GB2545533A

GB2545533A - A network based adaptive loyalty reward system

Info

Publication number: GB2545533A
Application number: GB1614879.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jervis Comfort John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-09-07
Filing date: 2016-09-01
Publication date: 2017-06-21
Also published as: GB2543903A; GB201614718D0; GB201614879D0; GB201515848D0

Abstract

A system associated with a network of vending, gaming and amusement machines comprising at least one user, a user terminal for accessing the system by using the users credentials, a database that stores credential related information, a reward point database that stores information related to the reward points of credentials and pre-defined criteria for calculating rewards, processors associated with the databases, a server, a communication medium and a transceiver. The loyalty reward system may be retro-fitted to a network of vending, gaming and amusement machines. The credentials may be in the form of a smart card, finger impression or a login id. Also claimed are a method for accumulating reward points and redeeming reward points. Reward point amounts are communicated with a user by way of SMS, email or other means of electronic communication.

Description

A NETWORK BASED ADAPTIVE LOYALTY REWARD SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments described herein related to the field of retaining customers by providing loyalty rewards to them. More particularly the embodiments relate to retaining customers of the vending, gaming and amusement machines by providing loyalty rewards to them.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure is related to a consumer use based loyalty program reward system. More specifically, the program is designed to increase loyalty of the consumer towards a particular brand of products and/or services as the consumers are being rewarded for using the products and/or services of that brand.

[0003] Further, an important aspect of business development is to increase the customer awareness by the sellers of branded products and/or services. Such efforts of increasing consumer awareness include general advertising of the brands with a typical intention, to make favorable associations of consumers with the brand. However, with the over-crowded marketplace for brands, the owners often make extra efforts to increase consumer affinity for their brand.

[0004] Unfortunately, along with the innovation and effective investment in research and development along with the ever-growing demand to address the issues which had limited solutions to these problems. Accordingly, there always exists a need for innovation in relation to this segment in the market.

[0005] One such effort is disclosed in present invention wherein, the increase of consumer affinity for a brand may be in the form of a loyalty program which offers them reward points when they use the products and/or services of that brand.

[0006] Hence, the present disclosed invention focuses to provide for an adaptive loyalty reward system wherein the consumers after using the services of a particular brand will be rewarded with loyalty points. Further, these loyalty points will be accumulated and can be redeemed by the consumer later.

SUMMARY

[0007] In view of the stated drawbacks, the present disclosure discloses a reward system that will be presented in the following simplified summary to provide a basic understanding of one or more aspects of the disclosure that are intended to overcome the discussed drawbacks, but to include all advantages thereof, along with providing some additional advantages. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosure, nor to delineate the scope of the present disclosure. Rather, the sole purpose of this summary is to present some concepts of the disclosure, its aspects and advantages in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented hereinafter.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to create a system and method to retain customers in retail and/or entertainment sector.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to create a system and method to retain customers of vending, gaming and amusement machines.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to create a system and method to provide loyalty cards, tokens and/or promotional offers to encourage and retain customers for vending, gaming and amusement machines of a particular operator.

[0011] A further object of the invention is to create a system and method where the loyalty rewards range from simple reward “points for turning up”, extra “points” on birthdays and anniversaries, through to “points” awarded based on the amount of machine use.

[0012] Yet another object of the invention is to adaptively adjust and manage the loyalty rewards to encourage customer loyalty.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to create a system and method that may retrofit with existing vending, gaming and amusement machines to encourage customer loyalty.

[0014] These together with the other aspects of the present disclosure, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, its operating advantages, and its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of various embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings provided herein. For the purposes of illustration, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments; however, the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a flowchart depicting the flow of information in an adaptive loyalty reward system.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting a method for accumulating reward points in an adaptive loyalty reward program system.

[0018] FIG.3 is a flowchart depicting a method for redeeming reward points in an adaptive loyalty reward program system.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a graph depicting increase in reward points with increasing Transaction Spend/Parameter with respect to the customers.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a graph depicting the continuous non-linear relation between reward points with increasing Transaction Spend/Parameter with respect to the customers.

[0021] FIG. 6 is another graph depicting the dynamic non-linear relation between reward points with increasing Transaction Spend/Parameter with respect to the customers [0022] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The presently disclosed subject matter is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or elements similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies.

[0024] Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments.

[0025] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural, the word "a" or "an" means "at least one", and the use of "or" means "and/or", unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the term "including", as well as other forms, such as "includes" and "included", is not limiting. Also, terms such as "element" or "component" encompass both elements and components comprising one unit and elements or components that comprise more than one unit unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0026] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, as illustrated in Figure 1, there is provided a network based adaptive loyalty reward program system [100], where the system [100] is associated with a network of vending, gaming and amusement machines [108], The system comprises at least one user [102], a user terminal [104], a user interface [106], a database unit [110], one or more processors [116], a reward point database unit [114], a server [112], a communication medium and a transceiver.

[0027] In one of the embodiments, the users [102] are the customers using the machines associated with the network. The users are required to use their login credentials to log into the system [100], Further, first time users are required to create their login credentials which would require providing basic information to the system, the information may include but is not limited to, name, address, date of birth, any government approved identification proof and the like.

[0028] The login credentials of the users can be, but are not limiting to, login username and password combination, fingerprint login, swiping of or inserting user cards, retina impression, and the similar.

[0029] In one of the embodiments, the user terminal [104] is for the user [100] to access the system, wherein the system is associated with the vending, gaming and amusement machines [108] on the network. The user will enter the login credentials via the user terminal [104], [0030] Further, the user terminal [104] is provided with a user interface [106] preferably a graphical user interface. The user can access its profile using the interface [106], The user can amend the data entered by him initially and can also check for the loyalty points accumulated in the account.

[0031] In one of the embodiments, the user database unit [110] stores the complete information related to the users [102] using the system and categorize them into various groups based on the information. The information shall include, but is not limited to, personal information of the user, usage timings, social information, money invested in the network and the similar.

[0032] In one of the embodiments, the system comprises one or more processors [116] associated with the user database unit [110], which processes the information before storing it in the user database unit [110]. The information is processed in a manner before storing so that it can be easily viewed by the user in future.

[0033] Further, the processors are coupled with one or more database units for storing instruction for processing.

[0034] In one of the embodiments, the reward point database [114] stores information about the reward point calculation system. The system contains predefined criteria for reward calculation, wherein the criteria are based on a plurality of factors. The pre-defined criteria used to allocate “points” is adaptive and ensures that the best rewards are focused on the best consumers encouraging re-use and retain customers for vending, gaming and amusement machines of a particular.

[0035] The adaptive pre-defined criteria for reward calculation depends on a number of factors such as but not limited to: a. Customer’s history with the machines; b. Customer’s group information; c. Customer spending or usage levels over a pre-determined period with the machines; d. Use of promotional offerings by customer; e. Referral points or history; f. Lifetime value of a customer; g. Customer sessions with the machines or specific games; h. Customer multi-variant testing or A/B testing results; and i. Customer social behavior.

[0036] Further, the adaptive pre-defined criteria may be a linear or non-linear relation between at-least two variables ensures that the best rewards are focused on the best consumers. FIG. 5 showcases the relation between the “reward points” and “Transaction Spend/Parameter (variables)”. The use of adaptive pre-defined criteria increase the “reward points” earning of customer with respect to traditional linear “reward points” criteria (FIG. 4) having the same “Transaction Spend/Parameter (variables)”.

[0037] FIG. 6 showcases the increase of “reward point” earning by any customer depending on various factors which provide a positive growth to the “reward point” curve dynamically by using the adaptive pre-defined criteria defined by the present invention. Therefore, after a certain “Transaction Spend/Parameter (variables)”, the growth rate changes, so that the customer can gain more reward points by using or spending more for vending, gaming and amusement machines of a particular operator.

[0038] Further, the reward point database unit stores and shares the details of the reward points with the user via e-mail and/or sms and /or the user interface.

[0039] Further, the factors on which reward point calculation system is based includes; but is not limited to; frequency of usage, amount of money invested in per unit time, services availed, initial investment made, any ongoing offers or discounts availed, any special occasion like birthday, anniversary and the similar.

[0040] The factors listed above are also used in determining the plurality of category, and depending upon the usage the user will be placed in a particular category. The reward point calculations of the users will further depend on the category in which a particular user belongs. The categories can be defined as depicted in Figure 4; however not limited to; bronze, silver, gold and platinum.

[0041] In one of the embodiments, the server [112] receives the information from processor [116] and the information is saved by the server into the respective database units [110]. Further, the server is a local and/or a remote unit.

[0042] In one of the embodiments, the transceiver unit is configured for sending and receiving of data in the network. Further, the network is an inter and/or an intra network.

[0043] In one of the embodiments, the communication medium is used to keep the components of the system connected and to further connect the system to the network of vending, gaming and amusement machines.

[0044] Further, the communication medium can be wired and/or a wireless communication medium. The wired communication medium includes WAN, LAN and the similar. Further, the wireless communication medium comprises Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cloud computing and the similar.

[0045] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, as illustrated in Figure 2, there is provided a method for accumulating the reward points in an adaptive loyalty reward program system in a network. The method for accumulating points comprises the steps of receiving login credentials [202], mapping the same against the saved credentials [204], associating the same to the reward point calculation database [206], and generating a reward point board for the user [208], Further, the points are accumulated [210] and are stored against the login credentials of the user [212], [0046] In one of the embodiments, the system receives the login credentials from the user terminal when entered by a user using the provided user interface. The credentials entered by the user can be received via plurality of terminals.

[0047] In one of the embodiments, login credentials are associated with the reward point database to calculate the reward points based on a plurality of predecided criteria of the loyalty program calculation.

[0048] Further, the credentials received are mapped against the information saved in the user database unit. The information includes the accumulated loyalty points and the category in which they are placed. The reward points are generated by the system based on access of the user to the network using the system. The generated points are accumulated against the credentials of the user and are stored against the database unit.

[0049] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, as illustrated in Figure 3, there is provided a method for redeeming the reward points in a network based adaptive loyalty reward program system to avail discounts and benefits of the vending, gaming and amusement machines.

[0050] In one of the embodiments, the method comprises the steps of receiving login credentials from a plurality of user terminals [302], mapping the user credentials from the user terminal with the credentials stored in the user database unit [304], and providing access to the user to the system. Further, associating the login credentials with the reward point database [306] to display the total accumulated reward points based on the pre-decided criteria of the loyalty program calculation and utilizing the reward points to get pre-decided offers [308] or discounts against the credentials of the user. Lastly, subtracting the used points of the user from the total points accumulated against the login credentials of the user in the user database unit [310], [0051] Further, the amount of reward points are shared with the user via e-mail and/or sms.

[0052] In one of the embodiments, the adaptive pre-defined criteria comprising unit may be attached to already existing vending, gaming and amusement machines to provide the adaptive feature for “loyalty/ reward point calculation” to encourage and retain customers.

[0053] While the embodiments have been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A network based adaptive loyalty reward program system, wherein the system is associated with a network of vending, gaming and amusement machines, wherein the system comprises: a. at least one user using a vending, gaming and amusement machine; b. a user terminal, wherein the user terminal is for accessing the system by using user’s credentials; c. a database unit, wherein the database unit stores the information related to the credentials of at least one user; d. one or more processors, wherein the processors are associated with the database and reward point database unit to process a pre-defined criteria; e. a reward point database unit, wherein the database unit stores the information related to the reward point of at least one credential and at-least one pre-defined criteria for calculating the rewards; f. a server, wherein the server is a local or remote server unit; g. a communication medium, the medium connects the components of the system in a network; and h. a transceiver unit for sending and receiving of data into the network.

2. A network based adaptive loyalty reward program system, wherein the system comprises: a. a reward point database unit, wherein the database unit stores a set of pre-defined criteria; b. a processor, wherein the processor processes the pre-defined criteria; wherein the loyalty reward program system is retrofittably associated with a network of vending, gaming and amusement machines to calculate the adaptive “loyalty or reward points”.

3. The user’s credentials as claimed in claim 1, wherein the credentials are in the form of a smart card, finger impression, retina impression and/or a login id.

4. The network as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network is an inter and/or intra network.

5. The processors as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processors are coupled with one or more database units for storing instruction for processing.

6. The reward point database unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the database unit shares the details of the reward points with the user via e-mail and/or sms.

7. A method for accumulating reward points in an adaptive loyalty reward program system in a network, wherein the method for accumulating points comprises the steps of: a. receiving credentials from at least one user terminal; b. mapping the credential from the user terminal with the credentials stored in the database unit and providing the access to the user; c. associating the login credentials with the reward point database to calculate the reward points based on at-least one pre-decided criteria of the loyalty program calculation; d. generating the reward points ; e. accumulating the points generated against the credentials of the user; and f. storing the accumulated points against the login credentials of the user in the database unit.

8. The pre-decided criteria as claimed in claim 7, wherein the criteria are based on the login duration, game played, investment done and the similar.

9. A method for redeeming reward points in a network based adaptive loyalty reward program system to avail discounts and benefits, wherein the method for redeeming points comprises the steps of: a. receiving credentials from at least one user terminal; b. mapping the user credential from the user terminal with the credentials stored in the database unit and providing the access to the user; c. associating the login credentials with the reward point database to display the total accumulated reward points based on the pre-decided criteria of the loyalty program calculation; d. utilizing the reward points to get pre-decided offers or discounts against the credentials of the user; and e. subtracting the used reward points from the total points accumulated against the credentials of the user in the user database unit.

10. The reward point as claimed in claim 7 and claim 9, wherein the amount of reward points are shared with the user via e-mail and/or sms and/or other electronic communication.