Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q30/00—Commerce
  • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method for communication between at least two parties according to the pre-characterizing portion of claim 1 and to a device for performing the method for communication according to the pre-characterizing portion of claim 5.
• stamp cards are normally small pieces of paper, often in credit card format, where every purchase is registered with a stamp and a specified number of stamps/purchases give some kind of bonus, an extra service, such as an additional car wash, etc.
• a customer can for example have more than one stamp card, if he/she did not have the card with himself/herself at time of purchase.
• stamp cards do not provide any contact information to the consumer and therefore cannot provide any means of communication from the sales organizations to increase sales/loyalty.
• a disadvantage is that if the sales organizations choose to enter contact information at bonuses, staff needs to manually input data.
• a further drawback is that consumers want to have as few cards as possible in their wallet. With too many cards and stamp card the consumer will forget and have poor control of all their cards and stamp cards. Finally, the consumer will become skeptical of the existing systems and ultimately may not receive any bonuses, because it is difficult to have their entire card portfolio exactly at the time of purchase.
• KR 20020064454 shows and describes an entry system that uses an RFIC card to be, read at entry of the arena for visiting a concert, a football game or other entertainments. This card can be used as entry and exit such as a ticket for admission to the appropriate venue and can be applied to the mobile phone. RFIC card sends the signal that is detected by the reading device at gate. The purpose here is quite different and the reading device will only read answer if the "ticket" is valid or invalid for passage.
• This invention relates to provide a method for communication between two parties, such as a sales organization and at least one consumer, whereby the method eliminates the above disadvantages.
• the method according to the invention is also simple and reliable and environmentally friendly in design and function.
• the RFID tag which is preferably placed, for example with adhesive tapes, on a subject of the consumer, such as at the backside of mobile phone or placed on a wallet.
• RFID tag can also be designed as a key fob to be placed among consumer's keys.
• the sales organization collects in real time data about newly registered consumers, the number of stamps etc by reading with the RFID reading device.
• the consumer's contact information is provided automatically to the sales organization when the purchase is carried out and the RFID tag is in contact or near the equipped area on RFID reading device close to the point of sale.
• the contact information can be used for marketing DR (direct advertisement), SMS, e-mail and can only be effected if the consumer has accepted the terms of use of the service provided.
• the sales organization can also use this information for improved customer insight, create catchment areas around the store and increase their return on investment (ROI) on marketing budget.
• ROI return on investment
• the invention has the advantage that it eliminates unnecessary handling, such as stamp coupons or cards in wallets and the consumer do not have to keep track of their discounts/offers.
• the consumer also knows that the bonus will be paid out as "loss" no longer exists providing a superior customer value.
• One RFID tag which applies to all affiliated sales organizations, is enough for each consumer and the consumer can easily on the web or through WAP get an overview of all sales organizations customer which are connected and sign up for those. Through less handling of vouchers and cards there is also an environmental aspect by using the method and device according to the invention.
• Figure 1 shows a plan view of an RFID tag in the form of a sticker.
• Figure 2 shows a plan view of a RFID reading device.
• Figure 3 shows a side view of the RFID reading device in Figure 2.
• Figure 4 shows a schematic flow chart of a method according to the invention for communication between two sales organizations and one consumer.
• FIG. 1 shows a schematic picture of a pre-known RFID tag 1 , which may be in the form of a sticker that can be glued with a suitable adhesive on the back of a mobile phone or on a wallet or any other suitable place.
• the RFID tag 1 may alternatively be designed as a key fob to be attached to the consumer ' s keys.
• the RFID tag 1 has an IC chip inside that is personally coded and locked for each individual. By means of the locking, the personal code of the IC chip cannot be manipulated.
• a reading device 2 is shown with a not visible, integrated RFID reader for reading the pre-programmed IC chip in the RFID tag 1 , which is placed at the consumer who received this particular RFID tag 1.
• the RFID reader can with advantage be located on the inside of the reading device 2 behind the sloping surface 3.
• Reference number 4 denotes an electrical connection for power supply and transmission of data to and from a server 5 (see Fig.4).
• a consumer can order an RFID tag over the Internet through a special website provided by the organization that centrally manages the method and device described in the invention. Alternatively, the consumer receives the RFID tag at a defined sales place which is connected to the use of the method and the device according to the invention.
• Figure 2 also shows the possibility of displaying information of the method and device according to the invention in the form of two display units 2a and 2b.
• the two display units are separated and the device is so designed, that the information on the first display unit 2a is directed towards staff at the sales organization and is not visible to the consumer.
• a display window of the display unit 2a is arranged in a recess in the device to prevent transparency to the consumer.
• the communication on the second display unit 2b is visible to both parties but the text is read correctly by the consumer. All communication and information displayed is fetched from the server 5 and adjusted for each RFID tag and sales organization.
• Reference figures 2c and 2d denote the switches, through which the sale personnel can control the transfer of bonus and/or transmit information to the consumer's display unit 2b:
• FIG. 4 shows schematically a flow chart illustrating the operation of the method of the invention.
• the consumer acquires a specific RFID tag 1 , which is personal with specific data, too be connected to one or more programs, i.e. sales organizations.
• the acquisition of the RFID tag 1 is made through any of the stores of the sales organization, which has signed up for the use of the method of the invention, or directly from the organization that centrally administrates and provides RFID tags.
• the consumer signs up with the sales organization giving pre defined contact information, which may differ between affiliated sales organizations.
• WEBB or WAP the consumers can also easily simply choose other programs to participate in. This can be achieved through communication with the central program.
• RFID tag 1 is sufficient for connection to multiple sales organizations.
• a sales organization may only advertise to consumers who have accepted advertising and have accepted to join their specified program, an active choice that takes place at each of the first contact with a new sales organization.
• FIG 4 shows an RFID tag 1 , which applies to a consumer.
• the number of RFID tags 1 which is using the method of the invention, is related to the number of people who signed up.
• the number of RFID tag 1 on the market may be very large and at least equal to the magnitude of the currently issued bonus cards for the biggest trading company in the market.
• the advantage is that an RFID tag 1 can be used for a variety of affiliated sales organizations or commercial enterprises.
• the consumer's draws the RFID tag 1 over and close by. so it comes into , contact with the RFID reader device 2, which when it receives a signal from the RFID tag 1 is arranged to deliver an audio and/or light signal, which notifies the consumer that the data entry has been made.
• the display unit 2b on the RFID reading device 2 is to be used for communications to the consumer on the status of the program (number of stamps, current offers, or the like. ) and verifying input of new data.
• the display unit 2a is to be used for stimulation of personal treatment, potential cross sale or other information relevant to staff at points of sale.
• the visual message on the display unit 2a is not visible to the consumer.
• Figure 4 shows only two RFID reading devices 2 but this number may be quite different and depends on how many sales organizations that have acceded to the use of the method and device according to the invention.
• the number of RFID reading devices 2 is also dependent on the number of outlets and number of counters at each retail outlet.
• the server 5 includes the database which contains important information that the consumer has acknowledged that a sales organization may have access to, such as name, address, city, year, month and day, and cell phone number and email address, etc.
• the server 5 is always in communication between RFID reading device 2 and the consumer.
• the server 5 also stores the information for the consumer on the number of
• FIG. 4 shows RFID reading devices 2 arranged in two different outlets of a sales organization where the consumer's RFID tag 1 can be used.
• the consumer has by means of the Internet, or when ordering the RFID tag, or another point of time chosen these sales organizations.
• One of the sales organizations outlets with an RFID reader device 2 connected thereto can via the
• Internet 6 download defined data from the central server 5 for communication with the consumer via e.g. SMS, e-mail, or DR. as shown at the reference number 7.
• the server 5 can also communicate with consumers via the display unit 2b of the RFID reader device 2. Communication towards sales organization 8 and towards private consumers 9 can be achieved through the administrator's website. In addition, communication can be achieved through the mobile phone 10 of the consumer, such as by WAP or app.
• the server 5 can thus be arranged to notify the consumer through different channels.
• the reading devices 2 with RFID reading capabilities is advantageously located close to and preferably linked to a store's cash register so that any discounts easily and automatically is deducted directly on payment.
• the RFID reading devices 2 are in the latter case, each connected to the cash registers through an interface, so that the regulation of any discounts is provided directly automatically.
• the method and device according to the invention provide selective and more accurate distribution of offers. There is an environmental aspect reducing and gradually almost completely remove the DR in the form of untargeted distributed flyers with discount offers. A relationship is created between the sales organization and the consumer.
• a single RFID tag can be used for a multiple of sales organizations or commercial enterprises, thereby reducing the thick bundles of bonus cards in the wallet; this also contributes to reduced emissions into the environment.
• Messages can be transmitted easily via the displays 2a and 2b of the RFID reading device 2, SMS or the Internet directly to the consumer.
• Existing customer registers or databases can be imported so that an offer of registration and issuance of an RFID tag 1 can be done easily. For example, ongoing discounts from a particular sales organization can be sent to mobile phones or via e-mail linked to the RFID tag 1 in question so that consumers can take advantage of them. All transactions made through the buyer's associated RFID tag 1 can either just the sales organization, or both the sales organization and consumer access through communication with the server 5.
• the reading device with the RFID reader 2 includes only one display unit which is targeted to the consumer but also can be read by the outlet staff.

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• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
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• Strategic Management (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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• Economics (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
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• Game Theory and Decision Science (AREA)
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
• Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

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• 2010
  • 2010-01-18 SE SE1050054A patent/SE1050054A1/sv not_active Application Discontinuation
• 2011
  • 2011-01-18 EP EP11733162.9A patent/EP2526520A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2011-01-18 WO PCT/SE2011/050049 patent/WO2011087447A1/en active Application Filing

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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