Network-based voting systems and methods and recording media storing programs for use in such systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to voting systems, and more particularly to network-based voting systems. Aspects of the present invention relate to systems, devices, computer-implemented methods, computer programs stored on a computer-readable medium, and signals for use in such network-based voting systems. Embodiments of the present invention motivate new users to join the system, and stimulate existing and new users to use the system more.

1 . A computer-implemented method of stimulating use of a network-based voting system, the method comprising transmitting user-specific ranking information to a user of the system.  
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 1 , comprising transmitting said information without instigation of the user.  
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 1 , comprising delivering said information via an electronic communication network to terminal equipment of the user.  
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 1 , further comprising charging the user for receipt of said information.  
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 generating an SMS message comprising said information, for transmission over a telephone network; and    delivering said SMS message to a telephone of said user over said network.    
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 5 , further comprising employing a billing system, by which the user is charged for use of said telephone, to charge the user for delivery of said SMS message.  
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 1 , wherein said information comprises information relating to a number of votes and/or points credited to said user.  
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 1 , wherein said information comprises information relating to an amount of money held for said user.  
     
     
         9 . A computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program which causes a computer in a network-based voting system to generate user-specific ranking information for transmission to a user of the system.  
     
     
         10 . In a network-based voting system in which at least some users of the system are registered, a computer-implemented method of identifying a registered user comprising: 
 prior to carrying out a transaction with a person over a communication link, obtaining terminal-equipment identification data from terminal equipment of that person; and    identifying the person as a registered user of the system in dependence upon the terminal-equipment identification data alone.    
     
     
         11 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 maintaining a record of valid terminal-equipment identification data for each registered user; and    identifying the person as a registered user by comparing the obtained terminal-equipment identification data with the valid terminal-equipment identification data.    
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 10 , wherein the terminal equipment is a telephone or PDA, and wherein the terminal-equipment identification data is a telephone number of the telephone or PDA.  
     
     
         13 . A computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program which causes a computer in a network-based voting system, in which at least some users of the system are registered, to identify a registered user, said computer programs comprising: 
 a first program portion operable, prior to carrying out a transaction with a person over a communication link, to obtain terminal-equipment identification data from terminal equipment of that person; and    a second program portion operable to identify the person as a registered user of the system in dependence upon the terminal-equipment identification data alone.    
     
     
         14 . A method of stimulating use of a network-based voting system, the method comprising: 
 maintaining a prize fund from which monetary prizes are periodically awarded in a prize draw;    financing at least a part of the prize fund by means of a lottery syndicate, such that lottery winnings of the syndicate are paid into the prize fund; and    entering a user of the system into the prize draw based on a use of the system related to that user.    
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , comprising implementing at least the maintaining of the prize fund and the entering of the user in the prize draw with a computer.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , comprising entering a user into the prize draw if a use of the voting system made by that user has exceeded a predetermined level.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , comprising entering a user into the prize draw if a number of points credited to that user has exceeded a predetermined level.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14 , comprising entering a user into the prize draw if a number of votes for that user made by other users has exceeded a predetermined level.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 14 , comprising entering a user into the prize draw if an amount of revenue generated for the system by that user has exceeded a predetermined level.  
     
     
         20 . A computer-readable medium storing a computer program which causes a computer in a network-based voting system to stimulate use of the system, the computer program comprising: 
 a first program portion operable to maintain a prize fund from which monetary prizes may be periodically awarded in a prize draw, at least a part of the prize fund being financed by means of a lottery syndicate such that lottery winnings of the syndicate are paid into the prize fund; and    a second program portion operable to enter a user of the system into the prize draw based on a use of the system related to that user.    
     
     
         21 . In a network-based voting system, a computer-implemented method of sharing revenues generated by users of the system amongst those users, the method comprising: 
 apportioning a share of said revenues to a first one of said users in dependence upon use made of the voting system relating to the first user; and    if the first user was introduced to the voting system by a second one of said users, apportioning a part of said share to the second user.    
     
     
         22 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one user of the voting system uses a communication device to access the system, the method further comprising: 
 using a billing system of the communication device, by which the user is charged for use of said communication device, to charge that user for services provided to that user by the voting system so as to generate said revenues.    
     
     
         23 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 maintaining, for each of a plurality of said users, a record of one or more parties to which at least part of any user-generated revenues allocated to the user concerned are to be distributed;    enabling each said user having such a record to update his/her record from time to time; and    when a user's allocated revenues are to be distributed, distributing those revenues to each party specified in his/her record.    
     
     
         24 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 maintaining, for each of a plurality of said users, a record of one or more parties to which at least part of any user-generated revenues allocated to the user concerned are to be distributed;    enabling each said user having such a record to update his/her record from time to time; and    when a user's allocated revenues are to be distributed, distributing those revenues to each party specified in his/her record.    
     
     
         25 . A computer-readable medium storing a computer program which causes a computer in a network-based voting system to share revenues generated by users of the system amongst those users, the computer program comprising: 
 a first program portion operable to apportion a share of said revenues to a first one of said users in dependence upon use made of the voting system relating to the first user; and    a second program portion operable, if the first user was introduced to the voting system by a second one of said users, to apportion a part of said share to the second user.    
     
     
         26 . In a network-based voting system, a computer-implemented method of distributing money to at least one party, the method comprising: 
 maintaining, for each of a plurality of users of the system, a record of one or more parties to which at least part of any user-generated revenues allocated to the user concerned are to be distributed;    enabling each said user having such a record to update his/her record from time to time; and    when a user's allocated revenues are to be distributed, distributing those revenues to each party specified in his/her record.    
     
     
         27 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 26 , wherein the or each said party is a charity.  
     
     
         28 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 26 , comprising maintaining such a record for each user of the system.  
     
     
         29 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 26 , comprising maintaining, for each said party in each said record, data indicating what proportion of the allocated revenues should be distributed to the party concerned.  
     
     
         30 . A computer-readable medium storing a computer program which causes a computer in a network-based voting system to distribute money to at least one party, the program comprising: 
 a first program portion operable to maintain, for each of a plurality of users of the system, a record of one or more parties to which at least part of any user-generated revenues allocated to the user concerned are to be distributed;    a second program portion operable to enable each said user having such a record to update his/her record from time to time; and    a third program portion operable, when a user's allocated revenues are to be distributed, to distribute those revenues to each party specified in his/her record.