FI20206212A1

FI20206212A1 - Dynamic tokens in a package media service

Info

Publication number: FI20206212A1
Application number: FI20206212A
Authority: FI
Inventors: Mauri Reinilä
Original assignee: Packagemedia Oy
Priority date: 2020-11-27
Filing date: 2020-11-27
Publication date: 2022-05-28
Also published as: WO2022112650A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a system for generating and handling dynamic tokens generated on basis of unique package identifiers (200). A registration of a user to a package media service (100) is received, and the user is assigned a user identifier (300). At least one unique package identifier (200) of a consumer package is received from a user device. The at least unique package identifier (200) is unique among all consumer packages and identifies a single consumer package. Each unique package identifier (200) is associated with a dynamic token value (220). Upon receiving a unique package identifier (200) from the user, the received unique package identifier (200) is associated with the user identifier (300) and a set token value (430) is assigned to a token (420) on basis of the dynamic token value (220) associated with the unique package identifier (200). The token (420) with the set token value (430) is stored in a package token wallet (410) associated with the user identifier (300).

Description

Dynamic tokens in a package media service Field The present invention relates to a method, an apparatus and a computer program product related to users and consumer packages.

More particularly, there is provided a method, a system and a computer program product that relates to unique identifications of consumer packages and utilization thereof to provide exchangeable value in form of tokens in a package media service.

Background Consumer packages (i.e. the package surrounding the actual content) include various pieces of information that are intended to describe the contents of the consumer packages in more detail.

Some of the information is intended for a consumer, e.g. information relating to the content of a package, product description etc.

Similarly, some of the information is meant for other parties, e.g. for a store, manufacturer of the product, and it typically includes e.g. numerical information or bar codes.

Some consumer packages have been equipped with information with which a user is able to utilize such a package in a new way.

A package may be provided with a special code, e.g. a two-dimensional code.

A S typical arrangement is that a software application running on a computing = device, which may be a mobile computing device, or any computing N device connected to the Internet, is used to capture video image via a T camera connected to the computing device, e.g. via a built-in camera of a 25 alaptop computer.

When the special code (e.g. held by the user or put on N a table) is detected by the camera, the application builds a special virtual ä environment relating to the special code on the screen of the computer.

A term Augmented Reality (AR) is often used in this context.

The special environment may present two or three-dimensional information to the user. The presented information may be static by its nature, e.g. a three- dimensional product demonstration. In another embodiment, the presented information may be interactive, e.g. a game to be played by the user. In the above examples, the special code gives each user the same result. Based on the above, there is a need for a solution which offers a more flexible and customizable way to provide various services to a user based on a special, unique code on a consumer package. Description of the related art Patent application W02012104486 Al discloses providing a service to a registered user of a package media service by associating a unique identifier of a package with a user identity. US2012209686 AA discloses reading a QR-code comprising an uniform resource locator (URL) to open an interactive service in which a user device sends to a server information identifier the user or the user device, an in response a digital coupon associated with an offer related to the OR- code is provided to a user account. US2018025185 AA discloses reading from a QR-code printed in a package o an URL that identifies the respective product. Information on association N 20 between the user and the product may be shown in social media. The user = may attend a lottery by reading the URL.

N E Summary N An object is to provide methods, apparatus and computer program O products so as to solve the problem of providing variety of services to a O 25 user based on a special code on a consumer package. The objects of the present invention are achieved with method according to the claim 1. The objects of the present invention are further achieved with an apparatus according to the characterizing portion of claim 13. The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect, a method is provided, that comprises receiving, via a data communication network, a registration of a user to a package media service, assigning in the package media service a user identifier to the user and receiving, with the package media service, at least one unique package identifier of a consumer package. The at least one unique package identifier is received from a user via the data communication network. Each one of the at least unique package identifiers is unique among all consumer packages and identifies a single consumer package. The method comprises associating each unique package identifier with a dynamic token value. Upon receiving a unique package identifier from the user, the received unique package identifier is associated with the user identifier assigned to the user and a set token value is assigned to a token. The set token value is defined on basis of the dynamic token value associated with the unique package identifier. The token with the set token value is stored in a package token wallet associated with the user o 20 identifier. The user can access a service provided by a service provider, O while the access to the service consumes one or more tokens stored in = the package token wallet.

N - According to a second aspect, the dynamic token value is at least one of s dependent on time, defined based on a pre-defined rule and defined based 5 25 on a lottery. The set token value is assigned to the unique package N identifier in dependence of receiving the unigue package identifier from - the user.

According to a third aspect, the dynamic token value is adjustable until the unique package identifier is received form the user or until the unique package identifier is marked as being redeemed by the user.

According to a fourth aspect, the dynamic token value is adjustable by the service provider over an administration panel or over an application programming interface (API) of the package media service.

According to a fifth aspect, the service provider is a third party independent of the package media service.

The service provider is authorized to set a status of one or more of said tokens stored in the package token wallet associated with the user as being consumed in response to providing the service to the user.

According to a sixth aspect, the unique package identifier is marked as being redeemed in the package media service upon associating the unique package identifier with the user identifier and storing the respective token — with the set token value in the package token wallet.

According to a seventh aspect, tokens in the package token wallet are associable with more than one service provided by more than one different service providers.

The user selects a service among said o associated services on which the user consumes one or more tokens R 20 stored in the package token wallet. n According to an eighth aspect, upon receiving a unigue package identifier I from the user and before associating the received unique package N identifier with the user identifier assigned to the user, the method further N comprises verifying that the unigue package identifier has not previously N 25 — been associated with the same user or another user, and verifying that - status of the unigue package identifier in the package media service fulfils a status criterion.

According to a ninth aspect, the at least one unique package identifier is received from a user via the data communication network in response to activating a unique Uniform Resource Locator (URL) comprising a common part defining address information associated with a resource of 5 the package media service (200) and a specific part defining the unique package identifier. According to a first apparatus aspect, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory connected to the at least one processor. The at least one memory comprises program code configured to cause, when performed by the at least one processor, the apparatus to receive, via a data communication network, a registration of a user to a package media service, to assign a user identifier to the user and to receive at least one unique package identifier of a consumer package. Each one of the at least unique package identifiers is unique among all consumer packages and identifies a single consumer package. The program code is configured to cause, when performed by the at least one processor, the apparatus to associate each unique package identifier with a dynamic token value. Upon receiving a unique package identifier from the user, the program code is configured to cause the apparatus to associate the received unique package identifier with the user identifier S assigned to the user, and to assign a set token value to a token. The set a token value is defined on basis of the dynamic token value associated with N the unigue package identifier. The program code is configured to cause - the apparatus to store the token with the set token value in a package S 25 token wallet associated with the user, and to enable access to a service = to the user provided by a service provider, wherein said access to the S service consumes one or more tokens stored in the package token wallet.

N According to a second apparatus aspect, the dynamic token value is at least one of dependent on time, defined based on a pre-defined rule and defined based on a lottery, and the apparatus is configured to assign the set token value to the unique package identifier in dependence of receiving the unique package identifier from the user. According to a third apparatus aspect, the dynamic token value is adjustable by the service provider over an administration panel or over an application programming interface (API) of the package media service. According to a fourth apparatus aspect, the dynamic token value is adjustable by the service provider until the unique package identifier is received from the user or until the unique package identifier is marked as being redeemed by the user. According to a fifth apparatus aspect, the service provider is a third party independent of the package media service. The service provider is authorized to set status one or more of said tokens stored in the package token wallet associated with the user as being consumed in response to providing the at least one service to the user. According to a sixth apparatus aspect, the apparatus is further configured, upon receiving a unique package identifier from the user and before associating the received unique package identifier with the user identifier, o to verify that the unigue package identifier has not previously been N 20 associated with the same user or another user, and to verify that status = of the unigue package identifier in the package media service fulfils a N status criterion.

I = N According to a seventh apparatus aspect, tokens in said package token N wallet are associable with more than one service provided by more than N 25 one different service providers. The user may select a service among said - associated services on which the user wishes to consume one or more tokens stored in the package token wallet.

According to an eighth apparatus aspect, the unique package identifier is marked as being redeemed in the package media service after associating the unique package identifier with the user identifier and storing the respective token with the set token value in the package token wallet. According to a ninth apparatus aspect, said unique package identifier is provided by a unique Uniform Resource Locator (URL) comprising a common part defining address information associated with a resource of the package media service and a specific part defining the unique package identifier. According to another aspect, a computer program product is provided that comprises computer executable instructions which, when executed by a computing device or system perform method steps according to any of the method steps according to the first to ninth aspects. According to a further aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which is stored a computer program product having instructions which when executed by a computing device or a system, cause the computing device or system to perform a method according to any of the first to ninth aspects. o The present invention is based on the idea of providing the user a package N 20 token wallet, in which the user can collect tokens and use these for various = services. Generation of values of the tokens is dynamical, which allows N tokens to have mutually different values.

I = N The present invention has the advantage that it enables an increased N variety of highly customizable services, which provide not only benefits N 25 for the user, retailer and/or a producer of the goods sold in the packages, - but also enable further benefits such as reduction or improved recycling of waste, for example food waste and package waste, and/or improved, flexible loyalty programs. Brief description of the drawings In the following the invention will be described in greater detail, in connection with preferred embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates elements of package media service. Figure 2 illustrates package data in the package media service. Figure 3 illustrates a user profile in the package media service Figure 4 illustrates a package token wallet. Figure 5 illustrates accessing the package media service by service providers. Figure 6 illustrates steps of a method. Figure 7 illustrates an apparatus. Detailed description o Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present N invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying - drawings.

NN

N I In the following, the term user refers to a customer or end user who N 20 purchases or receives a product packed in the package comprising the N unigue package identifier.

S N The terms party and third party refer to an actor that is involved in production, packing, delivery or selling a product that is packed to the package comprising the unigue package identifier.

The figure 1 shows a simplified block diagram of the package media service (100). The package media service (100) may be a software application running on a server connected to a data communication network, e.g. the Internet. Users can register themselves to the package media service (100) via the Internet using a registration service (130). Upon registration of a user using the registration service (130) a user profile (110) is generated for the user in the package media service. The package media service (100) includes a separate user profile (110-1, 110- 2, 110-3, 110-4, 110-n) for each registered user. The package media — service (100) further comprises package media data (120), which stores metadata relating to unique package identifiers associated with physical consumer packages. Each one of the at least unique package identifiers is unique among all consumer packages and identifies a single consumer package. The figure 2 shows block diagram of an exemplary package data record (121) stored in the package media data (120) of the package media service (100). Package data records (121) may be stored as a database in a memory of an apparatus implementing the package media service (100). Each package data record (121) comprises a single, unigue package identifier (200).

S S The unigue package identifier (200) that is registered in the package data = record (121) in the package media service (100) is also provided in a N machine-readable format in at least one format in a consumer package. E The unigue package identifier is comprised in a one or more two- N 25 dimensional codes, such as a OR-code.

N

S N When the unigue package identifier is provided in the package for example s for purpose of being used by authorized parties during logistics process, the unigue package identifier should be readable from the package without opening it.

In such case, the unique package identifier may be printed on the outer surface of the consumer package or otherwise integrated with the consumer package.

Alternatively, the unique package identifier may be carried by a machine-readable tag integrated or attached with the package, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) or near field communication (NFC) tag or any other suitable tag capable of electromagnetic communication.

Independent of the selected implementation technology, the machine-readable data carrying medium comprising the unique package identifier should be readable from the consumer package without opening it.

For package handling parties’ use, the unique package identifier may simply include the unique package identifier in a machine-readable form.

When the unique package identifier is intended to be associated with a possible user incentive in one way or another, the unique package identifier is preferably only made available for the user after opening the package.

Thus, the unique package identifier is preferably comprised in a machine-readable code, such as a QR-code, which is inside the package.

The two-dimensional code is preferably printed on stamped on the inside of the package so that it is not visible or readable from the outside.

When intended for users, the unique package identifier is preferably provided as S a part of a unique Uniform Resource Locator (URL) stored in the machine- a readable code.

The URL preferably comprises a common part defining N address information associated with a resource of the package media - service and a specific part defining the unigue package identifier. = N 25 Each unigue package identifier (200) is associated with several pieces of O metadata (210, 220, 230), including but not limited to a status indicator S (210), and a dynamic token value (220). The status indicator (210) has several possible values, indicating different statuses of the package identifier.

Value of the status indicator (210) is defined on basis of actions performed with the respective physical consumer package. Any parties involved in handling the consumer package at any phase may be provided with access to the package media service (100) by registering such involved parties in the package media service (100). Registered parties involved in handling the consumer package are provided with access to the package media service (100) via an application programming interface (API). A party handling the package may utilize the unique package identifier for setting respective package into a predefined status by defining a status field comprised in the metadata of the respective unique package identifier into a wanted status value. For example, upon registering the package as being purchased by a customer (a user), the status of the package can be set to be “active”. This status can be used for controlling authorization of a user to associate the unique package identifier with his/her own UID.

Instead of or in addition to making the unique package identifier only available to the user inside the package, alternative methods may be used to limit accessibility of the unique package identifier by a user. For example, even if the unique package identifier was readable by the user without opening the package, status information associated with the unique package identifier in the package media service may be used to N restrict associating the unigue package identifier with the user.

N = For example, statuses related to the consumer package may represent N statuses relating to logistics, sales and/or delivery of the consumer E package to an end customer. For example, when the consumer package N 25 that has a unigue package identifier is used for packing retail products, O the status indicator (210) may indicate a phase of the logistics chain, in S which the consumer package currently is, starting from packing the product in the package to delivering it to a retailer or to the consumer. Through the API, registered parties can update the status indicator (210)

of any particular consumer package that carries the respective unique package identifier (200). Changes in the state of the status indicator (210) may be recorded in the package data record (121) together with a time stamp and an identification of the registered party recording the respective status change.

This way the entire logistics process of the package can be recorded.

Also, a wholesaler and a retailer selling the packaged product to a consumer is preferably registered as a party in the package media service (100) and provided with access to the package media service (100) via the API.

When the product packed in the consumer package identified by the unique package identifier (200) is sold to a customer, upon registering selling the product to the customer, the selling party may thus record the package as being redeemed, in other words delivered and paid by an end customer, and information of this is recorded in the status indicator (210). For example, a cashier system or a retailer may be programmed, upon reading the machine-readable data provided on the consumer package, to obtain the unique package identifier from the machine-readable data provided at the outside of the package and to record the updated status of the consumer package in the package media service over the API.

The unique package identification (200) is also associated in the package S media service with at least one piece of metadata that defines a dynamic a value.

This dynamic value can be changed and set by a registered party N associated with the unigue package identification (200). The dynamic - value may be adjusted by a party over the API.

For example, the dynamic a 25 — value may be time dependent, in which case the value may for example = increase or decrease over time, of a special value for the dynamic value S may be set for a specific period of time.

Alternatively, a special value may N be provided for a predefined number of different packages with unigue package identification (200), of the special value may be defined by a lottery.

The figure 3 illustrates a user profile (110) in the package media service. Each user profile concerns a single registered user of the package media service.Data associated with the user is stored in the user profile (110). When a user registers at the package media service, various pieces of data may be collected from the user. Collected data is stored in the user profile of the user. As part of the user profile, the package media service (100) assigns the user a user identifier (UID, 300). The user identifier may be any appropriate identifier that uniquely identifies the user in the package media service. The user may register him/herself directly to the package media service. In another embodiment, the user may register to the package media service indirectly via another service (for example a social media service such as e.g. Facebook, Instagram or Twitter or a more generic network service account such as a Google or Microsoft account), web page or application.

One purpose of the package media service is to establish links between users and consumer packages that the users have bought or received. Data associated with the user may comprise one or more unique package identifiers (200) associated with the user and one or more actions (310). o 20 An action (310) refers to a registered action of the user that is used for O changing a status of the respective unigue package identifier. Thus, at = least one action is preferably associated with each of the unigue package N identifiers associated with the user and stored in the user profile. In E example, possible actions may indicate that i) the package, or the value N 25 associated thereof, has been redeemed, ii) the package has been O associated with the user ID, iii), the package ID has been read by the user S but it is not yet associated since it has not been paid for, iv) the package has been associated with the user but awaits for another package ID to be read before it can be redeemed.

The process of associating a new unique package identifier (200) preferably includes verifying that the particular unique package identifier (200) has not been associated with another user and verifying that a status indicator (210) of the unique package identifier (200) fulfils a predefined status criterion. For example, the it may be required that the status indicator (210) associated with the unique package identifier indicates the consumer package has been properly delivered to the user and/or paid by the user before the association with the user ID and the unique package identifier can be associated with the user identity and marked as being redeemed. Verification disables fraud by malicious users by unrightfully associating unique package identifiers (200) of consumer packages that are for example in a retail store with the malicious user’s identity in the package media service (100) without actually purchasing the product.

The figure 4 illustrates a package token wallet (410) associated with the package media service. The package token wallet (410) is associated with the user profile in the package media service by the user identifier (UID, 300). The package token wallet (410) may be implemented as a service that is a part of the package media service (100), but it may also be provided as a separate service. The user, i.e. a consumer, may be S provided with a token (420) in the package media wallet (410) in response a to associating the user identifier (300) with a new unigue package N identifier in the package media service (100). The package token wallet - (410) stores identity of the token (420), which is preferably the same as a 25 the respective unique package identity (200), but alternatively the token = may be different from the unigue package identity (200) but associated S with it. Further the package token wallet (410) stores a set token value N (430) of the respective token. Different tokens (420) may have different set token values (430). However, after the token is stored in the package token wallet (410), the value of the token is fixed. However, the token

(420) may have an expiration time or date.

The set token value (430) of each token is defined at the time of generating the token (420). The process of generating the token will be discussed later.

The figure 5 illustrates accessing the package media service (100) by one or more service providers (150). Service providers (150) can be registered parties in the package media service (100). An administration panel, ADM, or an application programming interface, API, (140) is provided for each service provider (150) that allows the service provider to access information in the package media service.

Through the administration panel or API (140) each service provider can read and define certain statuses of unique package identifiers (200). Information provided to the service provide (150) is protected, so that it is only available to the service provider (150) and restricted to data required for implementing wanted actions by the service provider (150). When the service provider is one that produces the packaged product, an API (140) may be provided through which the service provider is given access to register relevant handling phase of the package, to define dynamic token values associated with unigue package identifiers and/or to define rules for defining dynamic token values.

N 20 When the service provider is one that handles the packaged products in = the supply chain, an API (140) may be provided through which the service N provider is given access to register relevant handling phase of the - package, to define dynamic token values associated with unigue package : identifiers and/or to define rules for defining dynamic token values. 3 25 When the service provider is one that provides services to users in response to redeeming set token value of tokens in the package token wallet, the administration panel (140) the service provider is given access at least to following information:

- unique package ID - user ID associated with the unique package ID; - status of unique package ID: active, redeemed, consumed; - set token value associated with the unique package ID.

The administration panel (140) may further enable predefined standard listings of data comprised in the package media service (100), for example list of users who have redeemed tokens, a list of redeemed tokens in the package token wallet and a list of consumed tokens.

The figure 6 illustrates main steps of a method according to the invention. In the step 51, a request for user registration is received in the package media service (100). In the step 52, the user identification (UID) is assigned to the user. These steps are needed only once for each user. These steps are disclosed in patent application W02012104486. In the step 53, a unique package identifier is received from the user. Preferably, the unique package identifier is read with a user device capable of reading machine-readable codes. For example, the reading step may comprise reading the machine-readable code with a barcode reader application in the user device. Preferably, the machine-readable code o comprises a unigue URL, which gives the user a direct link to the package N 20 media service. This way, no special applications are needed in the user = device. The URL can be opened with a standard internet browser N application in the user device. The URL includes a common part indicating E the network address of the package media service, and a unigue part that = includes the unigue package identifier.

S O 25 If the user has not already logged in to the package media service, the browser will reguest the user to log in upon landing on the URL read from the package.

In the step 54, it is verified whether the received unique package identifier can be accepted to be associated with a user ID. This verification includes at least checking that the unique package identifier has not already been associated with a user ID in the package media service, i.e. that the unique package identifier has not already been marked as redeemed. Further, the verification preferably includes checking that the status of the unique package identifier fulfils a status criterion, in other words that its’ status in the package media service indicates that it is available to be associated with a user ID. For example, the status criterion may require that the unique package identifier has status “active” or it has status “purchased” or “delivered” or like, that indicates that the product in the package has been paid by a client and/or delivered to the client. The name of the status field is not limited to the given examples, but it may be defined in the package media service. Definition of the status criterion and statuses may vary between different products, different parties and different product delivery chains. If the verification fails, the incoming request for associating the unique package ID with the user ID can be discarded. An error message may be returned to the user, and the process returns to step 53, waiting to receive another unique package identifier.

S S Upon verifying that the unigue package identifier has not been associated = before with a user and that it fulfils the status criterion, the unigue N package identifier is associated with the user ID in the step 55. Upon E associating the unigue package identity with the user, status of the unigue N 25 package identifier is set to “redeemed”. Upon setting the status as O "redeemed” the package identifier is locked to this user identity and it S cannot be associated later with any other users. Upon associating the unigue package identifier and marking it as redeemed, the unigue package identifier, it is used for generating a token.

If the status criterion is not fulfilled, the unique package identifier is not marked as redeemed. Depending on the reason for failing in the verification, an error message can be provided to the user. In some cases, the received unique package identifier may still be stored in the user profile even if the verification failed, but its’ status is not set to redeemed. For example, the status may be marked for example as “read”, which allows keeping the unique package identifier in the user profile but not assigning any token value to it until information on payment of the respective purchase arrives to the package media service. This option is illustrated with the arrow returning from step 55 back to step 53. In the step 56, a set token value is defined for a token. The dynamic value associated to the unique package identifier can be changed until the unique package identifier (200) is received by the package media service from a user. Alternatively, the dynamic value of the unique package identifier can be changed until the unique package identifier is marked as being redeemed by the user; the latter is particularly useful if the unique package identifier does not fulfill all requirements set for redeeming it by the user at the time of receiving it. The dynamic value can be changed by the service provider (150) over the o 20 administration panel (140) or by another registered party associated with O the unigue package identifier who has authority to define the dynamic = value or rules of defining the dynamic value.

N - For example, the dynamic value can be changed so that it increases or s decreases over time. The dynamic value can have a first value for a set 5 25 amount of unique package identifiers that are redeemed first, while any N further unigue package identifiers have zero value. The dynamic value can N also be defined based on a lottery. For example, the lottery can define that a pre-set number of redeemed unique package identifiers on a certain day have some predefined value.

Change in the dynamic token value can be utilized for example for reducing amount of waste due to expiration of a time limit associated with the product packed in the consumer package.

For example, a user may be provided with an incentive to by a product with an expiration time approaching in near future by giving the user a bigger value for the token near the expiration date.

This incentivizes the user to buy a product near its expiration date, which leads to less products exceeding their expiration date and thus becoming waste.

By associating the incentive to the unique package identifier, control of the token value provided to the user over the product's lifetime can be handled for example by the producer instead of the retailer, and no "expiry date discounts” need to be handled by the retailer.

Thus, a manual step typically performed by retailers, namely marking manually any packed products as being on discount due to approaching expiration date can be eliminated.

In the step 57, token is stored in a package token wallet (410). The user may define upon redeeming the unigue package identifier, which type of token he/she wishes to obtain.

This way tokens in the package token o 20 wallet may be associated with different services on which the user may O select to consume tokens in his/her package token wallet (410). n The user can select a service among possibly a plurality of different - services on which he or she decides to consume tokens.

For example, the s service provider may provide a so-called cashback service, in which token 5 25 value collected in the package token wallet as tokens may be converted N into a monetary value according to a predefined conversion scheme, and s this monetary value may be returned for example to the user's bank account.

Alternatively, token value collected in the package token wallet may be converted into a monetary value which is paid to charity. Further, token value collected in the package token wallet may represent an arbitrary exchange currency, which can be used for in exchange of services provided by one or more parties. The token value may also be exchanged directly to a third-party product or service, such as an item like a game character of game item that can be used for enhancing the user's one or more capacities in a computer game. The figure 7 illustrates an exemplary apparatus (600), such as a computer suitable for performing the package media service. The apparatus (600) comprises at least one processor (602) and at least one memory (604) operatively connected to the processor (602). The processor (602) is further operatively connected to at least one data communication interface (606) capable of sending and receiving data over a data communication network, such as the Internet. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that as technology advanced, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are therefore not restricted to the above examples, but they may vary within the scope of the claims.

O N O N N N

I =

N W O O N O N

Claims

1. A method comprising - receiving, via a data communication network, a registration of a user to a package media service; - assigning in the package media service a user identifier to the user; - receiving, with the package media service, at least one unique package identifier of a consumer package, wherein the at least one unique package identifier is received from a user via the data communication network, and wherein each one of the at least unique package identifiers is unique among all consumer packages and identifies a single consumer package; characterized in that the method comprises - associating each unique package identifier with a dynamic token value; - upon receiving a unique package identifier from the user, - associating the received unique package identifier with the user identifier assigned to the user; - assigning a set token value to a token, wherein the set token value is defined on basis of the dynamic token value N 20 associated with the unigue package identifier; and = - storing the token with the set token value in a package token N wallet associated with the user identifier; and - - enabling the user to access a service provided by a service provider, s wherein the access to the service consumes one or more tokens 5 25 stored in the package token wallet.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dynamic token value is at least one of dependent on time, defined based on a pre-defined rule and defined based on a lottery, and the set token value is assigned to the unique package identifier in dependence of receiving the unique package identifier from the user.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dynamic token value is adjustable until the unique package identifier is received from the user or until the unique package identifier is marked as being redeemed by the user.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dynamic token value is adjustable by the service provider over an administration panel or over an application programming interface (API) of the package media service.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the service provider is a third party independent of the package media service, and wherein the service provider is authorized to set a status of one or more of said tokens stored in the package token wallet associated with the user as being consumed in S response to providing the service to the user.

QA & =

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the N unique package identifier is marked as being redeemed in the E 25 package media service after associating the unigue package N identifier with the user identifier and storing the respective token O with the set token value in the package token wallet.

QA

N

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein tokens in said package token wallet are associable with more than one service provided by more than one different service providers, and the user selects a service among said associated services on which the user consumes one or more tokens stored in the package token wallet.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, upon receiving a unique package identifier from the user and before associating the received unique package identifier with the user identifier, the method further comprises - verifying that the unique package identifier has not previously been associated with the same user or another user; and - verifying that status of the unique package identifier in the package media service fulfils a status criterion.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one unigue package identifier is received from a user via the data communication network in response to activating a unigue Uniform Resource Locator (URL) comprising a common part defining address information associated with a resource of the package media service (200) and a specific part defining the S unigue package identifier.

S =

10. An apparatus comprising N - at least one processor; and E 25 - at least one memory connected to the at least one processor, N wherein the at least one memory comprises program code O configured to cause, when performed by the at least one processor, O the apparatus: - to receive, via a data communication network, a registration of a user to a package media service;

- to assign a user identifier to the user; - to receive at least one unique package identifier of a consumer package, wherein each one of the at least unique package identifiers is unique among all consumer packages and identifies a single consumer package; characterized in that the program code is configured to cause, when performed by the at least one processor, the apparatus - to associate each unique package identifier with a dynamic token value; - Upon receiving a unique package identifier from the user, to associate the received unigue package identifier with the user identifier assigned to the user; - to assign a set token value to a token, wherein the set token value is defined on basis of the dynamic token value associated with the unigue package identifier; and - tostorethetoken with the set token value in a package token wallet associated with the user; and o 20 - toenable access to a service to the user provided by a service O provider, wherein said access to the service consumes one or = more tokens stored in the package token wallet.

N E

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the dynamic token N 25 value is at least one of dependent on time, defined based on a O pre-defined rule, and/or defined based on a lottery, and the S apparatus is configured to assign the set token value to the unigue package identifier in dependence of receiving the unigue package identifier from the user.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the dynamic token value is adjustable by the service provider over an administration panel or over an application programming interface (API) of the package media service.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the dynamic token value is adjustable by the service provider until the unique package identifier is received from the user or until the unique package identifier is marked as being redeemed by the user.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the service provider is a third party independent of the package media service, and wherein the service provider is authorized to set status one or more of said tokens stored in the package token wallet associated with the user as being consumed in response to providing the at least one service to the user.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein S tokens in said package token wallet are associable with more O than one service provided by more than one different service = providers, and wherein the user is allowed to select a service N among said associated services on which the user wishes to E 25 consume one or more tokens stored in the package token wallet.

N O

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein O the apparatus is further configured, upon receiving a unigue package identifier from the user and before associating the received unigue package identifier with the user identifier,

- to verify that the unique package identifier has not previously been associated with the same user or another user; and - to verify that status of the unique package identifier in the package media service fulfils a status criterion.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the unique package identifier is marked as being redeemed in the package media service after associating the unique package identifier with the user identifier and storing the respective token with the set token value in the package token wallet.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein said unique package identifier is provided by means of a unique Uniform Resource Locator (URL) comprising a common part defining address information associated with a resource of the package media service and a specific part defining the unique package identifier.

19. A computer program product comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed by a computing device or 5 system perform method steps according to any of the method O steps according to claims 1 to 9.

N

I =

N

W

O

N

O

N