WO2005124676A2

WO2005124676A2 - Method and system for donation management

Info

Publication number: WO2005124676A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2005/000084
Authority: WO
Inventors: Angus Bernhardt PÖHL
Original assignee: Poehl Angus Bernhardt
Priority date: 2004-06-21
Filing date: 2005-06-13
Publication date: 2005-12-29
Also published as: WO2005124676A8

Abstract

A system 40 for donation management which includes a database 42, a point-of-sale device 44, and a processor 46. The electronic database 42 includes information of at least one charity organization which information is uniquely identifiable by means of a predetermined identifier assigned to that charity organization. The point-of-sale device 44 is configured to receive the identifier from a transacting party during a transaction in order to identify a specific charity organization. The processor 46 is arranged in communication with the database 42 and point-of-sale device 44 and the processor is accordingly configured to automatically regulate and manage the process of identifying the charity and the process of assigning a donation to said charity. The Invention also includes an associated method.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DONATION MANAGEMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method and associated system for donation management.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The giving of donations at a point-of-sale is known. These donations are collected in numerous ways, probably the best known method being the positioning of collecting tins at a point-of-sale such as a cash register, or the like. A problem with these existing donation schemes is that they generally accept donations only in change format, e.g. loose coins, or the like. These methods also require additional steps to collect, quantify and deposit the donations into a bank account of a charity organization. These steps all require additional manpower and time to perform.

A further drawback of the existing donation methods is that a party making a donation is never assured that his/her donation is received by the charity he/she intends.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for donation management which method includes the steps of automatically and electronically identifying a charity organization registered on a database when receiving an electronic identifier associated with a charity specified by a transacting party wishing to make a donation, said identifier being able to uniquely identify that particular charity; receiving tender from the transacting party at a point-of-sale which tender includes a donation; and automatically and electronically assigning the donation made by said transacting party to the charity uniquely identified by the transacting party.

The method may include the step of first registering the charity organization on a suitable electronic database and assigning a unique identifier to said charity. It is to be appreciated that a transacting party wishing to make a donation to this charity is able to specify the charity with the unique identifier assigned thereto.

The step of receiving tender from the transacting party may include receiving cash. Otherwise, the step of receiving tender may include receiving tender electronically, e.g. an electronic bank transfer, a credit card transaction, or the like.

The step of receiving tender may include receiving tender in payment of an additional transaction for goods and/or services, i.e. the tender is comprised of the payment amount and a donation. Accordingly, the method may further include the step of automatically increasing the amount of the transaction when the transacting party submits the identifier, wherein the increase in the transaction amount forms the donation, e.g. a percentage of the transaction amount is added to form the donation, a predetermined amount, a rounded-up amount, or the like.

Otherwise, the method may include the step of receiving a request from the transacting party to specify the increase in the transaction amount, i.e. the transacting party specifies the amount of the donation. Otherwise, the step of receiving tender may include receiving tender solely intended for a donation, i.e. the tender received is entirely a donation without additional value attached thereto, such as a purchase, or the like.

The method may include the step of displaying a list of identifiers associated with different charities to a transacting party, e.g. a list at a point-of-sale cash register, on advertisements, on websites, and/or the like. It is to be appreciated that a transacting party does not have to be a pre-registered donor with a charity in order to donate to that charity, but that the transacting party is able to arbitrarily select a charity. The identifier may include a numeric code inserted via a keypad. The identifier may include a textual code inserted via a keypad. The identifier may include a code scanned with suitable scanning equipment, e.g. a bar code, a RFID code, or the like. It is to be appreciated that the identifier may include any code receivable from the transacting party which code is able to uniquely identify the charity organization registered on the database.

The method may include the step of displaying the transaction amount and the donation amount to the transacting party.

The method may further include, after the step of assigning the donation to the charity, the step of issuing the transacting party with a lottery identifier for the purposes of a game of chance, i.e. a lottery number, or the like. The lottery identifier may be assigned to the transacting party irrespective of the amount of the donation, i.e. the transacting party receives the lottery identifier regardless of the amount that he/she donates. It is to be appreciated that the step of assigning the lottery identifier to the transacting party may form part of a reward scheme wherein a transacting party has a chance to win a prize merely by making a donation during a transaction. The method may include the step of providing the transacting party with a printout of the transaction, i.e. a receipt, or the like. The printout may show the donation amount. Accordingly, the printout may include the lottery identifier.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a system for donation management which system includes an electronic database which includes information of at least one charity organization which information is uniquely identifiable by means of a predetermined identifier assigned to that charity organization; at least one point-of-sale device which is configured to receive the identifier from a transacting party during a transaction in order to identify a specific charity organization; and a processor which is arranged in communication with the database and point-of- sale device, which processor is configured to automatically regulate and manage the process of identifying the charity and the process of assigning a donation to said charity. The point-of-sale device may include a keypad for receiving the identifier as a numeric and/or textual input. The point-of-sale device may include scanning equipment for receiving the identifier as a scanned code, e.g. a bar code, an RFID code, or the like. It is to be appreciated that the identifier may include any code able to uniquely identify the charity organization registered on the database.

The transaction may include a conventional payment for goods and/or services, i.e. the transaction involves payment and a donation. Otherwise, the transaction may be solely dedicated to making a donation.

Accordingly, the processor may be configured to automatically increase the amount of a transaction when the transacting party submits the identifier, wherein the increase in the transaction forms the donation, e.g. a percentage of the transaction amount is added to form the donation, or the like.

The point-of-sale device may allow the transacting party to specify the amount of the donation when conducting the transaction.

The point-of-sale device may include a display for displaying the transaction amount and the donation amount to the transacting party, e.g. on a screen, or the like.

The point-of-sale device may be configured to issue the transacting party with a lottery identifier for the purposes of a game of chance, i.e. a lottery number, or the like. The lottery identifier may be assigned to the transacting party irrespective of the amount of the donation, i.e. the transacting party receives the lottery identifier regardless of the amount that he/she donates. It is to be appreciated that assigning the lottery identifier to the transacting party may form part of a reward scheme wherein a transacting party has a chance to win a prize merely by making a donation during a transaction.

The point-of-sale device may include a printer for providing the transacting party with a printout of the transaction, i.e. a receipt, or the like. The printout may show the donation amount. Accordingly, the printout may include the lottery identifier. The database may include a computer server. Accordingly, the database may store information of the charity on a magnetic storage means.

The charity information may include banking details of the charity organization so that the processor is able to manage an electronic fund transfer to a bank account of the charity organization when a donation is made.

The processor may be configured to regulate and manage by executing a specific set of instructions, i.e. a software package.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 shows, in diagrammatic view, a method for donation management, in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 shows, in schematic view, an associated system for donation management, in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the method, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10, and the system, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 40.

The method 10 for donation management includes the general steps of identifying 14 a charity organization upon receipt of an identifier, receiving 16 tender from a transacting party, and assigning 18 a donation to the thus identified charity. In more detail, the step of automatically and electronically identifying 14 a charity organization registered on a database 42 is done when receiving the electronic identifier from the transacting party wishing to make a donation. The identifier is accordingly able to uniquely identify that particular charity as stored on the database 42. The step of receiving 16 tender from the transacting party has the tender including the donation, followed by the step of automatically and electronically assigning 18 the donation made by said transacting party to the charity identified by said transacting party through supplying the identifier.

It is to be appreciated that the step of receiving 16 tender from the transacting party may include either receiving cash 26 or electronic tender 28, e.g. an electronic bank transfer, a credit card transaction, or the like. As such, the step of receiving tender 16 can include receiving tender in payment for goods and/or services, such as a purchase agreement, or the step of receiving 16 tender may include receiving tender solely for making a donation, i.e. the tender received is entirely a donation without additional value attached thereto, such as a purchase, or the like.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, the method 10 also includes the step of first registering 12 the charity organization on a suitable electronic database 42 and assigning the unique identifier to said charity. It is to be appreciated that a transacting party wishing to make a donation to this charity is able to specify the charity with the unique identifier assigned thereto.

In addition, the method 10 typically further includes the step of displaying 20 a list of identifiers associated with different charities to a transacting party, e.g. a list at a point-of-sale cash register, on advertisements, on websites, and/or the like. In this manner, the transacting party is able to merely enter a certain code at a point-of-sale device 44, e.g. code "1234" is linked to a specific charity, or the like. This code is advertised on an advertisement for this specific charity, or the like.

For example, an animal shelter advertises that it requires donations and support. This advertising can take the form of any conventional advertisement. These advertisements also include the unique identifier of that charity, e.g. code "1234", or the like. When a transacting party wants to make a donation to that charity at, for example, a checkout at a supermarket, the transacting party can enter the code "1234" at the checkout via a suitable keypad 48 which uniquely identifies that charity. The transacting party then tenders money in any form, i.e. cash or electronic format, which is then automatically assigned to that charity.

It is to be appreciated that a transacting party does not have to be a pre- registered donor with a charity in order to donate to that charity, but that the transacting party is able to arbitrarily select a charity.

The identifier may also include a textual input such as the name of the charity.

In other embodiment of the invention, the identifier includes a bar code scanned with suitable scanning equipment. For example, there may be a list of charities with each charity having the unique identifier as a bar code. When the transacting party selects a charity, the bar code for that particular charity is scanned at the point-of-sale device 44.

It is to be appreciated that the identifier generally includes any code receivable from the transacting party which code is able to uniquely identify the charity organization registered on the database 42.

In addition, the method 10 can include the additional step of automatically increasing 22 an amount of a transaction when the transacting party submits the identifier, wherein the increase in the transaction amount forms the donation, e.g. a percentage of the transaction amount is added to form the donation, or the like.

Otherwise, the method 10 may have the step 22 of receiving a request from the transacting party to specify the increase in the transaction amount, i.e. the transacting party specifies the amount of the donation. It is to be appreciated that the transaction amount is typically increased before the transacting party tenders money so that the transacting party is not required to tender additional cash than that already tendered. This is generally done for the sake of convenience. The method 10 then includes, after the step of increasing or specifying 22 the transaction amount, the step of displaying 24 the increased total amount and the donation amount to the transacting party. In the embodiment shown, the method 10 further includes, after the step of assigning 18 the donation to the charity, the step of issuing 30 the transacting party with a lottery identifier for the purposes of a game of chance, i.e. a lottery number, or the like. The lottery identifier is assigned to the transacting party irrespective of the amount of the donation, i.e. the transacting party receives the lottery identifier regardless of the amount that he/she donates. It is to be appreciated that the step of issuing 30 the lottery identifier to the transacting party generally forms part of a reward scheme wherein a transacting party has a chance to win a prize merely by making a donation during a transaction.

This reward scheme forms an incentive for the transacting party to make a donation and entices the transacting party to donate to a charity of his/her choice. In a further embodiment, the method 10 includes the step (not shown) of providing the transacting party with a printout of the transaction, i.e. a receipt, or the like. The printout typically shows the donation amount and the lottery identifier.

Referring to Figure 2, the associated system 40 for donation management includes a database 42, a point-of-sale device 44, and a processor 46.

The electronic database 42 includes information of at least one charity organization which information is uniquely identifiable by means of the predetermined identifier assigned to that charity organization.

The system 40 has at least one point-of-sale device 44 which is configured to receive the identifier from a transacting party during a transaction in order to identify a specific charity organization. The processor 46 is arranged in communication with the database 42 and point-of-sale device 44 and the processor is accordingly configured to automatically regulate and manage the process of identifying the charity and the process of assigning a donation to said charity.

It is to be appreciated that the system 40 will generally include a plurality of point-of-sale (POS) devices 44. These POS devices 44 may be conventional checkout cash registers, or the POS devices may be dedicated to the system 40, i.e. separate donation gathering equipment.

As such, the point-of-sale device 44 includes a keypad 48 for receiving the identifier as a numeric, textual, or alphanumeric code. In a further embodiment, the point-of-sale device 44 includes scanning equipment for receiving the identifier as a scanned code. This scanned code may be a bar code scanned with suitable optical equipment, or an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) code, or the like. It is to be appreciated that the identifier may include any code able to uniquely identify the charity organization registered on the database 42.

In one embodiment, the processor 46 is configured to automatically increase an amount of the transaction when the transacting party submits the identifier, wherein the increase in the transaction forms the donation, e.g. a percentage of the transaction amount is added to form the donation, or the like. In this particular embodiment, the transacting party does not consent to the increase in the transaction amount.

For example, where a purchase is rounded up to the nearest round denomination, such as a $5.93 transaction is rounded to $5.95 and the 2 cents form the donation amount. Furthermore, the $5.93 transaction may be rounded to $6.00, or the like. As such, the amount of the transaction may influence the donation amount, as generally only a small rounding-up will take place.

Otherwise, in a further embodiment of the invention, the point-of-sale device 44 allows the transacting party to specify the amount of the donation when conducting the transaction. This is also the case where the transacting party only makes a donation without a further transaction. The point-of-sale device 44 typically includes a display 50 for displaying the transaction amount and the donation amount to the transacting party, e.g. on a screen, or the like.

In a further embodiment, the point-of-sale device 44 is also configured to issue the transacting party with a lottery identifier for the purposes of a game of chance, i.e. a lottery number, or the like. This lottery identifier is assigned to the transacting party irrespective of the amount of the donation, i.e. the transacting party receives the lottery identifier regardless of the amount that he/she donates.

It is to be appreciated that assigning the lottery identifier to the transacting party then forms part of a reward scheme wherein a transacting party has a chance to win a prize merely by making a donation during a transaction. Such a reward scheme then provides an incentive to entice the transacting party to make a donation.

The point-of-sale device 44 generally includes a printer for providing the transacting party with a printout of the transaction, i.e. a receipt, or the like. The printout then shows the donation amount and the lottery identifier.

The database 42 is typically a computer server. Accordingly, the database 42 stores information of the charity on a magnetic storage means such as a harddisk, or the like. The database generally includes banking details of the charity organization so that the processor 46 is able to manage an electronic fund transfer to a bank account of the charity organization when a donation is made.

The processor 46 is configured to regulate and manage its functions by executing a specific set of instructions, i.e. a software package.

In use, the transacting party is able to make a donation to a charity of his/her choice at a point-of-sale device, such as a cash register, or the like. The transacting party specifies the amount of the donation and selects the charity which will receive his/her donation. Donations may be made in cash or through electronic tender, such as a credit card, or the like.

Donations can be made in the course of a normal transaction, e.g. when purchasing groceries, or the like. The transacting party can choose a charity and specify the amount which he/she wants to donate which amount is then added to his total transaction amount. The transacting party tenders this amount in cash or electronically, whereafter the system 40 will automatically assign the donation to the bank account of the charity thus selected.

It shall be understood that the examples are provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and is not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention.

The Inventor regards it as an advantage that the invention allows a transacting party to arbitrarily select a charity in order to make a donation during a transaction at a point-of-sale. The Inventor regards it as a further advantage that the invention simplifies and streamlines the donation process in a manner which is easier and more user-friendly, particularly where electronic transactions are involved.

The Inventor regards it as a further advantage that the invention is more efficient when compared to the collection of donations using change collecting tins at

POS terminals, as the Invention enables donation during electronic transactions and the Invention automatically assigns the donation to the bank account of the charity selected by the transacting party.

Claims

1. A method for donation management which method includes the steps of: automatically and electronically identifying a charity organization registered on a database when receiving an electronic identifier associated with a charity specified by a transacting party wishing to make a donation, said identifier being able to uniquely identify that particular charity; receiving tender from the transacting party at a point-of-sale which tender includes a donation; and automatically and electronically assigning the donation made by said transacting party to the charity uniquely identified by the transacting party.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , which includes the step of first registering the charity on a suitable electronic database and assigning the unique identifier to said charity.

3. A method as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the step of receiving tender from the transacting party includes receiving cash.

4. A method as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the step of receiving tender includes receiving electronic tender.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the step of receiving tender includes receiving tender solely intended for the purpose of making a donation.

6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the step of receiving tender includes receiving tender in payment of an additional transaction for goods and/or services.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, which includes the step of automatically increasing an amount of the transaction when the transacting party submits the identifier, wherein the increase in the transaction amount forms the donation.

8. A method as claimed in claim 6, which includes the step of receiving a request from the transacting party to specify the increase in the transaction amount which increase forms the donation.

9. A method as claimed in either one of claims 7 or 8, which includes, after the step of increasing the transaction amount, the step of displaying the increased transaction amount and the donation amount to the transacting party.

10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, which includes the step of displaying a list of identifiers associated with different charities to a transacting party.

11. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the identifier includes a numeric code inserted via a keypad.

12. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the identifier includes a textual input inserted via a keypad.

13. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the identifier includes an electronic code scanned with suitable scanning equipment.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the electronic code includes a bar code.

15. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the electronic code includes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) code.

16. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, which includes, after the step of assigning the donation to the charity, the step of issuing the transacting party with a lottery identifier for the purposes of a game of chance.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the lottery identifier is assigned to the transacting party irrespective of the amount of the donation.

18. A method as claimed in either one of claims 16 or 17, wherein the step of assigning the lottery identifier to the transacting party forms part of a reward scheme wherein a transacting party has a chance to win a prize merely by making a donation during a transaction.

19. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, which includes the step of providing the transacting party with a printout of the transaction.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the printout shows the donation amount.

21. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the printout includes the lottery identifier.

22. A system for donation management which system includes an electronic database which includes information of at least one charity organization which information is uniquely identifiable by means of a predetermined identifier assigned to that charity organization; at least one point-of-sale device which is configured to receive the identifier from a transacting party during a transaction in order to identify a specific charity organization; and a processor which is arranged in communication with the database and point-of- sale device, which processor is configured to automatically regulate and manage the process of identifying the charity and the process of assigning a donation to said charity.

23. A system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the point-of-sale device includes a keypad for receiving the identifier as a numeric code.

24. A system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the point-of-sale device includes a keypad for receiving the identifier as a textual input.

25. A system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the point-of-sale device includes scanning equipment for receiving the identifier as a scanned code.

26. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the scanned code includes a bar code.

27. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein in scanned code includes a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) code.

28. A system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 27, wherein the transaction is solely intended for making a donation.

29. A system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 27, wherein the transaction includes a payment for goods and/or services along with a donation.

30. A system as claimed in claim 29, wherein the processor is configured to automatically increase an amount of the transaction when the transacting party submits the identifier, wherein the increase in the transaction forms the donation.

31. A system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 29, wherein the point-of- sale device is configured to allow the transacting party to specify the amount of the donation when conducting the transaction.

32. A system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 31 , wherein the point-of- sale device includes a display for displaying the transaction amount and the donation amount to the transacting party.

33. A system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 32, wherein the point-of- sale device is configured to issue the transacting party with a lottery identifier for the purposes of a game of chance.

34. A system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the lottery identifier is assigned to the transacting party irrespective of the amount of the donation.

35. A system as claimed in either one of claims 33 or 34, wherein the point-of- sale device assigning the lottery identifier to the transacting party forms part of a reward scheme wherein a transacting party has a chance to win a prize merely by making a donation during a transaction.

36. A system as claimed in any on of claims 22 to 35, wherein the point-of- sale device includes a printer for providing the transacting party with a printout of the transaction details.

37. A system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 36, wherein the charity information includes banking details of the charity organization so that the processor is able to manage an electronic fund transfer to a bank account of the charity organization when a donation is made.

38. A system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 37, wherein the processor is configured to regulate and manage by executing a specific set of instructions.

39. A method as claimed in claim 1 , or a system as claimed in claim 22, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

40. A new method or a new system substantially as herein described.