BE1013709A6 - Method and system for normalize the issue and acceptance of offers refund with other electronic devices. - Google Patents

Abstract

A method, system, and computer program product for registering customer electronic devices are described. A registration server receives registration information, including a customer identifier (CID), preferred merchant information, and promotion support information from an electronic device. The registration server associates the CIDs with the preferred merchant information and the promotion support information. The CID corresponds to a client, the preferred merchant information corresponds to the client's preferred merchant, and the promotion medium information corresponds to a preferred medium or to a customer promotions medium for receiving promotions. The registration information may also include selections of incentive support and customer reward support. Using registration information, the present invention provides a standardized platform for the issuance, acceptance, and redemption of promotions.

Description

       

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   METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR STANDARDIZING DELIVERY,
ACCEPTANCE AND REFUND OF PROMOTIONS WITH
VARIOUS ELECTRONIC DEVICES
HISTORY OF THE INVENTION
Field of the invention
The present invention generally relates to the use of a computer system, and more specifically the use of a computer system in order to provide a standardized platform for delivering, accepting, and reimbursing promotions. As used here, the term "promotion" means any offer, incentive, advertisement, advertisement, coupon, eVou communication intended to promote one or more eVou services.



   History description
Consumer electronics has become so popular that it is not unusual for a customer to own or use two or more electronic devices, such as a mobile phone, personal assistant (PDA),. or a microcomputer (PC), for example. The explosive growth of consumer electronics has been accompanied by advances in telecommunications, allowing customers to transmit and receive information quickly and efficiently through various electronic devices.

   The use of communications networks to deliver advertisements, incentives, and other promotions to customer electronic devices is gaining popularity as marketers develop new means of distributing promotions to customers.



   An example of a method and system for delivering promotions to electronic devices is described in U.S. Patent No. 6,055. 573, which is incorporated here for reference. Methods and systems for delivering promotions to customers via a computer network are described in US Patents 5,970,469 and 6,014. 634

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 both of which are incorporated herein by reference. These systems and others for delivering promotions use Internet protocols and database technologies.

   The design and implementation of various methods of networking databases and Internet communications are described in Liu et al., "Internet Information Service Management," O'Reilly & Associates, Inc. 1994; Comer, "Internet working with TCP / IP - Volume 1: Principles, protocols, and architecture," 2 edition, Prentice-Ha)), tnc., 1991; Corner and Stevens, "Internet working with TCPIIP - Volume II: Design, implementation, and internal," Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1991; Comer and Stevens, "Internet working with TCP / IP-Volume fit: Client-server programming and applications," Prentice-Hali, Inc., 1993;

   Khoshafian et al., "Guide to developing SQL client / server applications," Morgan Kaufmann Publishers,
 EMI2.1
 Inc .; Hamilton et a /., "Access to the JDBC database with Java, a didactic and annotated reference," Addison-Westey Pub. Co., 1997; and Francis et a /., "Active Server 2.0 Professional Pages," Wrox Press Ltd., 1998; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.



   Although customer electronic devices are in high demand and provide an adequate medium through which marketers can pick up promotions, delivering promotions to different electronic devices can result in marketers repeatedly delivering the same promotion to the same customer through the customer's various electronic devices. This can result in a waste of resources and costs for an advertiser, who may wish to send promotions only to the electronic device on which the customer prefers to receive promotions.

   Likewise, customers can be disturbed when they receive the same promotions through different electronic devices, especially when a customer prefers to receive promotions with an electronic device and is always bombarded with promotions delivered to other devices customer's electronic devices. In addition, when promotions are delivered to multiple electronic devices of a customer, the customer may have difficulty remembering or keeping track of the electronic device with which the customer is used to accepting a particular promotion.

   This difficulty is

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 aggravated when electronic devices are also used to redistribute incentives and other promotions because the device used to redistribute a promotion may be different, depending on the promotion, the device used to accept the promotion, and the device to which the promotion has been issued.



   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a new method, system, and computer program product for delivering, accepting and redistributing electronic promotions effectively.



   Another object of the present invention is to provide a new method, system, and computer program product for enhancing issuance, acceptance and reimbursement activities so that they are easily understood and adopted by customers.



   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new method, system, and computer program product for a standardized platform by means of which retailers, marketers, advertisers and others deliver promotions to devices. customers' emails.



   Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a new method, system, and computer program product for simplifying the registration of several electronic devices used by the same customer or family.



   These and other objectives are achieved by providing a new method, system, and computer program product for recording customer electronic devices. The method, upon which the system and the computer program product are based, includes: receiving from a electronic device a customer identifier (CID), preferred merchant information, and information promotion support; and associating the CID with preferred merchant information and promotion support information. The CID corresponds to a client, the information of

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 preferred merchant corresponds to the customer's preferred merchant, and the promotion support information corresponds to a customer's preferred medium for receiving promotions.

   The CID can be a loyalty card number, a "cookie", an IP address, a telephone number, or an e-mail address, for example.



   According to one aspect of the invention, guide messages are sent to the electronic device from a recording server to ask the user to enter the CID and to select the preferred merchants and the promotion supports. In one embodiment, the recording server is a Web server, and the electronic device runs a Web browser which provides a graphical user interface between the client and the electronic device communicating with the recording server.



   According to another aspect of the invention, the electronic device or another electronic device provides promotions support for receiving promotions. Preferably, the promotion medium is associated with the promotion medium identifier, such as an IP address or a telephone number, used to deliver promotions to the promotion medium. In one embodiment, the information obtained during a registration process (for example, the promotion medium identifier, preferred merchant information, and a customer identifier) is delivered to another computer (for example, a promotions), which delivers promotions to promotions support.



   Promotions provided to the promotion support are preferably associated with one or more preferred merchants selected by the customer in one or more product categories. For example, a customer can select Safeway as their preferred merchant in the "grocery" category and select Barnes & Noble as their preferred merchant in the "books" category.



   According to another aspect of the invention, the client registers an incentive medium and / or a rewards medium with the registration server. Support for incentives (for example, an assistant

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 personal or loyalty card) is used by the system to issue rewards to a customer.



   The objects and advantages of the present invention are also achieved by providing a new method, system, and computer program product for delivering promotions. CID information, preferred merchant information, and promotion support information are stored in a memory. The CID information is associated with the preferred merchant information and the promotion support information and corresponds to a CID of a client, the preferred merchant information corresponds to a preferred merchant of the client, and the information of promotions support corresponds to the identifier of a promotions support of a promotions support selected by the client to receive promotions.

   Promotions are then provided to the promotions medium, using the promotions medium identifier. Preferably, the promotions correspond to one or more merchants preferred by the customer in different product categories. As stated above, the customer can select preferred promotions, incentives, and / or reward media with which promotions are received and refunded.



   As a result, it can be appreciated that the present invention provides a large number of amenities and advantages for customers with multiple electronic devices. Customers can register multiple electronic devices and select a single electronic device to receive promotions. Likewise, a customer can select preferred incentive and reward media to add standardization and homogenization to the rebate promotion process.



   The present invention is also advantageous for marketers and other promoters of goods and services because the present invention provides a standardized platform through which promotions are generated, delivered, and reimbursed. Promotions delivered to customers can be targeted based on their observed purchase histories and based on their preferred business selections. Promotions are thus delivered to customers' preferred promotion media,

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 and are therefore more likely to be received by customers.

   Likewise, if incentive carriers and / or reward carriers are selected by customers based on their preferences, customers are more likely to participate in promotions due to the added amenities that the present invention provides to customers . In addition, if promotions are only refundable to preferred merchants selected by customers, manufacturers and retailers are assured that promotions will not cause customers not to stay loyal at the expense of their retailers (i.e. say traders) currently preferred.



   SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete understanding of the invention and many of its associated advantages will be easily obtained, while it will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows with reference to the related drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computerized system for delivering, accepting and reimbursing promotions, according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computerized system which can be used in conjunction with the system of FIG. 1 to deliver, accept, and reimburse promotions, according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a flowchart showing how the promotions system of Figures 1 and 2 applies to a retail store, according to an embodiment of the invention;

   FIG. 4A is a table of electronic devices for associating a customer identifier (CID), an electronic device, an electronic device identifier (ID), and a default promotion support indicator, according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4B is a table of preferred retailers for associating a preferred retailer with different categories of products for each customer, according to an embodiment of the invention;

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 FIG. 4C is a support table for associating a promotion support, an incentive support, an incentive support identifier (ID), and a rewards support identifier (ID) with each preferred retailer of a customer , according to an embodiment of the invention;

   FIG. 4D is a reward table for associating a promotions identifier (in) with a reward trigger for each customer, according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5A is a flowchart explaining how a client registers one or more electronic devices with the computer system of FIGS. 1,2 and / or 3, according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5B is a flowchart explaining how a customer selects preferred retailers for different product categories according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5C is a flowchart explaining how a customer selects a preferred incentive medium and a reward medium for a preferred retailer, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

   FIG. 6 is a flowchart explaining how a customer registers several electronic devices with the system of FIGS. 1, 2 and / or 3 and simultaneously selects preferred retailers, promotion supports, incentive supports, and rewards supports, according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a flowchart explaining how promotions are generated and delivered to customer electronic devices, according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 8A is a flowchart explaining how customers receive electronic promotions, according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 8B is a flowchart explaining an alternative method by which customers receive electronic promotions, according to an embodiment of the invention;

   Figures 9A and 9B are examples of electronic promotions; and

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 Figure 10 is a block diagram of a computer system programmed to perform one or more of the special purpose functions of the present invention.



   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ACHIEVEMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts in all of the figures, and more particularly in FIG. 1, a computerized system for the delivery, acceptance and collection of promotions electronics is shown.

   The example system of Figure 1 includes a record server 101, a record database 102, customer electronic devices (i.e., a web device 103, a mobile phone 105, an assistant personal (PDA) 107, two-way pager 109, microcomputer (PC) 111, game system 113, TV 115, remote control 117, set-top box 119, and mobile phone 122)), telephone network public switched (PSTN) 121, a cable network 123, and the Internet 125.



   The record server 101 is any computer, workstation, server computer, or other device and / or software for collecting record information from clients and their associated electronic devices and for storing and retrieving information from records in the record database 102. Examples of server hardware include the DECA alpha and Sun UltraSparc servers and the computer system 1001 of FIG. 10. The record server 101 performs interactive communication with various electronic devices of customers through PSTN 121, the cable network 123, and the Internet 125.



   The record database 102 is a file that includes record information given by clients. Registration information includes customer identifiers (CIDs), types of electronic devices, device identifiers (IDs), default promotion material indicators, product categories, preferred retailers, retailer names , promotional materials,

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 incentives, reward carriers, reward carrier IDs, promotion IDs, and / or reward triggers.
Each record in the record database 102 contains zones together with a set of operations for searching, sorting, recombining,

   and other database functions The records database 102 can be operated as two or more databases, if desired.



   The web device 103 is any familiar device (for example, an electric stove or a refrigerator) that receives information over the Internet 125. The web device 103 may include some or all of the components of the computer system 1001 of Figure 10, such as than a memory and a processor. The web device 103 may have its own Internet Protocol (IP) address and / or be connected to a server of familiar devices having its own IP address.



   The mobile phones 105 and 122 are any suitable phones using cellular, wireless and / or other mobile technology to communicate with the recording server 101. For example, the mobile phone 105 is connected to the recording server. records 101 via the Internet 125, and the mobile telephone 122 is connected to the record server 101 by the PSTN network 121.



   POA 107 is an organizer for carrying out specific functions such as personal organization (for example, diary, note recording, database, and / or calculator) as well as communications. As shown in FIG. 1, the POA 107 communicates with the recording server 101 via the Internet 125. The PDA 107 can comprise a flash memory, a processor, and a pencil or other device for pointing by an internal bus. According to one embodiment, the PDA 107 uses a web browser to display web pages received from the recording server 101. Examples
 EMI9.1
 of PDAs 107 include Palm VII of Palm, Inc.



   The bidirectional pager 109 is any pager for communicating with the recording server 101 by Internet 125 or TPC 121.

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   According to one embodiment, the electronic devices of clients connected to the
PSTN 121 communicate with record server 101 over the Internet
125, which provides a gateway between the PSTN 121 and the recording server 101. Similarly, the electronic devices of clients connected to the Internet 125 in FIG. 1 communicate with the PSTN 11, which provides a gateway to the Internet 125 and the server of records 101.



   The PC 111 is any desktop, workstation, laptop, organizer, or other device, such as the computer system
1001 of FIG. 10, to execute the web browser providing a user interface between the recording server 101 and a human user (for example, a consumer) via the Internet 125. The web browser running on the PC 111 allows the PC 111 to storing information identifying the web browser to the record server 101, such as a "cookie". Examples of PC 111s include Apple Macintosh computers and IBM-compatible desktop computers.



   The gaming system 113 is a computer connected to the television 115 to allow the execution of video games on the television 115. Examples of gaming systems 113 are the consoles Sega Dreamcast and Sony PlayStation II. According to one embodiment, the gaming system 113 is equipped with a web browser and provides a user interface with the recording server 101 via the Internet 125. Thus, a client can use a keyboard or other input device of the gaming system. games 113 to receive graphical information from the recording server 101 which is displayed on the television 115.



   The pager 119 is connected to the television and to the cable network 123. The pager 119 provides the interactive television programming to be displayed on the television 115. In one embodiment, the pager 119 is also connected to the PSTN 121 so that the commands received from the remote control 117 by the infrared transmissions are transmitted to the recording server 101 by the PSTN 121. An example of an interactive television system is described in US Pat. No. 5,561,708 which is incorporated herein by reference.



   PSTN 121 is an international telephone system carrying analog voice data. In place of, or in addition to, PSTN 121, others

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 telephone networks such as a digital integrated services network (ISDN) and a fiber distribution data interface (FDDI), can be used to establish communication links between the electronic devices of the clients in FIG. 1 and the server 101. The
PSTN 121 can also provide a gateway to Internet 125, as when a standard modem is used to obtain communications between the
PC 111 and the Internet recording server 101 125.



   Cable network 123 is any local area network (WAN) for providing cable television services. An example of a cable network 123 is a network of coaxial cables in a closed circuit.



   Internet 125 is a wide area network (WAN) that includes gateways and networks using TCP / IP protocols. The web device 103, mobile phone 105, personal assistant (PDA) 107, two-way pager 109, microcomputer (PC) 111, game system 113 all communicate with the record server 101 over the Internet 125 in the example flow diagram in Figure 1.



   Figure 2 is a functional flow diagram showing how the promotions server 201, the store computer 203, and the promotions database 205 are connected with various components of the system of Figure 1 to deliver promotions to customers in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The promotions server 201 is software and / or hardware for delivering promotions to the various electronic devices of the customers. The promotions server 201 can be installed on the same machine as the registration server 101 or can be installed on a separate computer such as a DEC Alpha or Sun UltraSparc server. In alternative embodiments, multiple promotion servers are provided on one or more computers such as the computer system 1001 of FIG. 10.

   The promotions server 201 stores and searches for information in the registration database 102 and the general customer database 301 (described below with reference to FIG. 3) and communicates with the various electronic devices of the customers by through the PSTN 121, the cable network 123, and / or the Internet 125.

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   Storage computer 203 is a computer that controls transactions inside a retail store, such as a grocery store, supermarket, pet store, or hardware store, for example. The store computer 203 receives information of various promotions from the promotion servers 201 and stores this information in the promotions database 205.



   Store computer 203 monitors customer purchases in the retail store as well as customer entries into the retail store (for example, the passage of a loyalty card in a magnetic card reader to a kiosk in the retail store). The store computer 203 uses the promotion information stored in the promotions database 205 and the information provided by customers in the retail store to determine whether customers are refunded for a promotion, to issue refund information promotions server 201, and / or reward customers with incentives, for example.



   The promotions database 205 is a file that includes records containing information for issuing, accepting, and / or repaying incentives, coupons, and other promotions.



  Each record in the promotions database 205 includes areas in conjunction with a set of search, sort, recombine, and other database functions. The promotions database 205 can be implemented as two or more databases, if desired.



   Figure 3 is a block diagram showing how one or more retail stores 305 are closely linked to one or more promotion servers 201. The general customer database 301 is a file which includes records containing information for delivering measurements purchase incentives according to the present invention. This purchase history information includes the information of each purchase made by a customer in the retail store 315 as well as in other retail stores in connection with the promotions server 201.

   Such information may include the retail unit (SKU), brand, size, weight, price, date and time of purchase, and customer identification (ID

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 customer) of the consumer making the purchase, for example. In one embodiment, portions of this information are obtained from bar codes on purchased items, which are read by the scanner 321 during a transaction.



   Each record in the customer database 301 contains fields in conjunction with a set of search, sort, recombination, and other database functions. The customer database 301 can be implemented as two or more databases, if desired. One or more of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,832,457, 5,649,114, 5,430. 644, and 5.592. 560 describe techniques for collecting customer purchasing information and for storing this information in databases such as the customer database 301. US Pat. Nos. 5,832,457, 5,649,114, 5,430. 644, and 5.592. 560 are incorporated here for reference.

   In addition, the techniques for collecting customer purchasing information and for storing this information in databases, such as customer database 301, are described in other patents which are the property of Catalina Marketing and / or Catalina Marketing International. Each patent that is the property of Catalina Marketing and / or Catalina Marketing International is incorporated here for reference.



   Retail store 305 is generically referred to as a retail storage point and is a location where goods are kept for sale to customers. Store computer 203 can be implemented using the computer system 801 of Figure 8, for example, or any other PC, workstation, server, or device to communicate with one or more promotion servers 201, for storing and retrieving information in the local purchasing database 109, for controlling the data transmitted between the terminal 119 and the store controller 111 (that is to say the transaction data) and to control the printer 117 and the data transfer unit 323. According to one embodiment, the store computer 203 determines and delivers incentives or other promotions.



   Store controller 311 is any computer or device for communicating with terminal 319 and for using stored information

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 in store database 313 for performing point of sale (POS) transactions 315. A description of an example of store controller 311 is given in US Patent No. 5,173,851, which is incorporated herein by way of reference.



   Store database 313 is a file that includes records containing information for completing point-of-sale transactions 315 by reading bar codes printed on purchased items (e.g., UPC, JAN, and / or EAN). The records in warehouse database 313 contain fields for associating bar codes with products and their corresponding prices. The store database 313 also includes search, sort, recombine, and other database functions, and can be implemented as two or more databases, if desired.



   Retail store 305 includes one or more outlets 315.



  Each point of sale 315 preferably comprises a corresponding printer 317, a terminal 319, a scanner 312, and a data transfer unit 323. The data transfer unit 323 is coupled to the store computer 203 and provides Bidirectional data transmission link 325 with the portable device 201. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the data transfer unit 323 is used to exchange data relating to electronic promotions with the portable device 201. Incentive measures Purchases are downloaded upstream or downstream by the data transfer unit 323 in response to receiving orders from the store computer 203 and / or the portable device 201, for example.

   The data transfer unit 323 can be implemented as a data port for transmitting and receiving data via a medium in direct cable connection. As another example, the data transfer unit 323 may be a wireless transceiver such as an infrared transmitter and detector, or a device for exploiting the Bluetooth radio link technology, developed by the Bluetooth special interest consortium . Bluetooth is a technological specification for short distance, low form factor and low cost links between mobile PCs,

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 mobile phones, and other portable devices.

   Alternatively, the data transfer unit 323 can be implemented as any combination of suitable devices to provide a two-way data transmission link 325 with a variety of portable devices. According to one embodiment, the data transfer unit 323 transmits and receives electrical, electromagnetic and optical signals which transport streams of digital data representing various types of information focused on electronic promotions. In addition, a hard copy of the electronic promotions transferred to the data transfer unit 323 can be printed on the printer 317 in response to receipt of orders from the store computer 203, if desired.



   The terminal 319 can be implemented as a standard cash register and can include a screen, a credit card reader, and a keypad, for example. The terminal 319 communicates with the store controller 311 and the scanner 312. The scanner 312 can be used like any scanning device to read product information such as article codes (for example, UOC, EAN . or JAN) from bar codes or other product references. This information read by the scanner 312 is transmitted to the store controller 3111 by the terminal 319.



  The store controller 311 uses the information read and the information stored in the store database 313 to determine transaction information including product price, quantity, and description of the product, for example.



   If there are multiple outlets 315 in the retail store 305, each terminal 319 is then preferably arranged on a loop with the store controller 311. The store computer 203 is placed upstream of the store controller 311 on the loop so that the information transmitted from the terminals to the store controller is controlled by the store computer 203.



   The present invention stores information regarding registration of customer's electronic devices (e.g. registration information), generation of promotions, delivery of promotions (for example,

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 example, promotion support information), and promotion refunds (for example, incentive support information, reward support information, reward information).



  This information is stored in one or more memories. One or more databases, such as databases 201,205, 301, and 313 can store the information used to implement the present invention. Databases are organized by means of data structures (for example, records, tables, tables, zones, graphs, trees, and / or lists) contained in a memory. Suitable memories include hard disks, floppy disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, RAMs, as well as any memory or computer readable medium shown in the description of Figure 10, for example.

   In the implementation of the present invention, it may be preferable that one or more memories be used instead of a single memory, or that a single memory takes the place of two or more memories, according to different considerations of design such as cost, storage capacity, and efficiency, as one familiar with the technique will well understand.



   Figures 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D depict data structures used to implement a process and system for registering customer electronic devices, for aggregating registration information and for implementing a promotions system ( for example, a couponing, advertising, and / or incentive system) using registration information. Data structures are described in a relational format, using tables, by means of which the information stored in a column (i.e. an area) of a table is associated, applied, or linked to information stored in the same row (i.e. a record) in the other column (s) of the table.

   These data structures are used by the promotions server 201 and the storage computer 203 to deliver, accept, and / or reimburse promotions. The data structures represented in FIGS. 4A, 48, 4C, and 4D are stored in the databases 102,205, 301, or 313, or

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 any other suitable storage device. It will be understood that the data structures shown in Figures 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are given only by way of example, since the current implementation of the way data is stored will vary depending on the specific software or hardware used to implement the database as well as other design considerations such as storage capacity and search speed, for example.



   Figure 4A is an electronic device table 401 which includes an area 403 for storing customer identifiers (CID), an area 405 for identifying different types of customer electronic devices, an area 407 for storing device identifications, and a area 408 to store an indication if the corresponding device is the default promotions medium. The electronic devices table 401 stores customer information and associates this information with one or more customer electronic devices that the customer has registered with the system of Figure 1. The CID is any information to identify a customer or a family.

   Examples of CIDs are loyalty card numbers, credit card numbers, IP addresses, "cookies" stored in a computer used by a customer, social security numbers, telephone numbers, streets, email addresses, license plate numbers, driver's license numbers, frequent customer card numbers, customer card identifications, user identifications, connection identifications, passwords password, or any information identifying a customer electronic device associated with a customer or any other information to identify one or more customers and / or families.

   A CID can also be a fingerprint, patterns of a client's retina, or characteristics of a client's voice, or any other personally identifying information. This type of CID can be recognized at point of sale 315 or any other location using electronic fingerprint recognition, retina reading, and / or voice recognition, for example.

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   The type of device stored in field 405 indicates the type of customer electronic device. Each device is numbered so that, if a customer has more than one device of the same type, then the first device receives number 1, the second device receives number 2, and so on. As shown in the example of the electronic device in table 401, the customer with the CID 5678 is associated with two mobile phones, respectively designated mobile phone 1 and mobile phone 2, and with area 405. Identification of the device in the area 407 is any information that identifies a way to communicate with the device in area 405.

   The device identification and the CID can be the same identifier, for example, if the customer uses his mobile phone number as his CID and as the device identification for this mobile phone. The default promotion medium indicators in area 405 indicate whether the corresponding device in zone 405 is the default device for receiving promotions from the promotion server 201. In a preferred embodiment, the client selects a default promotion medium among the devices he has registered. Thus, a promotions medium is any electronic device selected by a customer to receive promotions and which includes an interface for delivering promotions received to a customer.

   Examples of such an interface include a display screen for viewing promotions, a speaker for announcing promotions, and a printer for printing promotions on paper.



   Figure 4B is a table of preferred retailers 409 including an area 411 for storing CIDs, an area 413 for storing product categories, and an area 415 for storing preferred retailers. Product categories indicate different classes of products such as groceries, meat, vegetables, books, magazines, music, materials, pet supplies, furniture, and stereo material, for example. Each product category also has a number (for example, "Grocery Products # 1") corresponding to the retailer's ranking by each customer in the same record in field 415.

   For example, in the table of preferred retailers 409 serving as an example, the customer

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 with CID 1234 selected Safeway as its retailer ranked first, and Super Fresh and Giant are the retailers ranked second and third respectively, in the "Grocery Products" categories. A preferred merchant or a preferred retailer of a customer is a retailer selected by the customer and to which are attached the promotions supplied to the customer. Depending on the particular promotion, one or more of the promotions provided to a customer will apply to, and / or be honored by, at least one of the preferred merchants selected by the customer.



   FIG. 4C is a support table 417 comprising the zone 419 for storing CIDs, the zone 421 for storing retailers, FIG. 423 for storing promotions supports, the zone 425 for storing incentive supports, zone 427 for storing incentive media IDs, area 429 for storing reward media, and area 431 for storing reward media IDs. The support table 417 associates each retailer for a particular CID with a support for promotions, a support for incentives, and a support for rewards. Each promotion medium in zone 423 corresponds to a device in zone 405 of the table of electronic devices 401.

   In one embodiment, the promotion supports in the zone 423 are selected from the electronic devices that the client has registered in the zone 405.



   Consequently, each retailer is associated with a promotion medium selected by the corresponding customer (in this case, the customer associated with CID 1234), and the promotion medium for each retailer is associated with the device ID in zone 407. which allows the delivery of promotions to the promotion medium indicated in zone 423. Similarly, zone 425 stores the incentive medium selected by the customer for the corresponding retailer in zone 421. The identifier of the incentive medium in area 427 identifies the particular incentive support in area 425.

   In the example of the support table 417, the customer has selected his loyalty card as the incentive support for Safeway, and the identifier of the loyalty card is AABBCC. The incentive medium is any item or device to identify a customer

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 relative to the retail storage point in area 421. For example, the customer with CID 1234 receives promotions for Ralph on his microcomputer in the form of a web page that the customer prints and brings to
Ralph as a support for incentives. In this example, the web page has the customer's CID, which is used as the incentive medium ID (i.e. 1234).

   Other examples of incentive carriers are personal identification numbers (PINs) that are entered at the retail storage point or from a computer or with a touch tone phone, email address, or n any other identifier such as a CID.



   Rewards media indicates how the customer will be rewarded for satisfying the terms of the incentive or other promotion delivered to the promotions media. The Reward Holder ID identifies only the Reward Holder. In the support table 417, the customer's VISA card is credited. Other examples of rewards are bank accounts, savings accounts, store credit, and cash.



   According to one embodiment, the tables 401, 409, and 417 are stored in the database of records 102. The promotion server 201 uses tables stored in the database of records 102 and / or the promotions database 205 to create, deliver, and control the reimbursement of promotions. However, it will be appreciated that the information used to implement the present invention can be stored in any kind of means, as will be well understood by those familiar with the technique.



   Figure 4D is a reward table 433 with an area 435 for storing CIDs, an area 437 for storing promotion IDs, and area 439 for storing reward triggers. Promotion IDs in field 437 identify the promotion delivered to a customer. If the promotion IDs are unique for each promotion, coupon fraud can be avoided by determining whether a particular promotion has already been refunded by keeping track of the promotion IDs of the refunded promotions.

   IDs

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 promotions may be any identifier suitable for identifying a promotion, including a CID, device 10, incentive carrier ID, reward carrier ID, or any other identifier. Likewise, one or more IDs of incentives in field 427 can be the same as one or more IDs of promotions. The reward triggers in area 439 are used by the store computer 203 and / or the promotions server 201 to determine whether a customer has met all of the conditions that may be required for the customer to receive the reward.

   For example, the reward trigger can be a UPC code that the store computer 203 detects as being transmitted from the terminal 319 to the store controller 311. A reward trigger can also be a CID, an incentive support ID, a Rewards Support ID, Device ID, or other identifier. For example, the customer can be rewarded simply by bringing an impression of their personal web page to the store and having a barcode on the scanned web page. In this case, the incentive carrier ID (i.e. a unique barcode on the web page) may also be the trigger for the reward.



   It will be understood that tables 401, 409,417, and 433 are given only by way of example and that they can be adapted to different commercial programs and promotions. For example, if the reward is simply a cash credit during a transaction in a retail storage point, then there is no need to identify the reward carriers and the reward carrier IDs. Similarly, if the promotions ID in field 437 is also the rewards trigger for each promotion, then there is no need to include field 439 in the rewards table 433.



   Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C are flow charts for explaining how customers register electronic devices and the preferences of their retailers and incentives and promotions media provided with the registration server 101. Specifically, Figure 5A is a flowchart explaining how one or more devices

  <Desc / Clms Page number 22>

 client's electronic devices are registered with the system of Figure 1. In step 501, the client uses an electronic device to log on to the record server 101, and the record server 101 receives the request d of the client's electronic device.

   The logon procedure may include providing the user with a user name (for example, the customer's CID) and a password (for example, a personal identification number (PINE)). If the client has not yet established a user name and password with the recording server 101, the recording server 101 prompts the user to enter this information, via the electronic device of the customer.



   In step 503, the registration server 101 transmits a prompt to the client's electronic device asking it to enter the client's CID. As stated above, the client's CID is any information used to identify the client or the client's family. In step 505, the record server 101 receives the client's CID from the client's electronic device in response to the client's entry of their CID into the electronic device.



   If the customer has already selected a default promotion medium with the registration server 101 in a previous registration session, steps 507,509, and 511 can then be skipped at the customer's option. In step 507, the record server 101 transmits a prompt to the electronic device for between the default promotions medium and the ID of the corresponding device. The default promotions medium is an electronic device selected by the client to receive promotions from the promotions server 201. The device ID is an identifier, such as a phone number or email address, that allows the server to promotions 201 to transmit promotions and / or other information to the corresponding electronic device.

   In step 509, the record server 101 receives the selection of the client's default promotion medium and the ID of the corresponding device of the client's electronic device. Then, in step 511, the recording server 101 associates the selected default promotion medium, the ID of the corresponding device, and the CID of the

  <Desc / Clms Page number 23>

 client and stores this information in the electronic devices table 401 in the records database 102.



   In step 513, the recording server 101 transmits to the client's electronic device a prompt to register other electronic devices. In step 515, the record server 101 receives from the client's electronic device an indication if the client wishes to register other electronic devices with the record server 101. If the client wishes to register other electronic devices, in step 517 the record server 101 then receives a type of device and the corresponding device ID of the other electronic devices that the client wishes to register and associates this information in the table of electronic devices 401 in the database. records 102. Then, the process returns to step 513.

   In step 515, if the client indicates that there is no other electronic device to register, the process then proceeds to step 519.



   In step 519, the record server 101 transmits to the customer's electronic device a prompt to enter a preferred retailer in a product category. Then, in step 521, the registration server 101 receives the selection of the customer's preferred retailer in the product category from the customer's electronic device. In step 423, the record server 101 associates the customer's CID and the product category with the selected preferred retailer and stores this information in the table of preferred retailers 49 in the record database 102.



   Then, in step 525, the record server 101 determines whether promotions and incentives are already stored for the selection of the preferred retailer received from the client in step 521. If the record server 101 determines that the promotional and incentive media have not yet been stored for the preferred retailer, in step 527 the registration server transmits a prompt to the electronic device to determine whether the default promotion medium is to be used for selecting the preferred retailer. In step 529, the recording server 101 receives the indication from the electronic device from the client if the storage medium

  <Desc / Clms Page number 24>

 Default promotions are to be used by the preferred retailer selected by the customer.

   If the default promotion medium is not used, the process then goes to step 531. In step 531, the recording server 101 transmits to the client's electronic device a prompt to enter a promotion medium for selecting the preferred retailer. In step 533, the record server 101 receives from the client's electronic device a selection of promotional media. The process then proceeds to step 535.



   In step 525, if the records server 101 determines that promotions and incentives are already stored for the preferred retailer, the records server then transmits to the electronic device a prompt to determine whether the existing settings ( i.e. promotions and incentives already stored for the preferred retailer) are to be used with the selected retailer. In step 549, the record server 101 receives an indication from the client device whether the existing settings are to be used. If the existing settings are not to be used, the process then proceeds to step 528. If the existing settings are to be used, the process then proceeds to step 535.

   Likewise, if the client indicates that the default promotion medium is to be used in step 529, the process then proceeds to step 535.



   In step 535, the registration server 101 transmits to the customer's electronic device a prompt to enter preferred incentive and reward carriers for selecting the preferred retailer. In step 537, the record server 101 receives from the client's electronic device the preferred incentive and reward media selected by the client.



   Then, in step 539, the recording server 101 transmits to the client's electronic device a prompt to enter identifications of incentives and rewards media corresponding respectively to the incentives and rewards media. In step 541, the recording server 101 receives from the electronic device the identifications of incentives and rewards media that the user has entered into the electronic device. In step 543, the server

  <Desc / Clms Page number 25>

 records associates customer CID and preferred retailer selection with promotion support selection, incentive support selection, incentive support ID, rewards support, and support ID rewards.

   This information is stored in the media table 417 in the record database 102.



   In step 545, the registration server 101 determines whether there are other categories of products for which the customer has not selected preferred retailers. If there are no other product categories, then the process ends. If there are other product categories for which the customer has not selected a preferred retailer, the process then returns to step 519. In a preferred embodiment, the product categories identify a product class as well as 'rank. For example, the product categories "Wholesale Grocery # 1" and "Wholesale Grocery # 2" correspond respectively to the preferred retailers first in their order of preference in the Wholesale Grocery category.



   As a result, one of the advantages of the present invention is that customers can save their preferences for receiving, accepting and refunding promotions. The present invention stores preferred merchants, preferred devices for receiving promotions (i.e., promotional media), and preferred methods for accepting and redeeming promotions (e.g., incentive media and rewards). As used here; the term "preferred" does not refer to the subjective intention of a customer, but refers to the choices made by the customer in the selection of merchants, electronic devices, etc., during the registration process.

   Thus, a preferred merchant of the customer is not necessarily the preferred merchant of the customer, but simply a merchant that the customer has selected during the registration process.



   It will be understood that any of the steps in Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C can be skipped if the record server already has the information obtained from the client in these steps. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the client can open a session with the recording server 101

  <Desc / Clms Page number 26>

 and change their selections at any time. In addition, it will be understood that the registration process is flexible and can be individualized to suit different electronic devices. For example, if the client registers with a computer, all of the registration information can be entered into a single HTML page received by the client's computer from the record server 101 via the Internet 125.



   FIG. 6 is an example of a flowchart describing how a client can register with the system of FIG. 1, using his PC 111. In step 601, the client uses his PC 111 to access a website hosted by the record server 101. The record server 101 receives a request to register electronic devices from a remote computer, and in step 603, it transmits a registration document to the remote computer (for example, an HTML page) prompting the user to enter registration information for different electronic devices.



   In step 605, the recording server 101 receives from the remote computer, registration information from one or more electronic devices that the client wishes to register with the recording server 101. According to one embodiment, these registration information includes the customer's CID, the types of the various electronic devices that the customer wishes to register, device identifiers corresponding to the electronic devices that the customer registers, indications as to whether the registered electronic device will support promotions by default, and selections of preferred retailers for different product categories.

   Thus, the recording server 101 receives from the PC 111 recording information stored in the support table 417, comprising selections of promotion supports, selections of incentive supports, IDs of incentive supports, rewards media selections, and rewards media IDs for selected preferred retailers.



   In step 607, the recording server 101 associates the client's CID with the types of electronic devices and the IDs of the corresponding devices and with the indication to know whether each electronic device must

  <Desc / Clms Page number 27>

 be the support for promotions by default. This information is stored in the table of electronic devices 401 in FIG. 4A, as described above.



   In step 609, the record server 101 associates the customer's CID with the different product categories and the corresponding preferred retailer selected by the customer. This information is stored in the preferred retailer table 409 in Figure 48.



   In step 611, the record server 101 associates the customer's CID and the selections of preferred retailers with the promotions medium selections, the incentives medium selections, the incentives medium IDs, the selections of rewards media, and rewards media IDs. This information is stored in the support table 417 in FIG. 4C.



   Figure 7 is a flowchart explaining how promotions are delivered to electronic devices in the system of Figure 2, according to an embodiment of the invention. In step 703, the promotion server 201 receives promotion information, comprising one or more categories of products and objective criteria for the promotions to be created. In step 705, the promotion server 201 determines which customers are registered with the registration server 101 and which satisfy the objective criteria. Objective criteria are commercial or other indicators to classify customers into behavioral categories.

   For example, if a promotion is to be targeted to people who buy some brand X lemonade, the promotion server 201 then uses the information stored in the general customer database 301 to determine which customers satisfy the objective criteria. If the objective criterion for users of light brand X lemonade is any customer who has purchased 1 to 1.5 liters of brand X lemonade on average each month during the last three months, all of these customers whose information 'purchase history meets the criteria of objectives, are then identified as targets to receive the promotion.

  <Desc / Clms Page number 28>

 



   In step 707, the promotions server 201 creates promotions, such as incentives, based on the promotion information and the customer registration information meeting the objective criteria. For example, if the promotion is to be given to consumers of brand X light lemonade, the product categories for the promotion may be wholesale grocery # 1, wholesale grocery # 2, and wholesale grocery # 3. , promotions are created for the three corresponding retailers and the corresponding promotion supports, incentive supports, and reward supports.

   Thus, if the promotion information is obtained from the table of preferred retailers 409 and from the table of supports 417 given as an example, the retailers will then be Safeway, SuperFresh, and Giant, the promotions support will be the mobile phone 1, the support of Incentives will be the customer's loyalty card to each of the corresponding retailers, and the reward medium will be the customer's VISA credit card.



   In step 709, the promotions server 201 assigns each promotion (in this case, an electronic incentive) an incentive ID to identify only each promotion. Then, in step 711, the record server 201 associates each incentive ID with the CID corresponding to the client to whom the electronic incentive is to be sent. In step 713, the promotions server 201 generates reward tables, such as reward table 433, for each retailer to which customers can reimburse the incentive measures. In step 715, the reward tables are issued to the retailers.

   Then, in step 717, the electronic incentive measures are delivered to the promotional media corresponding to the customer's preferred retailers. A customer can thus receive all promotions on the same electronic device if he has registered this electronic device as a promotion medium for each retailer.



   Figure 8A is a flow chart for explaining how electronic incentives delivered with the system of Figure 2 are reimbursed, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In step 801, the computer of
 EMI28.1
 store 203 in Figure 3 receives an incentive ID and / or a

  <Desc / Clms Page number 29>

 point of sale customer incentive medium 315. In one embodiment, the incentive measure ID or incentive medium ID is received by the store computer 205 when an employee at point of sale 315 reads a barcode on the incentive (i.e. the ID of the incentive) or a barcode on the customer’s loyalty card (i.e. the support ID customer incentives).

   In step 803, the store computer 203 determines whether the customer is eligible for a reward. Step 803 is executed by the store computer 203 controlling the promotions database 205 for triggering the reward. If the reward trigger is the ID of the incentive medium provided by the customer or if the promotion ID is one of the promotion IDs stored in area 437, in step 8054, the store computer 203 then rewards the customer, based on the selected rewards medium and zone 429 of the medium table 417.

   For example, if the rewards carrier is cash, the store computer then communicates with the store controller 311 to have the cash amount of the reward deducted from the customer's overall purchase. If the rewards carrier is the customer's VISA credit card, the store computer 203 then credits the customer's VISA card with the amount of the reward, using the Rewards carrier ID (in this case , the number of the credit card) in the area 431. In step 807, the store computer 203 transmits to the promotions server 201 an indication that the client has been reimbursed for the electronic incentive. In this way, it is avoided that the same incentive is not reimbursed twice to the same customer or to a different customer.



   Figure 8B is a flowchart for explaining an alternative method
 EMI29.1
 to refund incentives with the system of Figure 3. In step 809, the store computer 203 receives a promotion ID and / or a store support incentive ID 315, as in step 801. In step 811, the store computer 203 determines whether the customer is eligible for a reward, as in step 803. If the customer is eligible for a reward, the store computer 203 then transmits to the promotions server 201 an indication that the customer has been reimbursed for the

  <Desc / Clms Page number 30>

 incentive. In step 815, the promotions server 201 then determines whether the client has already been reimbursed for the incentive.

   If the client has already been reimbursed for the incentive, the client is then not reimbursed and the process returns to step 809. If, in step 815, the promotions server 201 determines that the client has not not previously reimbursed for the incentive, in step 817, the promotions server 201 rewards the client, based on the selected rewards medium. As noted above, a customer can be rewarded in many different ways, whether the reward is made by the promotions server 201 or the store computer 203. For example, the promotions server 201 can credit the customer's credit card if the customer has selected their credit card as the reward medium in field 429.

   In an alternative embodiment, the promotion server 201 rewards the customer by returning to the store computer 203 an indication that the customer is to be rewarded with a printed coupon or certificate the next time the customer presents his support for incentives to point of sale 315 in retail store 305. In this case, the next time the customer's loyalty card is read at point of sale 315 in retail store 305, store computer 203 will then order from the store. printer 317 the automatic delivery of the reward by printing a coupon or certificate which will be given to the customer by an employee at point of sale 315.



   FIG. 9A is an example of an electronic incentive 901 which is delivered by the promotions server 201 and is displayed on an electronic device such as a web device 103, a mobile phone 105, a personal assistant (PDA) 107, a two-way pager 109 , a PC 111, a gaming system 113, a mobile phone 122, and / or a television 115. The electronic incentive 901 includes an area 903 indicating the reward, an area 905 indicating the preferred retailer, and an area 907 indicating the support for incentives.



   Figure 98 is an example of an electronic incentive 909 in the form of a personal web page. The web page can be delivered to the PC 111 or PDA 107 or any other electronic device of the customer with a

  <Desc / Clms Page number 31>

 web browser to request, receive, and view web pages. The electronic incentive 909 can be transmitted to the customer's electronic devices by the promotion server 201. The electronic incentive 909 includes an area 911 indicating the reward, an area 913 indicating the reward medium, and an area 915 with the Promotion ID (in this case, a barcode). Electronic incentive 909 is printed by a printer connected to PC 111.

   Then, the printed version of the electronic coupon is presented at point of sale 315 where promotion ID 915 is read by scanner 321. An example of a personal web page is the ValuPage generated by Supermarkets Online, Inc.



   As noted above, the present invention is flexible and can be customized to suit different customer electronic devices. In another example, an electronic customer device, such as a PDA, can be configured to transport and transmit electronic incentives, and thus become both a medium for promotions and a medium for incentives. Other mobile devices can also transport and transmit electronic incentives. For example, electronic incentives can be issued to PDA 107, stored on PDA 107, and reimbursed by downloading information from PDA 107 to the data transfer unit 323 at point of sale 315.

   PDA 107 and data transfer unit 323 can communicate using WAP, Bluetooth and / or any other suitable protocol.



   As another example, a promotion can be delivered to a customer's television via the customer's interactive TV set-top box 119. According to one embodiment, the client sets himself to a specific channel or selects a recording option with his remote control 117. The client is then asked to enter a unique PIN (for example, the client's CID) which identifies the client or his family. The customer is asked to set options for other family members (for example, limitations on who can accept offers, buy items, etc.). The customer is then asked to select product categories for which they would like to receive incentives, information, and / or samples.

   Then, the client is asked to enter

  <Desc / Clms Page number 32>

 Preferred retailers from whom the customer would like to receive reimbursement of the accepted incentives, in the order of preference of the merchants. Finally, the customer is invited to register the incentive support which must "transport" the incentive for reimbursement (for example, a loyalty card or PDA account number). From this point on, when the customer watches television and an offer is made as part of an interactive advertising film, the customer simply uses the remote control 117 to accept or reject the offer.

   If the offer is accepted, the offer is then associated with the preferred retailer (s) and the corresponding incentive support (s), based on the registration information stored in the preferred retailer table 409 and the support table. 417. The item or items on promotion are then added to a universal shopping list, which is retrieved from the record server 101 or a kiosk in the retail store 305 by an electronic device that the client has registered. Confirmation that the promotion has been accepted may be sent to the customer via interactive television, email, or any other means of communicating with any of the electronic devices that the customer has registered. .



   The mobile device can be registered using the mobile device to access a specific website (for example, a website posted by the record server 101) and to deliver registration information to the record server 101 , using the mobile device, as described in FIGS. 5A, 58, and 5C. In another embodiment, a client registers the mobile device (for example, PDA) as part of another registration (for example, by interactive television, as described above, or by the PC 111, as described with reference to Figure 6). The electronic registration and incentives are delivered to the mobile device of the promotion server 201 and stored in the mobile device.

   The transfer of the registration information required to obtain reimbursement of the incentive takes place by connecting the mobile device to point of sale 115 or via wireless communication such as that using a wireless application protocol ( WAP) glued to the ground.

  <Desc / Clms Page number 33>

 



   Part or all of the invention may be practically practiced using conventional universal computers or microprocessors programmed according to the teachings of the present invention, as will be appreciated by those familiar with the technique of computers. Appropriate software can be easily prepared by qualified programmers based on the teachings of this discovery, as those familiar with software technique will realize.



   FIG. 10 represents a computer system 1001 on which an embodiment of the present invention can be implemented. The computer system 1001 includes a bus 1003 or other communication mechanism for transmitting information, and a processor 1005 coupled to the bus 1003 for processing the information. The computer system 1001 also includes main memory 1007, such as random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic random access memory (for example, dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), and synchronous DRAM (DRAM)), coupled to bus 1003 to store information and instructions to be executed by processor 1005.

   In addition, the main memory 1007 can be used to store temporary variables or other intermediate information during the execution of instructions by the processor 1005. The computer system 1001 further includes a read-only memory (ROM) 1009 or the like. static random access memory (for example, a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), and an electrically erasable and programmable PROM (EEPROM), and a flash ROM)) coupled to bus 1003 to store static information and instructions for the processor 1005. An information medium 1011, such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk, is provided and coupled to the bus 1003 for storing information and instructions.



   The computer system 1001 may also include special purpose logic devices (for example, specific application integrated circuits (ASIC) or configurable logic devices (for example, generic logic network (GAL) or door networks reprogrammable on site ( FPGA)). Other removable media devices (for example, disks

  <Desc / Clms Page number 34>

 compact, tape, and removable magneto-optical media) or fixed, high-density media readers can be added to computer system 1001 using an appropriate peripheral bus (for example, an interface bus for small computer systems (SCSI), an integrated device electronics bus (IDE), or a direct memory access bus (DMA)).

   The computer system 1001 may further comprise a compact disc player, a compact disc reader / writer, or a compact disc jukebox, each of which can be connected to the same peripheral bus or to another peripheral bus .



   The computer system 1001 can be coupled via the bus 1003 to a screen 1013, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), to display information for the user of a computer. The screen 1013 can be controlled by a display or graphic card. The computer system includes input devices, such as a keyboard 1015 and a cursor command 1017, for communicating information and command selections to processor 1005. The cursor command 1017, for example, is a mouse, a trackball, or cursor keys for communicating direction information and command selections to processor 1005 and for controlling movement of the cursor on screen 1013.

   In addition, a printer can provide printed lists of the data and information structures shown in Figures 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D or any other data stored and / or generated by the computer system 1001.



   The computer system 1001 executes part or all of the processing steps of the invention in response to the processor 1005 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in a memory, such as the main memory 1007. Such an instruction may comprise , for example, registration of customer's electronic devices and generation, delivery, and redemption of promotions using registration information. Such instructions can be read from main memory 1007 from another computer-readable medium, such as data medium 1011. One or more processors in a multiprocessing configuration can also be used to execute the sequences

  <Desc / Clms Page number 35>

 instructions contained in main memory 1007.

   In alternative embodiments, a wired circuit may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions. Thus, the embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of the hardware circuit and the software.



   As indicated above, the system 1001 comprises at least one computer-readable medium, a memory, or a machine code peripheral programmed according to the teachings of the invention, to contain data structures, tables, records, or other data described here. The present invention, stored on a computer-readable medium or on a combination of such media, comprises software for controlling the computer system 1001, for controlling one or more peripherals in order to implement the invention, and for enabling the computer system 1001 to interact with the user (for example, a customer). Such software can include, but is not limited to, device drivers, operating systems, development tools, and application software.

   Such computer readable media further includes the computer program product of the present invention for performing all or part (if the processing is distributed) of the processing performed by implementing the invention. The machine code peripherals of the present invention can be any interpreted or executable code mechanism, including, but not limited to, scenarios, interpreters, dynamic link libraries, Java classes, and full programs executables. In addition, parts of the processing of the present invention can be dispensed to improve performance, reliability and / or cost.



   The term "computer readable medium as used herein applies to any medium involved in issuing instructions to processor 1005 for their execution. Computer readable medium can take many forms, including, but not limited to this, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical discs, magnetic discs, and magneto-optical discs, such as the 1011 information medium. volatile media include dynamic memory, such as main memory 1007. The

  <Desc / Clms Page number 36>

 Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wires, and optical fibers, including the wires belonging to bus 1003.

   Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light signals, such as those generated during data communications by radio waves and infrared waves.



   Common forms of computer readable media include, for example, hard disks, floppy disks, tapes, magneto-optical disks, PROMs (EPROM, EEPROM, EPROM Flash), DRAMs, SRAMs, SDRAMs, or any what other magnetic medium, compact discs (for example, CD-ROMs), or any other optical medium, punch cards, tape, or other physical medium with hole patterns, a carrier wave (described below), or any other medium from which the computer can read.



   Various forms of computer readable media can be involved in the transmission of one or more sequences of one or more instructions to processor 1005 for execution. For example, the instructions may be initially carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load the instructions to implement all or part of the present invention remotely into dynamic memory and transmit the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem connected to a computer system 1001 can receive data over the telephone line and use an infrared transmitter to convert the data into an infrared signal.

   An infrared detector coupled to the bus 1003 can receive the data carried in the infrared signal and place the data on the bus 1003. The bus 1003 transports the data to the main memory 1007, from which the processor 1005 retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by the main memory 1007 can optionally be stored on the information medium 1011 either before or after their execution by the processor 1005.



   The computer system 1001 also includes a communication interface 1019 coupled to the bus 1003. The communication interface 1019 performs bidirectional data communication coupling with a

  <Desc / Clms Page number 37>

 network link 1021 which is connected to a local network (for example, LAN 1023). For example, the communication interface 1019 can be a network interface card to be connected to any packet switched local area network (LAN). Another example of a 1019 communication interface may be an asymmetric digital subscriber line card (ADSL), an integrated services digital network card (ISDN) or a modem to make a data communication connection to a type telephone line correspondent.

   Wireless links can also be implemented. In such an implementation, the communication interface 1019 transmits and receives electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals which transport streams of digital data representing different types of information.



   Network link 1021 typically performs data communication through one or more networks with other data devices. For example, network link 1021 can establish a connection over LAN 1023 with a central computer 1025 , another computer system 1001, or with data equipment operated by a service provider, which provides data communication services via an IP (Internet Protocol) network 1027 (for example, Internet 125). LAN 1023 and IP networks both use electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals that carry streams of digital data.

   The signals flowing in the various networks and the signals on the network link 1021 and in the communication interface 1019, which transport digital data to and from the computer system 1001, are examples of carrier waveforms transporting information. . The computer system 1001 can transmit notifications and receive data, including the program code, by the network or networks; the network link 1021 and the communications interface 1019.



   It is obvious that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It will therefore be understood that the invention, within the scope of the appended claims, can be put into practice other than what is specifically described here.


    

Claims (63)

 CLAIMS 1. Method comprising: reception from an electronic device of a customer identifier, of information of a preferred merchant, and of information for promotion support, the customer identifier corresponding to a customer, the preferred merchant information corresponding to a preferred merchant of the client, the promotion support information corresponding to a preferred device of the client for receiving promotions; and associating the customer identifier with the preferred merchant information and the promotion support information. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting to the electronic device a merchant registration prompt for the customer to identify the customer's preferred merchant; and transmitting to the electronic device a promotion support prompt for the customer to select the customer's preferred device for receiving promotions. 3. Method according to claim 1, in which the client identifier is selected from the group consisting of a client identifier, a loyalty card number, a "cookie", an IP address, a phone number, and an email address. The method of claim 1, further comprising associating the preferred merchant information and the customer identifier with a device identifier corresponding to the electronic device. 5. Method according to claim 4, further comprising the delivery to the electronic device of a promotion corresponding to the preferred merchant,  <Desc / Clms Page number 39>  using the device identifier, the promotion support information including the device identifier and the preferred device including the electronic device. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering information of a promotion to a remote computer associated with the preferred merchant, the information of the promotion comprising the identifier of the customer. The method of claim 1, wherein the promotion medium information comprises a promotion medium identifier identifying a promotion medium comprising the preferred device, and the method further comprising the step of delivering a promotion to the promotion support. 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving from the electronic device an incentive support identifier corresponding to an incentive support to reimburse promotions delivered to the promotion support. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising receiving from the electronic device a reward carrier information corresponding to a reward carrier by which the customer is rewarded. The method of claim 9, further comprising: again receiving the incentive carrier identifier in response to a customer purchase transaction; determining if the customer is qualified to receive a reward; and the customer reward if the customer is qualified to receive the reward, using the reward support information.  <Desc / Clms Page number 40>    The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving additional preferred merchant information corresponding to the customer's additional preferred merchants; and associating the additional preferred merchant information with the customer identifier. 12. Method comprising: storage in association with a customer identifier, preferred merchant information, and a promotion medium identifier, the customer identifier corresponding to a customer, preferred merchant information corresponding to a preferred merchant from the client, the promotion medium identifier identifying a promotion medium comprising a device preferred by the customer for receiving promotions; generating an incentive based on the customer's preferred merchant, and delivering a promotion corresponding to the preferred merchant to the promotion medium, using the promotion medium identifier. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising storing preferred merchant information in association with a product category, wherein the promotion corresponds to the product category. The method of claim 12, further comprising storing a device identifier corresponding to another electronic device in association with the preferred merchant information and the client identifier. 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing promotion information to the preferred merchant, the promotion information comprising the client identifier.  <Desc / Clms Page number 41>   16. The method of claim 12, further comprising an incentive support identifier in association with the preferred merchant information, the incentive support identifier corresponding to an incentive support to reimburse promotions delivered to the support. promotions. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising storing the reward carrier information corresponding to a reward carrier by which the customer is rewarded. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: receiving the incentive medium identifier in response to a customer purchase transaction; determining if the customer is qualified to receive a reward; and the customer reward if the customer is qualified to receive the reward, using the reward support information. 19. Computer readable medium containing program instructions to be executed on a computer system, which after having been executed by a computer, instruct the computer system to perform the method described in any one of claims 1 to 18. 20. System comprising: a memory in which recording information is integrated; a processor linked to the memory, the processor being configured to: receive from an electronic device a customer identifier, a preferred merchant information, and promotion support information, the customer identifier corresponding to a customer , the preferred merchant information corresponding to a preferred merchant of the client, the promotion support information corresponding to a preferred device of the client for receiving promotions; and  <Desc / Clms Page number 42>  associate the customer identifier with the preferred merchant information and the promotion support information. The system of claim 20, wherein the processor is further configured to: transmit a merchant registration prompt to the customer to the electronic device to identify the customer's preferred merchant; and transmitting to the electronic device a promotion support prompt for the client in order to select the client's preferred device for receiving promotions. 22. The system as claimed in claim 20, in which the client identifier is selected from the group consisting of a client identifier, a loyalty card number, a "cookie", an IP address, a phone number, and an email address. 23. The system of claim 20, wherein the processor is further configured to associate the preferred merchant information and the customer identifier with a device identifier corresponding to the electronic device. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the processor is further configured to deliver to the electronic device a promotion corresponding to the preferred merchant, using the device identifier, the promotion support information comprising the identifier device and the preferred device including the electronic device. 25. The system of claim 20, wherein the processor is further configured to deliver the information of a promotion to a remote computer associated with the preferred merchant, the information of the promotion comprising the identifier of the customer.  <Desc / Clms Page number 43> 26. The system of claim 20, wherein the promotion medium information comprises a promotion medium identifier identifying a promotion medium comprising the preferred device, and the processor is further configured to deliver a promotion to the promotion medium. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the promotions medium is a personal assistant, a mobile phone, or a pager. 28. The system of claim 26, wherein the preferred device comprises the electronic device. 29. The system of claim 26, wherein the preferred device comprises another electronic device. 30. The system of claim 20, wherein the processor is configured to receive from the electronic device an incentive medium identifier corresponding to an incentive medium to reimburse promotions delivered to the promotion medium. The system of claim 30, wherein the processor is configured to receive from the electronic device reward carrier information corresponding to a reward carrier by which the customer is rewarded. The system of claim 31, wherein the processor is further configured to: re-receive the incentive medium identifier in response to a purchase transaction from the customer; determine if the customer is qualified to receive a reward; and reward the customer if the customer is qualified to receive the reward, using the reward support information.  <Desc / Clms Page number 44> The system of claim 20, wherein the processor is further configured to: receive additional preferred merchant information corresponding to the additional preferred merchants from the customer; and associating the additional preferred merchant information with the customer identifier. 34. System comprising: a memory in which are integrated customer identifier information, preferred merchant information, and promotion support information, the customer identifier information being associated with preferred merchant information and to the promotion support information and corresponding to a customer identifier of a customer, the preferred merchant information corresponding to a preferred merchant of the customer, the promotion support information corresponding to a promotion support identifier support for promotions selected by the client to receive promotions;  and a processor linked to the memory, the processor being configured to deliver a promotion corresponding to the preferred merchant to the promotion medium, using the promotion medium identifier. 35. The system of claim 34, wherein the memory contains product category information of a product category associated with the preferred merchant, wherein the promotion corresponds to the product category. 36. The system of claim 34, wherein the memory contains device identifier information of a device identifier corresponding to another electronic device associated with the preferred merchant and the client identifier.  <Desc / Clms Page number 45>   37. The system of claim 34, wherein the processor is further configured to deliver the promotion information to the preferred merchant, the promotion information comprising the customer identifier. 38. The system of claim 34, wherein the preferred device is a personal assistant, a mobile phone, or a pager. 39. The system of claim 34, wherein the memory contains incentive support information corresponding to an incentive support identifier associated with the preferred merchant, the incentive support identifier corresponding to an incentive support for reimburse promotions delivered to promotions support. 40. The system of claim 39, wherein the memory contains rewards carrier information associated with the client identifier and corresponding to a rewards carrier selected by the client to receive rewards. 41. The system of claim 40, wherein the processor is further configured to: receive the incentive medium identifier in response to a purchase transaction from the customer; determine if the customer is qualified to receive a reward; and reward the customer if the customer is qualified to receive the reward, using the reward support information. 42. System comprising: means for receiving from an electronic device a client identifier, a preferred merchant information, and a promotion support information, the client identifier corresponding to a client, the information of  <Desc / Clms Page number 46>  preferred merchant corresponding to a preferred merchant of the client, the promotion support information corresponding to a preferred device of the client for receiving promotions; and means for associating the customer identifier with the preferred merchant information and the promotion support information. The system of claim 42, further comprising: means for transmitting to the electronic device a merchant registration prompt for the customer to identify the customer's preferred merchant; and means for transmitting to the electronic device a promotion support prompt for the client in order to select the client's preferred device for receiving promotions. 44. The system as claimed in claim 42, in which the client identifier is selected from the group consisting of a client identifier, a loyalty card number, a "cookie", an IP address, a phone number, and an email address. 45. The system of claim 42, further comprising means for associating the preferred merchant information and the customer identifier with a device identifier corresponding to the electronic device. 46. The system according to claim 45, further comprising means for delivering to the electronic device a promotion corresponding to the preferred merchant, using the device identifier, the promotion support information comprising the device identifier and the preferred device including the electronic device. 47. The system of claim 42, further comprising means for delivering information of a promotion to a remote computer associated with the  <Desc / Clms Page number 47>  preferred merchant, promotion information including customer identifier. 48. The system of claim 42, wherein the promotion medium information comprises a promotion medium identifier identifying a promotion medium comprising the preferred device, and the system further comprises means for delivering a promotion to the promotion medium. . 49. The system of claim 48, wherein the promotions medium is a personal assistant, a mobile phone, or a pager. 50. The system of claim 48, wherein the preferred device comprises the electronic device. 51. The system of claim 48, wherein the preferred device comprises another electronic device. 52. The system of claim 42, further comprising means for receiving from the electronic device an incentive support identifier corresponding to an incentive support to reimburse promotions delivered to the promotion support. 53. The system as claimed in claim 52, further comprising means for receiving from the electronic device a rewards support information corresponding to a rewards support by which the customer is rewarded. 54. The system of claim 53, further comprising: means for receiving the incentive carrier identifier again in response to a customer purchase transaction;  <Desc / Clms Page number 48>  means for determining whether the customer is qualified to receive a reward; and means for rewarding the customer if the customer is qualified to receive the reward, using the reward support information.  55. The system of claim 42, further comprising: means for receiving additional preferred merchant information corresponding to additional preferred merchants from the customer; and means for associating the additional preferred merchant information with the customer identifier. 56. System comprising: means for storing, in association with a client identifier, preferred merchant information, and a promotion medium identifier, the client identifier corresponding to a client, the preferred merchant information corresponding to a customer's preferred merchant, the promotion medium identifier identifying a promotion medium comprising a customer's preferred device for receiving promotions; means for generating an incentive based on the customer's preferred merchant, and means for delivering a promotion corresponding to the preferred merchant to the promotion medium, using the promotion medium identifier. 57. The system of claim 56, further comprising means for storing preferred merchant information in association with a product category, wherein the promotion corresponds to the product category. 58. The system of claim 56, further comprising means for storing a device identifier corresponding to another device.  <Desc / Clms Page number 49>  electronic in combination with preferred merchant information and customer identifier. 59. The system of claim 56, further comprising means for delivering promotion information to the preferred merchant, the promotion information comprising the customer identifier. 60. The system of claim 56, wherein the preferred device is a personal assistant, a mobile phone, or a pager. 61. The system of claim 56, further comprising means for storing an incentive medium identifier in association with the preferred merchant information, the incentive medium identifier corresponding to an incentive medium to reimburse promotions delivered to promotions support. 62. The system of claim 61, further comprising means for storing reward carrier information corresponding to a reward carrier by which the customer is rewarded. 63. The system of claim 62, further comprising: means for receiving the incentive carrier identifier in response to a customer purchase transaction; means for determining whether the customer is qualified to receive a reward; and means for rewarding the customer if the customer is qualified to receive the reward, using the reward support information.