WO2012140653A1 - Système et procédé de gestion de certificats - Google Patents

Système et procédé de gestion de certificats Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012140653A1
WO2012140653A1 PCT/IL2012/000162 IL2012000162W WO2012140653A1 WO 2012140653 A1 WO2012140653 A1 WO 2012140653A1 IL 2012000162 W IL2012000162 W IL 2012000162W WO 2012140653 A1 WO2012140653 A1 WO 2012140653A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
certificate
certificates
user
server
servers
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2012/000162
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Benjamin GOLDKORN
Tomer PORAN
Original Assignee
Gct Capital Ltd.
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 Gct Capital Ltd. filed Critical Gct Capital Ltd.
Publication of WO2012140653A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012140653A1/fr

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Classifications

    • 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 relates to the management of certificates. More particularly, the invention relates to a system and method for managing digital certificates having a value.
  • Certificates are pre-paid, for-value documents, digital or printed, that enable the bearer (a consumer) to acquire services or products for a certain value at a predetermined price, which typically is lower than the average market value thereof.
  • a pre-payment by the certificate holder is often required to obtain the certificate, which provides the holders access to a discounted price of the service or product. This is typically lower than the price that customers not holding a certificate are required to pay.
  • certificate should be interpreted in its broadest form, and includes, for instance, gift certificates such as those that can be purchased (e.g., through Groupon.com and also a gift cards such as those purchase from a site such as Amazon.com, amongst others), certificates of the type issued by many different business outlets, vouchers, and generally any digital or printed documentation that can be acquired by, or, given to the user for the purpose of obtaining a discounted price on products and/or services.
  • Non-paper coupons are generally not removed from a user's profile when redeemed, so they can simply be printed and fraudulently on-sold as a valid gift certificate, certificate, discount, deal-drop, pre-paid coupon, coupon, and/or voucher (severally and jointly referred to hereinafter as "certificate", for the sake of brevity).
  • certificate for the sake of brevity.
  • payment facilitation gateways e.g. 'Paypal'
  • a similar acquirer that holds the user's money until the certificate for the goods or services has been redeemed, trading becomes a high-risk exercise.
  • paper certificates cannot be simply and securely traded or resold as once sold, the seller can simply print off another copy and use it before the unfortunate second-hand purchaser has a chance to do so.
  • jurisdictions that do not possess consumer regulation governing certificates once a user purchases their certificate, they either, "use or lose it”.
  • the present invention relates to a system for managing certificates, such as gift certificates, certificates, discounts, deal-drops, pre-paid coupons, coupons, and/or vouchers and the like, comprising:
  • the information regarding a certificate comprises the identity of the user of the system, the identity of the service or product, the time and place at which the certificate can be redeemed, the price of the certificate and its value when redeemed.
  • the communication line is an Internet connection.
  • the communication line is a wireless or cellular network.
  • the system according to an embodiment of the suggestions may further comprise software suitable to communicate with a user's smartphone device, and to allow a user to manage his account using a smartphone device.
  • the invention is also directed to a method for managing certificates, comprising:
  • a certificate available in a user's private account can be auctioned in a registered-member area of the system and when another user successfully bids for it, the certificate is transferred to said bid-winning user's private account.
  • the bidding mechanism allows dealing specifically with the notion of items with an imminent or near expiration date. Typically the discount increases as the time gets nearer to the expiration date in order to stimulate the interest of prospective bidders. This is different to a conventional online auction site (e.g. eBay), where the prices increase.
  • the unique certificate identification details needed to redeem the certificate are kept secret by the system (for instance the unique certificate code, barcode, QR Code, or similar unique identifiers), and are revealed at the user's request. Once the unique -identification details of the certificate have been revealed by the system, the certificate becomes un- tradable.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a system according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 2 illustrates an interface for the user of the system, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 3 is an illustrative example of a mobile platform that can be used in conjunction with the invention.
  • the system comprises at least one server, indicated in the figure as "Srv”, any number of product and/or service providers, indicated in the figure as “SPl — SPn”, and any number of users, indicated in the figure as “Ul-Un”.
  • the server providers sell certificates to the general public against payment.
  • server Srv acts as a proxy.
  • the server is transparent to the service providers SPl-SPn, which, after the certificate is sold, play no role in the system. The user, who must be a subscriber to the system, effectively leaves the certificate in escrow with server Srv.
  • the server imposes a limitation on it, inasmuch as it hides the details of the certificate as long as it is not redeemed or about to be redeemed, so that the certificate cannot be copied and double-used or fraudulently on-sold.
  • this system and the limitation it imposes opens up a whole new use and opportunity for the certificates.
  • the owner of a certificate may resell it (e.g. by auctioning it) as long as it is held in escrow by the server, because the secondhand buyer knows that it has not been copied or otherwise used, and that once it is acquired it will be a unique certificate.
  • certificates bought from a variety of different suppliers can be managed and dispensed under a single system. Notices for expiration of certificates from different suppliers can be automatically sent out by the System, thus significantly improving the user's experience.
  • the invention permits the compilation of Customer Data, which can provide the merchants with invaluable information about their consumers that hitherto was not available to them in a collated, systematic fashion.
  • the current non-personalized system does not enable the merchant to connect a consumer to the purchase of the goods or services.
  • the Customer Data provides a significant marketing tool that will benefit both the merchants and the consumer.
  • This Customer Data allows merchants to apply free-to-use deal-drop directly to individual user's certificate management System. These deal-drops are created and managed by the merchants, subject to term-and-conditions of the System, and operate in the same manner as certificate once applied to the individual user's certificate management account.
  • server and “system” should be given a broad interpretation and are meant to indicate all the various components of a system that permits to carry out the invention, which system may comprise a number of servers, as well as different physical equipment, communication lines, servers and the like.
  • a basic systems for carrying out the invention requires at least the following:
  • a server or a plurality of servers collectively suitable to manage a database comprising information regarding a plurality of certificates
  • the certificates can be used by i. the user unlocking the unique identifying information of the certificate on a mobile device and presenting this to the merchant, or ii. by printing the certificate and presenting the paper certificate to the merchant at the time of redemption in paper form.
  • the user instructs the server to strip the certificate of its anonymity for printout purposes, at which time the certificate becomes untradeable, as will be further explained below.
  • the certificate can be traded over the system, which operates as a trusted party.
  • Additional software useful for performing the trading operation must be provided, which may include different features known per se in the art and therefore not discussed herein in detail for the sake of brevity, such as pricing software that changes the price of the certificate that is offered for sale according to parameters provided by the seller, payment systems to allow the seller to receive payment from the buyer, etc.
  • Fig. 2 is an illustrative example of an interface through which a user of the system can manage certificates, trade with them and perform any other useful activity.
  • numeral 20 is the webpage that can of course be customized in many different ways, and its set up is self- explanatory. Of course, many other intuitive interfaces can be provided and the invention is not limited to any specific design or content of a user's account page.
  • Fig. 3 is an illustrative example of a mobile interface that can be used both to manage a user's account and to redeem a certificate at a point-of-sale by selecting the appropriate certificate.
  • a smart phone that shows a user interface on the screen, which may either be generated by an application running on the smart phone, or in direct connection with a website.
  • the following illustrative options are shown in the figure, as identified by the following numerals:
  • 31 a voucher map for the user to navigate his account
  • 33 - a button for instructing the system to unmask the details of the certificate so as to allow the user to redeem it;
  • 34 a button for trading a selected certificate via the system;
  • a gift certificate, certificate, discount, deal-drop, pre-paid coupon, coupons, and/or vouchers user becomes a member of the system.
  • the user provides specified personal information and bank details during membership registration. After registration, authorization for the information to be used will be given by the entry of a PIN number.
  • the user can manage his purchased gift certificates, certificates, discounts, deal-drops, pre-paid coupons, coupons, and/or vouchers from his home page site. Once purchased, they automatically become personalised and linked to the user. The user can track the time remaining on gift certificates, certificates, discounts, deal-drops, pre-paid coupons, coupons, and/or vouchers. The user can purchase for, or gift certificates, certificates, discounts, deal-drops, pre-paid coupons, coupons, and/or vouchers to, another member. The user can create folders and micromanage his gift certificates, certificates, discounts, deal-drops, prepaid coupons, coupons, and/or vouchers.
  • the user can redeem his gift certificates, certificates, discounts, deal- drops, pre-paid coupons, coupons, and/or vouchers using provided software residing either on a mobile device or Server.
  • the system relays the user's certificate, voucher unique identification data to the retailer, it then receives a status of "redeemed” and is automatically removed from the user's management home page (or marked as "used”).
  • the system automatically notifies a user that has any current gift certificates, certificates, discounts, deal-drops, pre-paid coupons, coupons, and/or vouchers at various intervals towards the latter end of the validity period. For example at days; 14;10;7;5 and 3 before the gift certificates, pre-paid coupons, coupons , discounts, deal drops, and or vouchers are due to expire. During this period the user has the option of trading the gift certificates, certificates, discounts, deal-drops, pre-paid coupons, coupons, and/or vouchers.
  • C2 is a second hand coupon purchasing preprogrammed, interactive, systemic bidding website that is only accessible to system users.
  • certificates, discounts, deal-drops, pre-paid coupons, coupons, and/or vouchers are uploaded to C2, the user is asked to enter his PIN (or other means of identification) to confirm the action.
  • uploaded gift certificates, certificates, discounts, deal-drops, pre-paid coupons, coupons, and/or vouchers that are uploaded to C2 are sorted according to the remaining time on the gift certificates, certificates, discounts, deal-drops, pre-paid coupons, coupons, and/or vouchers.
  • the certificate's (gift certificate's, certificate's, discount's, deal-drop's, pre-paid coupon's, coupon's, and/or voucher's) discount is automatically reduced by the system in order to stimulate bidding. The amount of the reduction depends on the remaining time. The longer the time remaining, the less the reduction. Conversely, the shorter the time remaining, the greater the reduction.
  • C2 users can specify search criteria when they search for gift certificates, pre-paid coupons, coupons and or vouchers.
  • Making a bid for a gift certificates, certificates, discounts, deal-drops, pre-paid coupons, coupons, and/or vouchers at C2 triggers a fixed time for other bids.
  • the bidder In order to start bidding, the bidder provides his membership PIN (or other means of authentication) which will automatically link to his bank details should the user win the bid.
  • the discount increases to stimulate interest.
  • 14 days to expiration will automatically stimulate interest in C2 by offering a starting bid at 20% below the certificate's (gift certificate's, certificate's, discount's, deal-drop's, pre-paid coupon's, coupon's, and/or voucher's) purchase discount.
  • 7 days to expiration will automatically stimulate additional interest in C2 by offering a starting bid at 40% below the certificate's (gift certificate's, certificate's, discount's, deal-drop's, pre-paid coupon's, coupon's, and/or voucher's) original value.
  • the system automatically puts the money into the original owner's account. Amounts may also be taken off the final amount or the bidder may pay a fee. These amounts may be paid out to the vendor of the System.
  • the certificate remains on the user's home page in an inactive mode, and is flagged up as such, until a bidder has won it. At this point it is removed from the original user's home page and the money is simultaneously transferred to the user's account. The user can recall the certificate at any point before bidding has started.
  • the system may automatically purchases the gift certificate, pre-paid coupon and or coupon for a nominal amount.
  • the System can be used with a debit or credit card, or other valid payment method. It then automatically ascertains the coupon's value, and will then pay the balance if any.
  • the purchaser is part of a closed loop forum enabling the secure and effective - gifting, trading and redemption of the certificatesX
  • the user can be the recipient of targeted deal drops from the merchant directly into his management page based on Customer Data gathered by the System.
  • the system is suited to users who don't like to, or can't plan ahead a long time ahead;
  • the system both increases market size by facilitating the purchase, assisting in the marketing effort, and reaching a far ranging audience put off by the idea of paper coupons, as well as increasing market share for the retailer in that it increases loyalty rate and helps differentiate from the competition.

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

Abstract

La présente invention porte sur un système de gestion de certificats comprenant : (a) un serveur ou une pluralité de serveurs collectivement adaptés à la gestion d'une base de données contenant des informations concernant une pluralité de certificats, (b) des lignes de communication adaptées à une connexion entre les utilisateurs du système et des vendeurs de certificats par l'intermédiaire dudit serveur ou de ladite pluralité de serveurs, dans le but de permettre auxdits utilisateurs d'acheter des certificats, et (c) un logiciel installé dans ledit serveur ou ladite pluralité de serveurs, adapté à la gestion de comptes d'utilisateurs contenant un ou plusieurs certificats.
PCT/IL2012/000162 2011-04-15 2012-04-15 Système et procédé de gestion de certificats WO2012140653A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201161475979P 2011-04-15 2011-04-15
US61/475,979 2011-04-15

Publications (1)

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WO2012140653A1 true WO2012140653A1 (fr) 2012-10-18

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11087346B2 (en) * 2019-04-12 2021-08-10 Advanced New Technologies Co., Ltd. Retrieving values of digital tickets using smart contracts in blockchain networks

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US20040019571A1 (en) * 2002-07-26 2004-01-29 Intel Corporation Mobile communication device with electronic token repository and method
US20040181452A1 (en) * 2000-03-04 2004-09-16 Delacruz Cedric G. System, method and apparatus for selling gift certificates and store credits
US20050144074A1 (en) * 2000-11-28 2005-06-30 Carlson Companies, Inc. Computer implemented method and system for on-line redemption of coupons
US20060190332A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-08-24 Grider Jeffrey S Method and device for dispensing and purchasing customized gift cards
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US20040181452A1 (en) * 2000-03-04 2004-09-16 Delacruz Cedric G. System, method and apparatus for selling gift certificates and store credits
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US20040019571A1 (en) * 2002-07-26 2004-01-29 Intel Corporation Mobile communication device with electronic token repository and method
US20060190332A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-08-24 Grider Jeffrey S Method and device for dispensing and purchasing customized gift cards
US20080262973A1 (en) * 2007-04-20 2008-10-23 Johnson Neldon P Apparatus and method for secured commercial transactions
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SINGEL: "Ryan. Lifesta Lets You Buy and Sell Daily Deal Vouchers.", - 13 August 2012 (2012-08-13), Retrieved from the Internet <URL:http:l/www.wired.com/business/2010/09/lifesta-selling-groupoN> *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11087346B2 (en) * 2019-04-12 2021-08-10 Advanced New Technologies Co., Ltd. Retrieving values of digital tickets using smart contracts in blockchain networks
US11379866B2 (en) 2019-04-12 2022-07-05 Advanced New Technologies Co., Ltd. Retrieving values of digital tickets using smart contracts in blockchain networks

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