (US), TM), European (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, (72) Inventors: FLAKE, Gary Ws; c/o Microsoft Corpora ES. FL ER, GB, GR, TR HU IP, IS, TT. LT, LU, Lv, MC, MK, MT, NL OAPI (BF, BI, CF, C MR, NE, SN, TD, TG) No, PL, PT, RO, SP, SL. SK, TR), C1, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW, ML, tion, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 (Us). DANI, Nishant V.; clo Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA. 98052-6399 (US). UT- TER, Brian James; cio Microsoft Corporation, One Mi- crosott Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 (US). GOUNARES, Alexander G.; c/o Microsoft Corporatios ‘One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 (US). JAIN, Kamil; eo Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft fay, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 (US), CONT ‘as to applicant's entilement to apply for and be granted ‘a patent Rale 4.174%) 1s 10 the applicant's entitlement to claim the priority of the earlier application (Rule 4.17) Published with international search report (Art. 21(3)) {Continued om nest page} (S Title: MODEL FOR EARLY ADOPTION AND RETENTION OF SOURCES OF FUNDING TO FINANCE AWARD PROGRAM Pe ies [Bas | —— (57) Abstract: Systems) and method{s) are provided to drive early adoption and retention of disparate sources of fanding and fi- rnancing an award program, with application to a consumer compensation scheme subsidized through advertisement revenue. A ‘component that manages advertisement revenue, oF received funds, allocates portion of revenue to subsidize a rebate program, of award program, for enrolled advenisers, or sources of funding, ftom a universe of advertisers. Rebate or award funds are provided to carolled advertisers on an exclusivity based for a specific period of time, after which funds ar transferred to-@ commonly acces sible accout, The subsidized nature ofthe awarded compensation funds aod ther time sensitivity drive advertiser enrollment sd retention and ensures consumers are aggressively compensated. In an aspect, the subsidized rebate program can be exploited to di rectly compensate consumer online or ofline in exchange forthe consumers intent in engaging with a service platform. = 2 $ x a s s S a ° =WO 2009/131743 A1 MMIUINNIIN INN 8 TAN 1 A A before the expiration of the time limit for amending the claims and to be republished in the event of receipt of ‘amendments (Rae 48.2(h))20 25 30 WO 2009/131743 PCT/US2009/034986 MODEL FOR EARLY ADOPTION AND RETENTION OF SOURCES OF FUNDING TO FINANCE AWARD PROGRAM TECHNICAL FIELD (0001) The subject specification relates to systems and methods for driving early adoption and retention of disparate sources of funding and financing an award program, with application to an advertisement-subsidized consumer compensation scheme. BACKGROUND (0002) In conventional customer-service provider interaction, a customer or agent selects a service or goods provider based on an expectation that the provider would deliver relevant and competent service which would satisfy the needs of the agent. In addition, cost-benefit analysis generally contributes to the selection process, with the agent seeking the most value among available alternative. Once a selection is made—either a service provider is engaged in a commercial transaction, or a product is bought from a merchant the agent conveys intent in accessing the service or utilizing a product. In response to the provided intent, an adequate selection of service provider or product generally leads to service or product satisfaction, In such a commercial paradigm, service providers and merchants typically compete for agent’s intent by offering quality service and products while campaigning for brand recognition, awareness and loyalty, as well as service or product differentiation, (0003) As part of efforts to attain brand recognition, awareness and loyalty, merchants generally rely on rebates. In addition, merchants that attempt to introduce a new product or service also resort to enticing prospective customers with promotional campaigns that offer monetary advantage (e.g., a free sample of a product/service, a discount, a rebate,...). However, implementing a rebate program is typically costly and often the liquidity necessary to successfully implement a rebate or compensation campaign is difficult to sustain, SUMMARY [0004] The following presents a simplified summary of the claimed subject matter in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter.