AU2007201662A1 - A method of providing information to one or more businesses - Google Patents

Description

S&FRef: 806518

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address of Applicant Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Rajiv Thomas Jacob, Australian Citizen, of 26 Kangaroo Point Road, Sylvania, New South Wales, 2224, Australia Rajiv Thomas Jacob Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) A method of providing information to one or more businessses Associated Provisional Application Details: [33] Country:

AU

[31] Appl'n No(s): 2006902127 [32] Application Date: 24 Apr 2006 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845c(754080_1) A METHOD OF PROVIDING INFORMATION TO ONE OR MORE

BUSINESSES

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method, system and apparatus for providing information to one or more businesses. The present invention also relates to a computer program product including a computer readable medium having recorded thereon a computer program for providing information to one or more businesses.

Background One known means of providing discount vouchers is the Entertainment Book. This book outlines special twenty-five (25) to fifty (50) percent off and 2-for-I discount offers from various businesses throughout Australia New Zealand. The first Entertainment Books were created in 1962. Since then, Entertainment Books have been developed for major cities throughout the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. More recently, Websites, such as Hotdockets T M (http://www.hotdockets.com.au), have been created.

These Websites allow consumers to search, collect and then print discount vouchers for use at participating businesses.

However, the books and Websites described above are typically restricted to a limited selection of businesses and hence offer a limited range of discounts. Further, once offered, it is very difficult for business advertisers to modify discounts that they have offered. For example, the business advertisers need to contact the publishers/administrators of the Entertainment Book or Websites and advise them of any modifications in terms of discount voucher (or product) offerings, business details and the like. For the Entertainment Book, business advertisers offering discount vouchers are unable to modify the discount vouchers offered, business details and the like for the life of the book (typically a period of one year). This can be a major problem for the business advertisers particularly in situations where the business advertisers run out of stock due to 704497v 723902.doc -2high demand for a product. Further, the inability to easily modify the discount vouchers offered can cause problems for a business if the business no longer wishes to sell a product, or if the business is no longer available.

Still further, it is difficult for business advertisers to specifically target their niche in a market using the books and Websites described above. For example, business advertisers only receive their advertised discount vouchers back when consumers use the discount vouchers. Such use is the only indication that the business advertiser has as to how their advertised discounts have been received by consumers and whether consumers considered that the discounts were worthwhile. Also, it is only when consumers use the discount vouchers that the business advertisers are able to ask further details about the consumers where the consumers live, their age and gender).

Related to the above, 'Pay-per-Click' or 'Bid-for-Placement' Internet search engines Google, Adwords, Overture) allow business advertisers to buy a position in Internet search results. To buy a position, a business advertiser bids a certain number of cents 'the bid price') per click for a keyword. For example, if the business advertiser was a bicycle shop, the business advertiser may want to bid on the keyword bicycles.

However, there may be three other business advertisers bidding on the keyword bicycles as follows: Mary's Bike Shop Cost to business: Joe's Bike Shop Cost to business: $.03 Sally's Bike Shop Cost to business: $.02 If the business advertiser bids one cent per click the minimum), then the business advertiser would be in position number four just below Sally's Bike Shop. If the business advertiser bids four cents, the business advertiser would be in position number two just above Joe's Bike Shop. If the business advertiser bids six cents, [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -3the business advertiser would be in position number one and as a result may receive the most traffic.

The bid price is how much that business advertiser is charged each time a consumer selects to visit the business advertiser's Website. Therefore, in the example above, Mary is paying five cents per click to be in the number one position. If a Consumer does a search on bikes and clicks on Mary's search website address listing, Mary's account is debited five cents. Typically when Mary's account runs out of funds, Mary's search listing is removed automatically and Joe's search listing is moved up to position number.

one However, similar to the Entertainment Book and Websites discussed above, payper-click search engines do not indicate how the business advertiser's Website is received by consumers and whether consumers consider that any advertisements and/or discounts listed on the Website are worthwhile. Many consumers in fact click without knowing that the business advertiser is paying for the higher placement. Again, it is difficult for business advertisers to specifically target their niche in a market using pay-per-click search engines without outlaying significant amounts of money and time to create an 'inhouse software solution' to determine and use information which may be gleaned from such search engines.

Accordingly, a need clearly exists for a more efficient method for providing information to businesses. A need also exists for a more efficient method of providing discount vouchers to a consumer.

Summary It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more disadvantages of existing arrangements.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing one or more discounts to a consumer, said method comprising the steps of: [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc providing a Website comprising links to one or more pages each detailing discounts offered by one or more of a plurality of businesses; and upon said consumer at least viewing details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages, logging the viewing of said discount details as viewing information.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for providing one or more discounts to a consumer over a computer network, said system comprising: a first computer connected to said network for providing a Website comprising links to one or more pages each detailing discounts offered by one or more of a plurality of businesses; and a second computer connected to said network for accessing said Website and at least viewing details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages, the viewing of said discount details being logged as viewing information.

According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program for providing one or more discounts to a consumer, said program comprising: code for providing a Website comprising links to one or more pages each detailing discounts offered by one or more of a plurality of businesses; and code for enabling said consumer to at least view details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages; code for logging the viewing of said discount details as viewing information.

According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program product including a computer readable medium having recorded thereon a computer program for providing one or more discounts to a consumer, said program comprising: [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc code for providing a Website comprising links to one or more pages each detailing discounts offered by one or more of a plurality of businesses; and code for enabling said consumer to at least view details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages; code for logging the viewing of said discount details as viewing information According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing information to a one or more businesses, said method comprising the steps of: providing a Website comprising links to one or more pages each detailing discounts offered by one or more of said businesses; and upon a consumer at least viewing details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages, logging the viewing of said discount details as viewing information; and providing the logged viewing information to said businesses.

According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for providing information to a one or more businesses over a computer network, said system comprising: a first computer connected to said network for providing a Website comprising links to one or more pages each detailing discounts offered by one or more of said businesses; and a second computer connected to said network for accessing said Website and at least viewing details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages, the viewing of said discount details being logged as viewing information, wherein said first computer is configured for providing the logged viewing information to said businesses.

[R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc I -6- According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program for providing information to a one or more businesses, said program comprising: code for providing a Website comprising links to one or more pages each detailing discounts offered by one or more of said businesses; and code for logging the viewing of said discount details as viewing information, upon a consumer at least viewing details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages; and code for providing the logged viewing information to said businesses.

According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program product including a computer readable medium having recorded thereon a computer program for providing information to a one or more businesses, said program comprising: code for providing a Website comprising links to one or more pages each detailing discounts offered by one or more of said businesses; and code for logging the viewing of said discount details as viewing information, upon a consumer at least viewing details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages; and code for providing the logged viewing information to said businesses.

Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings One or more embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings and appendices, in which: Figure. 1 is a flow diagram showing a method of providing discount vouchers; Figure. 2 is a flow diagram showing a method of searching for discount vouchers; [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -7- Figure. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a computer, connected to a communications network, for use by an Administrator of a Website in accordance with the preferred embodiment; Figure. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a personal computer, connected to the communications network of Figure. 3, for use by a business advertiser; Figure. 5 is a schematic block diagram of another personal computer, connected to the communications network of Figure. 3, for use by a member (or consumer) of the Website; Figure. 6 shows a User Login page of the Website of the preferred embodiment; Figure. 7 shows a Business Advertiser Signup details page of the Website; Figure. 8 shows another Business Advertiser Signup Process page of the Website; Figure. 9 shows a Business Profile Creation page of the Website; Figure. 10 shows a Business Advertiser Homepage of the Website; Figure. 11 shows a Public Homepage of the Website; Figure. 12 shows a Discount Voucher Creation page of the Website; Figure. 13 shows a Member Signup Process page of the Website; Figure. 14 shows a Member Homepage of the Website; Figure. 15 shows another Member Signup Process (Customise Favourites) page of the Website; Figure. 16(a) show a Discount Voucher preview page of the Website; Figure. 16(b) shows another Discount Voucher preview page of the Website; Figure. 17 shows a 'My Webpage' (Business Profile Page sample) page of the Website; Figure. 18 shows a 'My Vouchers' (Business Advertiser Discount Voucher sample) page of the Website; [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -8- Figure. 19 shows a 'My Favourites' (Member Favourites' Page) page of the Website; Figure. 20 shows a Search/Browse page of the Website; Figure. 21 shows a Payment page of the Website; Figure. 22(a) shows a Referral Management page of the Website; Figure. 22(b) shows a Referral Management page of the Website; Figure. 23 is a flow diagram showing a method of creating a Business Profile page as executed in the method of Figure. 1; Figure. 24 is a flow diagram showing a method of approving the Business Profile page created in accordance with the method of Figure. 23; Figure. 25 is a flow diagram showing a method of creating a discount voucher as executed in the method of Figure. 1; Figure. 26 is a flow diagram showing a method of subscribing to become a user of the Website; Figure. 27 is a flow diagram showing a method of changing member account details; Figure. 28 is a flow diagram showing a method of referring members and business advertisers to the Website; Figure. 29 is a flow diagram showing a method which allows the Administrator to view reports based on data collected by the Website; Figure 30 shows a Discount Voucher Creation Options page of the Website; Figure. 31 is a flow diagram showing a method of updating Discount Voucher categories as collected by the Website; Figure. 32 shows a Welcome page that is displayed once a user signing up to become a Member or Advertiser of the Website; Figure. 33 shows a Map Based Search page of the Website; [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -9- Figure. 34 shows a Search Results page of the Website; Figure. 35 shows a My Account page of the Website; Figure. 36 shows a Discount Voucher page of the Website; Figure. 37 shows an Administrator Login page of the Website; Figure. 38 shows an Administrator Homepage of the Website; Figure. 39(a) shows an Administrator page for viewing members of the Website; Figure. 39(b) shows another view of the Administrator page for viewing members of Fig. 39(b); Figure. 40 shos an Administrator Dashboard Management page of the Website; Figure. 41 shows an Administrator Reports page of the Website of the preferred embodiment; Figure. 42 shows an Administrator Category Management page of the Website; Figure. 43 shows an Administrator Voucher Management page of the Website; Figure. 44 shows another Administrator Voucher Management page of the Website; Figure. 45 shows an Administrator Content Management System page of the Website; Figure. 46 shows an Administrator Referral Management page of the Website; Figure. 47 shows an Administrator Email Management page of the Website; Figure. 48 shows another Administrator Email Management (Automated Emails) page of the Website; Figure. 49 shows a Consumer Report page of the website; and Figure. 50 shows a Competitor Report page of the website.

Detailed Description including Best Mode A method 100 (Figure. 1) of providing discount vouchers is described below with reference to Figures. 1 to 50. A method 200 (Figure. 2) of acquiring a discount voucher [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc provided in accordance with the method 100, is also described. The described methods allow business advertisers to provide and manage discounts that they offer to consumers in an efficient manner. The described methods allow the business advertisers to efficiently access information on how their discount voucher offerings were received and on consumers generally. The described methods also allow consumers to search for and print the provided discount vouchers easily.

The methods may be practiced over a computer network comprising computers 300, 400 and 500 connected thereto, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. Preferably, the methods of Figures. 1 to 50 may be implemented as one or more software modules executing within the computers 300, 400 and 500. In particular, the steps of the described methods may be affected by instructions in the software that are carried out by the computers 300, 400 and 500. The instructions may form the one or more software modules with each of the modules performing one or more particular tasks. One or more of these software modules may generate and manage a user interface. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, this user interface may be in the form of a Website. This Website may comprise a plurality of pages. The Website may be also be configured as a portal referencing (or with links to) one or more further Websites.

The software implementing the described methods may be stored in a computer readable medium, including the storage devices described below, for example. The software may be loaded into one or more of the computers 300, 400 and 500 from the computer readable medium, and then be executed by the computers 300, 400 and 500. A computer readable medium having such software or computer program recorded on it is a computer program product. The use of the computer program product in the computers 300, 400 and 500 preferably affects an advantageous apparatus for implementing the described methods.

[R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -11- As seen in Figure. 3, the computer 300 is formed by a computer module 301, input devices such as a keyboard 302 and mouse 303, output devices including a printer 315, a display device314 and loudspeakers317. A Modulator-Demodulator (Modem) transceiver device 316 is used by the computer module 301 for communicating to and from the communications network 320 and the computers 400 and 500. The computer INO module 301 may be connected to the communications network 320 via a telephone line 321 or other functional medium. The modem 316 may be used to obtain access to the SInternet, and other network systems, such as a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN), and may be incorporated into the computer module 301 in some implementations.

The computer module 301 typically includes at least one processor unit 305, and a memory unit 306, for example formed from semiconductor random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). The module 301 also includes a number of input/output interfaces including an audio-video interface 307 that couples to the video display 314 and loudspeakers 317, an I/O interface 313 for the keyboard 302 and mouse 303 and optionally a joystick (not illustrated), and an interface 308 for the modem 316 and printer315. In some implementations, the modem 316 may be incorporated within the computer module 301, for example within the interface 308. A storage device 309 is provided and typically includes a hard disk drive 310 and a floppy disk drive 311. A magnetic tape drive (not illustrated) may also be used. A CD-ROM drive 312 is typically provided as a non-volatile source of data. The components 305 to 313 of the computer module 301, typically communicate via an interconnected bus 304 and in a manner which results in a conventional mode of operation of the computer system 300 known to those in the relevant art. Examples of computers on which the described arrangements can be practised include IBM-PC's and compatibles, Sun Sparcstations or alike computer systems evolved therefrom.

[R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -12- Typically, software for implementing the described methods is resident on the hard disk drive 310 together with the software for generating the pages of the Website. The software may be read and controlled in its execution by the processor 305 and may be downloaded as one or more software modules (or as Hyper Text Mark-up Language (HTML) code to the computers 400 and 500, as will be described below. Intermediate storage of the software and any data fetched from the network 320 and the computers 400 and 500 may be accomplished using the semiconductor memory 306, possibly in concert with the hard disk drive 310. In some instances, the software may be supplied to an administrator of the Website encoded on a CD-ROM or floppy disk and read via the corresponding drive 312 or 311, or alternatively may be read from the network 320 via the modem device 316. Still further, the software may also be loaded into the computer 300 from other computer readable media. The term "computer readable medium" as used herein refers to any storage or transmission medium that participates in providing instructions and/or data to the computer system 300 for execution and/or processing. Examples of storage media include floppy disks, magnetic tape, CD-ROM, a hard disk drive, a ROM or integrated circuit, a magneto-optical disk, or a computer readable card such as a PCMCIA card and the like, whether or not such devices are internal or external of the computer module 301. Examples of transmission media include radio or infra-red transmission channels as well as a network connection to another computer or networked device, and the Internet or Intranets including e-mail transmissions and information recorded on the Website and the like.

The computers 400 and 500 have a similar configuration to the computer 300 and the computer module 301, as seen in Figures. 4 and 5, respectively.

The described methods may alternatively be implemented in dedicated hardware such as one or more integrated circuits performing the functions or sub functions of the [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -13methods. Such dedicated hardware may include graphic processors, digital signal processors, or one or more microprocessors and associated memories.

There are three main categories of users of the described methods and the Website as follows: Administrator; (ii) business advertisers; and (iii) members.

The Administrator is responsible for maintaining all aspects of the Website and uses one or more of the described methods for performing administration tasks in relation to the Website. The Administrator has access to all pages of the Website. The Administrator may access various features available to manage business tasks. The Administrator may also set up other administrator users with more limited security and access rights. As an example these users may only have access to content pages.

The business advertisers are those people or businesses, which use one or more of the described methods for providing discount vouchers to consumers (potential members) using the Website. The business advertisers may be individuals working for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs), for example. The business advertisers may use the described methods (below) to set up a business profile and then manage future discount vouchers.

As described herein, a business advertiser may subscribe to the Website to perform the described methods using the computer 400, for example. In this instance, the business advertiser may be added to a database ('the Website database') stored on the hard disk drive 310 of the computer 300. The Website database may be structured in a directory manner. The business advertiser may be listed in the directory (via a Business Profile page) together with details of associated, printable discount vouchers offered.

[R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -14- Once added to the Website database, details of the business advertiser and associated discount/s vouchers (or discounted products) may be provided in a Business Profile page which is a one page summary of the business operated by the business advertiser. This business profile page details business contact, address and other vital information for the viewing of members who have subscribed to the Website to seek access to relevant discount vouchers, via the computer 500, for example. The business advertiser may readily change any of the details or their business profile page or discount vouchers that they offer at anytime, via one or more pages of the Website, as will be described below.

The members are those consumers/customers who have subscribed to the Website seeking access to relevant discount vouchers using the Website. Members subscribe with the use of the Website to perform the described methods in order to search, view and print discount vouchers. These discount vouchers may then be taken to the business advertisers or redeemed online in exchange for a discount on a particular product or service.

Each of the users Administrator, business advertisers and members) has a usemrname email address, or nominated username) and a password, which the user may view and update at any point in time. The usemrname and password are required to login to the Website and access any restricted pages of the Website. When a user logs into restricted pages of the Website using their password, the processor 305 identifies the user's profile in the Website database and displays relevant information of their profile.

Each business advertiser and member preferably has an account, which may have any one of the following status: active; (ii) suspended; and (iii) inactive.

[R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc Business advertisers or members may cancel their account by clicking a button N, within their administration pages (My Account). The Administrator may also perform maintenance and or remove functions on the user details (member, advertiser or other administrator) via access to an administration software module.

The Website implementing the described methods in accordance with the preferred INi INO embodiment comprises a User Login page 600 (see Figure. a Business Advertiser SSignup page (Stage 1) 700 (see Figure. another Business Advertiser Signup page (Stage 2) 800 (see Figure. a Business Profile Creation page 900 (see Figure. an Advertiser Homepage 1000 (see Figure. 10), a Public Homepage 1100 (see Figure. 11), a Discount Voucher Creation page 1200 (see Figure. 12), a Member Signup page (Stage 1) 1300 (see Figure. 13), a Member Homepage 1400 (see Figure. 14), a Member Signup page (Stage 2) 1500 (see Figure. 15), a Discount Voucher Preview page 1600 (see Figure.

16(a) or a Business Profile Page 1700 (see Figure. 17), a My Vouchers page 1800 (see Figure. 18), a My Favourites page 1900 (see Figure. 19), a Member Search for Discounts page 2000 (see Figure. 20), a Payment page 2100 (see Figure. 21), a Referral Management page 2200 (see Figures. 22(a) and a Discount Voucher Creation Options page 3000 (see Figure 30),a Business Advertiser Welcome page 3200 (see Figure. 32), a Map Based Search page 3300 (see Figure. 33), a Search Results page 3400 (see Figure. 34), a My Account page 3500 (see Figure. 35), a Discount Voucher page 3600 (see Figure. 36), an Administrator Login page 3700 (see Figure. 37), an Administrator Homepage 3800, an Administrator member details page 3900 (see Figure.

another view of the Administrator member details page 3900 (see Figure. 39(b)), an Administrator Dashboard Management page 4000 (see Figure. 40), an Administrator Reports page 4100 (see Figure. 41), an Administrator Category Management page 4200 (see Figure. 42), an Administrator Voucher Management page 4300 (see Figure. 43), an Administrator Voucher Management page 4400 (see Figure. 44), an Administrator [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -16- SContent Management System page 4500 (see Figure. 45), an Administrator Referral I Management page 4600 (see Figure. 46), an Administrator Email Management page 4700 (see Figure. 47), Administrator Email Management (Automated Emails) page 4800 (see Figure. 48), a Consumer Report page 4900 (see Figure. 49) and a Competitor Report page 5000 (see Figure. 50). The Website may also include a page showing Local News and

(NO

SWeather and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), a Help page and the like, which may be selectable via icons on the Public Homepage 1100, the Business Advertiser Homepage S1000 and the Member Homepage 1400.

(Ni Each of the above pages of the Website may be resident as software in the hard disk drive 310 of the computer 300. The pages may be downloaded over the communications network 320 to the computers 400 and 500 as hyper-text mark-up language (HTML) code upon a request being received by the processor 305 from one of the computers 400 and 500. Upon being received by the computers 400 and 500 the HTML code representing one or more of the pages is typically stored in the hard disk drives 410 and 510, respectively, of the computers and displayed on the displays 414 and 514 of the computers. Each of the above pages of the Website will be described in more detail below with respect to their use in the described methods.

The method 100 of providing Discount Vouchers will now be described below with reference to Figure. 1. The method 100 may be implemented as software resident in the hard disk drive 310 and being controlled in its execution by the processor 305.

The method 100 begins at step 101, where the processor 405 displays the Business Advertiser Signup page 700 as shown in Figure. 7 and detects personal details of a Business Advertiser being entered. The page 700 may be accessed by the Business Advertiser using the Public Homepage 1100 as seen in Figure. 11 and the Login page 600 as seen in Figure. 6. For example, an Internet link to the Website of the preferred embodiment may be selected by the Business Advertiser using an Internet browser [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -17executing on the computer 400, for example. Upon selection of the link, the processor 405 sends a request to the computer module 301, which downloads the Public Homepage 1100 (as HTML code) to the computer 400. The Public Homepage 1100 is stored on the hard disk drive 410 of the computer 400 and is displayed on the display 414. The 5 Business Advertiser may then select the Login page 600 by selecting a 'Join Now!' icon (Ni INO 1102 on the page 1100. In response to selection of the icon 1102, the processor 305 downloads the Login page 600 to the computer 400, which is then displayed on the display 414 by the processor 405.

The Business Advertiser may then access the page 700 by selecting a 'New Advertiser? Sign Up Now!' icon 606 of the page 600. The Business Advertiser Signup page (Stage 1) 700 is then downloaded by the processor 305 to the computer 400 and displayed by the processor 405 on the display 414.

The Business Advertiser may then use the following text boxes to enter general account details First Name 701 and Last Name 702. Whilst the Business Advertiser types in their first and last Names, a Username 703 is being created and displayed with the page 700 such that the user can revise their username if required immediately.

Following this, an Email Address 704, an Email Address confirmation 705, Password 706, Password Confirmation 707, Business Name 708, Australian Business Number (ABN) 709, Business Contact Number 710, Position Title 711, Age Group 712, Gender 713, and 'Where did you hear about us?' 714 are all required to be entered as shown on the page 700. The details entered at step 101 are stored in memory 406 of the computer 400.

The method 100 then continues at the next step 102, where the processor 405 detects Business Contact details having been entered using the page 700. The following text boxes on the page 700 may be used to enter a First Name 715, Last Name 716, Business Email 717, Business Contact Number 718, Position Title 726, Street Address [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -18- 719, Suburb 722, State 720, and Region 721 and Postcode 723 as shown on the page 700, into the computer 400. These details are then stored in the memory 410 of the computer 400. The Business Advertiser may then select a Next button 725 on the page 700. In response to selection of the Next button 725, the processor 405 uploads the details entered by the Business Advertiser at steps 101 and 102 to the computer 300 and the processor 305 stores these details in the Website database configured within the hard disk drive 310.

The Business Advertiser Signup page (Stage 2) 800 is then downloaded by the processor 305 to the computer 400 and displayed by the processor 405 on the display 414.

At the next step 103, up to five primary and secondary business category combinations Beauty/Hair Care) may be entered. The business categories may be entered by selecting a category from a dropdown list 802. The selected primary category is added to a Primary Category box 803 and corresponding secondary categories are listed by the processor 405 in the Secondary Categories box 804. By selecting an Add button 817, the categories are added to a selected categories box 805. These category combinations are the categories for which the business of the Business Advertiser will be listed under in the Website database. The Business Advertiser may also enter in a new category (which will be proposed to the Administrator of the Website) by selecting 'Other' out of the Primary Category list and using the textbox 802 can enter a category they believe is not currently available (not shown).

At step 104, areas/suburbs covered by the business of the Business Advertiser may be selected by the Business Advertiser using a service area 806 of the page 800 by selecting a state using a 'Select a State' list 807 and selecting a region using a 'Select a Region' list 808. The selected state is added to an Area Selector box 809 and corresponding selected region is added to a Suburb Selector box 810. The selected state and regions are added into an areas selected list 811 by the processor 405 upon selection of an Add button 818.

[R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -19- Next, in step 105, up to five search keywords Hair) may be entered into the computer 400 using the page 800. The search keywords may be entered using an 'Enter a Keyword' text box 812 on the page 800 and are displayed by the processor 405 in a selected Keyword list 813 upon an Add button 819 being selected. This page 800 also details Email Notification Options 814 for example, an email notification can be sent to the Business Advertiser when any of their vouchers are used.

The business categories Accounting), search keywords and email notification options are stored in memory 406 of the computer 400. In response to selection of a Next button 816, the processor 405 uploads the details entered by the Business Advertiser at steps 103, 104 and 105 to the computer 300 and the processor 305 stores these details in the Website database.

At the next step 106, payment details are collected, if a payment software module of the Website is activated. At step 106, if the processor 305 determines that payment from the Business Advertiser is required payment software module: activated) then the method 100 proceeds to step 107. Otherwise, if the payment module is deactivated, the method 100 proceeds to step 109.

At step 107, the Payment page 2100 is downloaded by the processor 305 to the computer 400 and displayed by the processor 405 on the display 414. A payment method Credit Card Payment) may be selected using the Payment page 2100. Once payment details have been inputted, a payment may be processed by the processor 405 over the communications network 320, at step 108, using a Credit Card, for example. Following step 108, the method 100 proceeds to step 109.

In response to selection of the Next button 2101, the Business Advertiser Welcome page 3200 is downloaded to the computer 400 by the processor 305 and displayed on the display 314. At step 109, the processor 405 receives a confirmation email. In order to create a Business Profile page and subsequently add discount vouchers, the Business [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc Advertiser validates their email address at step 110. In particular, at step 110, the processor 405 detects a selection validating the email address and forwards the validation to the computer 300. Then at step 111, a confirmation email with login details is received by the processor 405.

At the next step 112, in order to access the Website, the Business Advertiser must IDenter the Website via the Login page 600. Using the page 600, the Business Advertiser may enter a usemame using a 'Username' text box 601 and a password using a 'Password' text box 602. The entered username and password are then uploaded to the computer 300 upon the Business Advertiser selecting a 'Login' button 604. If the Business Advertiser has forgotten their password they can click a 'Password Reminder' button 603 which sends an email to the registered user after they fill out their Email Address.

Once the processor 305 confirms the Business Advertiser's password, the Business Advertiser Homepage 1000 corresponding to the Business Advertiser is downloaded to the computer 400 by the processor 305. The page 1000 is stored on the hard disk drive 410 and is displayed on display 414.

The Business Advertiser Homepage 1000 allows the Business Advertiser to conduct many activities as a business advertiser member. The Business Advertiser Homepage 1000 will now be described in more detail.

Selecting a Home icon 1001 causes the processor 405 to return to the Advertiser Homepage 1000.

Selecting a My Account icon 1002 results in the My Account page 3500 being downloaded and displayed on the display 414. As seen in Fig. 35, the page 3500 allows the Business Advertiser to view/modify details Account Overview 3501, General Account Details 3502, Account Preferences 3503 and Account Removal 3504) that the Business Advertiser entered during the signup process (as described above with reference [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -21 to Figures 7 and The Business Advertiser may also modify email notification options through the page 3500.

Selecting Change Password icon 1003 configures the processor 405 to allow the Business Advertiser to change their password for the Login Page 600.

Selecting My Webpage icon 1004 causes the Business Profile page 1700 to be downloaded and displayed on the display 414. The Business Profile page 1700 is a one page summary view of the Business Advertiser's business. The page 1700 outlines information pertinent to the Business Advertiser together with a short title 1709) and expiry date 1710) of discount vouchers offered by the Business Advertiser. The Business Profile Page 1700 also displays business contact details 1703, a Business Description 1705, Business Locations 1706 and Trading Hours 1707.

Selecting a My Vouchers icon 1005 on the Advertiser Homepage 1000 causes the My Vouchers page 1800 to be downloaded and displayed on the display 414. The My Vouchers page 1800 allows the Business Advertiser to manage their discount vouchers.

As seen in Fig. 18, the My Vouchers page 1800 lists a name for each of the Business Advertiser's vouchers 1802). The page 1800 also indicates whether the voucher 1802 is currently active 1803 and the expiry data 1804 of the voucher 1802. The My Vouchers page 1800 also lists a number of times that the voucher 1802 has been viewed on the Website Views) and the number of times the voucher 1802 has been printed Prints). For example, the voucher 1802 has been viewed (19) times and printed (9) times, which results in a success rate 1805 of(47%), as seen on the page 1800.

The Business Profile page 1700 and My Vouchers page 1800 allow the Business Advertiser to Add/Modify/Remove/Activate/Deactivate all of their account details dynamically in real-time. For example, by selecting edit 1701, the processor 405 downloads and displays the Business Profile Creation page 900, which will be described below.

[R\:Iibpp\723902] 723902.doc -22- Selecting a Competitor Report icon 1006 on the Business Advertiser Homepage 1000 configures the processor 405 to request several reports from the processor 305. In particular, the processor 405 sends a request for competitor reports to the processor 305.

In response to the request, the Competitor Report Page 5000 is downloaded to the computer 400 and displayed on the display 414. In the example of Fig. 50, the page 5000 indicates to the Business Advertiser that there are "no competitors within the same category" as the Business Advertiser. However, the page 500 may include one or more reports allowing the Business Advertiser to compare their discount vouchers against their competitors discount vouchers. These reports allow comparison in one of three ways as follows: Compare against advertisers within the same category Juice Bars); (ii) Compare against advertisers within the same area North Sydney, NSW); and (iii) Compare against advertisers within the same keywords Juice).

Accordingly, one of the competitor reports displayed on the Competitor Report Page 5000 may be in the form of a list detailing all business advertisers within a particular category. Another of the competitor reports may be in the form of a list detailing all business advertisers within a particular area. Further, another of the competitor reports may be in the form of a list detailing all business advertisers which use the same keywords for their vouchers as the Business Advertiser that generated the competitor reports.

Using the competitor reports, the Business Advertiser may glean information on their competition without even having to move from their office.

Selecting a Consumer Report icon 1007 on the Business Advertiser Homepage 1000, causes the processor 405 to request the processor 305 to generate one or more consumer reports. In response to the request, the Consumer Report page 4900 is [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -23 downloaded to the computer 400. For example, as a member uses the Website and searches for keywords, views business profile pages and discount vouchers associated with the Business Advertiser, the Website logs (or stores) the member's actions. In particular, the Website logs when the Business Profile Page 1700 and discount vouchers 1704 on the Business Profile page 1700 were viewed and which discount vouchers were printed. The Website also logs which of the members viewed the Business Profile Page 1700 and also which of the members printed the particular vouchers 1704 on the Business Profile Page 1700. This information (including when the Business Profile Page 1700 and discount vouchers 1704 on the Business Profile page 1700 were viewed and which discount vouchers were printed) is logged in the Website database configured within the hard disk drive 310 and may be accessed and detailed in the consumer reports as general information about the members. The Website determines the general information about the members by cross-checking the logged printing and viewing information against the details of the members, which were entered using the Member Details page 1300 and stored in the Website database, as described above.

The consumer reports outline the general information such as occupation type, gender, age group, and location suburb) details of the members that viewed or printed the discount vouchers.

As seen in Fig. 49, the Consumer Report page 4900 includes an "Are My Customers Male or Female?" report 4901, which details how many of the members that viewed or printed discount vouchers 1704 offered by the Business Advertiser were male or female. The Consumer Report page 4900 also includes a "How old are My Customers?" report 4903 showing what percentage of the members that viewed or printed discount vouchers offered by the Business Advertiser are within predetermined age ranges 18-25, 26-35. 36-45). The Consumer Report page 4900 also includes "Where do my Customers come from?" reports 4905 and 2907 showing in what area [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -24- State, Suburb/Postcode) the members that viewed or printed discount vouchers offered by the Business Advertiser reside. Finally, the Consumer Report page 4900 includes a "What industry do my customers work within?" report 4909 showing the occupation information of the members that viewed or printed discount vouchers 1704 offered by the Business Advertiser. The consumer reports 4901, 4903, 4905, 4907 and 4909 allow the Business Advertiser to achieve a greater understanding of 'who' is interested in their products/services and how consumers react to changes in pricing, for example.

As described above, the consumer reports 4901, 4903, 4905, 4907 and 4909 outline general information about the members that viewed or printed the discount vouchers.

Accordingly, it does not matter how many times a particular member views or prints a particular discount voucher, the consumer reports will only include a single set of details for that particular member for the particular discount voucher as far as the consumer reports are concerned. However, each of the views and prints of that particular discount voucher by that particular member will be logged and displayed on the My Vouchers page 1800, for example. Accordingly, the consumer reports display one set of unique information for a particular discount voucher.

Selecting My Reports 1008 generates reports providing the Business Advertiser with more statistics about the information contained on the Business Profile Page 1700 and My Vouchers page 1800. For example, selecting My Reports 1008 may provide the Business Advertiser with details about the amount of business profile views that have occurred, discount vouchers that have been viewed and printed, and a listing of each discount voucher which has been created by the Business Advertiser, for example. These reports are at a higher level, and can be generated for differing time periods, based on a user's selection. For example, reports may be generated to show information and [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc

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statistics for the last month, the last three months or to show all information and statistics N' corresponding to a business advertiser.

Selecting Help (FAQs) 1009 provides answers to frequently asked questions and allows the user to contact the Administrator by email.

Selecting Logout 1010 logs the user out to the Login Page 600.

IDThe Advertiser Homepage 1000 also comprises a section referred to as Account Overview 1012, which is also referred to as the 'dashboard'. The Account Overview 1012 provides the Administrator a quick, easy and dynamically updateable method of contacting members and business advertisers. Selecting 'Account Overview' on the Account Overview section 1012 causes the processor 405 to execute an Administration Portal (described below), where the Administrator may post any number of messages that will dynamically be displayed on each instance of the Account Overview section 1012 that is active for members and business advertisers.

My Report Overview 1013 and Competitor Overview 1014 sections of the Advertiser Homepage 1000 detail the number of views of the Business Advertisers Business Profile page 1700, the number of times discount vouchers offered by the Business Advertiser have been viewed and the number of times that discount vouchers offered by the Business Advertiser have been printed. The My Report Overview 1013 allows the Business Advertiser to quickly review a summarised version of information provided by the reports pages described above.

Selecting 'View' in either of the My Report Overview 1013 and Competitor Overview 1014 sections results in the processor 405 downloading and displaying the report pages described above.

Finally, the Business Advertiser's username 1015 is displayed together with 'Sign Out' on the Advertiser Homepage 1000 providing the Business Advertiser with a second means for logging out.

[R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc

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-26- At step 113, the Business Advertiser may design/make changes to their Business Profile page 1700 by selecting the My Webpage icon 1004 as seen in Figure 10. As described above, the Business Profile page 1700 is a one page summary view of the business, which outlines information pertinent to the Business Advertiser together with a short title and expiry date of discount vouchers offered by the Business Advertiser.

Figure 17 shows the Business Profile Page 1700 from the Business Advertiser's perspective.

In response to selection of My Webpage icon 1004, the Business Profile Creation page 900 is downloaded to the computer 400 by the processor 305. The page 900 is stored on the hard disk drive 410 and is displayed on the display 414. The Business Advertiser may modify their Account Holder and Business Contact details, using the text boxes 901 to 908, their Website address using the text box 909, their Business Slogan using text box 912 and Business Description using text box 913, for example. Using the page 900, the Business Advertiser may update their Account Holder Details including their First Name using text box 901, Last Name using text box 902, Email address using text box 903 and Contact Phone using text box 904. The Business Advertiser may also update their Business Contact Details including their First Name using text box 905, Last Name using text box 906, Email address using text box 907 and Contact Phone using text box 908.

The Business Advertiser may also update their Business Details including their Website Address using text box 909, Business Locations 910, Business Slogan 912 and Business Description 913. The Business Advertiser may also upload a Logo 916 from the hard disk drive 410 or the Intemet. The hard disk drive 410 may be browsed using a Browse button 929 and a logo may be uploaded by selecting an Upload button 931. The Business Advertiser may also update the Trading Hours 918 of their business.

If the business is being run by the Business Advertiser is a Restaurant/Caf6, the Business Advertiser may select a link 'Click here to add Restaurant./Caf6 specific [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -27information' 914, which allows the Business Advertiser to enter restaurant specific information including meal pricing, seats available, access/parking, entertainment, payment and smoking options.

If the Business Advertiser is a Hotelier the Business Advertiser may select a link 'Click here to add Hotel specific information' 915, which allows the Business Advertiser to enter hotel specific information such as room pricing, rooms available, facilities, access/parking, entertainment, payment and smoking options.

Allowing the Account Holder Details to be different from the Business Contact Details allows the Business Advertiser to delegate responsibility of tasks to staff members other than themselves. This feature may be quite useful for franchisees for example. Upon selecting a Save Changes button 920 of the page 900, details entered by the Business Advertiser using the page 900 are uploaded to the computer 300 where the processor 305 updates the Website database configured within the hard disk drive 310 according to the details entered into the page 900. A method 2300 of creating a Business Profile Page 1700 using the Business Profile Creation page 900, as executed at step 113, will be described below with reference to Figure 23.

The method 100 continues at the next step 114, where the Business Advertiser may create discount vouchers to be displayed within the Business Profile Page 1700. The Business Advertiser may create discount vouchers by selecting My Vouchers icon 1003 on the Advertiser's Homepage 1000 being displayed by the processor 405. In response to selection of the My Vouchers icon 1003, the Discount Voucher Creation page 1200 is downloaded to the computer 400 by the processor 305. The page 1200 is stored on the hard disk drive 410 and is displayed on the display 414. The Business Advertiser may use the Discount Voucher Creation page 1200 to add discount vouchers. Any discount vouchers created at step 114 are stored in the Website database configured within the hard disk drive 310 of the computer 300. As a discount voucher is added to the database [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc

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-28details of the added discount voucher will be added to the My Vouchers page 1800.

SSimilarly, selecting the Add New Voucher button 1801, will also result in the Discount Voucher Creation page 1200 being downloaded to the computer 400 by the processor 305. A method 2500 of creating a discount voucher as executed at step 114 will be described below with reference to Figure tNO O The method 100 concludes at the next step 115, where the Business Profile Page 1700 created at step 113 may be approved by the Administrator of the Website. A Smethod 2400 of approving the Business Profile Page 1700 as executed at step 115 will be described below with reference to Figure 24. Alternatively, the processor 305 may approve the Business Profile page according to a number of predetermined rules stored in the hard disk drive 310.

The method 2300 of creating a Business Profile Page 1700 using the Business Profile Creation page 900, as executed at step 113, will now be described below with reference to Figure 23. The method 2300 may be implemented as software resident on the hard disk drive 410 and being controlled in its execution by the processor 405.

The Business Profile Creation page 900 allows the Business Advertiser to view and dynamically update their business profile and associated discount vouchers. The method begins at step 2301, where account holder details and Business Profile Creation page 900 are downloaded by the processor 305 to the computer 400. The account holder details are displayed by the processor 405 in relevant text boxes of the page 900 for the Business Advertiser. These account holder details were the details entered by the Business Advertiser when signing up using the Business Advertiser Signup pages 700 and 800.

The Business Advertiser may then change the account holder details or leave them the same. In particular, using the page 900, the Business Advertiser may update their Account Holder Details including their First Name using text box 901, Last Name using text box 902, Email address using text box 903 and Contact Phone using text box 904.

[R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -29- At the next step 2302, the processor 405 displays the Business Contact Details in N, the page 900. The Business Advertiser may update their Business Contact Details including a First Name using text box 905, Last Name using text 906, Email address using text box 907 and Contact Phone using text box 908. The Business Advertiser may also update their Business Details including their Website Address using text box 909, INi INO Business Locations 910, Slogan 912 and Business Description 913. The number of SBusiness Locations 910 that the Business Advertiser can enter is limited by a package that Sthe Business Advertiser have taken out when purchasing a yearly subscription to the Website. The Business Advertiser may also upload a Logo 916 from the hard disk drive 410 or the Internet. The Logo 916 may be uploaded to the computer 300 using the Browse button 929 and Upload button 931 as shown on the page 900 of Figure 9. As an Example, the Business Advertiser may select an image file stored on the hard disk drive 410 of the computer 400 using the Browse button 929 of the page 900. Upon selection of the Upload button 931 on the page 900, the image file selected by the Business Advertiser is uploaded by the processor 405 to the computer 300. The processor 305 accepts the uploaded image file and stores the image file in the Website database configured within the hard disk drive 310. The Business Advertiser may also update the Trading Hours 918 of their business at step 2302.

At the next step 2308, if the business being run by the Business Advertiser is a Restaurant/Cafe the Business Advertiser the method 2300 may proceed to step 2310 where the processor 405 detects selection of a link 'Click here to add Restaurant/Caf6 specific information' 914, which allows the Business Advertiser to enter restaurant specific information including meal pricing, seats available, access/parking, entertainment, payment and smoking options.

Otherwise, if the Business Advertiser is a Hotelier the processor 405 may detect selection of a link 'Click here to add Hotel specific information' 915 at step 2308, which [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc allows the Business Advertiser to enter hotel specific information such as room pricing, CK, rooms available, facilities, access/parking, entertainment, payment and smoking options, at the next step 2310. The links 914 and 915 allow Business Advertisers to provide more

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information since businesses within these categories do not all look the same. In general, consumers want to know tailored information for Restaurant/Caf6 and Hotel businesses.

O The consumers want to understand why one business is better than another and one means to provide this differentiation is to provide more information about these businesses.

SBased on the details entered by the Business Advertiser using the method 2300, a sample Business Profile page 1700 is created for the Business. As seen in Figure 17, the Business Profile page 1700 comprises the details as entered by the Business Advertiser in accordance with method 2300. The Business Profile page 1700 lists the Business 'Advertiser's contact information 1703 business contact details not account holder details), discount vouchers 1704, a brief description 1705 of the business, location/s of the business 1706, and the Trading Hours 1707. Using the options 1702 at the top of the page 1700, the Business Advertiser may activate/deactivate the Business Profile page 1700 or edit any of the details on the page 1700. For example, as shown in Figure 17, the page 1700 states that "'Your Business Profile Page is currently 'Active"'. Accordingly, a Member will be able to search on and access the Business Profile page 1700 using the Website. However, by selecting 'Active' using the mouse pointer device 403 the Business Advertiser may deactivate the Business Profile page 1700 the 'Active' changes to 'Inactive' on the page 1700) so that the Business Profile page 1700 is no longer able to be searched on and accessed by a member. Similarly, upon selecting 'Edit' 1701, the Business Profile Creation page 1700 is downloaded and displayed by the processor 405, as described above. Allowing the Business Advertiser to Activate/Deactivate their Business Profile Page 1700 allows the Business Advertiser to either start or end a marketing campaign with the click of a button. Upon selection of the [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -31- Save Changes button 920, the Business Profile Page 1700 details entered by the Business Advertiser at steps 2301 to 2308 may be uploaded to the computer 300. The processor 305 stores the details uploaded to the computer module 301 in the Website database configured within the hard disk drive 310. The processor 305 automatically sends an email to the email address entered by the Business Advertiser at step 2301. The email informs the Business Advertiser that the Business Profile Page 1700 created in accordance with the method 2300 will be reviewed.

The method 2400 of approving the Business Profile page as executed at step 115 will now be described with reference to Figure 24. The method 2400 is typically performed by the Administrator of the Website. The method 2400 may be implemented as software resident on the hard disk drive 310 and being controlled in its execution by the processor 305.

The method 2400 begins at step 2401, where the processor 305 detects the newly created Business Profile page 1700 uploaded from the computer 400 at step 2308. The processor 305 automatically sends a notification email to the Administrator at the next step 2402. Then at the next step 2403, if the created Business Profile page 1700 is approved then the method 2400 proceeds to step 2405. For example, the Administrator may use the page 1700 of the Website which displays the created Business Profile Page 1700. The Administrator may then select an 'Approved' icon (not shown) displayed on the page 1700 in order to approve the created Business Profile Page. Alternatively, the Administrator may select a 'Not Approved' icon if the created Business Profile Page 1700 is not approved. In this instance, the method 2400 proceeds to step 2404, where the processor 305 automatically sends a notification email to the Business Advertiser notifying the Business Advertiser that the Business Profile Page 1700 has not been approved. This email may also include a comment indicating why the Business Profile Page was not approved. Following step 2404, the method 2400 returns to step 2401 [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -32where the processor 305 waits to detect an updated Business Profile Page 1700 or another business profile page. At step 2405, the Business Profile Page 1700 received at step 2401 is activated so that the Business Profile Page 1700 may be selected by a member.

The method 2500 of creating a discount voucher as executed at step 114 of the method 100 will be described below with reference to Figure 25. The method 2500 may IDbe implemented as software resident on the hard disk drive 410 and being controlled in its execution by the processor 405.

SThe discount voucher may be created using the Discount Voucher Creation page 1200. Upon selection of the My Vouchers icon 1003 of the Advertiser Homepage 1000, the My Vouchers page 1800 is downloaded to the computer 400 and stored in the hard disk drive 410 before being displayed on the display 414. Selection of the Add New button Voucher 1801 on the page 1800 results in the Discount Voucher Creation Options page 3000 being downloaded to the computer 400, stored in the hard disk drive 410 before being displayed on the display 414. The page 3000 prompts the Business Advertiser to make a selection of whether they want to use a discount voucher template created by the Administrator or upload their own discount voucher designed by the Business Advertiser. Upon either selection, the Discount Voucher Creation page 1200 is downloaded to the computer 400, and stored in the hard disk drive 410 before being displayed on the display 414.

If the Business Advertiser already has one or more discount vouchers on the Website, then in response to selection of the 'My Vouchers' icon 1003, details of discount vouchers that have been created by the Business Advertiser will be displayed on the My Vouchers page 1800 as seen in Figure 18. In the example of Figure 18, the Business Advertiser has a discount voucher called "New Voucher" 1802. The page 1800 indicates that the discount voucher 1802 is 'Currently Active' 1803 as seen in Figure 18.

Accordingly, the discount voucher 1802 will be able to be searched on and accessed by a [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -33member using the Website. Further, if the Business Advertiser chose to discontinue a particular voucher, such as the New Voucher 1802, the Business Advertiser may click the 'Currently Active' 1803 link to deactivate the voucher 1802. This disables the Voucher 1802 so that the corresponding voucher 1802 is not able to be searched upon by members (or consumers). This function is very similar to the options 1702 on the Business Profile page 1700. If all of the vouchers 1802) for the Business Advertiser are 'Currently Inactive', the Business Advertiser's Business Profile page 1700 also become deactivated automatically until there are active vouchers 1802) available on the Business Profile page 1700 for redemption by the members. Under the details of each of the discount vouchers 1802) is a view icon 1806, an edit icon 1807, a print icon 1808 and a delete icon 1809. The delete icon 1809 allows the Business Advertiser to delete the corresponding discount voucher 1802 merely by selecting the delete icon 1809.

Accordingly, the discount voucher 1802 will be inactive and will not able to be searched on and accessed by a member of the Website. The feature allowing the Business Advertiser to deactivate the voucher 1802 allows the Business Advertiser to either start or end a particular sales or marketing initiative with the click of a button.

As described above, the page 3000 prompts the Business Advertiser to make a selection of whether they want to use a discount voucher template created by the Administrator or upload their own discount voucher designed by the Business Advertiser.

Conventionally, a business advertiser would need to design their own discount voucher or outsource the design to a graphic designer. By selecting to use a predetermined template using "option on the page 3000, the Discount Voucher Preview page 1600 as shown in Figure 16(a) is downloaded to the computer 400 and displayed on the display 414. The page 1600 provides a quick and efficient method for the Business Advertiser to create a discount voucher. There are variations on colour for the discount voucher which are available to the Business Advertiser for selection. If however the Business Advertiser is a [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -34mature business with an established mechanism of creating discount vouchers and other marketing materials, the Website is able to accept the upload of a discount voucher or marketing brochure. For example, Figure 16(b) shows a sample image 1620 which may be used as a discount voucher.

Where the Business Advertiser would like to edit a discount voucher that they have created, upon selection of the edit icon 1807 on the My Vouchers page 1800 the Discount Voucher Creation page 1200 is downloaded to the computer 400 with the pre-filled details data according to the settings made when adding the discount voucher originally.

The method 2500 begins at step 2501, where the processor 405 displays the page 1200 and detects that the Business Advertiser has nominated a name for the Discount Voucher by entering a name using text box 1202. Next at step 2502, out of the categories nominated using dropdown box 1201 at step 103, the processor 405 detects selection of a selected category by the Business Advertiser. Next, at step 2503, the processor 405 detects selection of a type of offer 1204 or discount discount or discount). At the next step 2504, the processor 405 detects discount voucher details and stores the details in memory 406. As an example, the Business Advertiser may enter off when two or more pizzas are ordered" using text box 1204. The Business Advertiser may also enter more detailed terms and conditions or a further description "Only valid for Tuesday night home deliveries. Must not be used with any other offer. Ensure you have close to exact money for the driver", using the Details about Discount Voucher text box 1205.

The details entered using the text boxes 1204 and 1205 are stored in memory 406.

The Business Advertiser can find out quickly and easily how much money they are saving their customer. In response, to detection of a RRP (recommended retail price) entered using the text box 1206 and a discount price entered using the text box 1207, the processor 405 determines a savings value which is displayed as a Total Saving as seen in Fig. 12.

[R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc The method 2500 continues at the next step 2506, where the processor 405 detects start expiry dates and web publish dates for the discount voucher, which are stored in memory 406. The expiry date and web publish dates may be entered using text boxes 1208 and text boxes 1209. The web publish dates indicate when the created voucher is to be activated accessible to members) on the Website. At 2508, any extended details such as POS (Point of Sale) codes may be entered.

At step 2509, the processor 405 detects print settings. The print settings may be entered using the section 1210 of the page 1200. As an example, printing of the discount voucher may be unlimited by selecting radial box 1219, OR two hundred (200) prints all together by selecting radial box 1216 and two hundred (200) in the text box 1223, OR limited to two prints per user by selecting radial box 1217 and then entering two in text box 1218. Accordingly, in this example, if the limit were set at two vouchers per user, any user a member) logged into the Website will only be allowed to print two vouchers. At the next step 2510, five keywords may be entered by the Business Advertiser and be stored in memory 410 by the processor 405 using a 'Keywords' textboxes 1211 and 1212.

At step 2511, the processor 405 detects selection of a discount voucher template by the Business Advertiser. By selecting the Preview button 1213, at the next step 2511, the processor 405 displays a preview of the discount voucher created in accordance with steps 2501 to 2510. As an example, based on the type of selection made, Discount Voucher Preview page 1600 of Figures 16(a) or 16(b) would be downloaded to the computer 400, stored in the hard disk drive 410 before being displayed on the display 414 at step 2511.

As seen in Figures 16(a) or 16(b), for example, a discount voucher 1620 includes a Discount Name 1602 (not shown to Members only for Business Advertiser reference), Type of Discount 1603, Title of Discount 1604 (shown to Members) and other details such as expiry 1607 and web publish dates 1608, and Keywords 1609.

[R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -36- If the Business Advertiser is satisfied with the previewed Discount Voucher, at step 2512, then a 'Publish Now!' button 1215 may be selected resulting in the details entered by the Business Advertiser in steps 2501 to 2511 being uploaded by the processor 405 to the computer 300. Otherwise, the method 2500 may return to any one of the steps 2501 to 2511 to re-enter any details. The processor 305 stores the uploaded details in the Website database configured within the hard disk drive 310. The method 2500 concludes at step 2512 where the processor 305 automatically sends an email to the email address of the Business Advertiser confirming creation of the Discount Voucher.

A method 2600 of subscribing to the Website of the preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to Figure 26. The method 2600 is typically performed by a Consumer wishing to become a member of the Website. This Consumer will be referred to below as a Member. The method 2600 may be performed with the computer 500, for example. The method 2600 may be implemented as software resident on the hard disk drive 310 and being controlled in its execution by the processor 305.

The method 2600 begins at step 2601, where the processor 405 displays the Member Details page 1300 as shown in Figure 13 where personal details of the Member are entered into the computer 500 for uploading to the computer 300. The page 1300 may be accessed by the Member using the Public Homepage 1100 of Figure 11. As an example, a link of the Website may be selected by the Member using an Internet Browser executing on the computer 500. Upon selection of the link, the processor 505 sends a request to the computer module 301, which downloads the Public Homepage 1100 as HTML code) to the computer 500. The Public Homepage 1100 is stored on the hard disk drive 510 of the computer 500 and is displayed on the display 514. The Member may then select the Login page 600 by selecting the 'Join Now!' icon 1102. In response to selection of the icon 1102, the processor 305 downloads the Login page 600 to the computer 400, which is then displayed on the display 414 by the processor 405. The [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -37- Member Signup page 1300 may then be selected by selecting a 'New Member? Sign Up Now!' icon 605 on the page 600. In response to selection of the icon 605, the processor 305 may download the Member Signup page 1300 to the computer 500, which is then displayed on the display 514 by the processor 505.

The Member may then enter a First Name using text box 1302, Last Name using text box 1303, Generated Username using text box 1304, Email Address using text box 1305, Email Address Confirmation using text box 1306, Password using text box 1307, Password Confirmation using text box 1308, Age Group using text box 1309, Gender using text box 1310 and Occupation using text box 1311 as shown on the page 1300. The Member may also enter in how the Member heard about the Website using a selection list 1312.

The Member may also use the following text boxes to enter in other details such as their Street Address using text box 1313, State using text box 1314, Region using text box 1315, Suburb using text box 1316 (which pre-fills Postcode 1317) using the page 1300. In response to selection of the Next button 1319 on the page 1300, the processor 505 uploads the details entered by the Member at steps 2601 to the computer 300 and the processor 305 stores these details in the Website database configured within the hard disk drive 310.

The method 2600 continues at step 2602, where in response to selection of the Next button 1319, the next stage of the signup process is executed and the processor 505 displays the Member Signup page (Stage 2) 1500 as seen in Fig. 15. The page 1500 is downloaded to the computer 500 and displayed on the display 514 by the processor 505.

The Member Signup page (Stage 2) 1500 allows the member to select if they would like to be notified if businesses they have selected appear in an area 'Favourite Areas' North Sydney, NSW) of their choice or appear in a category 'Favourite Categories' Fast Food or Juice Bars) of their choice. Such notifications would be updated [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -38dynamically. For example, if a new business advertiser joins the Website in the category 'Juice Bars', all members who have selected to be notified of businesses in the category Juice Bars would be notified.

The Member Signup page (Stage 2) 1500 may also be used by the Member to add favourite areas using text boxes 1503, 1504 and 1505 'North Sydney' within New South Wales) to their favourites list, and/or set up a favourite category, using text boxes 1506, 1507, 1508 and 1509 'Clothing') as will be described below. The page 1500 also details Email Notification Options 1510. For example, an email notification can be sent to the Member when new businesses appear in their Favourite Categories or if new Businesses appear in their Local Area.

In response to selection of the Next button 1512 on the Member Signup page (Stage 2) 1500, the processor 505 uploads the details entered by the Member using the Member Signup page (Stage 2) 1500 and the processor 305 stores the uploaded details in the Website database configured within the hard disk drive 310.

The method 2600 then continues at the next step 2603, where if payment is required, then the method 2600 proceeds to step 2604 where payment details are taken via a secure form and processed in real-time at step 2605. Invoices based on the transaction would automatically be sent to the Member Otherwise, the method 2600 proceeds to step 2606.

At the next step 2606, the processor 305 automatically sends an email to the Member notifying the Member that their details have been received, but they are required to validate their email address 2607. Upon receiving confirmation 2608 of the Member's email address from the processor 505 via the Member clicking on the link in the email, the processor 305 sends an email to the Member confirming their subscription to become a Member. The processor 305 then activates an account for the Member. The method 2600 concludes at the next step 2610, where timed emails are periodically sent to the [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -39- Member by the processor 305 and received by the processor 505. Timed emails allow preconfigured rules to be applied so that the processor 305 automatically emails a new or existing Member or group of Members based on the age of their account. As an example, the processor 305 may send an email to a Member after seven days from the Members last login asking the Member for feedback. The feedback will allow the Website Administrator to understand the needs of either the Member (or Businesses) to further evolve the systems in place.

A method 2700 of a Member modifying Account Details will now be described below with reference to Figure 27. The method 2700 may be implemented as software resident on the hard disk drive 310 and being controlled in its execution by the processor 305.

After logging into the Website by selecting the 'Sign In' icon 1101 on the public homepage 1100 and using the Login page 600, the Member may access the Member Homepage 1400, which is downloaded by the processor 305 and displayed on the display 514. Clicking a My Account icon 1402 allows the Member to view/modify the details that they had filled in during the signup process described above with reference to the pages 1300 and 1500 for example, Contact Information, Favourite Areas/Categories or Email Notification Options.

The method 2700 then begins at step 2701, where the Member selects the processor 505 detects selection of the My Account icon 1402. Then at the next step 2702, in response to selection of the My Account icon 1402, the processor 505 displays details that were entered by the Member at steps 2601 and 2602. If changes are required at the next step 2703, then the method 2700 proceeds to step 2704, where the processor 505 detects changes to the Member details and the processor 505 uploads these changed details to the computer 300 where the processor 305 stores these details in the Website database configured within the hard disk drive 310. At the next step 2705, the processor 305 sends [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc an email notification to the Member's email address which is received by the processor 505 and the method 2700 concludes.

The Member may add selected businesses to their favourites list under My Favourites 1410 by accessing the Business Profile page 1700, for example, and clicking Add to My Favourites. Selection of My Favourites icon 1404 on the Members Homepage 1400 results in the My Favourites page 1900, as seen in Figure 19, being downloaded to the computer 500 and being displayed on the display 514.

The page 1900 displays a list of Favourites that the Member has added to their Favourites list. Business Names 1903 are listed together with details of discount vouchers 1904 offered by the corresponding business advertiser. The Member may access the discount vouchers 1904 by selecting the view icon 1901. In response to selection of the view icon 1901 on the page 1900 a business profile page for the business corresponding to the selected discount voucher 1903 is downloaded to the computer 500. Using the delete icon 1902 the Member may also remove favourites from their favourites list. A business slogan 1905 which a business advertiser would have entered when setting up their business profile using the page 900 is also shown on the page 1900. Categories 1906 that the business is listed under, which a business advertiser would have entered when setting up their business profile are also shown on the page 1900. Selecting the categories 1906 allows the Member to view other businesses in the same category.

As a summary view the Member also has access to a list of highly rated favourites.

In this instance, Members are allowed to access a combined list of all other Members 'My Favourites' via a 'Top 5 Member Favourites' list 1409 on the page 1400.

The method 200 of searching for Discount Vouchers will now be described with reference to Figure 2. The method 200 may be implemented as software resident on the hard disk drive 310 and being controlled in its execution by the processor 305. The method 200 allows the Member to search browse the discount vouchers stored in the [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -41- Website database configured within the hard disk drive 310 and print one or more of the discount vouchers. Typically, when a Member searches using the pages of the Website and is presented with one or more results that link to the business profile pages of business advertisers, the presentation of these links is logged by the processor 305 of the computer 300 in the hard disk drive 310 as a 'Search Hit' for the business advertisers corresponding to the links. Similarly, when the Member then subsequently selects to download the business profile page 1700) of a business advertiser, this download is logged by the processor 305 in the hard disk drive 310 as a 'Business Profile Page view' for the business profile page. If a discount voucher on the downloaded business profile page is then viewed, the view is also logged in the hard disk drive 310 as 'an interest' in the discount voucher. For example, as shown in Figure 17, the Business Profile Page 1700 includes a list 1704 of the discount vouchers offered by the Business Advertiser corresponding to the Business Profile Page 1700.

In response to selection of a Discount Voucher view icon 1711 on the page 1700 adjacent to any of the discounts listed in 1704 a request will be sent to the computer 300 by the processor 505 and a corresponding Discount Voucher page 3600, as seen in Figure 36, detailing a principal discount 3601 will be downloaded to the computer 500 and displayed on the display 514. The request is logged by the processor 305 as an 'interest' in the principal discount 3601 offered by the business advertiser corresponding to the downloaded Discount Voucher page 3600. The discount voucher 3601 displayed on the display 514 preferably also comprises a 'Print' icon 3602 displayed adjacent to the principal discount 3601. In this instance, upon selection of the 'Print' icon 3602, information indicating selection of the Print icon 3602 is uploaded to the computer 300 by the processor 505 together with details of the displayed Discount Voucher page 3600 a URL corresponding to the displayed Discount Voucher page 3600). The uploaded [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -42icon information and discount voucher details are logged in the hard disk drive 310 as a 'Print' indicating that the displayed discount voucher has been printed.

A Business Advertiser may have for example, fifty (50) 'Search hits', ten 'Business Profile Views', five 'Discount Voucher Views' in their discounts, and finally three 'Discount Voucher Prints'. This would indicate to the Business Advertiser that their conversion rate could be better if the discounts offered were slightly more attractive to the consumers. Information regarding rival product discounts will be displayed within the competitor report as described above.

The method 200 may be executed after the Member logs into the Website by selecting the 'Sign In' icon 1101 on the public homepage 1100 and using the Login page 600, to enter the Member's Username or Email Address and Password using the computer 500, for example. Upon the Username and Password being entered and authorised by the processor 305, the Member Homepage 1400 is downloaded to the computer 500. Then, in response to the Member selecting a Search/Browse icon 1405 on the page 1400, for example, the processor 305 downloads the Search for Discount Vouchers page 2000 to the computer 500. The page 2000 is stored on the hard disk drive 510 of the computer 500 and is displayed on the display 514.

The method 200 begins at step 201 where the processor 505 receives a signal from the processor 305 indicating authentication of the Member and hence the Member is allowed to search the Website database for Discount Vouchers. The Page 2000 displays several search options to the Member. At the next step 202, the processor 505 detects selection of search criteria for use in searching the Website database and executes a search of the Website database. For example, by selecting a map 2002 shown on the page 2000 using the mouse 503 the Member can select a state region area to search for discounts. Alternatively, the Member may select to conduct a suburb search using the dropdown list 2011 for businesses that have discounts available in a suburb of the [R\:Iibpp\723902] 723902.doc -43- Member's choice. The Member may select conduct a Postcode Search using the text box 2004 for businesses that have discounts available in a Postcode of the Member's choice.

The Member may conduct a Keyword Search using text box 2007 for businesses that have discounts available with a Keyword of the Member's choice. The Member may conduct a category search using the dropdown list 2009 for businesses that have discounts available with a category of the Member's choice. Then in response to the Member selecting a Search button 2005 or any of the other search buttons on the page, the search terms are uploaded to the computer 300 and the processor 305 searches the Website database configured within the hard disk drive 310 for details of business that have discounts available that meet the search criteria.

At the next step 207, the processor 505 displays a list 3402) of search results on the display 514 in the Search Results page 3400 as seen in Fig. 34. Details of business profile pages containing the discount vouchers resulting from the search terms are logged by the processor 305 in the hard disk drive 310 as a 'search hit'. The processor 305 downloads to the computer 500 a list 3402 of the links to business profile pages comprising discount vouchers resulting from the search criteria. This list 3402 of links is displayed on the display 514 in the search results page 3400. Then at the next step 208, in response to selection of one of the links on the search results page 3400, a request is sent to the processor 305 and the processor 305 downloads a business profile page 1700) corresponding to the link. As described above, this request is logged by the processor 305 as a 'Business Profile Page view' for the downloaded business profile page. At step 209, the downloaded business profile page is stored in the hard disk drive 510 and is displayed on the display 514 with a corresponding list of discounts. Then at the next step 211, a discount voucher is downloaded by the processor 505 from the downloaded Business Profile Page in response to a Member selection.

[R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -44- For example, in response to selection of a view icon 1709 on the page 1700 adjacent to a discount voucher name 'Welcome to Stylz') a request will be sent to the computer 300 by the processor 505 and a corresponding discount voucher detailing the selected discount will be downloaded to the computer 500 and displayed on the display 514. The request sent to the computer 300 at step 211 is logged by the processor 305 as an 'interest' in the discount voucher offered by the Business Advertiser corresponding to the Business Profile Page 1700.

If the Member chooses to print the displayed discount vouchers, the print is likewise logged in the Website database by the processor 305. For example, the discount 3601 comprises a 'Print Voucher' icon 3602 displayed adjacent to the discount. Upon selection of the print icon 3602 adjacent to the displayed discount, information indicating selection of the print icon 3602 is uploaded to the computer 300 by the processor 505 together with details of the displayed discount voucher a URL corresponding to the displayed Discount Voucher). The uploaded icon information and discount voucher details are logged in the hard disk drive 310 as a 'Print' indicating that the displayed discount voucher has been printed.

The processor 305 may download a page for display on the computer 500 notifying the Member that no vouchers are available for the search terms entered in step 202 and ask the Member to suggest a particular business advertiser or to refine the search terms.

In this instance, if the processor 305 determines that discount vouchers are available based on the refined search or for a particular business advertiser entered by the Member, then the Search Results page 3400 will again be displayed on the display 514.

The Member may click on the Map of Australia 2002 on the page 2000 to define an area (or location) for searching. In response to selection of the Map of Australia 2002, the Map Based Search Page 3300, for example, is downloaded to the computer 500 and displayed on the display 500. As seen in Figure 33, the page 3300 includes a map 3301 [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc representing New South Wales. The Website may also include pages for each of the other states and territories in Australia and the rest of the World. The page 3300 may be used to select multiple suburbs in an area of New South Wales using a suburb list 3303.

Then by selecting a tick box 3304, the Member may select to include businesses that service the location selected by the Member. The processor 505 will then request the search upon the Member selecting the Search button 3305.

The Member may also select to browse discount vouchers stored in the Website database configured within the hard disk drive 310 based on business categories for different locations by selecting a category from the 'Category' textbox 2009.

The Member may also use the page 2000 to select to browse discount vouchers stored in the Website database configured within the hard disk drive 310 based on a keyword by entering a keyword in a 'Keyword' text box 2007. In response to selection of a search button on the page 2000, the processor 505 then sends a request to the computer 300 for all discount vouchers meeting the keyword criteria entered by the Member.

The processor 305 may then download links to business profile pages comprising the discount vouchers meeting the category or keyword criteria to the computer 500 for display on the display 514, and as an example could look like the Search Results page 3400 of Figure 34.

The Website may also allow Business Advertisers or Members to refer other consumers/businesses to the Website in return for a percentage (or other reward) of the referral. This allows passive incomes for consumers who wish to have Websites included in their area (or location) for instance. These referrals may be monitored and logged using uniform resource locators (URLs). For example, a unique URL can be pasted as a link on a Member's personal website (or Business Profile Page) or as a link from a banner. Alternatively, each Member may have a unique tracking URL or identifier (ID) that may be placed onto marketing material generated by the Administrator of the [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -46- Website. This marketing material may display online or may be hand delivered to any business by a Member together with a form (also including the ID) for applying to subscribe to the Website. The Business Advertisers receiving the marketing material may fill out the form and send the form to the Administrator of the Website, which may track the user that referred the Business Advertiser via the Tracking ID on the form.

A method 2800 of referring a new user to the Website will now be described with reference to Figure 22. The method 2800 may be implemented as software resident in the hard disk drive 310 and being controlled in its execution by the processor 305. The method may be performed by a Member or Business Advertiser.

The method 2800 begins when a Member, for example, logging into the Website by entering their username email address) and password using the Login page 600.

Upon logging in the processor 305 downloads the Member Homepage 1400 corresponding to the Member to the computer 500 for display on the display 514. In response to the Member selecting a Referral Mgmt icon (not shown) on the Member Homepage 1400, the processor 305 downloads the Referral Management page 2200 as shown in Figure 22(a). The Member enters either a single contact or multiple contacts into a 'Your Friends List' 2201. The Member then selects a standard message or create their own using a selection list 2203. After selecting or creating a message to send to their 'Your Friends List', the Member can send the emails out directly to their friends. Each referral they have made is tracked by the Website to allow the referee to see the progress of their referrals.

As described above, member searches and discount vouchers being downloaded, viewed and printed may be monitored and logged in Website database configured in the hard disk drive 310. This allows the business advertisers to see aspects of their market that they previously may not have known. For example, the described methods allow the [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -47business advertisers to determine the following general information about their consumers: where their consumers come from; (ii) age group and occupation type of consumers; (iii) whether consumers are predominantly male or female; (iv) whether consumers are repeat buyers and if so whether they buy similar/different goods; and finally to determine a better price versus demand understanding.

The information listed above will be presented readily in a tubulised form in a report generated via pages of the Website. Accordingly, the information is provided in a cost efficient, dynamic and timely manner.

The Administrator will have access to a larger set of reports which allow reports to be generated on Web statistics, discount voucher statistics the number of times that a discount voucher has been printed by an advertiser, category or region), user statistics the number of users of the Website by: group, region, expiry range and status) and user details (list of names and personal details of user by: group, region, expiry range, status). For example, Figure 41 shows an Administrator Reports page 4100. The page 4100 allows the Administrator to review data collected on users of the Website including both members and advertisers in a collated fashion. The page includes a Business Profile View Report 4101 showing how many times the Business Profile pages 1700) of the Website been viewed, a Discount Voucher View Report 4103 showing how many times the discount vouchers of the Website have been viewed and a Discount Voucher Print Report 4105 showing how many times discount vouchers of the Website have been printed. The Administrator may also view the Top Ten (10) Suburbs with Active Advertisers 4106, for example. These reports 4101, 4103 and 4105 and statistics help the Administrator and business advertisers to have an understanding of where marketing for [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -48t business advertisers or members will be required. For example, if the Administrator has N added ten new businesses at Suburb XYZ, the Administrator can then refer to the Website database and view the number of Members in that area and send them information about these new businesses or can conduct marketing in that area if there were few Members.

Conversely, if there are an abundance of Members in an area, businesses could be \O targeted for joining the Website.

The Administrator also has an administration portal, which they must login to using Sthe Administrator Login page 3700 as seen in Figure 37. The administration portal allows the Administrator to perform a plethora of functions based on what the Administrator would like to do, such as maintenance of the Website. Fig. 38 shows the Administrator Homepage 3800 which details User Data 3801, the number of Business Profile pages waiting for approval 3803 and the number of users currently logged in 3805. The page 3800 also alerts the Administrator of any email requests 3806 and the number of vouchers printed 3608. The page 3800 also displays currently selected options for payment whether payment is on/off for a particular user type group). For example, if the Member Payment is turned off through selection of 'Off, then the Members will not be charged until a date specified under a 'Free Till Date' box, as seen in Fig. 38.

The page 3800 also comprises a User 'auto-approval' section 3809. By clicking 'On' or 'Off' in the section 3809, the Administrator adds or removes extra requirements to the signup processes for members and business advertisers. For example, the Administrator may remove themselves from the process of having to manually approve Business Advertiser Profile pages by clicking 'On' under 'Advertiser Auto-Approval' in the section 3809.

Figure 39(a) shows an Administrator member details page 3900 and Fig. 39(b) shows another view of the Administrator member details page 3900. The page 3900 allows the Administrator to dynamically and in real-time add/view/edit/remove members [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -49including consumers and business advertisers and their details. In terms of business advertisers, the page 3900 may be used by the Administrator to add/view/edit/remove business profile pages and discounts. As an example, using the mouse 303 to select a tick 3901 in the status column on Figure 39(a) associated to a member will instantly deactivate the associated member and so the member would not be able to log into and use the Website. If the deactivated member is a business advertiser, then selection of the tick 3901 would not only instantly remove the member from access/searching on the Website but would also instantly deactivate their Business Profile page 1700) and their associated discount vouchers 3600).

Figure. 40 shows the Administrator Dashboard Management page 4000. The page 4000 allows the Administrator to send tailored messages to specific business advertisers and consumers. The message may be sent to all advertisers or all members. For example, as seen in Fig. 40, the message "Hello and welcome to GrabaDiscount" is being sent to all business advertisers (or Advertisers) as listed in the 'For' column. Accordingly, this message appears at 1011 on the Advertiser Homepage 1000 as seen in Fig. Figure 42 shows an Administrator Category Management page 4200. The page 4200 lists the Category Name of the primary and secondary business advertiser categories. The Administrator can perform a number of useful functions such as promote/demote/add/remove/edit categories using the page 4200. As an example, a new business advertiser may have been placed into the wrong category. The Administrator can easily view the current categories the new business advertiser is in and modify these categories to suit the needs of the business advertiser using the page 4200. These category changes are automatically fed into the Website database such that the categories are available for selection by the user immediately.

Figure 43 shows an Administrator Voucher Management page 4300. This page 4300 allows the Administrator to quickly add/view/edit/activate/deactivate any of the [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc voucher templates that have been added to Website database by selecting any one of the hypertext links 4101, 4103 and 4105.

Figure 44 shows another Administrator Voucher Management page 4400. This

INO

page 4400 allows the Administrator to quickly add/view/edit/activate/deactivate any of the discount vouchers that have been added to the Website database by selecting 'Modify

INO

IO or Delete' in the Action column or by selecting a tick 4401 in the Status column ,I corresponding to a discount voucher New Voucher 1802), for example. As an example, clicking the tick 4401 in the Status column associated to any discount voucher will deactivate the corresponding voucher New Voucher 1802). Accordingly, the discount voucher would be deactivated instantaneously through-out the Website with the click of the mouse 303. The page 4400 also allows the Administrator to quickly see other details of the discount vouchers such as Expiry and Web Publish dates corresponding to each of the discount vouchers. The page 4400 also allows the Administrator to contact a business advertiser about the corresponding discount voucher that had been deactivated.

In a similar way if the Administrator would like to edit or delete any of the discount vouchers or associated details they can do so, by clicking the Modify or Delete text on the page 4400.

Figure 45 shows the CMS page 4500. This page 4500 allows the Administrator to add/edit/view content that is on the pages that are covered by the Content Management System (CMS).

Figure 46 shows an Administrator Referral Management page 4600. The Administrator Referral Management page 4600 not only has settings relating to the payment of referrals but also lists the referrals and other associated details. For example, a new referral may have been made by a particular member having the user name 'ashutoshverma' as seen in Figure 46. The details of the referred member would be presented to the Administrator via the Referral Management page 4600. The [R\:Iibpp\723902] 723902.doc -51- Administrator has the ability to give credits in the form of time or money to the referee as reward for the referral. For example, as seen in Fig. 46, the member with the user name 'ashutoshverma' has been paid $500.

Figure 47 shows an Email Management page 4700. The page 4700 allows the Administrator to view automated emails that are sent to users by selecting 'View Automated Email Templates' and to view newsletters by selecting 'View Newsletters', for example. The page 4700 also allows the Administrator to view and send automated or timed emails to users. The timed emails may be sent on particular days as setup by the Administrator to the members or business advertisers. This is a particularly powerful tool for the Administrator as it emulates a user sending emails manually to a list of members/advertisers. As an example, the Administrator may setup a renewal period of two hundred and fifty (250) days. In this instance, when a member has been a member for two hundred and fifty (250) days, an email would automatically be sent to the member with no interaction by the Administrator required.

Figure 48 an Email Management page 4800. The page 4800 system details all of the emails Member Signup Email, Advertiser Approval Email, and FAQ Email) that are sent by the Website automatically when a member or business advertiser performs certain actions through out the Website. For example, Figure 48 shows an automated email 4801 which is sent to the Business Advertiser when they join to validate their email address the Validated Email Address email). The page 4800 allows the Administrator to edit any of the automatic emails the email 4801) at any time without the use of developers.

A method 2900 of viewing reports based on the activities of the users will now be described with reference to Figure 29. The method 2900 may be executed in response to the Administrator selecting to view a report using the computer 400. In this instance, the processor 305 then downloads a report page (not shown) to the computer 400.

[R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -52- The method 2900 begins at step 2901, where the user selects a report a Discount Voucher report) using the downloaded report page. At the next step 2903, the processor 305 accesses the Website database configured within the hard disk drive 310 and generates the selected report. Then at step 2905, if the Administrator selects to download the generated report as a comma-separated data value file .csv file) then the method 2900 proceeds to step 2907. Otherwise, the method 2900 concludes. At step 2907, the processor 305 downloads the generated report as a .csv file to the computer 500.

These reports may be any of the reports that can be generated using the Administrator Reports page 4100.

to A method 3100 of updating discount voucher categories will now be described with reference to Figure 31. The method 3100 may be implemented as software resident in the hard disk drive 310 and being controlled in its execution by the processor 305. The term 'category' as used herein can mean any one of a category, a sub-category or a sub-sub category.

The method 3100 begins at step 3101, where the processor 305 displays the Administrator Category Management page 4200, upon selection by the Administrator.

The page 4200 allows the Administrator to access the voucher categories of the Website database configured within the hard disk drive 310. At the next step 3103, the categories are processed by adding categories, searching for categories, reviewing categories or maintaining categories. For example, the administrator may realise that there is a need for a new category which was previously not in the Website database. Alternatively, a business advertiser may suggest a new category which they believe is not available within the categories when they are in the process of signing up. If the business administrator proposes an option that the Administrator believes is a requirement, the processor 305 will detect approval of the category at the next step 3105. Alternatively, the category may be rejected. Approved categories are added to the Website database at step 3107. The [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -53- Administrator may also maintain categories at step 3105 by renaming a category, promoting a category sub-category can become a category or sub-sub category can become a sub-category), demoting a category category can become a sub-category or sub category can become a sub-sub-category) or deleting a category. The categories may be viewed and reviewed by the Administrator according to location or category, for example. Alternatively, the categories may be reviewed by the processor 305 according to predetermined rules. Following any of the steps above, the website database configured within the hard disk drive 310 is updated at step 3107.

Business advertisers are able to view what their competition is offering in a same or similar category. They review this via a Competitor Report (see Figure 50) as described above. The competitor reports allow the business advertisers to compare themselves against their peers across keywords, and locations also, for example. As an example, two different Pizzeria Business Advertisers may be offering pizzas as follows: [Shop 1] $10 Large Pizza; and (ii) [Shop 2] $5 Large Pizza.

A third Pizzeria business shop 3) may price evenly at $7.50 or 'price beat' the other two shops. This allows Members to get the lowest price easily and readily, without having to leave home.

The aforementioned preferred method(s) comprise a particular control flow. There are many other variants of the preferred method(s) which use different control flows without departing the spirit or scope of the invention. Furthermore one or more of the steps of the preferred method(s) may be performed in parallel rather sequentially.

The principles of the methods described above have general applicability to sales and marketing. However, for ease of explanation, the steps of the preferred method are described with reference to the provision of discount vouchers. However, it is not intended that the present invention be limited to the described method. For example, the [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -54invention may allow businesses to readily survey their consumers online, in order to glean further consumer information which they have not been able to understand to date.

Industrial Applicability It is apparent from the above that the arrangements described are applicable to the computing and data processing industries.

The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention, and modifications and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.

In the context of this specification, the word "comprising" means "including principally but not necessarily solely" or "having" or "including", and not "consisting only of'. Variations of the word "comprising", such as "comprise" and "comprises" have correspondingly varied meanings.

[R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc

Claims (40)

1. A method of providing one or more discounts to a consumer, said method comprising the steps of: s providing a Website comprising links to one or more pages each detailing discounts offered by one or more of a plurality of businesses; and upon said consumer at least viewing details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages, logging the viewing of said discount details as viewing information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein upon said consumer printing details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages, logging the printing of said discount details as printing information.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the logged viewing information is accessible for viewing by said businesses via said Website.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the logged printing information is accessible for viewing by said businesses via said Website. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the viewing information includes details of said consumer.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein said printing information includes details of said consumer [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -56-

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the logged information is accessible for generation of one or more reports.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein one or more of said reports are accessible by said consumer.

9. The method according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein one or more of said reports are accessible by said businesses.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said reports details businesses within a particular business category.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said reports details businesses using a particular search keyword.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said reports details businesses situated within a particular geographical area.

13. The method according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said reports details gender of said consumer.

14. The method according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said reports details age of said consumer.

15. The method according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said reports details where said consumer resides. [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc C

16. The method according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said reports details industry within which said consumer works.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein each of said discounts is detailed on said Website as a discount voucher.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein said consumer is limited to printing a predetermined number of said discount vouchers.

19. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein details of said discounts are amendable by said business via said Website. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein details of said discounts are added to said pages by said businesses via said Website.

21. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein said Website is a portal to websites of said businesses.

22. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein said Website is searchable by said consumer to determine details of discounts offered by said businesses.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein information detailing when one of said businesses appears in search results is logged for subsequent viewing by said businesses via said Website. [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -58-

24. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein selection of one of said pages is logged for subsequent viewing by said businesses via said Website. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein downloading of said discount details is logged for subsequent viewing by said businesses via said Website.

26. A system for providing one or more discounts to a consumer over a computer network, said system comprising: a first computer connected to said network for providing a Website comprising links to one or more pages each detailing discounts offered by one or more of a plurality of businesses; and a second computer connected to said network for accessing said Website and at least viewing details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages, the viewing of said discount details being logged as viewing information.

27. The system according to claim 26, wherein said viewing information is accessible for viewing by said businesses via said Website.

28. The system according to claim 26, wherein said second computer is configured for printing details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages, the printing of said discount details being logged as printing information.

29. The system according to claim 28, wherein said printing information is accessible for viewing by said businesses via said Website. [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -59- A computer program for providing one or more discounts to a consumer, said program comprising: code for providing a Website comprising links to one or more pages each detailing discounts offered by one or more of a plurality of businesses; and code for enabling said consumer to at least view details of at least one of said IDdiscounts from at least one of said pages; code for logging the viewing of said discount details as viewing information.

31. The program according to claim 30, wherein upon said consumer printing details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages, logging the printing of said discount details as printing information.

32. The computer program according to claim 30, wherein the logged viewing information is accessible for viewing by said businesses via said Website.

33. The computer program according to claim 31, wherein the logged printing information is accessible for viewing by said businesses via said Website.

34. The computer program according to claim 33, wherein the logged printing information is accessible for viewing by said businesses via said Website. A computer program product including a computer readable medium having recorded thereon a computer program for providing one or more discounts to a consumer, said program comprising: code for providing a Website comprising links to one or more pages each detailing discounts offered by one or more of a plurality of businesses; and [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc code for enabling said consumer to at least view details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages; code for logging the viewing of said discount details as viewing information

36. A method of providing information to a one or more businesses, said method comprising the steps of: providing a Website comprising links to one or more pages each detailing discounts offered by one or more of said businesses; and upon a consumer at least viewing details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages, logging the viewing of said discount details as viewing information; and providing the logged viewing information to said businesses.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein upon said consumer printing details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages, logging the printing of said discount details as printing information.

38. The method according to claim 37, further comprising the step of providing the logged printing information to said businesses.

39. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 38, wherein the viewing information includes details of said consumer. The method according to claim 37, wherein said printing information includes details of said consumer [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc -61

41. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 40, wherein the logged information is provided as one or more reports.

42. A system for providing information to a one or more businesses over a computer network, said system comprising: a first computer connected to said network for providing a Website comprising links to one or more pages each detailing discounts offered by one or more of said businesses; and a second computer connected to said network for accessing said Website and at least viewing details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages, the viewing of said discount details being logged as viewing information, wherein said first computer is configured for providing the logged viewing information to said businesses.

43. The system according to claim 42, wherein upon details of at least one of said discounts being printed from at least one of said pages, logging the printing of said discount details as printing information.

44. The system according to claim 43, wherein said first computer is configured for providing the logged printing information to said businesses. A computer program for providing information to a one or more businesses, said program comprising: code for providing a Website comprising links to one or more pages each detailing discounts offered by one or more of said businesses; and [R\:libpp\723902 723902.doc -62- code for logging the viewing of said discount details as viewing information, upon a C consumer at least viewing details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages; and code for providing the logged viewing information to said businesses. INO O 46. A computer program product including a computer readable medium having Srecorded thereon a computer program for providing information to a one or more businesses, said program comprising: code for providing a Website comprising links to one or more pages each detailing discounts offered by one or more of said businesses; and code for logging the viewing of said discount details as viewing information, upon a consumer at least viewing details of at least one of said discounts from at least one of said pages; and code for providing the logged viewing information to said businesses.

47. A method of providing one or more discounts to a consumer, said method being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments as that embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings.

48. A method of providing information to a one or more businesses, said method being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments as that embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings. DATED this Thirteenth Day of April 2007 RAJIV THOMAS JACOB Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON&FERGUSON [R\:libpp\723902] 723902.doc