WO2000052620A1 - Incitation a l'achat ciblee - Google Patents

Incitation a l'achat ciblee Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000052620A1
WO2000052620A1 PCT/US2000/005303 US0005303W WO0052620A1 WO 2000052620 A1 WO2000052620 A1 WO 2000052620A1 US 0005303 W US0005303 W US 0005303W WO 0052620 A1 WO0052620 A1 WO 0052620A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sponsors
advertisers
service
cost
business
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/005303
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Gregory Thomas Malley
Original Assignee
Gregory Thomas Malley
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gregory Thomas Malley filed Critical Gregory Thomas Malley
Priority to AU35081/00A priority Critical patent/AU3508100A/en
Publication of WO2000052620A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000052620A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
    • G07G1/00—Cash registers
    • G07G1/0036—Checkout procedures
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Definitions

  • the present invention is a purchase incentive which is targeted to reduce the cost of means which facilitate purchases from sponsors, advertisers, and business affiliates.
  • a number of new high technology subscriber services are now available. These subscriber services include Internet access, asymmetric digital subscriber lines, cable modem connections, wireless, cellular phone services, pagers and so on. Most households already have a monthly bill for telephone and cable television services. A significant number of households who are paying for an internet service provider experience the need for a second phone line, so they can receive or make phone calls while other family members are using the internet. There is a need to make these services and mediums widely affordable.
  • advertising subsidizes the cost of a medium, such as newspapers, magazines, cable and network television, to users.
  • a medium such as newspapers, magazines, cable and network television
  • the cost of many services and products such as newspaper, radio, cable, satellite, internet services or network television programming are underwritten in part or in full by advertisers, sponsors, or business affiliates.
  • the advertiser in most cases, does not know if a user who receives a subsidized service ever does patronize them. There is no relationship between patronage of the sponsor and cost of the means, which facilitates purchases by the user.
  • Offering a purchase incentive can increase sales volume when the incentive adds some perceived value to the consumer making a purchase decision.
  • a typical purchase incentive increases sales volume by lowering the effective price to the user. The business hopes that, although their per unit profit margin is lessened, total profits will be higher due to an increase in the number of units sold.
  • a typical incentive program will attempt to maximize profits by increasing the volume sold. Although the per unit profit is less due to the incentive offered, the total profit realized is greater because more units are sold. Or the program is intended to induce people to try the product or service in the hope that they will purchase the product or service in the future. Or the discount is offered to induce people to come to a store to purchase an item at a discounted price, hoping that they will buy additional items at their regular price.
  • Purchase incentive programs usually involve the award of points, related to some value, to customers for buying products or services from the issuer of the incentive.
  • the points or credit obtained from the purchase can then be used to purchase products produced by the company offering the incentive or by a third party company at a discount or for no charge.
  • some credit cards reward users with frequent flyer miles, which can be used toward airline travel. When customers purchase long distance services from some companies they can earn frequent flyer miles.
  • Some supermarket chains offer a discount toward the purchase of groceries once the consumer has reached a specific purchase amount. The credit is awarded for making purchases from the issuer of the incentive.
  • An on-line interactive frequency and award redemption program credits users who make purchases with award points (Storey U.S. Pat No. 5,774,870 Fully Integrated, On-line Interactive Frequency and Award Redemption Program, 1998 June 30). Users may apply those award points toward purchase of a product.
  • the award incentive is not targeted to reduce the cost of doing business on-line for users and so does not facilitate users in making additional purchases.
  • Toader U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,869 for Method for Providing Sponsor Paid Internet Access and Simultaneous Sponsor Promotion discloses providing sponsor paid internet access for a limited time which results in the user viewing advertisements from the sponsor. This method does not relate purchases from sponsors to the incentive, which is limited free internet access. Nor is the incentive targeted to facilitate consumers in making future purchases.
  • the present invention relates patronage from advertisers, sponsors, and business affiliates to the cost of means to facilitate use of a service or medium.
  • a service is facilitated through a connection, which includes telephone lines, digital subscriber lines, cable, satellite, and wireless services.
  • users who patronize sponsors, advertisers and/or business affiliates are given credit toward the cost of means facilitating use of a service or medium.
  • the credit may reduce the cost of to the extent that the service is free. Credits may be earned which exceed the cost of a service. In the present invention, those credits will be applied to another service or carried forward in time. Credits may also be applied to multiple services or mediums simultaneously. Credits earned may be due to patronage of one or a variety of sponsors by a user.
  • This method includes tracking, registering and calculating credits earned from various sources, which may have a monetary denomination or be convertible into a monetary denomination or some other form of value.
  • the disclosed invention is advantageous to consumers in that the incentive reduces the costs of means to facilitate use of a service or medium by the consumer.
  • Another advantage of the current invention is that sponsors, advertisers and business affiliates of a service or medium will be able to match patronage to users so the service can be provided at no charge or at a reduced charge to those users.
  • the foregoing objects are realized by providing an incentive applied toward the cost of connection means to a service or medium.
  • An internet user who patronizes internet advertisers, sponsors or business affiliates receives a purchase incentive that can be applied to reduce the cost of a second phone line, a high speed connection such as an asymmetric digital subscriber line or cable modem, electric utilities or other services.
  • a high-speed connection enables a user more frequent and lengthier Internet usage, since the connection allows for inbound and outbound telephone calls to be placed and received while the user is on the Internet.
  • a broad bandwidth connection delivers information with greater speed and content.
  • the entire Internet experience, including the experience of purchasing on-line is more compelling.
  • the result of a dedicated Internet connection is increased frequency of Internet use.
  • An incentive encouraging purchases and concomitantly increasing the frequency of Internet usage will result in increased digital commerce revenues.
  • a purchase incentive which is applied to the cost of the means to facilitate use of a service or medium by the consumer, functions as an investment in infrastructure which increases sales. This purchase incentive more efficiently and effectively stimulates demand relative to a typical purchase incentive that adds only to an offer's perceived value.
  • a purchase incentive applied to the costs of receiving cable or satellite television basic and/or premium channels represents another application for the present invention.
  • users who patronize sponsors, advertisers, or business affiliates receive basic services at a reduced cost or for no charge, based on the level of patronage by the user. Credits earned by users are also applied to premium services such as movie channels, extended channel viewing packages and pay per view events more affordable. The result is more cable and satellite television viewers. Increased number and frequency of viewers in conjunction with an incentive to make purchases from advertisers results in increased revenue for advertisers, sponsors and business affiliates.
  • the present invention enables more households to afford subscriber services and for households to afford a wider variety of subscriber services.
  • Advertising is risk free because advertisers, sponsors and business affiliates only incur a cost when a sale is made related to the purchase incentive.
  • the user makes application for a credit or debit card.
  • the user whose application is approved receives a credit or debit card account number.
  • the approved applicant provides an email account address and indicates what subscriber services they wish the incentive to be applied to along with payment information for those services.
  • the user can go to an Internet web site to obtain information, or from other means, as to what businesses offer a purchase incentive which can be applied to those services.
  • Approved users will receive email confirmations of credits earned which also present advertising content. Purchases made from sponsors, advertisers, and business affiliates with the credit or debit card generate the credit which is applied to the subscriber services. Credits may be carried forward.
  • Issuing a credit or debit card provides a means of registering, calculating and applying credits from a variety of sources.
  • subscriber services are billed to the user's credit or debit card, the credit earned by making purchases from sponsors, advertisers, and business affiliates can be applied directly to subscriber service charges.
  • Purchases made with the card indicate that the consumer has seen a quantity of advertisements from the sponsor, advertiser, or business affiliate. But it is only when a purchase is made that a cost is incurred.
  • sponsors do not pay for the advertisements that are distributed. Payment from sponsors is received when purchases are made by users. In another embodiment, advertisers pay for advertising in addition to the commission related to sales made.
  • the user if credits are spent and a charge is incurred, the user is notified and given a period of time to generate credits. If credits are not earned, the user may then pay a fee for the service or use of the medium. In another embodiment, the service may be free for a specified period during which users have the opportunity to make purchases and earn credits.
  • the embodiment of this method will differ depending on the medium, be it cable, network television, the Internet, newspaper, magazine, telephone services, and so on.
  • a basic level of service is provided at no charge and extended or premium services for which a fee is normally charged are provided at reduced cost or at no cost for users patronizing sponsors, advertisers, and business affiliates.
  • Internet companies and software businesses often offer a basic level of service at no charge, but do charge for more advanced services. Individuals receiving credits could receive these services at no charge.
  • users patronizing sponsors, advertisers, or business affiliates receive on-line data storage for a reduced cost, with the amount of storage space received based on the amount of purchases.
  • services which are free such as network television broadcasts, remain free for users who patronize sponsors, advertisers, or business affiliates whereas, for those who do not, a charge is incurred.
  • newspapers and magazines which charge a subscription fee are free to readers who make purchases from advertisers.
  • a user receiving a free service is notified that a charge will be incurred if sponsors are not patronized at a specified point in time.
  • the charge the user will incur for the service is a function of the level of patronage of advertisers, sponsors, and/or business affiliates. Credits are awarded reducing the cost of a service based on the patronage of advertisers, sponsors, and/or business affiliates.
  • bar code information identifying products is processed and credits are assigned reducing the cost of services and mediums sponsored by the advertisers, sponsors, and business affiliates of those products.
  • users earn credits towards services based on the amount they purchase from sponsors, the frequency or number of times they patronize sponsors.
  • a business can participate in the incentive program with no advertising costs.
  • the advertiser makes payment only when a sale occurs. Accordingly, a participating business incurs no risk, insuring a high adoption rate of this method.
  • FIG. 1 is a flow chart of access to the purchase incentive home page.
  • FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for users who access the purchase incentives homepage to receive credit for purchases made.
  • FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for tracking, registering and calculating credits awarded due to patronage of sponsors, advertisers, and or business affiliates with the credits applied to the cost of connection means to a service or medium.
  • FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method to receive credit for purchases made off-line and applying those credits to the cost of connection means to a service or medium.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method for a business to become a participant in the award program described.
  • FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the access part of the program.
  • the numeral 10 generally indicates access via an Internet service provider.
  • 20 indicates a direct access to the internet, through an internet browser.
  • the user Upon accessing the internet, 30, the user proceeds to a selection menu 40.
  • the user has the option to proceed to enter information in a member application form 50, or to proceed to a menu of advertisers, sponsors, and business affiliates from whom they can make purchases 160, or to change preferences regarding the application of credits earned 120, or to enter information enabling the user to offer a purchase incentive.
  • the user enters information 50, which allows for processing of a bank credit card, debit card or other payment method.
  • Approval or rejection 70 of the application for a payment method 50, is provided online. If the applicant is rejected they can apply for an alternative payment method, such as a debit card 90, with a participating bank, 100.
  • the approved applicant receives an account number 80, assigned to a credit or debit card which may be used for the payment of desired purchases.
  • the user indicates and prioritizes the order of payment of services 120, for which the user chooses to receive discounts. Once this information is entered, the user provides payment information 130, regarding those services to which the discount is to be applied.
  • the user may then indicate preferences 140, regarding information which they wish to receive via email from sponsors related to specific interests, from specific merchants and/or the affiliation of new sponsors.
  • the information submitted is added to the subscriber database 150. Upon submitting this information, the user is able to choose from a menu of advertisers, sponsors, and business affiliates from whom they can make purchases 160.
  • the user can choose to access a menu of product and service offers 160, from the selection menu 40.
  • a search will be made through the internet connection for a cookie which will recognize current members 170, if they are connecting from a computer previously used to access the product and services menu 160. If the user does not have a current account 80, or is logging on from a different computer than the user has previously used to access the product and services menu 160, the user can indicate 190, if they have a current account 80. If the user has an account number, they can log-in 200. A cookie will be set on that computer (not shown), ready to identify the user if they log-on again with that computer. If the user does not have a current account 80, they can proceed to apply for a credit payment method 50.
  • the cookie recognizes the user, the user is presented with a menu of advertisers, sponsors, and business affiliates 180. If the user responds to an affiliate 180, they are transferred to the affiliate 210. A purchase can then be made upon inputting 220, their credit/debit account number 80. The credit/debit account purchase is authorized or rejected 230. If the submitted payment method is rejected, the user is able to again enter credit/debit card account number 220. If the submitted payment method is approved, information is transferred back from the affiliate and the commission to be paid is calculated, 240. The affiliate accounts payable database 250, is updated. A credit is calculated 260, and attributed to the user's account, 270. An email confirmation of the credits earned 280, along with an advertising communication regarding affiliates is sent to the user's email address.
  • Payment of services designated, 120 are made from discounts earned (not shown). If the product purchased is returned to the affiliate and a refund is made to the user, the credit made to the user's account 150, is reversed. A charge equal to the value of the credit calculated 260, is made to the member's account 80.
  • member application 50 can be made by submission of a written application 200, application can be made by telephone 300 or by the Internet 40.
  • the applicant is notified of approval or rejection 70, of the application for a payment method. If the applicant is rejected they can apply for a debit card, 90, with a participating bank, 100.
  • the approved applicant receives an account number 80, assigned to a credit or debit card which may be used for the payment of desired purchases.
  • an off-line purchase 310 is made the credit/debit card payment submission is accepted or rejected. If the submitted payment method is accepted and the product information is bar coded, the bar code is read 320, and that data is transferred to the member's account 330.
  • the credit/debit account purchase is authorized or rejected 230.
  • the user is able to again enter credit/debit card account number 310. If the submitted payment method is approved, information is transferred back from the affiliate and the commission to be paid is calculated 240. The affiliate accounts payable database 250, is updated. A credit is calculated 260, and attributed to the user's account 270. An email confirmation of the credits earned 280, along with advertising communication regarding affiliates is sent to the user's account. Payment of services designated 120, are made from discounts earned (not shown). If the product purchased is returned to the affiliate and a refund is made to the user, the credit made to the user's account 150, is reversed. A charge equal to the value of the credit calculated 260, is made to the member's account 80.
  • a business wishing to participate completes the affiliate application form 400.
  • the incentive which the business wishes to offer is indicated 410.
  • the advertising content the business wishes to be used is submitted 420.
  • the application form is submitted 430. If the form is rejected the user is returned to 420 where a change in the ad content submitted may be made. If the application is approved, notification is made.
  • the advertising message of the approved affiliated is presented to members.

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

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé permettant d'établir une relation entre la clientèle des annonceurs publicitaires, sponsors, et autres partenaires sociétés commerciales affiliées et le coût d'utilisation d'un service ou d'un support. Cette incitation (30, 40) à l'achat est unique en son genre dans la mesure où elle représente une valeur ajoutée pour les consommateurs, et où elle vise également à leur faciliter la tâche au cours de leurs achats. D'ailleurs, le fait de permettre l'utilisation d'un service ou d'un support, telle que l'utilisation d'Internet via une connexion grande vitesse, se traduit par une fréquence d'utilisation plus élevée. La présente invention prévoit d'offrir, aux utilisateurs (10, 20) devenant clients d'annonceurs, de sociétés commerciales affiliées et/ou de sponsors, un crédit appliqué pour réduire ou supprimer le coût d'utilisation du service ou du support fourni. Cette incitation (30, 40) à l'achat permet ainsi d'augmenter le volume des ventes tout en réduisant les coûts pour le consommateur et en faisant croître la fréquence des achats de ce dernier.
PCT/US2000/005303 1999-03-01 2000-02-29 Incitation a l'achat ciblee WO2000052620A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU35081/00A AU3508100A (en) 1999-03-01 2000-02-29 Targeted purchase incentive

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US25971099A 1999-03-01 1999-03-01
US09/259,710 1999-03-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000052620A1 true WO2000052620A1 (fr) 2000-09-08

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/005303 WO2000052620A1 (fr) 1999-03-01 2000-02-29 Incitation a l'achat ciblee

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AU (1) AU3508100A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000052620A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10360578B2 (en) 2012-01-30 2019-07-23 Visa International Service Association Systems and methods to process payments based on payment deals
US10489754B2 (en) 2013-11-11 2019-11-26 Visa International Service Association Systems and methods to facilitate the redemption of offer benefits in a form of third party statement credits

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5025372A (en) * 1987-09-17 1991-06-18 Meridian Enterprises, Inc. System and method for administration of incentive award program through use of credit
US5974398A (en) * 1997-04-11 1999-10-26 At&T Corp. Method and apparatus enabling valuation of user access of advertising carried by interactive information and entertainment services
US6009409A (en) * 1997-04-02 1999-12-28 Lucent Technologies, Inc. System and method for scheduling and controlling delivery of advertising in a communications network

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5025372A (en) * 1987-09-17 1991-06-18 Meridian Enterprises, Inc. System and method for administration of incentive award program through use of credit
US6009409A (en) * 1997-04-02 1999-12-28 Lucent Technologies, Inc. System and method for scheduling and controlling delivery of advertising in a communications network
US5974398A (en) * 1997-04-11 1999-10-26 At&T Corp. Method and apparatus enabling valuation of user access of advertising carried by interactive information and entertainment services

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10360578B2 (en) 2012-01-30 2019-07-23 Visa International Service Association Systems and methods to process payments based on payment deals
US11157943B2 (en) 2012-01-30 2021-10-26 Visa International Service Association Systems and methods to process payments based on payment deals
US10489754B2 (en) 2013-11-11 2019-11-26 Visa International Service Association Systems and methods to facilitate the redemption of offer benefits in a form of third party statement credits
US10909508B2 (en) 2013-11-11 2021-02-02 Visa International Service Association Systems and methods to facilitate the redemption of offer benefits in a form of third party statement credits

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3508100A (en) 2000-09-21

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