ITMI20002174A1 - PROCEDURE AND SYSTEM FOR STANDARDIZING DISTRIBUTION, ACCEPTANCE AND REDEMPTION OF PROMOTIONS WITH VARIOUS ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION of the industrial invention entitled:

"PROCEDURE AND SYSTEM FOR STANDARDIZING THE DISTRIBUTION, ACCEPTANCE AND REDEMPTION OF PROMOTIONS WITH VARIOUS ELECTRONIC DEVICES"

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to the use of a computer or computer system and, more specifically, to the use of a computer system to provide a standardized platform for the destruction, acceptance and redemption of promotions. As used herein, the word "promotion" means any offer, incentive, advertising, commercial, voucher or coupon and / or communication to promote one or more goods and / or one or more services.

Background Discussion

The popularity of consumer electronics or "consumer electronics" has become so widespread that it is not unusual for a single consumer to own or use two or more electronic devices, such as a mobile phone, personal data assistive or "personal data assistant (PDA) ", or a personal computer (PC), for example. The explosive growth of consumer or consumer electronics has been accompanied by advances in communications, enabling consumers to transmit and receive information quickly and efficiently through various electronic devices. The use of communications networks to distribute advertisements, incentives, and other promotions to consumer electronic devices is gaining popularity as market participants develop new ways to disseminate promotions to consumers.

An exemplary method and system for distributing promotions to electronic devices is described in U.S. Patent No. 6055 573, which is incorporated herein by reference. Methods and systems for providing promotions to consumers over a computer network are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5970 469 and 6 014 634 both of which are incorporated herein by reference. These and other systems for distributing promotions employ Internet protocols and database technologies. The design and implementation of various processes for the creation of database networks and Internet communications are described by Liu et al in "Managing Internet Information Services", O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.. 1994; Corner, "Internet Working with TCP / IP Volume I: Principles; Protocols, and Architecture", 2 et., Prentice-Haòò. Ine., 1991; Corner and Stevens, "Internet Working with TCP / IP Volume II: Design, Implementation, and Internale," Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1991; Corner and Stevens, "Internet Working with TCP / IP Vol. III: Client-Server Programming and Applications", Prentice-Hall, Ine. 1990; Khoshafian et al., "A Guide Developing Client / Server SQL Applications", Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, Ine .; Hamilton et al., "JDBC Database Access with Java, A Tutorial and Annotated Reference", Addison-Wesley Pub. Co., 1997; and Francis et al., "Professional Active Server Pages 2.0," Wrox Press Ltd., 1998; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Although consumer electronic devices are popular and provide a convenient means by which merchants can distribute promotions, the distribution of promotions to different electronic devices can result in merchants distributing the same promotion to the same consumer repeatedly. through the different consumer electronic devices. This can result in a waste of resources and costs for an advertiser, who may wish to broadcast promotions only to the electronic device that the consumer prefers to have to receive promotions. Similarly, consumers can be annoyed when they receive the same promotions through various electronic devices, particularly when a consumer prefers to receive promotions with only one electronic device but at the same time is bombarded with promotions distributed to other consumer electronic devices. Furthermore, when promotions are distributed to a multiplicity of a consumer's electronic devices, the consumer may have difficulty remembering or tracing which electronic device the consumer has used to accept a particular promotion. This difficulty is complicated when electronic devices are also used to redeem incentives and other promotions as the device used to redeem a promotion may differ, depending on the promotion, the device used to accept the promotion and the device to which the promotion was distributed. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new method, system and computer program product, for effectively and efficiently distributing, accepting and redeeming electronic promotions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new computer program method, system and product for consolidating the business of distributing promotions, accepting and redeeming them in such a way that they are easily understood and adopted by consumers.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new computer program method, system and product for a standardized platform through which retailers, commercial operators, advertisers and others are able to distribute promotions to consumer electronic devices.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a new computer program method, system and product for simplifying the registration of a plurality of electronic devices used by a single consumer or home user.

These and other purposes are achieved by providing a new computer program method, system and product for registering consumer electronic devices. The process, upon which the computer program system and product are based, includes: receiving from an electronic device a consumer identifier (CID), preferred trader information, and promotional carrier information; and associating the CID with the preferred vendor information and with the promotional carrier information. The CID corresponds to a consumer, the preferred seller information corresponds to the consumer's preferred seller, and the promotional carrier information corresponds to a consumer's preferred medium or medium for receiving promotions. The CID can be a loyalty card number, a so-called "cookie", an IP address, a telephone number, or an electronic mail (e-mail) address, for example.

According to an aspect of the present invention, alerts are transmitted to the electronic device from a registration server to prompt the user to enter the CID and select preferred vendors and preferred promotional carriers. In one embodiment, the registration server is a Web server, and the electronic device runs Web browser software which provides a graphical user interface between the consumer and the electronic device communicating with the registration server.

According to another aspect of the invention, the electronic device or other electronic device provides a promotional vector for receiving promotions. Preferably, the promotional or promotion carrier is associated with a promotional carrier identifier, such as an IP address or telephone number, used to distribute promotions to the promotional carrier. In one embodiment, information obtained during a registration process (e.g. promotional carrier identifier, preferred vendor information, and customer identifier), is distributed to another computer (i.e. a promotional or promotions server) which distributes promotions to the promotional carrier.

Promotions distributed to the promotional carrier are preferably associated with one or more consumer-selected favorite sellers in one or more product categories. For example, a consumer can select Safeway as their preferred seller in the "grocery products" category and select Barns and Noble as your favorite seller in the "books" category.

According to another aspect of the invention, the consumer registers an incentive vector and / or a remuneration or reward vector with the recording server. The incentive carrier (such as a personal data assistant or loyalty card) is used by the consumer to redeem a promotion. The vector of remuneration or rewards (for example a credit card or a loyalty card) is used as a system to distribute rewards to a consumer.

Objects and advantages of the present invention are also achieved by providing a new method, system, and computer program product for distributing promotions. CID information, preferred seller information, and promotional carrier information are stored in a memory. The CID information is associated with the preferred seller information and the promotional carrier information and corresponds to a CID of a consumer, the preferred seller information corresponds to a preferred seller of the consumer, and the carrier information promotional corresponds to a promotional carrier identifier relating to a promotional carrier selected by the consumer to receive promotions. Promotions are then distributed to the promotional carrier, using the promotional carrier identifier. Preferably, the promotions match one or more of the consumer's favorite sellers in different product categories. As noted above, the consumer can select preferred promotions, incentive and / or first-pay vectors with which to receive and redeem promotions.

Therefore, it will be understood that the present invention provides many conveniences and advantages for consumers with a plurality of electronic devices. Consumers can register multiple electronic devices and select a single electronic device to receive promotions. Similarly, a consumer can select preferred incentive and reward vectors to add standardization and homogenization to the promotion redemption process.

The present invention is also advantageous to commercial operators and other promoters of goods and services since the present invention provides a standardized platform through which promotions are generated, distributed and redeemed. Promotions delivered to consumers can be targeted in a targeted manner based on their observed purchase histories and their preferred seller selections. Additionally, promotions are distributed to consumers' preferred promotional carriers, and therefore are more likely to be received by consumers. Similarly, if incentive carriers and / or reward carriers are selected by consumers on the basis of their preferences, then the greater the likelihood that consumers will have to participate in promotions due to the added convenience that the present invention provides to consumers. Furthermore, if promotions are redeemable only at consumer-selected preferred sellers, then manufacturers and retailers are guaranteed that the promotions will not be such as to induce consumers to change their loyalty to the detriment of their currently preferred retailers (i.e. sellers). .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete evaluation of the invention and many of its associated advantages will be readily obtained as it is better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a computerized system for distributing, accepting and redeeming promotions, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a computerized system that can be used in conjunction with the system of Figure 1 to distribute, accept and redeem promotions, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating how the promotional system of Figures 1 and 2 is related to a retail store according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4A is an electronic device table for associating a customer identifier (CID), an electronic device, an electronic device identifier (ID) and a standard promotional vector indicator according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4B is a table of preferred retailers for associating a preferred retailer with different categories of products for each consumer, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4C is a table of carriers for associating a promotional or promotions vector, an incentive vector, an incentive vector ID, a reward vector, and a reward vector ID with each preferred retailer of a consumer, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4D is a rewards or remuneration table for associating a promotions ID with a trigger element of rewards for each consumer, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5A is a flowchart for explaining how a consumer registers one or more electronic devices with the computer system of Figure 1, 2 and / or 3, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5B is a flowchart for explaining how a consumer selects preferred retailers for different product categories according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5C is a flowchart for explaining how a consumer selects a preferred incentive vector and a preferred reward vector for promotions related to a preferred retailer, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a flowchart to explain how a consumer registers various electronic devices with the system of Figures 1, 2 and / or 3 and selects retail vendors, promotional carriers, incentive carriers and preferred reward carriers simultaneously, according to a form of realization of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a flowchart explaining how promotions are generated and distributed to consumer electronic devices according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8A is a flowchart explaining how consumers redeem electronic promotions according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8B is a flowchart explaining an alternative method by which consumers redeem electronic promotions according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 9A and 9B illustrate exemplary electronic promotions; And

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

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED DIRECTIONAL FORMS

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate identical or corresponding parts throughout the various views, and more particularly with reference to Figure 1 thereof, there is shown a computerized system for distributing, accepting and redeeming electronic promotions. The exemplary system of Figure 1 includes a registration server 101, a registration database 102, consumer electronic devices (i.e. a web accessory 103, a mobile phone 105, a personal data assistant (PDA) 107, a two-way search element 109, a personal computer (PC) 111, a game or "gaming" system 113, a television 115, a remote control 117, a settop box 119, or dedicated home appliance, and a mobile telephone 122 )), a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 121, a cable network 123 and the Internet network 125.

Registration server 101 consists of any computer, workstation, computer server or other device and / or software to collect registration information of consumers and their associated electronic devices to store and retrieve registration information in the registration database. 102. Examples of server hardware include DECA alpha and Sun Ultra Sparo servers, and computer system 1001 of Figure 10. Recording server 101 provides interactive communication with various consumer electronic devices through PSTN 121, cable network 123 and the Internet 125.

The registration database 102 is a file that includes registrations that include registration information provided by consumers. Registration information includes Consumer Identifiers (CIDs), Electronic Device Types, Device Identifiers (IDs), Standard Promotional Carrier Indicators, Product Categories, Preferred Retail Vendors, Retail Vendor Names, Promotional Carriers, Incentive Vectors , Incentive Vector IDs, Reward Vectors, Reward Vector IDs, Promotional IDs, and / or Reward Triggers or Starters. Each record in the record database 102 contains fields along with a set of operations for search, selection, recombination and other database functions. The registration database 102 can be implemented as two or more databases, if desired.

The Web 103 accessory is any household appliance (for example an electric cooker or a refrigerator) that receives information through the Internet 125. The Web 103 accessory can include all components or a portion of the components of the computer system 1001 of Figure 10, such as a memory and processor. The Web accessory 103 can have its own Internet Protocol (IP) address and / or can be connected to a home server having its own IP address.

Mobile phones 105 and 122 are any suitable phones employing cellular, wireless, and / or high mobile technology to communicate with the registration server 101. The mobile phone 105 is connected to the registration server 101 through the Internet 125, and the mobile phone 122 is connected to the recording server 101 through the PSTN 121, by way of example.

PDA 107 is a handheld or palmtop computer for providing specific functions such as personal organization (e.g. calendar, note taking, database, and / or a computer) as well as communications. As shown in Figure 1, the PDA 107 communicates with the recording server 105 over the Internet 125. The PDA 107 may include flash memory, a processor, and a pen or other pointing device connected via an internal bus. According to one embodiment, the PDA 107 employs web browser software to display web pages received from the recording server 101. Examples of the PDA 107 include the Palm VII of Palm, Inc.

The bidirectional two-way search element or "Two-way pager 109" is any suitable search element for communicating with the registration server 101 through the Internet 125 or the PSTN 121.

According to an embodiment, the electronic devices connected to the PSTN 121 communicate with the recording server 101 through the Internet 125, which provides a controlled path or "gateway" between the PSTN 121, and the recording server 101. Similarly, electronic devices of the consumers connected to the Internet 125 in Figure 1 communicate with the PSTN 121, which provides a gateway to the Internet 12 5 and the registration server 101.

PC 111 is any suitable desktop or so-called "desktop computer", workstation, laptop computer, palmtop computer, or other device, such as the computer system 1001 of Figure 10, for running Web browser software providing an interface to user between the registration server 101 and a human user (for example a consumer) through the Internet 125. The Web browser software running on the PC 111 allows the PC 111 to store information identifying the Web browser software to the registration server 101, such as a so-called "cookie". Examples of the PC 111 include Apple Macintosh computers, and IBM compatible desktop computers.

The game system 113 is a computer connected to the TV 115 and is designed to allow video games to be played on the TV 115. Examples of the game system 113 are Sega Dreamcast and Sony Play Station II. According to an embodiment, the game system 113 is equipped with Web browser software and provides a user interface to the recording server 101 via the Internet 125. Thus, a consumer can employ a keyboard or other input device of the system 113 of games to receive graphic information from the registration server 101 which is displayed on the TV 115.

The settop box 119 is connected to the television 115 and the cable network 123. The settop box 119 provides interactive television programming for viewing on the television 115. In one embodiment, the settop box 119 is also connected to the PSTN 121 in such a way. that commands received by the remote control 117 through infrared transmissions are transmitted to the recording server 101 through the PSTN 121. An exemplary interactive television system is described in U.S. Patent No. 5 561 708, which is incorporated herein by reference.

PSTN 121 is an international telephone system carrying analog voice data. Instead of or in addition to PSTN 121, other telephone networks can be used such as the integrated services digital network (ISDN) and the fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) ", to provide communication links between the consumer electronic devices in Figure 1 and the recording server 101. In addition, the PSTN 121 can provide a controlled path or gateway to the Internet 125, such as when a standard modem is used to provide communications between the PC 111 and the registration server 101 via the Internet 125.

Cable network 123 is any network suitable for providing cable television services. An example of a cable network 123 is a closed loop coaxial cable network.

The Internet 125 is a wide area network (WAN) that includes controlled paths and networks using TCP / IP protocols. The Web accessory 103, the mobile phone 105, PDA 107, the bidirectional search element 109, the PC 111 and the game system 113 all communicate with the recording server 101 through the Internet 125 in the exemplary block diagram of Figure 1.

Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating how the promotional server 201, the store computer 203 and the promotional database 205 are interrelated with various components of the system of Figure 1 for distributing promotions to consumers according to an embodiment of the 'invention. The promotional or promotions server 201 is software and / or hardware to distribute promotions to consumers' electronic devices The promotions server 201 can be implemented on the same machine as that of the registration server 101 or it can be implemented on a separate computer such as a DEC Alpha or Sun UltraSparc server. In alternative embodiments, multiple promotional servers are provided on one or more computers such as the computer system 1001 of Figure 10. The promotional server 201 stores and retrieves information in the registration database 102 and in the global consumer database 301 (which will be described later with reference to Figure 3) and communicates with the various consumer electronic devices through the PSTN 121, the cable network 123 and / or the Internet 125.

Store computer 203 is a computer that monitors transactions within a retail location, such as a grocery store, superstore, pet store, or hardware store, for example. The store computer 203 receives information of various promotions from the promotional servers 201 and stores this information in the promotions database 205. Store computer 203 monitors consumer purchases at the retail location as well as consumer entry into the retail location (e.g. swiping a loyalty card through a swipe reader at a kiosk in the retail location ). The store computer 203 uses promotion information stored in the promotions database 205 and information provided by consumers at the retail location to determine whether consumers are redeeming a promotion, distribute redemption information to the promotion server 201 and / or reward consumers with incentives, for example.

The promotions database 205 is a repository that includes records containing information for distributing, accepting and / or redeeming incentives, vouchers or coupons, and other promotions. Each record in the promotions database 205 includes fields along with a group of operations for search, selection, recombination and other database functions. The promotions database 205 can be implemented, if desired, in the form of two or more databases.

Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating how one or more retail stores 305 are interrelated with one or more promotion servers 201. The global consumer database 301 is a file that includes records containing information to provide incentives for purchases according to the present invention. This purchase history information includes information of each purchase made by a customer in the retail store 315 as well as in other retail stores in communication with the promotion server 201. This information may include the shelf keeping unit (SKU), the brand, size, weight, price, date and time of purchase, and customer identification (customer ID) relating to the performing consumer. 'purchase, for example. In one embodiment, portions of this information are obtained from barcodes on purchased items, which are scanned by the scanning device 321 during a transaction. Each record in the consumer database 301 contains fields along with a group of operations for search, selection, recombination and other functions of the database. Consumer database 301 can be implemented as two or more databases, if desired. One or more of the U.S. Patent No.

5 832 457? 5 649 114; 5 430 644; and 5 592 560 describe techniques for collecting information of consumer purchases and for storing this information in databases such as the consumer database 301. US Patents No. 5 832 457; 5 649 114; 5430 644; and 5592 560 are incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, techniques for collecting consumer purchase information and for storing this information in databases, such as the consumer database 301, are described in other patents owned by Catalina Marketing and / or Catalina Marketing International. Each patent owned by Catalina Marketing and / or Catalina Marketing International is incorporated herein by reference.

Retail store 305 is generically called a retail location and is a place where goods are held for retail to customers. The store computer 203 may be implemented using the computer system 801 of Figure 8, for example, or any other suitable PC, workstation, server, or device for communicating with one or more promotion servers 201 for storing and retrieving information. in the local purchase database 109, for monitoring data transmitted between terminal 119 and store controller 111 (i.e. transaction data) to control printer 117 and data transfer unit 323. According to one embodiment, the store computer 203 determines and distributes incentives or other promotions. The store controller 311 is any computer or device for communicating with the terminal 319 to use information stored in the store database 313 to carry out transactions at the point of sale (POS) 315. A description of an exemplary store controller 311 can be found in U.S. Patent No. 5 173 851 incorporated herein by reference.

The store database 313 is an archive that includes records containing information for carrying out transactions at the store 315 by scanning barcodes printed on purchased items (e.g. UPC, JAN, and / or EAN codes). The records in the store database 313 contain fields for associating barcodes with products and their corresponding prices. The store database 313 also includes operations for search, selection, recombination and other database functions and can be implemented, if desired, as two or more databases.

The retail store 315 includes one or more outlets 315. Each store 315 preferably includes 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 a bi-directional data communication coupling 325 with the portable device 201. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the data transfer unit 323 is employed to exchange data relating to electronic promotions with the portable device 201. Shopping incentives are uploaded or downloaded by the data transfer unit 323 in response to receiving commands from the computer 203 of the store and / or the portable device 201, for example . The data transfer unit 323 can be implemented as a data port or terminal for transmitting and receiving data through a rigidly wired medium or medium. As another example, the data transfer unit 323 may be a wireless transceiver such as an infrared transmitter and detector, or a device for implementing the Bluetooth radio link technology developed by the Bluetooth special interest consortium. Bluetooth is a technology specification for small form factor, low cost, short range radio links between mobile PCs, mobile phones, and other portable devices. Alternatively, the data transfer unit 323 can be implemented as any combination of devices suitable for providing bi-directional data communication coupling 325 so as to provide compatibility with a variety of portable devices. According to one embodiment, the data transfer unit 323 transmits and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals carrying digital data streams representing various types of information related to electronic promotions. Additionally, a readable copy of the electronic promotions transferred to the data transfer unit 323 may be printed on the printer 317 in response to receiving commands from the store computer 203, if desired.

Terminal 319 can be implemented as a standard cash register and can include for example a screen, a credit card reader, and a numeric keypad. Terminal 319 communicates with controller 311 and scanner 312. Scanner 312 can be implemented as any conventional scanning device to read product information such as item codes (e.g. UDC, EAN, or JAN) from codes to bars or other markings on the product. This information read by the scanner 312 is transmitted to the store controller 311 via the terminal 319. The store controller 311 uses the scanned information and the information stored in the store database 313 to determine transaction information including product price , quantity, and product description, for example.

If there are a plurality of outlets 315 within the retail store 305, then each terminal 319 is preferably arranged on a loop with the store controller 311. The store computer 203 is located opposite the store controller 311 on the loop whereby information transmitted from the terminals to the store controller is monitored by the store computer 203.

The present invention stores information relating to the registration of consumer electronic devices (e.g. registration information), generation of promotions, distribution of promotions (e.g. information on promotion vectors) and redemption of promotions (e.g. information on incentive vectors, information on award carriers, information on awards). 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 using data structures (e.g. record, tables, matrices, fields, graphs, trees and / or lists) contained in a memory. Suitable memories include hard disks, flexible disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, RAM as well as any of the computer-readable memories or media listed below in the discussion of Figure 10, for example. In the implementation of the present invention, it may be preferable that one or more memories take the place of a single memory, or that a single memory takes the place of two or more memories, depending on different design considerations such as cost, storage capacity, and efficiency, as will be understood by the ordinary skilled in the art.

Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D illustrate data structures used to implement a process and a system for registering consumer electronic devices to collect registration information and to implement a system of promotions (e.g., a system for distributing coupons, messages advertising and / or incentives) using the registration information. The data structures are represented in a relational format, using tables, whereby information stored in one column (i.e. in a field) of a table is associated, mapped or concatenated with information stored in the same row (i.e. registration) in the other column or in the other columns of the table. These data structures are used by the promotion server 201 and the store computer or computer 203 to deliver, accept and / or redeem or convert promotions. The data structures shown in Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are stored in databases 102, 205, 301 or 313 or in any other suitable storage device. It is to be understood that the data structures depicted in Figure 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are for exemplary purposes only, since the actual implementation of the manner in which data is stored will vary depending on the particular software or hardware employed to implement the database. as well as other structural or design considerations such as storage capacity and search speed, for example.

Figure 4 is an electronic device table 401 which includes a 403 field for storing consumer identifiers (CIDs), a 405 field for identifying different types of consumer electronic devices, a 407 field for storing device IDs, and a 408 field to store an indication of whether the corresponding device is the standard promotion carrier. Table 401 of electronic devices stores consumer information and associates this information with one or more consumer electronic devices that the consumer has registered with the system of Figure 1. The CID is any information to identify a consumer or a home. Examples of CIDs are loyalty card numbers, credit card numbers, IP addresses, so-called "cookies" stored on a computer used by a consumer, social insurance numbers, telephone numbers, street addresses, e-mail addresses, numbers license plates, license numbers, frequent shopper card numbers, shopper card IDs, user IDs, so-called "login" or registration IDs, passwords or passwords, or any information identifying an associated consumer electronic device with a consumer or any other information to identify one or more consumers and / or households. A CID may also be a fingerprint, features of a consumer's retina, or features of a consumer's voice, or any other personally identifiable information. This type of CID can be recognized at point of sale 315 or any other location using electronic fingerprint recognition, electronic retinal scanning and / or electronic voice recognition, for example.

The type of device stored in field 405 indicates the type of electronic device of the consumer. Each device is numbered in such a way that if a consumer has more than one of the same devices, then the first device will receive the number 1 and the second device will receive the number 2 and so on. As illustrated in the exemplary electronic device in Table 401, the consumer with CID 5678 is associated with two mobile phones, indicated with mobile phone 1 and mobile phone 2, respectively, and with field 405. The ID of the device in field 407 is any information to identify a way to communicate with the device in field 405. The device ID and the CID can be the same identifier, for example if the consumer uses their mobile phone number or their CID as the ID of the device for that mobile phone. The standard promotion vector indicators in field 405 indicate whether the corresponding device in field 405 is the standard device for receiving promotions from the promotions server 201. In a preferred embodiment, the consumer selects a standard promotion vector from among the devices that the consumer has registered. Thus, a promotion carrier is any electronic device selected by a consumer to receive promotions and which includes an interface for distributing received promotions to a consumer. Examples of this interface include a display screen for displaying promotions, a speaker for playing promotion, and a printer for printing promotions on paper.

Figure 4B represents a table 409 of preferred retailers which includes a field 411 for storing CID, a field 413 for storing categories of products, and a field 415 for storing preferred retailers. Product categories indicate various classes of products such as grocery products, meats, vegetables, books, magazines, music, hardware, pet supplies suppliers, furniture, and stereo equipment, for example. Each product category also has a number (for example "Grocieries # 1") corresponding to each ranking of each consumer of the retailer in the same entry in field 415. For example, in table 409 of the exemplary preferred detail sellers, the consumer with CID 1234 has selected Safeway as its number one retailer, and Super Fresh and Giant are the number two and three retailers in the "Grocieries" or grocery categories, respectively. A preferred seller or a consumer's preferred retailer is a retailer selected by the consumer and for which promotions distributed to that consumer will be related. Depending on the particular promotion, one or more of the promotions distributed to the consumer will be applied to and / or honored by at least one of the preferred sellers selected by the consumer.

Figure 4C is a vector table 417 including field 419 to store CID, field 421 to store retailers, a 423 field to store promotional vectors, a 425 field to store incentive vectors, a 427 field to store ID of incentive vectors, a 429 field for storing reward or reward vectors, and a 431 field for storing reward vector IDs. Table 417 associates each retailer for a particular CID with a promotional or promotions carrier, incentive carrier and reward carrier. Each promotion vector in field 423 corresponds to a device in field 405 of electronic device table 401. In one embodiment, the promotion vehicles in field 423 are selected from among the electronic devices in field 404 that the consumer has registered.

Therefore, each retailer is associated with a promotion vehicle selected by the corresponding consumer (in this case the consumer associated with the CID 1234) and the promotions vehicle for each retailer is associated with a device ID in field 407 which allows to distribute promotions to the promotion carrier listed in field 423. Similarly, field 425 stores the incentive vector selected by the consumer for the corresponding retail seller in field 421. The incentive carrier ID in field 427 identifies the particular incentive vector in the field 425. In table 417 of example carriers, the consumer has selected their loyalty card as the incentive carrier for Safeway, and the loyalty card has an ID of AABBCC. The incentive vector is any item or device to identify a consumer relative to a corresponding retail location in field 421. For example, the consumer with CID 1234 receives promotions for Ralph on their personal computer in the form of a web page that the consumer prints and leads to Ralph as the vector of incentives. In this example, the webpage has the consumer's CID, which is employed as the incentive carrier ID (i.e. 1234). Other examples of incentive vectors are personal identification numbers (PINs) that are entered at a retail location or from a computer or touch or key phone, email addresses, or any other identifier such as a CID.

The prime carrier indicates how the consumer will be rewarded for fulfilling the terms of the incentive or other promotion distributed to the promotion carrier. Reward Carrier ID uniquely identifies the Reward Carrier. In the carrier table 417, it is credited to the consumer VISA card. Other examples of reward carriers are checking accounts, savings accounts, store credit, and cash.

According to one embodiment, tables 401, 409 and 417 are stored in the registration data base 102. The promotions server 201 employs tables stored in the registration database 202 and / or the promotions database 205 to generate, distribute and monitor the redemption of promotions. However, it is to be understood that the information employed to implement the present invention can be stored in any variety of ways, as those skilled in the art will appreciate.

Figure 4D is a rewards table 433 with a 435 field for storing CID, a 437 field for storing promotion IDs, and a 439 field for storing rewards triggers. The promotion IDs in field 437 identify the promotion distributed to a consumer. If the promotion IDs are unique to each promotion, then coupon or discount coupon fraud can be prevented by determining whether a particular promotion has already been "redeemed" by keeping track of the promotional IDs of redeemed promotions. Promotional IDs can be any suitable identifier to identify a promotion, including a CID, a device ID, an incentive carrier ID, a reward carrier ID, or any other identifier. Similarly, one or more incentive carrier IDs in field 427 can be the same as one or more promotional promotion IDs. The reward triggers in field 438 are used by the store computer 2 03 and the promotions server 201 to determine whether a consumer has met any conditions that may be required for the consumer to receive the reward. For example, the reward trigger may be a UPC code which the store computer 203 detects by being transmitted from the terminal 319 to the store controller 311. A reward trigger can also be a CID, incentive vector ID, reward vector ID, device ID, or other identifier. For example, the consumer may be rewarded simply for bringing a printout of their personal webpage to the store and having a barcode on the webpage scanned. In this case, the incentive carrier ID (i.e. a unique barcode on the webpage) could also be the trigger for the rewards.

It is to be understood that Tables 401, 409, 417 and 433 are provided for exemplary purposes only and can be specifically designed to accommodate different market schemes and promotions. For example, if the reward is simply a cash credit during a transaction in a retail location, then there is no need to identify reward carriers and IDs of the reward carriers. Similarly, if the promotion 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, 6B and 5C are flowcharts to explain how consumers register electronic devices and their retail vendor preferences and have conferred incentive and promotional vectors with registration server 101. Specifically, Figure 5A is a flowchart explaining how one or more electronic devices of a consumer are registered with the system of Figure 1. In step 501, the consumer uses an electronic device to register in the registration server 101, and the registration server 101 receives the registration or login request input from the consumer's electronic device. The login process may include user input of a username (e.g. consumer CID) and password (e.g. personal identification number or PIN). If the consumer has not already established a username and password with the registration server 101, then the registration server 101 signals the user to enter this information, through the consumer's electronic device.

In step 503, the recording server 101 transmits a signal to the consumer's electronic device to enter the consumer's CID. As noted above, the consumer's CID is any information used to identify the consumer or consumer's family. In step 505, the registration server 101 receives the consumer's CID from the consumer's electronic device in response to the consumer entering his own CID into the electronic device.

If the consumer has already selected a standard promotion vector with registration server 101 in a past registration session, then steps 507, 509 and 511 can be skipped at the consumer's option. In step 507, the registration server 101 transmits a signal to the electronic device to enter the standard promotions vector and the corresponding device ID. The standard promotion carrier is an electronic device selected by the consumer to receive promotions from the 201 promotions server. Device ID is an identifier, such as a telephone number or e-mail (email) address, that allows the promotion server 201 to transmit promotions and / or other information to the corresponding electronic device. In step 509, the registration server 101 receives the selection of the consumers' standard promotion vectors and the corresponding ID of the devices from the consumer's electronic device. Then, in step 511, the registration server 101 associates the selected standard promotion vector, the corresponding device ID and the consumer's CID and stores this information in the electronic devices table 401 in the registration database 102.

In step 513, the registration server 101 transmits to the consumer's electronic device a signal relating to registering additional electronic devices. In step 515, the registration server 101 receives from the consumer's electronic device an indication of whether the consumer wishes to register additional electronic devices with the registration server 101. If the consumer wishes to register additional electronic devices, then in step 517 the registration server registration 101 receives a device type and the corresponding device ID relating to the additional electronic devices that the consumer wishes to register and associates this information in the electronic devices table 401 in the registration database 102. Then, the process returns to step 513. If , in step 515, the consumer indicates that there are no additional electronic devices to register, then the process proceeds to step 519.

In step 519, the registration server 101 transmits to the consumer's electronic device a signal to enter a preferred retailer in a product category. Then, in step 521, the registration server 101 receives the selection of the consumer-preferred retailers in the product category from the consumer's electronic device. In step 523, the registration server 101 associates the CID of the consumer and the category of products with the selected preferred retailer and stores this information in the table 49 of the preferred retailers in the registration database 102.

Next, in step 525, the registration server 101 determines whether promotions and incentive vehicles or vectors are already stored for the selection of retailers received from the consumer in step 521. If the registration server 101 determines that promotions and incentive vectors are not have already been stored for the preferred retail vendor, then in step 527 the registration server transmits a signal to the electronic device to determine if the standard promotions carrier should be used for the selection of preferred retail vendors. In step 529, the registration server 101 receives from the electronic device the indication of the consumer as to whether the standard promotion vector should be used for the preferred retailer selected by the consumer. If the standard promotions vector is not to be employed, then the process proceeds to step 531. In step 531, the registration server 101 transmits to the consumer's electronic device a signal to enter a promotion vector for the selection of preferred retailers. In step 533, the registration server 101 receives a selection of the promotion vectors from the consumer's electronic device. Then, the process proceeds to step 535.

In step 525, if the registration server 101 determines that promotion and incentive carriers are already stored for the preferred retailer, then the registration server transmits an alert to the electronic device to determine whether the existing settings (i.e. the promotions and the carrier previously stored incentives for preferred retailer) are to be employed with the selected retailer. In step 549, the recording server 101 receives from the consumer's device an indication as to whether the existing settings should be used. If the existing settings are not to be used, then the process proceeds to step 52 8. If the existing settings are to be used, then the process proceeds to step 535. Similarly, if the consumer indicates that the standard promotions vector is to be used in the step 529, then the process proceeds to step 535.

In step 535, the registration server 101 transmits to the consumer's electronic device a signal for entering preferred incentive and reward vectors for the selection of preferred retailers. In step 537, the registration server 101 receives from the consumer's electronic device the vectors of the preferred incentives and rewards selected by the consumer.

Then, in step 539, the registration server 101 transmits to the consumer's electronic device a signal for entering incentive and reward vector identifications corresponding to the selected incentive and reward vectors, respectively. In step 541, the registration server 101 receives from the electronic device the identifications of the incentives and rewards carriers that the user has entered into the electronic device. In step 543, the registrar associates the consumer CID and selection of preferred retailers with the selection of promotion vectors, selection of incentive vectors, incentive carrier ID, reward carrier, and 'ID of the award carrier. This information is stored in the vector table 417 in the registration database 102.

In step 545, the registration server 101 determines whether there are multiple product categories for which the consumer has not selected preferred retailers. If there are no further product categories, then the process ends. If there are multiple product categories for which the consumer has not selected a preferred retailer, then the process returns to step 519. In a preferred embodiment, the product categories identify a product class as well as a product rank . For example, the product categories "bulk groceries # 1" or bulk grocery items No. l and "bulk groceries # 2" or bulk grocery items No. 2 correspond to the consumer's most preferred and second most preferred retail retailers, in the product category of bulk or bulk grocery items respectively.

Therefore, one of the advantages of the present invention is that consumers can register their preferences for receiving, accepting and redeeming or converting promotions. The present invention stores preferred vendors, preferred devices for receiving promotions (i.e. promotion vectors), as well as preferred methods for accepting and redeeming promotions (e.g. incentive vectors and reward vectors). As used herein, the term "preferred" does not refer to a consumer's subjective intent but refers to the choices made by the consumer in selecting vendors, electronic devices, etc., during the registration process. Thus, a consumer's preferred seller or trader is not necessarily the consumer's favorite trader, but merely a trader the consumer has selected during the registration process.

It is to be understood that any of the steps of Figures 5A, 5B and 5C can be skipped if the registration server already has the information obtained from the consumer in these steps. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the consumer can perform registration or prospecting in the registration server 101 and change their selections at any time. In addition, it is to be understood that the registration process is flexible and can be specifically designed for adaptation to different electronic devices. For example, if the consumer registers with a computer, then all registration information can be entered into a single HTML page received from the consumer's computer from the registration server 101 over the Internet 125.

Figure 6 is an exemplary flowchart explaining how a consumer can register with the system of Figure 1, using his own PC 111. In step 601, the consumer uses his PC 111 to access a website hosted by the registration server 101. Registration server 101 receives a request to register electronic devices from a distant computer, and in step 603 transmits a registration document (e.g. an HTML page) to the remote computer signaling the user to enter registration information from different devices electronic.

In step 605, the registration server 101 receives from the remote or distant computer registration information of one or more electronic devices that the consumer wishes to register with the registration server 101. According to one embodiment, this registration information includes the CID of the consumer, the types of different electronic devices the consumer wishes to register, device identifiers corresponding to the electronic devices the consumer is registering, indications of whether or not the registered electronic device must be the carrier of standard promotions, and selections of retailers favorites for various product categories. In addition, the registration server 101 receives from the PC 111 registration information stored in the carrier table 417, including promotional carrier selections, incentive carrier selections, incentive carrier IDs, reward carrier selections, and carrier carrier IDs. rewards for selected favorite retailers.

In step 607, the registration server 101 associates the consumer's CID with the types of electronic devices and corresponding IDs of the devices and an indication of whether each electronic device is to be the carrier of the standard promotions. This information is stored in the electronic device table 401 of Figure 4A, as discussed above.

In step 609, the registration server 101 associates the consumer's CID with the different product categories and corresponding preferred retailer selected by the consumer. This information is stored in table 409 of the preferred retailers of Figure 4B.

In step 611, the registration server 101 associates the consumer CID and preferred retail vendor selections with the corresponding promotion carrier selections, incentive carrier selections, incentive carrier IDs, reward carrier selections, and IDs. of the award vectors. This information is stored in the vector table 417 of Figure 4C.

Figure 7 is a flowchart for explaining how promotions are distributed to electronic devices in the system of Figure 2, according to an embodiment of the invention. At step 703, the promotions server 201 receives information about the promotions, including one or more product categories and desired or targeted criteria for the promotions to be generated. In step 705, the promotion server 201 determines which consumers who have registered with the registration server 101 meet the desired or targeted criteria. The desired criteria are market indicators or other indicators to classify consumers into categories of behavior. For example, if a promotion is to be targeted in a targeted manner at people purchasing Brand X soda, then the promotion server 201 uses the information stored in the global consumer database 301 to determine which consumers meet the desired criteria. If the desired criteria for Brand X soda users are any consumer who has purchased 1 to 1.5 liters of Brand X soda on average every month for the past three months, then all of these consumers whose information about the history of purchases that meet the desired criteria are identified as "desired consumers" or targets for receiving the information.

In step 707, the promotions server 201 generates promotions, as incentives, based on the information of the promotions and the registration information of consumers meeting the desired criteria. For example, if the promotion is to be distributed to Brand X light soda drinkers, then the product categories for the promotion could be grocery items or groceries # 1, groceries # 2, and groceries # 3. In this case, promotions are generated for the three corresponding retail vendors and the corresponding promotion vectors, incentive vectors and reward vectors. Thus, if the promotion information is obtained from the example preferred retailers table 409 and the example carriers table 417, then the retailers will be Safeway, SuperFresh, and Giant, the promotion carrier will be mobile phone 1, the carrier of the incentives will be the consumer loyalty card at each of the corresponding retailers, and the carrier of the former will be the consumer VISA credit card.

In step 709, the promotions server 201 assigns each promotion (in this case an electronic incentive) an incentive ID to uniquely identify each promotion.

Then, in step 711, the registration server 201 associates each ID of the incentives with the CID corresponding to the consumer 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 where consumers can redeem the incentives. In step 715, the premium tables are distributed to the retail vendors. Then, in step 717, the electronic incentives are distributed to the promotion carriers corresponding to the consumer-preferred retailers. Thus, a consumer can receive all promotions on a single electronic device if he has registered that electronic device as the carrier of the promotions for each retailer.

Figure 8A is a flowchart for explaining how electronic incentives distributed with the system of Figure 2 are redeemed, according to an embodiment of the invention. In step 801, the computer 203 of the store of Figure 3 receives an incentive ID and / or an incentive vector ID from the consumer at point of sale 315. In one embodiment, the incentive ID or the ID incentive carrier is received by the store computer 205 when a clerk at the store 315 scans a barcode on the incentive (i.e. the incentive ID) or a barcode on the consumer's loyalty card (i.e. 'Consumer Incentives ID). In step 803, the store computer 203 determines whether the consumer is eligible for a reward. Step 803 is performed by the computer 203 of the store controlling the promotions database 205 for the rewards trigger If the rewards trigger is the incentive carrier ID provided by the consumer or if the promotions ID is one of the Promotions ID stored in field 437, then in step 805 the store computer 203 rewards the consumer based on the selected reward vector and field 429 of the vector table 417.For example, if the reward vector is cash, then the store computer communicates with the store controller 311 to get the dollar amount of the premium deducted from the consumer's total purchase. If the reward carrier is the consumer's VISA credit card, then the store computer 203 causes the consumer's VISA card to be credited with the reward amount, using the award carrier's ID (in this case the credit card number) in field 431. In step 803, the computer 203 of the store transmits to the promotion server 201 an indication that the consumer has redeemed the electronic incentive. In this way, the same incentive can be prevented from being redeemed twice by the same consumer or by a different consumer.

Figure 8B is a flowchart to explain an alternative procedure for redeeming incentives with the system of Figure 3. In step 809, the store computer 203 receives a promotion ID and / or an incentive carrier ID from store 305 , as in step 801. In step 811, the store computer 203 determines whether the consumer is eligible for a reward, as in step 803. If the consumer is eligible for a reward, then the store computer 203 transmits to server 201 some promotions an indication that the consumer has redeemed the incentive. Then, in step 815, the promotion server 201 determines whether the consumer has previously redeemed the incentive. If the consumer has previously redeemed the incentive, then the consumer is not rewarded and the process returns to step 809. If, in step 815, the consumer server 201 determines that the consumer has not previously redeemed the incentive, then in step 817 the promotions server 201 rewards the consumer based on the selected reward vector. As noted above, a consumer can be rewarded in many different ways, regardless of whether the promotion server 201 or the store computer 203 rewards the consumer. For example, the promotions server 201 may credit the consumer's credit card if the consumer has selected their credit card as the reward vector in field 429. In an alternate embodiment, the promotions server 201 rewards the consumer sending back to the store computer 203 an indication that the consumer is to be rewarded with the printed coupon or certificate the next time the consumer presents their incentive carrier at point of sale 315 in retail store 305. In this case, the next time the consumer loyalty card is scanned at store 315 in retail store 305, then store computer 203 will cause printer 317 to automatically distribute the reward by printing a coupon. or certificate that is provided to the consumer by a clerk at the store 315.

Figure 9A is an exemplary electronic incentive 901 that is delivered by the promotion server 201 and displayed on an electronic device such as a Web 103 accessory, 105 mobile phone, PDA 107, pager or bidirectional search element 109, PC 111, game system 113, mobile phone 122 and / or television 115. Electronic incentive 901 includes field 903 indicating the reward, a field 905 indicating the preferred retailer, and a field 907 indicating the incentive vector.

Figure 9B illustrates an exemplary electronic incentive 909 in the form of a personal Web page. The web page can be provided to the PC 111 or PDA 107 or any other consumer electronic device with web browser software to request, receive, and view web pages. The 909 electronic incentive can be transmitted to the consumer's electronic devices via the server. 201 of promotions. The 909 electronic incentive includes a 911 field indicating the prize, a 913 field indicating the prize carrier, and a 915 field with the promotion ID (in this case a barcode). The electronic incentive 909 is printed with a printer attached to the PC 111. Then, the printed version of the electronic coupon is presented at the store 315 where the promotion ID 915 is scanned through the scanner 321. An example personal web page is the ValuPage generated by Online Supermarkets, Inc.

As noted above, the present invention is flexible and can be specifically designed to accommodate different consumer electronic devices. As another example, an electronic consumer device, such as a PDA, can be configured to carry and transmit electronic incentives and thus becomes both a promotion carrier and an incentive carrier. Other mobile devices may carry and broadcast electronic incentives as well. For example, electronic incentives can be distributed to PDA 107, stored on PDA 107 and redeemed by downloading information from PDA 107 to data transfer unit 323 at store 315. PDA 107 and transfer unit 323 data can communicate using WAP, Bluetooth, and / or any other suitable protocol.

As another example, a promotion may be distributed to a subscriber television set through the consumer interactive TV settop box 119. According to one embodiment, the consumer tunes to a specific channel or selects a recording option with his remote control 117. The consumer is then signaled to enter a unique PIN (e.g. the consumer's CID) which identifies the consumer or your family. The consumer is advised to set options for other family members (e.g. restrictions on who can accept offers, purchase items, etc.). The consumer is then advised to select product categories for which the consumer is likely to receive incentives, information and / or samples. Then, the consumer is advised to enter preferred retailers where the consumer would like to redeem accepted incentives, in the order of the sellers' preferences. Finally, the consumer is advised to register the incentive carrier to "carry" the redemption incentive (eg a loyalty card or PDA account number). From this point on, when the consumer sees the television and an offer is made as part of an interactive commercial program, then the consumer will simply use the remote control 117 to accept or decline the offer. If the offer is accepted, then the offer is then associated with the preferred retailer or retailers and corresponding incentive carrier or vectors based on the registration information stored in Table 409 of Preferred Retailers, and in Table 417. of your favorite vectors. The item or items that are being promoted are then added to a universal shopping list, which is retrieved from the registrations server 101 or from a kiosk within the retail store 305 using an electronic device that the consumer has registered. Confirmation of the acceptance of the promotion can be transmitted to the consumer through interactive television support, electronic mail or e-mail, or any other means to communicate with one of the electronic devices that the consumer has registered.

The mobile device can be registered by using the mobile device to navigate to a specific website (e.g. a website determined by the registration server 101) and to provide registration information to the registration server 101, by using the mobile device, as illustrated in Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C. In another embodiment, a consumer registers the mobile device (i.e. PDA) as part of another registration (e.g. via interactive television, as discussed above, or via PC 111, as discussed with reference to Figure 6). The electronic registration incentives are distributed to the mobile device of the promotion server 201 and stored on the mobile device. Transfer of registration information required to redeem the incentive takes place by bringing the mobile device to the store 115 or via wireless communication such as a wireless application protocol (WAP) associated (glued) to the floor .

The whole invention or a portion of the invention can be conveniently implemented using conventional general purpose computers or conventional microprocessors programmed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the computer art. Appropriate software can be readily prepared by programmers of ordinary experience based on the teachings of this disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the field of software.

Figure 10 illustrates a computer system 1001 on which an embodiment of the present invention can be implemented. Computer system 1001 includes a bus 1003 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor 1005 coupled with bus 1003 for processing the information. Computer system 1001 also includes main memory 1007, such as random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic memory device (e.g. dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), and synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)) coupled to bus 1003 to store information and instructions to be executed by processor 1005. In addition, main memory 1007 can be used to store temporary variables or other intermediate information during the execution of instructions to be executed by processor 1005. The computer system 1001 further includes a read-only memory (ROM) 1009 or other static memory device (e.g. programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), and electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), and flash ROM) coupled to the bus 1003 for storing static information and instructions for processor 1005. A memory device 1011, such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk, is provided and coupled to the bus 1003 to store information and instructions.

Computer system 1001 may also include special purpose logic devices (e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) or configurable logic devices (e.g., a generic logic matrix (GAL) or reprogrammable field programmable gate arrays. (GPGA)). Other removable media devices (e.g. compact discs, tape and removable magneto-optical media) or fixed high-density media drives may be added to the 1001 computer system using an appropriate device bus (e.g., a system interface bus computer (SCSI), an enhanced integrated device electronic bus (IDE), or an ultra-direct memory access (DMA) bus). The computer system 1001 may additionally include a compact disc player, a compact disc read-write unit, or a compact disc jukebox, each of which may be connected to the same bus of the same device or another bus. another device.

Computer system 1001 can be coupled via bus 1003 to a display 1013 such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) for displaying information to a computer user. The viewer or display 1013 can be controlled by a display card or graphics card. The computer system includes input devices, such as a keyboard 1015, and a cursor control 1017, for communicating information and command selections to the processor 1005. The cursor control 1017, for example, is a mouse, a so-called trackball, or directional cursor keys for communicating directional information and command selections to processor 1005 and for controlling cursor movement on display 1013. In addition, a printer can provide printed lists of data and information structures as depicted in Figure 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D or any other data stored and / or generated by the computer system 1001.

Computer system 1001 executes a portion or all of the processing steps of the invention in response to processor 1005 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in a memory, such as main memory 1007. These instructions may involve, for example for example, the registration of consumer electrical devices and the generation, distribution and redemption of promotions, using registration information. These instructions can be read into main memory 1007 from another computer readable medium, such as memory device 1011.

One or more processors in a multiprocessing arrangement may also be employed to execute the instruction sequence contained in main memory 1007. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be employed in place of or in conjunction with software instructions. Thus, embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software circuitry.

As indicated above, the system 1001 includes at least one computer readable medium, memory, or computer code device programmed in accordance with the teachings of the invention and for containing data structures, tables, records or other data described herein. Stored on any of or a combination of computer readable media, the present invention includes software for controlling computer system 1001, for operating one or more devices to implement the invention, and for enabling computer system 1001 to interact with a human user (e.g. a consumer). This software may include, but are not limited to, drive-driver elements or device drivers, operating systems, development tools, and application software. This computer readable medium further includes the computer program product according to the present invention for performing all or a portion of the processing (if the processing is distributed) performed in the implementation of the invention. The computer code devices according to the present invention can be any interpreted or executable code mechanism, including, but not limited to, writings, interpreters, dynamic link libraries, Java classes and complete executable programs. Furthermore, parts of the processing of the present invention can be deployed for better performance, reliability and / or cost.

The term "computer readable medium" as used herein refers to any medium or means involved in providing instructions to processor 1005 for execution. Computer readable media can take many forms, including but not limited to non-volatile media, volatile media, and broadcast media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical disks, magnetic disks, and magneto-optical disks, such as a 1011 memory device. Volatile media include dynamic memory, such as 1007 main memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and optical fibers, including the wires that make up the bus 1003. The transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared data communications.

Common forms of computer readable media include, for example, hard disks, floppy disks, tape, magneto-optical disks, PROMs, (EPROM, EEPROM, Flash EPROM), DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, or any other magnetic media, (e.g. CD-ROM), or any other optical media, punch cards, paper tape, or other physical media with hole patterns, a carrier wave (described below), or any other media that a computer can read from.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in bringing one or more sequences of one or more instructions to processor 1005 for execution. For example, the instructions may initially be brought to a remote computer's magnetic disk. The remote computer can load the instructions for implementing the whole present invention or a portion of the present invention remotely into a dynamic memory and transmit the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A local modem for the computer system 1001 may 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 carries the data to the main memory 1007, from which the processor 1005 retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received from the main memory 1007 can optionally be stored on the memory device 1011 either before or after execution by the processor 1005.

Computer system 1001 also includes a communications interface 1019 coupled to bus 1003. Communications interface 1019 provides bidirectional data communications coupling to a network link 1021 which is connected to a local network (e.g. LAN 1023) . For example, the communications interface 1019 may be a network interface card for attachment to any packet-switched local area network (LAN). As another example, the communications interface 1019 may be an asymmetric digital subscriber line card (ADSL), an integrated services digital network card (ISDN), or a modem for providing a data communication connection to a matching type of telephone line. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such implementation, the communications interface 1019 transmits and receives electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals carrying digital data streams representing various types of information.

Network link 1021 typically provides data communication across one or more networks to other data devices. For example, the network link 1021 may provide a connection through the LAN 1023 to a central computer 1025, another computer system 1001, or to data equipment operated by a provider or service provider, which provides communication services of data over an Internet Protocol (IP) 1027 network (such as Internet 125). The 1023 LAN and 1027 IP network both employ electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals to carry digital data streams. The signals through the various networks and the signals on the network link 1021 and through the communications interface 1019, which carry digital data to and from the computer system 1001, are exemplary forms of carrier waves carrying the information. The computer system 1001 can transmit notifications and receive data, including program code, over the network or networks, the network link 1021 and the communications interface 1019.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the previous teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be implemented other than as specifically described herein.

Claims (26)

CLAIMS 1. Process comprising: receive from an electronic device a consumer identifier, preferred seller information, and promotion vector information, the consumer identifier corresponding to a consumer, the preferred seller information corresponding to a preferred seller of the consumer, the information of the promotion carrier by matching a consumer's preferred device to receive promotions; and associating the consumer identifier with the preferred vendor information and the promotion vector information. 2. Process according to claim 1, further comprising: transmit to the electronic device a seller's registration alert for the consumer to identify the consumer's preferred seller; And transmitting to the electronic device a carrier notification of promotions for the consumer to select the consumer's preferred device for receiving promotions. Method according to claim 1, wherein the consumer identifier is selected from the group consisting of: a consumer identifier, a loyalty card number, a cookie, an IP address, a telephone number and an e-mail address or email. The method of claim 1, further comprising associating the preferred seller information and the consumer identifier with a device identifier corresponding to the electronic device. The method of claim 4, further comprising distributing to the electronic device a promotion corresponding to the preferred vendor, employing the device identifier, the promotion vector information comprising the device identifier and the preferred device comprising the electronic device . The method of claim 1, further comprising distributing information of a promotion to a remote computer associated with the preferred vendor, the information of the promotion including the identifier of the consumer. The method of claim 1, wherein the information of the promotion vector includes a promotion vector identifier identifying a promotion vector comprising the preferred device, and the process also includes the step of distributing a promotion to the promotion carrier. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving from the electronic device an incentive vector identifier corresponding to an incentive vector for redeeming promotions distributed to the promotion vector. The method according to claim 8, further comprising receiving from the electronic device information of a prize carrier corresponding to a prize carrier by which the consumer is rewarded. 10. Process according to claim 9, further comprising: receive the incentive carrier identifier again in response to a consumer purchase transaction; determine if the consumer qualifies to receive an award; And reward the consumer if the consumer qualifies to receive the prize, using the information of the prize carrier. 11. Process according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving information of additional preferred sellers corresponding to additional preferred sellers of the consumer; And associate additional preferred vendor information with the consumer identifier. 12. A process comprising: storing in association a consumer identifier, preferred seller information, and a promotion vector identifier, the consumer identifier corresponding to a consumer, the preferred seller information corresponding to a consumer's preferred seller, the promotion vector identifier by identifying a promotions vector comprising a consumer's preferred device for receiving promotions; generate an incentive based on the consumer's preferred seller; And distribute to the promotion carrier a promotion corresponding to the preferred seller, using the promotion carrier identifier. The method according to claim 12, further comprising storing the information of the preferred seller 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 seller information and the consumer identifier. The method of claim 12, further comprising distributing promotion information to the preferred seller, promotion information including the consumer identifier. The method of claim 12, further comprising storing an incentive vector identifier in association with the preferred vendor information, the incentive vector identifier corresponding to an incentive vector for redeeming promotions distributed to the promotion vector. A method according to claim 16, further comprising storing registration of a prize carrier corresponding to a prize carrier by which the consumer is rewarded. 18. Process according to claim 17, further comprising: receive incentive carrier identifier in response to a consumer purchase transaction; determine if the consumer qualifies to receive an award; And reward the consumer if the consumer qualifies to receive the prize, using the information of the prize carrier. 19. Computer readable medium containing program instructions for execution on a computer system, which, when executed from a computer, causes the computer system to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18. 20. System comprising: a memory having registration information incorporated therein; a processor in communication with the memory, the processor being configured to: receive from an electronic device a consumer identifier, preferred seller information and promotion vector information, the consumer identifier corresponding to a consumer, the seller information preferred by matching a consumer's preferred seller, the information of the promotion carrier by matching a consumer's preferred device for receiving promotions; and associating the consumer identifier with the preferred seller information and the promotions vector information. A system according to claim 20, wherein the processor is further configured to: transmit to the electronic device a seller's registration alert for the consumer to identify the consumer's preferred seller; And transmit to the electronic device a carrier notification of promotions for the consumer to select the consumer's preferred device for receiving promotions. System according to claim 20, wherein the consumer identifier is selected from the group consisting of: a consumer identifier, loyalty card number, cookie, IP address, telephone number, or email or email address. A system according to claim 20, wherein the processor is further configured to associate the preferred seller information and the consumer identifier with a device identifier corresponding to the electronic device. The system according to claim 23, wherein the processor is further configured to distribute to the electronic device a promotion corresponding to the preferred vendor, using the device identifier, the promotion vector information including the device identifier and the device preferred including the electronic device. A system according to claim 20, wherein the processor is further configured to distribute information of a promotion to a remote computer associated with the preferred vendor, the information of the promotion including the identifier of the consumer. A system according to claim 20, wherein the information of the promotion vector comprises a promotion vector identifier identifying a promotion vector comprising the preferred device, and the processor is also configured to deliver a promotion to the promotion carrier. A system according to claim 26, wherein the promotion vector is one of a personal data assistant, a mobile phone, and a pager or search element. A system according to claim 26 wherein the preferred device comprises the electronic device. A system according to claim 26, wherein the preferred device comprises another electronic device. A system according to claim 20, wherein the processor is configured to receive from the electronic device an incentive vector identifier corresponding to an incentive vector for redeeming promotions distributed to the promotion vector. A system according to claim 30, wherein the processor is configured to receive from the electronic device award carrier information corresponding to the award carrier by which the awarded consumer. A system according to claim 31, wherein the processor is further configured to: receive the incentive carrier identifier again in response to a consumer purchase transaction; determine if the consumer qualifies to receive an award; And reward the consumer if the consumer qualifies to receive the prize, using the information of the prize carrier. A system according to claim 20, wherein the processor is further configured to: receiving information of additional preferred sellers corresponding to additional preferred sellers of the consumer; And associate additional preferred vendor information with the consumer identifier. 34. System comprising: a memory having incorporated therein consumer identifier information, preferred seller information, and promotions vector information, the consumer identifier information being associated with preferred seller information and promotions vector information and matching to a consumer identifier of a consumer, the preferred seller information corresponding to a preferred seller of the consumer, the information of the promotions vector corresponding to a promotions vector identifier of a promotions vector selected by the consumer to receive promotions; And a processor communicating with the memory, the processor being configured to distribute a promotion corresponding to the preferred vendor to the promotion vector, using the promotion vector identifier. A system according to claim 34, wherein the memory has embedded in it the product category information of a product category associated with the preferred seller, where the promotion corresponds to the product category. A system according to claim 34, wherein the memory has embedded therein device identifier information of a device identifier corresponding to another electronic device associated with the preferred vendor and the consumer identifier. A system according to claim 34, the processor of which is further configured to distribute preferred vendor promotion information, the promotion information including the consumer identifier. A system according to claim 34, wherein the preferred device is one of a personal data assistant, a mobile phone and a pager or search element. 39. A system according to claim 34, wherein the memory has incorporated therein incentive vector information corresponding to an incentive vector identifier associated with the preferred seller, the incentive vector identifier corresponding to an incentive vector to redeem promotions distributed to the promotion carrier. A system according to claim 39, wherein the memory has embedded therein reward carrier information associated with the consumer identifier and corresponding to a reward carrier selected by the consumer to receive awards. A system according to claim 40, wherein the processor is further configured to: receive the incentive carrier identifier in response to a consumer purchase transaction; determine if the consumer qualifies to receive an award; And reward the consumer if the consumer qualifies to receive the prize, using the information of the prize carrier. 42. System comprising: means for receiving from an electronic device a consumer identifier, preferred seller information, and promotions vector information, consumer identifier corresponding to a consumer, preferred seller information corresponding to a preferred seller of the consumer, the carrier information of promotions by matching a consumer's preferred device for receiving promotions; And means for associating the consumer identifier with the preferred seller information and the promotions vector information. 43. System according to claim 42, further comprising: means for transmitting to the electronic device a seller registration alert for the consumer to identify the preferred seller of the consumer; And means for transmitting to the electronic device a carrier signaling of promotions for the consumer to select the preferred device of the consumer for receiving promotions. 44. System according to claim 42, wherein the consumer identifier is selected from the group consisting of: a consumer identifier, a loyalty card number, a cookie, and the IP address, a telephone number, and an address e-mail or e-mail. A system according to claim 42, further comprising means for associating the preferred seller information and the consumer identifier with a device identifier corresponding to the electronic device. A system according to claim 45, further comprising means for distributing to the electronic device a promotion corresponding to the preferred vendor, using the device identifier, the information of the promotion vector comprising the identifier of the device and the preferred device comprising the device electronic. 47. A system according to claim 42, further comprising means for distributing information of a promotion to a remote computer associated with the preferred vendor, the information of the promotion including the identifier of the consumer. A system according to claim 42, wherein the information of the promotion vector includes a promotion vector identifier identifying a promotion vector comprising the preferred device; And the system further includes means for distributing a promotion to the promotion carrier. The system according to claim 48, wherein the promotion vector is one of a personal data assistant, a mobile phone and a search element or pager. 50. A system according to claim 48 wherein the preferred device comprises the electronic device. 51. A system according to claim 48 wherein the preferred device comprises another electronic device. 52. A system according to claim 42, further comprising means for receiving from the electronic device an incentive vector identifier corresponding to an incentive vector for redeeming promotions distributed to the promotion vector. 53. A system according to claim 52, further comprising means for receiving from the electronic device information of a prize carrier corresponding to a prize carrier by which the consumer is rewarded. 54. System according to claim 53, further comprising: means for receiving the incentive vector identifier again in response to a consumer shopping transaction; means of determining whether the consumer qualifies to receive a reward; And means to reward the consumer if the consumer qualifies to receive the prize, using information from the reward carrier. 55. System according to claim 42, further comprising: means for receiving additional preferred vendor information corresponding to additional consumer preferred vendor; And means for associating additional preferred vendor information with the consumer identifier. 56. System comprising: means for storing in association a consumer identifier, preferred seller information, and a promotions vector identifier, the consumer identifier corresponding to a consumer, the preferred seller information corresponding to a preferred seller of the consumer, the identifier the promotion vector by identifying a promotion vector comprising a consumer's preferred device for receiving promotions; means of generating an incentive based on the consumer's preferred seller; And means for distributing to the promotion vector a promotion corresponding to the preferred seller, using the promotion vector identifier. A system according to claim 56, further comprising means for storing the preferred seller information in association with a product category, wherein the promotion corresponds to the product category. 58. A system according to claim 56, further comprising means for storing a device identifier corresponding to another electronic device in association with the preferred seller information and the consumer identifier. 59. A system according to claim 56, further comprising means for distributing promotion information to the preferred seller, the promotion information including the consumer identifier. 60. A system according to claim 56, wherein the preferred device is one of a personal data assistant, a mobile phone and a pager or search element. 61. A system according to claim 56, further comprising means for storing an incentive vector identifier in association with the preferred seller information, the incentive vector identifier corresponding to an incentive vector for redeeming promotions distributed to the promotion vector . 62. A system according to claim 1, further comprising means for storing prize carrier information corresponding to a prize carrier by which the consumer is rewarded. 63. System according to claim 62, further comprising: means for receiving the incentive carrier identifier in response to a consumer purchase transaction; means of determining whether the consumer qualifies to receive a reward; And means to reward the consumer if the consumer qualifies to receive the prize, using the information of the reward carrier.