WO2015084746A1

WO2015084746A1 - Systems, methods, and devices for dynamic transaction and promotion processing

Info

Publication number: WO2015084746A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/067972
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ismael SALAZAR; Alfonso BUSTAMANTE
Original assignee: Pay'd
Priority date: 2013-12-02
Filing date: 2014-12-01
Publication date: 2015-06-11

Abstract

The disclosure herein provides systems, methods, and devices for dynamic transaction and promotion processing. A system for dynamic processing of transactions and distribution of promotions comprises a transaction processing engine configured to generate a unique transaction identifier for an incomplete transaction, and to receive the unique transaction identifier and an identification of a user from a user access point system that acquired the unique identifier by scanning a machine readable code; and a promotion engine that determines a promotion to offer to the user, based at least in part on the transaction data, and generates a unique promotion identifier associated with the promotion, the promotion engine further configured to process a redemption of the promotion for a second user based on a receipt of the unique promotion identifier from a second user access point system.

Description

SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR DYNAMIC TRANSACTION AND

PROMOTION PROCESSING

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/910,844, filed December 2, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field

[0002] The disclosure relates generally to the field of transaction processing, and more specifically to systems, methods, and devices for dynamic processing of transactions and generation and tracking of promotions associated with the transactions.

Description

[0003] Most businesses, such as retail and other establishments, require customers in order to survive, and thus spend significant resources on acquiring and retaining customers. It can be frustrating and expensive to acquire and retain customers through traditional marketing methods, such as, for example, newspaper advertisements, television advertisements, direct mail, and/or the like. Accordingly, it can be advantageous to have systems, methods, and devices that reduce the frustration and expense involved with attracting new customers and retaining existing customers.

SUMMARY

[0004] The disclosure herein provides systems, methods, and devices that enable dynamic generation and processing of transactions and promotions. In some embodiments, a system is configured to determine a targeted promotion for an incomplete transaction when a user presents a unique identifier of the incomplete transaction for processing a completion of the transaction. In some embodiments, the system is configured to enable the user to directly share the promotion with a friend, reducing marketing costs, while also increased response and retention rates. [0005] According to some embodiments, a system for dynamic processing of transactions and distribution of promotions comprises: a transaction processing engine that receives, through a computer network from a transaction initiation system, transaction data relating to an incomplete transaction, the transaction processing engine configured to generate a unique transaction identifier for the incomplete transaction and to store the unique transaction identifier associated with the transaction data in an electronic transactions database, the transaction processing engine further configured to transmit, through the computer network to the transaction initiation system, the unique transaction identifier, enabling the transaction initiation system to generate a machine readable code comprising the unique transaction identifier, the transaction processing engine further configured to receive, through the computer network from a user access point system, the unique transaction identifier and an identification of a user, wherein the user access point system acquired the unique identifier by scanning the machine readable code; a promotion engine that determines a promotion to offer to the user, based at least in part on the transaction data, and generates a unique promotion identifier associated with the promotion, the transaction processing engine configured to transmit, through the computer network to the user access point system, the unique promotion identifier and at least a portion of the incomplete transaction data, the transaction processing engine further configured to complete the incomplete transaction for the user based on a response received from the user access point system, the promotion engine further configured to process a redemption of the promotion for a second user based on a receipt of the unique promotion identifier from a second user access point system; and one or more computers configured to operate the transaction processing and promotion engines, wherein the one or more computers comprises a computer processor and an electronic storage medium.

[0006] In some embodiments, the machine readable code is printed on a physical document. In some embodiments, the physical document comprises at least one of: a receipt, a bill, an invoice, a recurring bill, and an advertisement. In some embodiments, the machine readable code comprises at least one of: a barcode, a QR code, an infrared code, and a code invisible to a human eye. In some embodiments, the transaction data is associated with the identification of the user after the user access point system scans the machine readable code. In some embodiments, the response received from the user access point system comprises a rating associated with the incomplete transaction, and the transaction processing engine is further configured to transmit the rating to a merchant system associated with the incomplete transaction. In some embodiments, the rating is transmitted to the merchant system without data identifying the user.

[0007] According to some embodiments, a system for dynamic processing of transactions and associated promotions comprises: a transaction processing engine that receives, through a computer network from a transaction initiation system, incomplete transaction data relating to an incomplete transaction, the transaction processing engine configured to generate a unique identifier for the incomplete transaction and to store the unique identifier associated with the incomplete transaction data in an electronic transactions database, the transaction processing engine further configured to transmit, through the computer network to the transaction initiation system, the unique identifier, enabling the transaction initiation system to generate a physical document comprising a machine readable code comprising the unique identifier, the transaction processing engine further configured to receive, through the computer network from a user access point system, the unique identifier and a user identifier, and to associate the user identifier with the incomplete transaction data in the transactions database, wherein the user access point system acquired the unique identifier by scanning the machine readable code of the physical document; a promotion engine that analyzes the stored incomplete transaction data and user data associated with the user identifier to determine a promotion to offer, the transaction processing engine configured to transmit, through the computer network to the user access point system, the promotion and at least a portion of the incomplete transaction data, the transaction processing engine further configured to complete the incomplete transaction based on a response received from the user access point system; and one or more computers configured to operate the transaction processing and promotion engines, wherein the one or more computers comprises a computer processor and an electronic storage medium.

[0008] In some embodiments, the incomplete transaction data is associated with the user identifier after the user access point system scans the machine readable code. In some embodiments, the machine readable code comprises at least one of: a barcode, a QR code, an infrared code, and a code invisible to a human eye. In some embodiments, the physical document comprises at least one of: a receipt, a bill, an invoice, a recurring bill, and an advertisement. In some embodiments, the promotion engine is further configured to generate a second unique identifier and to store the second unique identifier associated with the determined promotion in an electronic promotions database, wherein the transaction processing engine is further configured to transmit the second unique identifier to the user access point system, enabling the user access point system to share the promotion with another user by transmitting the second unique identifier to another access point system. In some embodiments, the transaction processing engine is configured to receive from a second user access point system a second user identifier and the second unique identifier, and to enable a redemption of the promotion by the second user access point system. In some embodiments, the promotion engine is further configured to analyze a merchant preference in determining the promotion to offer. In some embodiments, the merchant preference is received by the transaction processing engine with the incomplete transaction data. In some embodiments, the merchant preference is stored in a promotions database accessed by the promotions engine. In some embodiments, the response received from the user access point system comprises a rating associated with the incomplete transaction, and the transaction processing engine is further configured to transmit the rating to a merchant system associated with the incomplete transaction. In some embodiments, the rating is transmitted to the merchant system without data identifying a user associated with the user identifier.

[0009] According to some embodiments, a system for dynamic processing of transactions and associated promotions comprises: a promotion configuration device comprising a user interface enabling an administrator to set parameters for a promotion, at least one of the parameters configured to enable redemption of the promotion by more than one user, wherein the promotion configuration engine transmits, through a computer network to a transaction processing system, the promotion parameters; a transaction initiation engine that transmits, through the computer network to the transaction processing system, transaction data relating to an incomplete transaction, the transaction initiation engine configured to receive, from the transaction processing system, a unique transaction identifier associated with the incomplete transaction; a printer that electronically communicates with the transaction initiation engine to enable application by the printer of a machine readable code to a physical document, the machine readable code comprising the unique transaction identifier, wherein the machine readable code is scannable by a camera of a user access point system associated with a user to enable completion of the transaction by the user, the promotion configuration device configured to receive, from the transaction processing system, a first electronic confirmation comprising an indication that the promotion has been issued to the user, and a second electronic communication comprising an indication that the promotion has been redeemed by a second user associated with a second transaction; and one or more computers configured to operate the promotion configuration device and transaction initiation engine, wherein the one or more computers comprises a computer processor and an electronic storage medium.

[0010] In some embodiments, the physical document comprises at least one of: a receipt, a bill, an invoice, a recurring bill, and an advertisement.

[0011] For purposes of this summary, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The foregoing and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings of various embodiments, which are intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention. The drawings comprise the following figures in which:

[0013] FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a system diagram of a dynamic promotion system in communication with a variety of other systems.

[0014] FIG. IB illustrates another embodiment of a dynamic promotion system in communication with a variety of other systems. [0015] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a block diagram illustrating a dynamic promotion system in communication with a plurality of user access point systems and transaction initiation systems.

[0016] FIGS. 3A-3P illustrate embodiments of a user access point system operating in conjunction with a dynamic promotion system.

[0017] FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate additional embodiments of a user access point system being used in conjunction with a dynamic promotion system.

[0018] FIG. 5A illustrates an embodiment of a process flow diagram depicting an example of processing a transaction and generating a promotion in conjunction with the processing of the transaction.

[0019] FIG. 5B illustrates an embodiment of a process flow depicting an example of processing a transaction, generating a promotion in conjunction with the processing of the transaction, and enabling sharing of the promotion.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting an embodiment of a computer hardware system configured to run software for implementing one or more embodiments of the dynamic promotion systems described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Although several embodiments, examples, and illustrations are disclosed below, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention described herein extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments, examples, and illustrations and includes other uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner simply because it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. In addition, embodiments of the invention can comprise several novel features and no single feature is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or is essential to practicing the inventions herein described. [0022] Conventional marketing techniques utilize advertisements or promotions offered often directly from a business to a potential or current customer. For example, an ad or promotion may comprise "50% off," "on sale today only," "best prices in town," "buy one/get one free," and/or the like. Such ads or promotions have historically been relatively effective, but often have a low response rate. Further, the already low response rates have been trending downward with the current boom in social media, streaming content, time- shifting television, and the like, which reduces the traditional outlets potential or current customers pay attention to, such as, for example, newspapers, mail, ads in mobile apps, television commercials, and the like.

[0023] Regardless of the marketing medium an existing or potential customer pays attention to, every consumer needs a way to pay for or otherwise process transactions. Consumers engage in vast numbers of purchase transactions. Accordingly, it can be advantageous to have a universal transaction processing system that makes it easy for users to pay for or otherwise process a variety of types of transactions and that also provides means for high-response-rate targeted marketing. Some embodiments can more reliably ensure that the consumers will see marketing information in connection with their transactions. Some instances can also do so in a fashion that provides enhanced convenience and/or financial and/or other reward and/or benefit for use of the system by consumers and product and service providers as well.

[0024] In some embodiments, a transaction processing and promotion generation system can be configured to generate highly targeted promotions for a specific user in conjunction with the processing of a specific transaction. The user's attention has already been captured, because the user is attempting to complete a transaction, such as to pay for a restaurant bill. The system can be configured to generate a promotion specifically targeted to that user and potentially the specific transaction the user is currently completing, thus greatly increasing the chance that the user will view and/or act on the promotion. Further, in some embodiments, the system can be configured to enable a user to share the promotion with one or more friends or other third parties. By enabling a promotion to come directly from an acquaintance or friend, it is much more likely that the friend or other third-party will view and/or act on the promotion, than if the promotion had come directly from the business. Further, it may be cheaper for the business, because the only cost to the business may be any redemption cost associated with redeeming a shared promotion.

[0025] Such a promotion sharing system can have various advantages. For example, in various social media systems, a user of a social media system can indicate to others that he or she likes a particular item, that he or she just ate at a particular restaurant and loved it, and/or the like. However, the majority of such postings generally amount to just informing others what the person is doing, boasting, and/or the like. In most cases, such a posting has no value to the readers of such posting other than the reader finding out what his or her friend recently did. However, by sharing a promotion through such a posting, the posting now has value to the user's friends, because they can see that their friend just ate at a particular restaurant and enjoyed it and got a promotion, and their friends can now receive the same promotion. As another example, a loyal customer of a coffee shop may get a free coffee promotion every tenth purchase. However, to enable the coffee shop to further expand its customer base, it may enable that loyal customer to share that free coffee with one or more friends each time he or she receives the free coffee. Accordingly, when the user receives a free coffee due to purchasing ten coffees, the user may be able to post on social media, send an email, send an SMS message, etc., enabling one or more friends to also receive that free coffee without themselves having had to have purchased ten coffees. Accordingly, the business can expand its customer base and sales without spending a significant amount of money on marketing, because these targeted shared promotions will be going to individuals from other people they trust.

[0026] In some embodiments, a system is able to dynamically generate promotions by associating a unique transaction identifier with a presently incomplete transaction. When a consumer or user goes to complete the transaction, the user can present that unique transaction identifier to the promotion generation system to enable the promotion generation system to complete the transaction in conjunction with generating a targeted promotion. In some embodiments, the unique transaction identifier is embedded in a machine-readable code, such as a QR code, bar code, infrared code, and/or the like, embedded in a physical document, such as a restaurant bill, utility bill, and the like. In some embodiments, a unique promotion identifier is associated with the promotion generated for this specific user and/or this specific transaction. The user can then share that unique promotion identifier directly with a friend or other third-party, without requiring the promotion system to share the promotion on behalf of the user. The promotion system is able to determine which promotion has been shared and redeem that promotion for a third-party when the third-party presents the unique promotion identifier to the promotion system, such as by clicking on a link, entering a code in a website, and or the like. In some embodiments, a promotion as generated by the systems disclosed herein may comprise, among other things, for example, a coupon, a discount, a free item, a ticket to an event, and various other types of items comprising at least some type of value to the user or customer.

[0027] Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices for processing and generating dynamic transactions and promotions. In some embodiments, a system as disclosed herein can be configured to enable easy and dynamic processing of transactions, such as, for example, a restaurant bill, utility bill, and/or the like, and to dynamically generate a promotion to offer during the completion of the transaction. In some embodiments, the system can be configured to enable a user who receives such a promotion to share that promotion and/or that user's experience during the transaction with others. For example, in one embodiment, a system can be configured to enable a user to pay for a restaurant bill by scanning a code embedded in a physical bill from the restaurant. For example, the user may scan the code using his or her smart phone's camera. The smart phone can be configured to communicate with a server that transmits the transaction data to the smart phone, enabling approval by the user of a payment and completion of the transaction. In some embodiments, the server that handles the transaction processing can also be configured to analyze the transaction data, data relating to the user, merchant preferences, and/or the like to dynamically determine a promotion to offer to the user when the user presents or scans the code to complete the transaction. The promotion can be offered to the user, and/or the user may be able to share the promotion. For example, if a user receives a promotion comprising a 50% off offer, the user may be able to share that offer with his or her friends by, among other things, posting a link on social media, sending an SMS message, sending an email, transferring the promotion via near field communications (NFC), and/or the like. In some embodiments, such a system can be configured to generate loyalty in both existing customers and new customers that otherwise the business would only have been able to reach through paid advertising. The ability to share or gift a promotion from a current customer to a potential new customer is an efficient form of marketing that costs little to the business, but also has a high response rate.

[0028] In some embodiments, a dynamic promotion and/or transaction system can be configured to perform a variety of functions. For example, a dynamic promotion system can be configured to both process transactions, such as purchase transactions, and to generate and handle redemption of promotions either related to those transactions or unrelated to those transactions. In some embodiments, the system can be configured to archive transactions to enable a user and/or administrator to view an archive of transactions after the fact.

[0029] In some embodiments, the system can be configured to be transaction-type agnostic, meaning the system can work with practically any type of transaction. For example, one transaction the system may be configured to handle is a restaurant bill. In that case, a point of sale system, or transaction initiation system, located at the restaurant may be configured to transmit to the promotion system data representing an incomplete transaction, such as a food order. The promotion system can be configured to transmit that data to a user device, such as a smart phone, to enable the user device to display to a user, such as the customer of the restaurant, the details of the transaction, enabling the user to complete the transaction. For example, the user device may enable the user to calculate a tip, add one or more promotions to, for example, reduce the overall size of the bill, grade the transactions, such as by grading the waiter, the service, the food quality, and/or the like.

[0030] As another example, another type of transaction a dynamic promotion and/or transaction system can be configured to handle is recurring transactions, such as utility bills, cable bills, and/or the like. For example, a transaction initiation system may be configured to transmit to a dynamic transaction processing and promotion system information relating to a required recurring payment. The promotion system can be configured to transmit such data to a user device, enabling the user device to enable a user to make the recurring payment. In some embodiments, the promotion system can further be configured to dynamically determine a promotion to offer to the user at the time of sending the details of the recurring incomplete payment to the user device (and/or at the time the user scans a code printed on the bill). For example, the promotion system may be configured to analyze details of the recurring bill, user details, demographics information, vendor preferences, and/or the like to determine a promotion to offer. In one example, such as when the bill is for cable service, the system may be configured to determine that the promotion to offer is a free movie. Accordingly, the system may be configured to transmit that promotion to a user device, enabling the user to accept that free movie and/or to share that free movie with his or her friends or others via, for example, social media, SMS messages, email, near field communications, and/or the like.

[0031] Another example of a type of transaction a system as disclosed herein may be configured to process is a transaction for ordering tickets to an event, such as a concert. For example, the system can be configured to generate a unique identifier specific to a specific event, such as a concert, sporting event, and/or the like. In this case, the unique event identifier may not be specific to a single specific transaction but specific to a single specific event. In a sense, the unique identifier is still associated with an incomplete transaction, because scanning of a code comprising that unique identifier by a user device still enables that user device to complete a transaction associated with that specific event. For example, in some embodiments, the unique event identifier can be embedded in a machine-readable code that can be scanned by a user device. For example, a marketing flyer advertising an upcoming concert may have this machine-readable code printed on it. Accordingly, a user may utilize a user access point system, such as a smartphone, to scan that code and to send the embedded unique event identifier to a dynamic promotion and transaction processing system. The system in some embodiments can then generate a unique transaction identifier specific to this incomplete transaction, meaning this specific user's desire to obtain more information about and/or purchase a ticket to the specific event. As with other examples, the system can be configured to then dynamically generate a promotion to offer to the user that scanned the event's code. In some embodiments, the user may share that promotion with one or more other parties.

[0032] In some embodiments, a system as disclosed herein can be configured to generate a unique transaction identifier specific to a specific incomplete transaction before the system knows what user or consumer that transaction is associated with. For example, in the restaurant bill example, the restaurant may not know an identity of their customer. Accordingly, when the unique identifier is embedded in a machine-readable code of the physical restaurant bill, that unique transaction identifier is likely in some embodiments not associated with a specific user, because the restaurant and the transaction processing system do not yet know the identity of the consumer. However, when the user or consumer scans the code, his or her user access point system can be configured to append user identifying information to a message that transmits the unique transaction identifier to the dynamic promotion system. Accordingly, the promotion system can then associate a specific user with that transaction when the user presents the unique transaction identifier for enabling completion of the transaction. Such a system can be advantageous to, among other things, increase efficiency of the business. Further, such a system can enable a customer to pay for a transaction electronically, while still remaining anonymous to the merchant, similar to as if the customer had paid with cash.

[0033] In certain embodiments, functions such as one or more among payment processing, coupon generating, product or service grading, expense archiving, data monitoring, ad revenue generating, and/or social network sharing may be handled by systems disclosed herein.

[0034] In some systems, consumers are provided with a user-friendly platform, such as a computing or mobile device app, for example, to view a purchase invoice and/or to pay the invoice, review the involved product and/or service, share information about a product or service with third parties, archive information such as a paid invoice or related marketing or promotional information, and/or manage an transaction agenda. In some instances, the user can do so all from a single application interface.

[0035] In certain embodiments, a system can provide product and service providers with a platform to connect and provide marketing and/or promotional information directly to possible consumers. Some systems provide such a tool to distinguish a marketing entity from the sea of mobile banners, pop-up, and click-here ads. With some embodiments, pre-existing marketing materials, such as flyers, newspapers, business cards internet, publishing, newsletters, up-right print ads or any other marketing image, can be converted from a disposable advertising medium into a cash revenue-generating digital marketing platform.

[0036] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a single mobile app interface that in turn provides two or more among: (1) Access to a back end network server system; and (2) In conjunction with a point of sale ("POS")/data processing invoice station, that may communicate back to the server system, and (3) generates embedded and/or QR symbols on an product or service provider invoice, (4) scan and read the embedded or QR code type symbols on the invoice with an integrated camera on an associated mobile devices, to (5) Generate and apply a coupon and/or promotion, for example to be deducted from invoice or to otherwise transact with the customer (or, in some embodiments, others with whom the customer may share the coupon or promotional information)— (6) And enable an e-credit card payment for purchase— (7) Over a registered and secure network.

[0037] In some systems, the single app system can also provide one or more among: (8) Tracking and recording expenses; (9) Sharing of promotions with friends via an SMS server and/or one or more other social media or networks; (10) Posting of favorite products and services; (11) Rating of products or services; (12) Generating new business and/or network leads for product and service providers; and (13) Managing and/or analyzing the incoming data from app users to provide system user information, predictors, or metrics, such as, for example, the return on investment of marketing campaigns.

[0038] In some embodiments, the system and methods can work with pre-existing or yet to come technologies already being utilized broadly by consumers and product and service providers in the market. Certain instances can provide the app to users for free, and the system provider can procure revenue in a number of ways, such as for example (i) by procuring a small percentage (for example, 1%) of transactions or promotional transactions that take place through the app, (ii) advertising fees, and (iii) user fees for services, such as ticketing services for example, that may be provided through or in conjunction with the app. Some embodiments can fuse social media with e-Commerce, providing a novel "Shared by Friends for Friends™" marketing medium. Dynamic Promotion System Embodiments

[0039] FIG. 1A illustrates a system diagram of an embodiment of a dynamic promotion system 100 in communication through a network 110 with a plurality of transaction initiation systems 112, 116 and user access point systems 120, 126, 128. The dynamic promotion system 100 comprises a transaction engine 106 and a promotion engine 108. The dynamic promotion system 100 further comprises a transactions database 102 and a promotions database 104. The transaction engine 106 can be configured to communicate with the transaction database 102 and, through the network 110, with one or more transaction initiation systems and/or user access point systems to enable initiation of and processing of transactions. The promotion engine 108 and promotions database 104 can be configured to work together to, for example, communicate with the transaction engine 106 to determine appropriate promotions to offer in relation to specific transactions or incomplete transactions.

[0040] A variety of transaction initiation systems may be configured to communicate with the dynamic promotion system 100. In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, there are two transaction initiation systems 112 comprising point of sale system, such as, for example, a restaurant point of sale system. The transaction initiation systems 112 are in electrical communication with printers 114. The printers 114 can be configured to print a physical document, such as a restaurant bill, which includes an embedded machine readable code readable by, for example, a camera of a user device, to enable a user to initiate completion of an incomplete transaction.

[0041] As used herein, the term "incomplete transaction" may refer to a transaction for which a portion of the details and/or approvals necessary for completing that transaction have been received, but not all details and/or approvals have been received. For example, as used with respect to a typical restaurant bill, where the user or customer is typically served his or her food before making a payment, and then settles his or her bill at the end of the meal, an incomplete transaction and/or incomplete transaction data may comprise the food items the customer ordered, their associated prices, any tax, a total and/or subtotal, and/or the like. In this case, the incomplete transaction data comprises sufficient information from the merchant's side to enable the user to initiate a completion of the transaction. In some embodiments, the incomplete transaction data may also comprise an identification of the customer or user, but in other embodiments the incomplete transaction data may not be associated with a specific user until the specific user begins the process of completing the transaction, such as by scanning the machine readable code embedded in the receipt or bill.

[0042] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A also illustrates another type of transaction initiation system 116. The transaction initiation system 116 is depicted as a general purpose computer in electronic communication with a normal format printer 118 (e.g., letter-sized paper printer), as opposed to a restaurant bill format printer 114. The transaction initiation system 116 may be, for example, a system configured to generate recurring bills, such as a cable bill, utility bill, and the like, or even a computer located at a small business that utilizes the printer 118 to generate invoices for the business's customers. The transaction initiation system 116 can be configured to transmit incomplete transaction data to the dynamic promotion system 100 and to embed in a printed invoice an associated unique identifier received from the dynamic processing system 100.

[0043] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A further comprises a payment processing system 130 in electronic communication through the network 110 with the dynamic system 100. In some embodiments, the payment processing system 130 can comprise, for example, a credit card or ACH clearinghouse and/or the like that enables making electronic payments. The dynamic promotion system 100 can be configured to communicate with the payment processing system 130 to process payments during the completion of a transaction. In some embodiments, the dynamic promotion system 100 may comprise its own payment processing system or engine, such that the dynamic promotion system 100 does not need to communicate with an external system to process payments.

[0044] The network 110 may comprise, for example, a local area network, a wide area network, the internet, a blue tooth communication network, and/or the like.

[0045] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A further depicts a variety of user access point systems 120, 126, 128 that can be utilized to, among other things, initiate and/or complete a transaction, interact with the dynamic promotion system 100 to adjust preferences, promotions, and/or the like. Further, some user access point systems may be configured to receive shared promotions from other user access point systems, enabling those receiving user access point systems to claim the promotion by communicating with the dynamic promotion system 100.

[0046] The user access point systems 120 comprise, for example, a user device such as a smart phone having a camera that can be utilized to scan a machine readable code. In this case, the two user access point systems 120 shown in FIG. 1A are shown scanning a QR code 124 embedded in a paper or physical document 122. Although the machine readable code 124 in this embodiment is illustrated as a QR code, it should be understood that any type of machine readable code may be utilized with the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the machine readable code 124 may comprise a QR code, bar code, infrared code, micro dots, a code invisible to the human eye but visible to a camera, such as an infrared camera, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the machine readable code may comprise a code invisible to the human eye overlaid over something visible to the human eye, such as a logo. Accordingly, it may be configured to appear to the human eye as if the user is scanning a logo, such as a logo of the merchant, the company providing the dynamic promotion system 100, and/or the like, when the user access point system is really scanning a code overlaid or near that logo which is not visible to the human eye.

[0047] In some embodiments, the machine readable code 124 comprises a unique transaction identifier that uniquely identifies a specific incomplete transaction and/or a specific unique event. For example, using the restaurant bill example, the dynamic promotion system 100 may be configured to generate a unique identifier that is associated with a specific set of incomplete transaction data received from a transaction initiation system 112. The transaction system or transaction engine 106 can be configured to transmit that unique identifier back to the transact initiation system 112, enabling the printer 114 to print the machine readable code comprising that unique identifier on the customer's bill 122. The customer or user can then, whenever he or she is ready to pay the bill, scan the machine readable code 124 using his or her user access point system 120.

[0048] In some embodiments, after the user access point system 120 scans the machine readable code 124, the user access point system 120 extracts the unique transaction identifier from the machine readable code 124 and communicates through the network 110 with the dynamic promotion system 100 to transmit that unique identifier back to the dynamic promotion system 100. In some embodiments, the user access point system 120 further transmits to the dynamic promotion system 100 a user identifier, such as another unique identifier that identifies a particular user, user access point system, or other device or system related to a specific user. The dynamic promotion system 100 can be configured to associate the user identifier with the transaction identifier to then communicate with the user access point system 120 to enable completion of the incomplete transaction. For example, the transaction engine 106 may be configured to retrieve stored payment information related to the user identified by the user identifier and utilize that information to process a payment with the payment processing system 130. The promotion engine 108 can further be configured to determine a promotion to offer the user in conjunction with completion of the transaction. The promotion engine 108 can be configured to send that promotion to the user access point system 120 and enable the user of the user access point system 120 to claim that promotion and/or to share the promotion.

[0049] In some embodiments, it can be advantageous to enable a specific incomplete transaction to not be associated with a user until the user presents the transaction identifier to begin the process of completing the transaction. For example, returning to the restaurant bill example, a group of friends may be dining together, and it may not be known who is actually paying for the meal until one of the friends decides to complete the transaction. Further, based on data related to the various users, the dynamic promotion system may determine to present a different promotion, depending on which user decides to pay for the meal. For example, if a user that the dynamic promotion system knows is a vegetarian presents the transaction identifier for completion of the transaction, the dynamic promotion system may determine to not present a promotion that comprises a free meat product. As another example, if a different friend that is diabetic offers to pay the bill, and that user presents the transaction identifier (e.g., by scanning the machine-readable code) to initiate completion of the transaction, the dynamic promotion system may consult a users database to determine that the user is diabetic and determine to not offer a promotion that comprises a free sugary drink.

[0050] As another example, one person dining with a group may offer to pay for both his or her own meal and another person's meal. Accordingly, the dynamic promotion system may be configured to detect that a single user is in the process of completing a second transaction related to a first transaction that the same user just recently completed. Given that situation, the dynamic promotion system may dynamically determine to offer the user a different promotion than it offered that user when the user complete the first transaction. However, had two different users completed each of the two transactions, the promotion system may have determined to offer the same promotion. Accordingly, it can be advantageous to enable a dynamic promotion system to dynamically determine a promotion to offer, if any, at the time of completion of a transaction, rather than beforehand. However, in some embodiments, a promotion may be predetermined before the transaction is completed, although in some embodiments that predetermined transaction may be changed dynamically to a different promotion when the transaction identifier is presented for completion of the transaction.

[0051] In some embodiments, the user access point system 126 and user access point system 128 can be configured to communicate with the dynamic promotion system 100 and/or the other user access point systems 120 in various ways. For example, the user access point system 128 may be configured to communicate with the dynamic promotion system 100 to enable a merchant to set preferences related to promotions, which guide the dynamic promotion system 100 in determining what promotions to offer in relation to specific users and/or transactions. Further, the user access point system 128 or user access point system 126 can be configured to enable an administrator, such as an individual related to a merchant, to view statistics or tracking information to determine what customers are most loyal to the business, which promotions are working the best, which items are most profitable, and/or the like. The user access point systems 126, 128 may in some embodiments also comprise a camera or other device capable of scanning a machine readable code, to perform similar functions as described above with respect to the user access point systems 120.

[0052] FIG. IB illustrates an embodiment of a system diagram comprising the dynamic promotion system 100 in communication through the network 110 with a transaction initiation system 112 and user access point system 120 to enable initiation and completion of a transaction and sharing of a promotion associated with that transaction. For example, the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. IB illustrates an example of a restaurant transaction where a user has received a 50% off promotion and wishes to share that promotion with his or her friends or others. For example, the process may begin by a customer ordering food at a restaurant. At the completion of the restaurant visit, the transaction initiation system 112 can be configured to transmit through the network 110 to the dynamic promotion system 100 information relating to that transaction, e.g., incomplete transaction data. The transaction engine 106 can be configured to store that incomplete transaction data in the transactions database 102 and to generate a unique transaction identifier associated with that incomplete transaction data in the transactions database 102. The transaction engine 106 can then be configured to transmit that unique transaction identifier back to the transaction initiation system 112. The transaction initiation system 112 can be configured to communicate with the printer 114 to embed the unique transaction identifier in a machine readable code 124 printed on a restaurant bill 122.

[0053] When the customer or user wishes to complete the incomplete transaction, for example by paying the restaurant bill, the user may utilize the user access point system 120 to scan the machine readable code 124. The user access point system 120 can be configured to extract the unique transaction identifier from the scanned code 124 and to transmit that unique transaction identifier, optionally along with a user identifier, through the network 110 to the dynamic promotion system 100. The dynamic promotion system 100 can be configured to retrieve the incomplete transaction data associated with that unique transaction identifier and analyze the transaction data, data associated with the user, merchant preferences, demographics information, and/or the like to determine a promotion, if any, using the promotion engine 108, to offer to the user. In this example, the promotion engine 108 has determined to offer to the user a 50% off promotion. The promotion engine 108 in some embodiments can be configured to store information relating to the determined promotion in the promotions database 104 and to further generate a unique promotion identifier uniquely identifying that promotion. A unique promotion identifier can be advantageous in some cases, even though a specific type of promotion, such as 50% off a bill, may be utilized over and over again with various customers. However, by using a unique identifier to identify each specific instance of offering such a promotion, the dynamic promotion system 100 can be configured to track usage of that specific promotion and the sharing or gifting of that specific promotion to others. Accordingly, the system can be configured to determine which users are most effective in bringing new customers to the business. For example, the system can be configured to determine that a user shared a promotion with ten friends, and five of those friends accepted the promotion and became new customers of the business.

[0054] Once the promotion engine 108 has determined the promotion and generated a unique promotion identifier, the dynamic promotion system 100 can be configured to transmit the unique promotion identifier and any related promotion data to the user access point system 120, along with transaction data related to or associated with the unique transaction identifier. The user access point system 120 can be configured to display information relating to the incomplete transaction to the user, enabling the user to make any adjustments to the transaction, such as adding or removing a tip, adjusting or selecting a payment method, and/or the like, and then to approve the transaction, enabling the dynamic promotion system 100 to communicate with the payment processing system 130 to complete the transaction.

[0055] The user access point system 120 can further be configured to, as shown in FIG. IB, indicate to the user that a promotion has been received, in this case a 50% off promotion. The user access point system 120 can be configured to not only let the user accept that promotion, such as by adjusting the current transaction by 50%, but can also enable the user to share that promotion. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. IB, four different examples of sharing such a promotion are provided.

[0056] The user access point system 132 illustrates an example of sharing a promotion via text or SMS message. In this case, the user access point system 120 has sent an SMS message to another user access point system 132, with the SMS message comprising an embedded link 144 comprising the unique promotion identifier. When a user of the user access point system 132 clicks on that embedded link 144, the user access point system 132 can be configured to communicate through the network 110 with the dynamic promotion system 100 to transmit the unique promotion identifier to the dynamic promotion system 100. The dynamic promotion system 100 can be configured to track, for example, in the promotions database 104, information relating to the sharing, such as to link a user of the user access point system 120 with a user of the user access point system 132 as being friends. Further, the dynamic promotion system 100 can be configured to enable a user of the user access point system 132 to claim that promotion.

[0057] The user access point systems 134, 136, and 140 illustrate additional but similar sharings of the promotion. The user access point system 134 illustrates a receipt of an email generated by the user access point system 120 that comprises an embedded link 144 comprising the unique promotion identifier. The user access point system 140 illustrates a social media web page or app comprising status updates or similar which includes a status update that the user of the user access point system 120 posted to his or her social media page indicating that he claimed this 50% off promotion. The social media post comprises an embedded link 144 comprising the unique promotion identifier, enabling a viewer of the social media post to click on that link and claim the promotion for himself or herself. Finally the user access point system 136 illustrates an example of receiving a shared promotion via near field communication (NFC).

[0058] In various other embodiments, promotions may be shared in various other ways. For example, the unique promotion identification may be transmitted from the user access point system 120 through one or more networks or other transmission mechanisms to a variety of other systems, devices, and/or the like. In some embodiments, instead of the user access point system 120 transmitting a shared promotion directly to another device, without going through the dynamic promotion system 100, the dynamic promotion system 100 may facilitate sharing in some embodiments. For example, the user access point system 120 may communicate with the dynamic promotion system 100 and indicate to the dynamic promotion system 100 that the system should share the promotion with one or more other users of the dynamic promotion system 100. In other embodiments, however, the user access point system 120 can be configured to share the promotion with other users either directly or through third party systems, such as a social media system, without requiring the dynamic promotion system 100 to know anything about that sharing. Accordingly, it can be advantageous to have the unique promotion identifier to enable the dynamic promotion system 100 to know where this promotion came from, since the promotion can desirably be shared without the dynamic promotion system 100 knowing anything about the actual sharing process.

[0059] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a block diagram illustrating a dynamic promotion system 200 in communication through a network 110 with a payment processing system 130, a plurality of user access point systems 240, and a plurality of transaction initiation systems 250. The user access point systems 240 may be similar to any of the user access point systems illustrated in FIG. 1A and IB. The access point systems in this embodiment comprise at least a user interface 242 and a camera 244. For example, the user interface 242 can be in some embodiments a touch screen interface enabling a user to complete a transaction, receive and/or share a promotion, redeem a promotion, manage settings related to the dynamic promotion system 200, administer promotion preferences, view statistics of how promotions are performing from a marketing perspective, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the user access point systems 240 comprise a camera 244 or other detector device to enable scanning of physical machine readable codes. In some embodiments, a user access point system 240 does not comprise a camera 244. For example, in some embodiments, a user access point system may be configured to receive a promotion, redeem a promotion, adjust settings, and/or perform various other functions that do not require the use of a camera 244. In some embodiments, the only user access point system that requires a camera 244 is a user access point system being used to scan a machine readable code.

[0060] The transaction initiation systems 250 comprise a transaction data processor 252 and a printer 254. The transaction data processor 252 may take various forms, but in some embodiments, may be, for example, a point of sale system user interface that receives information relating to an incomplete transaction and transmits that information to the dynamic promotion system 200. The printer 254, such as, for example, the printer 114 illustrated in FIG. IB, can be configured to print an invoice, bill, advertisement, marketing flyer, and/or the like, with an embedded machine readable code for reading by the camera 244.

[0061] The dynamic promotion system 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 comprises a transactions engine 206, a promotions engine 208, and a performance tracking engine 210 in communication with a plurality of databases. The dynamic promotion system 200 comprises a transactions database 202, a promotions database 204, a users database 212, and a preferences database 214. The transactions database 202 can be configured to store, among other things, data related to a variety of incomplete and completed transactions and their associated unique transaction identifiers. The promotions database 204 can be configured to store, among other things, information relating to a variety of promotion types, specific promotions, and their associated unique promotion identifiers. The users database 212 can be configured to store a variety of information relating to users of the dynamic promotion system 200, including, administrators of the system, customers of businesses, merchants, and/or the like. The preferences database 214 can be configured to store a variety of preferences, including, but not limited to, promotion preferences set by, for example, a merchant to help the dynamic promotion system 200 in determining what promotions to offer to what users and in what situation.

[0062] The transaction engine 206 comprises a transaction data interface 216, a transaction identification controller 218, a user identification controller 220, and a payment processing interface 222. The transaction data interface 216 can be configured to, for example, receive incomplete transaction data from a transaction initiation system 250 to start the process of completing that transaction. The transaction data interface 216 can be configured to communicate with the transactions database 202 to store and retrieve such information. The transaction identification controller 218 can be configured to manage generation, storing, and retrieving of unique transaction identifiers that enable a specific transaction to be identified, such as by embedding that unique identifier in a machine readable code. The user identification controller 220 can be configured to manage identification of users, such as by processing their user identifier received from a user access point system 240 and/or a transaction initiation system 250 and retrieving or associating that user identifier with information in, for example, the users database 212, promotions database 204, transactions database 202, and/or preferences database 214. The payment processing interface 222 can be configured to enable completion of transactions by processing a payment, such as by communicating with the payment processing system 130. In some embodiments, the payment processing interface 222 can be configured to retrieve stored payment information, such as credit card numbers, and/or the like, from, for example, the users database 212.

[0063] The promotions engine 208 comprises a promotion preferences interface 224, a promotion generator 226, a promotion identification controller 228, and a promotion processing interface 230. The promotion preferences interface 224 can be configured to enable, for example, a user to set preferences that help the promotion generated 226 in determining a specific promotion to offer in a specific set of circumstances. For example, the promotion preferences interface 224 can be configured to enable a merchant or administrator to set overall preferences for a specific type of promotion to indicate what type of situation such promotion may be offered in. For example, one preference that may be set is that a 50% off type of promotion may be offered in a situation where a total dollar amount of a transaction is within a certain range and the transaction is being completed by a customer that has visited this business ten times in the past two months. Such preferences may be stored in, for example, the preferences database 214. In some embodiments, the promotion preferences interface 224 can further be configured to enable a user, such as an end customer of a business to set his or her own preferences. For example, the system may be configured to enable a user to indicate to the promotion preferences interface 224 that the user is a vegetarian and does not want to receive promotions that are related to meat products, such as a free hamburger. In some embodiments, however, the dynamic promotion system 200 can be configured to analyze or mine data to predict such preferences without requiring specific input from a user.

[0064] In some embodiments, the promotion generator 226 can be configured to analyze a specific situation, such as a specific set of incomplete transaction data in conjunction with data related to a user that is in the process of completing the transaction, and/or a variety of preferences to determine an appropriate promotion, if any, to offer to the user in relation to the current specific transaction. As discussed above, in some embodiments, the promotion generator 226 can be configured to mine a variety of types of data to enable more efficient and better determination of promotions to offer. The promotion identification controller 228 can be configured to generate and manage unique promotion identifiers to enable redeeming and/or sharing of specific promotions. For example, the promotion identification controller 228 can be configured to generate and store a unique identifier associated with a specific promotion offered to a specific user. The promotion identification controller 228 can then be configured to enable the dynamic promotion system 200 to track views and/or redemptions of that specific promotion in the future by one or more users.

[0065] The promotion processing interface 230 can be configured to enable a user, such as the initial user that was given the promotion, or another user that the initial user shared the promotion with, to redeem such promotion. For example, the promotion processing interface 230 can be configured to electronically communicate with a user access point system 240 through the network 110 to enable the user access point system 240 to process a redemption of a promotion for a user.

[0066] The performance tracking engine 210 comprises a grading interface 232, an asset tracking interface 234, and a promotion performance interface 236. The grading interface 232 can be configured to communicate with, for example, a user access point system 240 to enable a user to grade or rate a specific transaction, merchant, employee, food item, prices, and/or the like. For example, the system can be configured to enable a user to grade a transaction during the completion of the transaction or in conjunction with completion of the transaction. In some embodiments, the grading interface 232 can be configured to store merchant or transaction or otherwise grading information in the transactions database 202 or another database and enable users of the merchant to view this data to, among other things, determine how that merchant is doing. In some embodiments, the system can be configured to enable a merchant to only see the grading data anonymously, such as not associated with the specific user who submitted the information.

[0067] The asset tracking interface 234 can be configured to, based on the grading information or a variety of other sources of data, enable a merchant to view performance of its various assets. For example, in one embodiment, an asset may be an employee and the asset tracking interface 234 may enable a merchant to track performance of its various employees. The promotion performance interface 236 can be configured to enable a merchant to track the performance of its various promotions. For example, the promotion performance interface 236 can enable a user access point system 240 to access the dynamic promotion system 200 and view statistics relating to various promotions, such as number of times redeemed, number of times offered, number of times shared, and/or various other types of statistics.

User Access Point Systems

[0068] FIGS. 3 A through 3P illustrate a variety of embodiments of user access point systems 340 comprising a user interface 342 illustrating an interface for interacting with a dynamic promotion system, such as the dynamic promotion system 200 of FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the user access point system 340 comprises a portable device, such as a tablet computer or smart phone having a touch screen user interface 342. However, the concepts illustrated herein may be utilized with a variety of types of user access point systems, such as a personal computer, laptop computer, and/or the like.

[0069] FIG. 3A depicts a login or authentication screen comprising login information fields 302 and a sign in button 304. Such a screen may be utilized to authenticate a user or otherwise associate a session with a specific user. In some embodiments, instead of using a user name and password, the system may be configured to authenticate or identify a user in a variety of ways, such as through biometric identification, such as fingerprint scan, iris scan, and/or the like, near field communication, and the like. In some embodiments, the system can be configured to use two-factor authentication. In some embodiments, the system can be configured to authenticate the user again (or for the first time) when the user approves a payment and/or accesses sensitive payment or user information.

[0070] FIG. 3B depicts a home screen interface comprising a scan button 306, an archive button 308, and a variety of administrative buttons 310. From such a screen, a user may begin the process of completing an incomplete transaction. For example, the user may click on or otherwise operate the scan button 306, which may enable the user access point system 340 to operate its camera to scan a machine readable code on a restaurant bill, utility bill, advertisement, marketing flyer, and/or the like to begin the completion of an incomplete transaction. The archive button 308 may be utilized to access archive information to enable the user to view past transactions and/or promotions that have been completed or redeemed. The archive information is described in further detail below with reference to FIG. 3N. The administrative buttons 310 comprise an admin button, an accounts button, a settings button, and a share button. For example, in some embodiments, the admin button may be configured to enable the user to adjust a variety of settings or preferences related to the user's account. The accounts button may be configured to enable the user to adjust a variety of settings or preferences related to linked payment accounts, such as credit cards, etc. The settings button may be configured to enable the user to adjust a variety of other settings, and the shared button may be configured to enable the user to review and/or act on a variety of promotions that the user has shared with others or that have been shared with the user.

[0071] If the user operates the scan button 306 illustrated in FIG. 3B, the user can then utilize the user access point system 340 to scan a machine readable code. With reference to FIG. 3C, FIG. 3C illustrates an embodiment of the user access point system 340 utilizing a camera 344 to scan a machine readable code 324 printed on a receipt 322. Once the machine readable code 324 has been scanned, FIG. 3D illustrates an example of a screen that may be shown to the user to enable the user to complete the incomplete transaction linked to the unique transaction code embedded in the machine readable code 324. For example, after the user access point system 340 retrieves the unique transaction identifier from the machine readable code 324, the user access point system 340 may be configured to communicate with the dynamic promotion system 200 to retrieve the transaction data illustrated in FIG. 3D that comprises, among other things, a merchant identification information, quantities of items, prices, a subtotal, sales tax, and a total.

[0072] The interface 342 depicted in FIG. 3D comprises an electronic representation of a receipt 312, a promo button 314, a tip button 316, and a pay button 318. The electronic representation of the receipt 312, although in some embodiments may actually comprise a picture of the receipt 322, in this embodiment is actually a recreation of the receipt and not a digital image of the receipt. In some embodiments, the user access point system 340 is configured to recreate a representation of the original receipt using the incomplete transaction data received from the dynamic promotion system 200.

[0073] The promo button 314 enables a user to view and/or redeem a promotion being offered in conjunction with the present incomplete transaction. In this case, the promo button 314 further comprises an indicator, in this case the number one with a circle around it, that is configured to indicate to a user that a promotion is available. For example, in the present embodiment, the number one may indicate that there is one promotion available to be accepted or redeemed in conjunction with completing this incomplete transaction.

[0074] The tip button 316 can be configured to enable the user to add a tip to the present incomplete transaction. For example, the system can be configured to, when the user clicks on the tip button 316, to calculate what the tip would be at various percentage levels and to automatically apply that tip to the incomplete transaction upon the user's request. Finally, the pay button 318 enables the user to move to a payment confirmation screen enabling the user to select a form of payment and complete the incomplete transaction.

[0075] FIG. 3E illustrates an example embodiment of when the user clicks on the promo button 314 shown in FIG. 3D. In this case, the user access point system 340 is illustrating to the user that a promotional offer is available in conjunction with the current transaction that comprises taking $3.00 off any two adult lunch entrees or $4.00 off any two adult dinner entrees. This promotion 320 may be added to the current order by clicking the ad button 326.

[0076] FIG. 3F depicts the same screen as illustrated in FIG. 3D, except the promotion from FIG. 3E has been added. Accordingly, the promo button 314 has been disabled, because there is no longer a promotion available, and the digital representation of the receipt 312 now includes an $8.00 discount, as accepted from the screen shown in FIG. 3E.

[0077] When the user clicks on the pay button at 318, in some embodiments, the system brings the user to a screen or interface as illustrated in FIG. 3G. The screen of FIG. 3G comprises a plurality of stored payment options and enables the user to select a payment option to use for this transaction. The payment options comprise a plurality of buttons 328 indicating each of these options. If the user clicks on a payment option, such as the Visa option, the user can be brought to the screen illustrated in FIG. 3H.

[0078] The screen illustrated in FIG. 3H illustrates that the Visa payment option has been added to the digital representation of the receipt 312, and also illustrates that a user can digitally sign for the transaction. For example, an E sign button 330 may enable the user to apply a digital signature to the receipt 312. In this case, the user has already done so, so the E sign button 330 has been disabled and the signature 331 has been added to the button of the digital representation of the receipt 312. The user interface 342 of FIG. 3H further comprises a confirm button 332 which enables the user to complete the present incomplete transaction.

[0079] FIG. 31 depicts an embodiment of the digital representation of the receipt 312 in its final state, after payment has been confirmed. In some embodiments, the user interface can be configured to then move on to a summary and confirmation screen illustrated in FIG. 3J. In the user interface illustrated in FIG. 3J, a user is presented with a variety of options to perform in conjunction with the completion of this transaction. For example, the user interface 342 of FIG. 3J comprises a survey button 334, a grade button 336, and a share button 338. The survey button 334 may be configured to take the user to a survey that enables the user to answer questions, such as marketing type questions that the merchant would like answered. The grade button 336 may enable the user to rate his or her experience, as further described below with reference to FIG. 3K. The share button 338 may enable the user to share the promotion the user received, as further described below with reference to FIG. 3M.

[0080] FIG. 3K illustrates an embodiment of a user interface 342 that may be presented, such as when the user clicks on the grade button 336 of FIG. 3J. The user interface 342 of FIG. 3K illustrates a grading interface that enables the user to grade his or her experience based on several factors. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3K, the grading interface comprises an A through F scale 344 and an additional comments box 346. Although the present embodiment utilizes an A through F scale, similar to as used in educational institutions, various other scales may be used. In this case, the system could be configured to dynamically and automatically generate an average rating based on the various individual ratings. For example, in this embodiment, an average of a 2.5 GPA has been determined based on the selections the user has made in the grading interface 344. The grading or rating can be submitted to the dynamic promotion system 200 by clicking the submit button 348.

[0081] After clicking the submit button 348, the user can be presented with, for example, the interface illustrated in FIG. 3L. The interface illustrated in FIG. 3L confirms that the rating has been submitted and also offers the user other options. For example, the user can click on the join button 350 to join a loyalty program or other program related to a specific merchant. The share button 338 is also again presented to the user, similar to the share button 338 from FIG. 3J, enabling the user to still share the promotion, but to directly go to the share screen from the grading confirmation screen, instead of having to return to the prior screen.

[0082] When the user clicks on a share button, the system can be configured to offer a variety of sharing options to the user. For example, the user access point system 340 can be configured to enable the user to share a promotion using SMS messages, email, near field communication, a social media post, an electronic message back to the dynamic promotion system 200 instructing the dynamic promotion system 200 to share the promotion for the user, and/or the like. FIG. 3M depicts an embodiment of an SMS message sharing the promotion. In this embodiment, the user has selected to send the promotion 354 using an SMS user interface 352 to four of the user's contacts. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3M the promotion being shared is a $100.00 gift from a television provider. This electronic representation of the promotion 354 may comprise a link comprising a unique promotion identifier that enables each of the recipients of this message to click on that link and redeem that promotion for themselves. By embedding a unique promotion identifier in the link, the dynamic promotion system 200 can both authorize the promotion based on where it came from and track who that promotion came from. Further, in some embodiments, a merchant or other provider may have specific parameters, such as only enabling a promotion to be shared to a certain number of people. Accordingly, by utilizing a unique promotion identifier, the dynamic promotion system can track how many times that promotion has been redeemed.

[0083] FIG. 3N illustrates an example of an archive screen, such as accessed by clicking on the archive button 308 illustrated in FIG. 3B. Such a screen may be used to enable a user to view past transactions and/or promotions. The screen illustrated in FIG. 3N comprises a list 354 of transactions, in this case sorted by date. However, in various other embodiments, the list may be sorted in other ways. Note that, as can be seen in FIG. 3N, a dynamic promotion system as illustrated herein can be utilized to process transactions and promotions for a variety of types of businesses and transactions. In this case, the archive includes a payment for legal services, entertainment services, such as a concert, transportation, cable programming, a dinner, lodging at a hotel, a taxi ride to an airport, and a political contribution.

[0084] FIG. 30 depicts an embodiment of a digital loyalty card or loyalty screen that can be displayed to a user of a dynamic promotion system. Such a system can be configured to help customers remain loyal to a business by, for example, offering a promotion in return for repeat business. In this case, the user interface 342 depicts a virtual loyalty card 356 comprising a plurality of item indicators 358 and purchase indicators 360. In this case, there are ten item indicators 358 in the shape of a coffee cup. The purchase indicators 360 are in the shape of a happy face. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 30, the loyalty card or digital loyalty card 356 is indicating that the user has purchased nine out of the ten coffees required to receive a free coffee. The dynamic promotion system 200 can be configured to automatically track these purchases without requiring the user to carry a physical card and remember to have it punched every time the user buys a coffee. Further, the system can be configured to automatically apply or automatically offer the free coffee once it has been earned, without requiring the user to present a physical card or even to present this digital card. In some embodiments, as discussed above, once the user earns this free coffee or other promotion, the user may additionally be able to share that promotion with others that have not earned it. Accordingly, the others may feel that they are getting a very good promotion because they did not have to earn that promotion. In some embodiments, the system can also be configured to enable a merchant to view one or more digital loyalty cards for one or more customers, such as the example digital loyalty card illustrated in FIG. 30.

[0085] FIG. 3P depicts an embodiment of a user interface 342 that, for example, may be displayed to a user when the user has made all ten required purchases from the interface illustrated in FIG. 30. In this case, the system is indicating to the user that the user has earned a free coffee and may click the redeem now button 362 to redeem that free coffee. The user interface 342 further comprises a share button 364 that enables the user to share that promotion with one or more friends or other persons.

[0086] FIGS. 4A through 4D depict example embodiments of a user access point system 440 comprising a user interface 442 that may be used by, for example, an administrator, such as an employee of a merchant that wishes to track and/or configure its transactions and promotions. The user access point system 440 may be, for example, a computer, smart phone and/or the like. FIG. 4 A depicts an embodiment of an authentication or identification screen, similar to the screen depicted in FIG. 3A. The authentication screen enables a user to authenticate and/or identify himself or herself to the system.

[0087] FIG. 4B illustrates an embodiment of a home screen that enables a user to perform a variety of functions. The home screen comprises an account summary 402 and a variety of administrative buttons 310. The account summary 402 in some embodiments displays statistics or other information that enable the user to track the performance of a variety of transactions and promotions. In this embodiment, the account summary 402 is indicating that four surveys have been completed, 59 total transactions have been completed, 22 gifts or promotions have been redeemed, 22 gifts have been shared, an average rating of transactions is a 3.2 GPA, and the highest rated promotion is a $4.00 off promotion. It can be seen with such data that a user can easily track various promotions and configure promotions to be the most beneficial to the business. For example, a user may configure a variety of promotions to be potentially offered, and can see with the account summary 402 and/or other statistics displayed by the user access point system 440 the performance of each promotion, enabling the user to make a decision that may be the highest rated promotions should be offered to more users. For example, the user may click on the analysis button to access a variety of charts, statistics, etc., that help show the performance of various promotions.

[0088] FIG. 4C depicts an embodiment of a promotions configuration screen 403 enabling a user to create new promotions and/or edit existing promotion parameters. In this case, the promotions screen 403 comprises statistics buttons 404, edit parameters buttons 406, and a configure a new promotion button 408. The statistics button 404 can be configured to enable the user to view statistics of that particular promotion, such as its redemption rate, whether it makes a customer more loyal, and/or the like. The edit parameters button 406 can be configured to take the user to a screen that enables the user to edit the parameters of that promotion, such as what situation will result in that promotion being offered to a user. The configure a new promotion button 408 can enable the user to generate a completely new promotion, such as by setting its various parameters. [0089] FIG. 4D illustrates an embodiment of a user interface 442 illustrating a loyalty meter 410. The loyalty meter can be configured to indicate to a user the loyalty of a variety of customers using a variety of statistics. In this embodiment, the system uses two statistics, namely dollar amount of spend per visit and number of visits per month. However, a variety of other statistics may be used. In this embodiment, one bar 412 indicates a relative dollar spend per visit, and another bar 414 indicates a number of visits per month. The screen may be configured to enable a user to sort and filter in various ways. In the presently shown embodiment, the customers or users have been sorted by dollar spend per visit in descending order. In some embodiments, the system can be configured to enable a user to click on a particular customer or user shown in the loyalty meter 410 to learn more information about that user and/or to set settings specific to that user. For example, the system may be configured to enable an administrator to select the top couple most loyal users and to specifically offer them additional promotions, higher value promotions, and/or the like.

Transaction and Promotion Generation and Processing

[0090] FIG. 5A illustrates an embodiment of a process flow diagram depicting an example of processing a transaction in conjunction with determining a promotion. The process begins at block 502 wherein a transaction initiation system generates incomplete transaction data. For example, the transaction initiating system 250 of FIG. 2 may be configured to determine the parameters of a transaction, such as items sold and price per item sold, and total price of the transaction. At block 504, the transaction initiation system sends the incomplete transaction data to a dynamic promotion system. For example, the transaction initiation system 250 can be configured to transmit the incomplete transaction data through the network 110 to the dynamic promotion system 200.

[0091] At block 506, the dynamic promotion system generates and stores a transaction unique identifier or UID. For example, the transaction identification controller 218 shown in FIG. 2 can be configured to generate a unique identifier specific to this specific incomplete transaction and store that unique identifier in the promotion system databases shown at block 508, which may comprise the transactions database 202. [0092] At block 510, the dynamic promotion system sends the transaction unique identifier to the transaction initiation system. At block 512, the transaction initiation system embeds the transaction identifier in a printed code. For example, the transaction initiation system 112 illustrated in FIG. 1A may be configured to print a receipt or bill using printer 114 that includes a machine readable code comprising the transaction identifier. Such a receipt or bill is shown at block 514.

[0093] At block 516 a camera scans the machine readable code. For example, the camera 244 of the user access point system 240 illustrated in FIG. 2 may be configured to scan the code of the physical document shown at block 514. At block 518, the user access point system sends the scanned transaction identifier and a user identifier to the promotion system.

[0094] At block 520, the promotion system associates the user identifier with the incomplete transaction. For example, the user identification controller 220 illustrated in FIG. 2 may be configured to communicate with the transaction identification controller 218 and/or the transactions database 202, and/or the users database 212 to determine user information associated with the user identifier received from the user access point system and/or to associate that user identifier with the incomplete transaction.

[0095] At block 522, a promotion engine analyzes user data, transaction data and/or merchant preferences to determine a promotion to offer to the user. For example, the promotions engine 208 and/or the promotion generator 226 illustrated in FIG. 2 may be configured to analyze the incomplete transaction data and any data related to the user, in conjunction with any preferences set by the merchant and/or the user to determine an appropriate promotion, if any, to offer to this user. At block 524, the promotion system sends the transaction data or at least a portion of the transaction data and information describing the promotion to the user access point system.

[0096] At block 526, the user interface of the user access point system enables the user to accept the promotion, approve the transaction, such as by selecting a payment method, and/or to grade the transaction and/or the user's experience. At block 528, the promotion system processes the transaction, such as based on the payment method selected by the user, and optionally redeems the promotion, if the user accepted the promotion at block 526. At block 530, the promotion system stores any grading received from the user interface. For example, the grading interface 232 shown in FIG. 2 may be configured to store the grading associated with any transactions in the transactions database 202.

[0097] The dynamic promotion system may store data related to the various functions shown in FIG. 5A in the various promotion system databases shown at block 508 to, among other things, enable tracking and analysis of the performance of various promotions and/or transactions.

[0098] FIG. 5B depicts an embodiment of a process flow diagram illustrating an example process of processing a transaction, determining a promotion, and enabling sharing of that promotion. The process begins at block 502 wherein a transaction initiation system generates incomplete transaction data. For example, a restaurant point of sale system may generate details of a restaurant bill, or a utility, such as a cable provider, may generate information relating to a monthly bill for cable.

[0099] At block 504, the transaction initiation system sends the incomplete transaction data to a dynamic promotion system, such as the dynamic promotion system 200 illustrated in FIG. 2. At block 506, the dynamic promotion system generates and stores a transaction unique identifier associated with this specific incomplete transaction. The system may be configured to store that unique identifier in the promotion system databases illustrated at block 508. At block 510, the dynamic promotion system sends the transaction unique identifier back to the transaction initiation system.

[0100] At block 512, the transaction initiation system embeds the transaction unique identifier in a printed code, such as shown at block 514, which shows a printed document, such as a bill or invoice including a machine readable code. It should be noted that, although various embodiments disclosed herein embed transaction identifiers in a machine readable code of a physical document, in various other embodiments, the code may be embedded in a non-physical document or other form. For example, the machine readable code may be displayed on an electronic screen that enables a user access point system to scan that electronic screen. Further, in some embodiments, the transaction identifier may be directly transmitted to a user access point system, such as through the network 110, instead of requiring the generation of machine readable code and the scanning of the machine readable code.

[0101] At block 516, the camera of a user access point system scans the code. At block 518, the user access point system sends the transaction identifier extracted from the code along with a user identification to the promotion system.

[0102] At block 520, the promotion system associates the user identifier with the incomplete transaction. At block 522, the promotion system analyzes user data, transaction data, and/or merchant preferences to determine a promotion to offer to the user, if any.

[0103] Assuming a promotion has been determined to be offered, at block 532, the promotion engine generates and stores a promotion unique identifier specific to that promotion. At block 534, the promotion system sends data related to the transaction, the promotion, and the promotion unique identifier to the user access point system.

[0104] At block 536, the user interface of the user access point system enables the user to approve the transaction, such as by selecting a payment method and electronically signing the transaction. At block 538, the promotion system processes the transaction and optionally the promotion, if the user chose to redeem the promotion at block 536.

[0105] At block 540, the user interface receives an instruction to share the promotion. For example, the user interface may be configured to offer an option to the user to share the promotion, and the user interface may receive a click on a button that indicates to the user interface that the user would like to share the promotion with another person. At block 542, the user interface transmits the promotion unique identifier to a third party system. For example, as illustrated in FIG. IB, the user access point system may be configured to embed the promotion unique identifier in a clickable link and send such link to an SMS system, email server, social media server, another user device via near field communication, and/or the like. As used in the present embodiment, third party system means any electronic device or system not part of the present user access point system.

[0106] At block 546, the promotion system receives the promotion unique identifier from the third party system or a different third party system. For example, if the promotion unique identifier was transmitted by the user access point system to a social media server, a friend of the user may click on that link in his or her own social media page, causing the other user's computer and/or the social media system to transmit that promotional unique identifier to the promotion system.

[0107] At block 548, the promotion system stores data relating to the receipt of the promotion unique identifier in the promotion system databases shown at block 508. For example, the promotion system may store information relating to where the promotion unique identifier was received from, when it was received, who it was sent by, IP address, and/or the like, to enable tracking by the promotion system of who is sharing what promotions and what response those promotions are getting. Finally, at block 550, the promotion system optionally redeems the promotion for the third party system. This is optional because the receipt of the promotion unique identifier from a third party system may not necessarily indicate a desire by that system to redeem the promotion. For example, if a user clicks on or views an image in an email that includes the promotion unique identifier, but without intending to redeem the promotion, the promotion unique identifier may still be transmitted to the promotion system to enable the promotion system to track receipt of that shared promotion unique identifier. Accordingly, the promotion system may be configured to not only redeem shared promotions but to also track views of the shared promotion to determine what sort of exposure the promotion is getting to third parties.

[0108] Some embodiments of dynamic transaction and promotion processing systems as disclosed herein would be difficult or impossible to implement without computer hardware. For example, a system may be configured to simultaneously process, generate, and/or track a large number of transactions and/or promotions, such as 1000, 10,000, 100,000, 1 million, or more. It would be impossible for a person to generate and track unique identifiers and other variables or information associated with such large number of transactions and promotions without utilizing computer hardware. Further, various methods disclosed herein require computer hardware, such as for scanning a machine-readable code with a camera or other detector, communicating with an electronic payment clearinghouse system, printing a physical document with a machine-readable code, and the like. Computing System

[0109] FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting an embodiment of a computer hardware system configured to run software for implementing one or more embodiments of the dynamic transaction and promotion systems described herein.

[0110] In some embodiments, the computer clients and/or servers described above take the form of a computing system 600 illustrated in FIG. 6, which is a block diagram of one embodiment of a computing system that is in communication with one or more computing systems 617 and/or one or more data sources 619 via one or more networks 616. The computing system 600 may be used to implement one or more of the systems and methods described herein. In addition, in one embodiment, the computing system 600 may be configured to manage access or administer a software application. While FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a computing system 600, it is recognized that the functionality provided for in the components and modules of computing system 600 may be combined into fewer components and modules or further separated into additional components and modules.

Dynamic Promotion System Module

[0111] In one embodiment, the computing system 600 comprises a dynamic promotion system module 606 that carries out the functions described herein with reference to generating and processing transactions and promotions, including any one of the techniques described above. In some embodiments, the computing system 600 additionally comprises a transactions engine, promotions engine, and/or performance tracking engine that carry out the functions described herein with reference to generating and processing transactions and promotions. The dynamic promotion system module 606 and/or other modules may be executed on the computing system 600 by a central processing unit 602 discussed further below.

[0112] In general, the word "module," as used herein, refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, possibly having entry and exit points, written in a programming language, such as, for example, COBOL, CICS, Java, Lua, C or C++. A software module may be compiled and linked into an executable program, installed in a dynamic link library, or may be written in an interpreted programming language such as, for example, BASIC, Perl, or Python. It will be appreciated that software modules may be callable from other modules or from themselves, and/or may be invoked in response to detected events or interrupts. Software instructions may be embedded in firmware, such as an EPROM. It will be further appreciated that hardware modules may be comprised of connected logic units, such as gates and flip-flops, and/or may be comprised of programmable units, such as programmable gate arrays or processors. The modules described herein are preferably implemented as software modules, but may be represented in hardware or firmware. Generally, the modules described herein refer to logical modules that may be combined with other modules or divided into sub-modules despite their physical organization or storage.

Computing System Components

[0113] In one embodiment, the computing system 600 also comprises a mainframe computer suitable for controlling and/or communicating with large databases, performing high volume transaction processing, and generating reports from large databases. The computing system 600 also comprises a central processing unit ("CPU") 602, which may comprise a conventional microprocessor. The computing system 600 further comprises a memory 604, such as random access memory ("RAM") for temporary storage of information and/or a read only memory ("ROM") for permanent storage of information, and a mass storage device 608, such as a hard drive, diskette, or optical media storage device. Typically, the modules of the computing system 600 are connected to the computer using a standards based bus system. In different embodiments, the standards based bus system could be Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), MicroChannel, SCSI, Industrial Standard Architecture (ISA) and Extended ISA (EISA) architectures, for example.

[0114] The computing system 600 comprises one or more commonly available input/output (I/O) devices and interfaces 612, such as a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and printer. In one embodiment, the I/O devices and interfaces 612 comprise one or more display devices, such as a monitor, that allows the visual presentation of data to a user. More particularly, a display device provides for the presentation of GUIs, application software data, and multimedia presentations, for example. In one or more embodiments, the I/O devices and interfaces 612 comprise a microphone and/or motion sensor that allow a user to generate input to the computing system 600 using sounds, voice, motion, gestures, or the like. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the I/O devices and interfaces 612 also provide a communications interface to various external devices. The computing system 600 may also comprise one or more multimedia devices 610, such as speakers, video cards, graphics accelerators, and microphones, for example.

Computing System Device/Operating System

[0115] The computing system 600 may run on a variety of computing devices, such as, for example, a server, a Windows server, a Structure Query Language server, a Unix server, a personal computer, a mainframe computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a cell phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a kiosk, an audio player, an e-reader device, and so forth. The computing system 600 is generally controlled and coordinated by operating system software, such as z/OS, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Linux, BSD, SunOS, Solaris, Android, iOS, BlackBerry OS, or other compatible operating systems. In Macintosh systems, the operating system may be any available operating system, such as MAC OS X. In other embodiments, the computing system 600 may be controlled by a proprietary operating system. Conventional operating systems control and schedule computer processes for execution, perform memory management, provide file system, networking, and I/O services, and provide a user interface, such as a graphical user interface ("GUI"), among other things.

Network

[0116] In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the computing system 600 is coupled to a network 616, such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet, for example, via a wired, wireless, or combination of wired and wireless, communication link 614. The network 616 communicates with various computing devices and/or other electronic devices via wired or wireless communication links. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the network 616 is communicating with one or more computing systems 617 and/or one or more data sources 619.

[0117] Access to the recommendation system module 606 of the computer system 600 by computing systems 617 and/or by data sources 619 may be through a web-enabled user access point such as the computing systems' 617 or data source's 619 personal computer, cellular phone, smartphone, laptop, tablet computer, e-reader device, audio player, or other device capable of connecting to the network 616. Such a device may have a browser module that is implemented as a module that uses text, graphics, audio, video, and other media to present data and to allow interaction with data via the network 616.

[0118] The browser module may be implemented as a combination of an all points addressable display such as a cathode-ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, or other types and/or combinations of displays. In addition, the browser module may be implemented to communicate with input devices 612 and may also comprise software with the appropriate interfaces which allow a user to access data through the use of stylized screen elements such as, for example, menus, windows, dialog boxes, toolbars, and controls (for example, radio buttons, check boxes, sliding scales, and so forth). Furthermore, the browser module may communicate with a set of input and output devices to receive signals from the user.

[0119] The input device(s) may comprise a keyboard, roller ball, pen and stylus, mouse, trackball, voice recognition system, or pre-designated switches or buttons. The output device(s) may comprise a speaker, a display screen, a printer, or a voice synthesizer. In addition a touch screen may act as a hybrid input/output device. In another embodiment, a user may interact with the system more directly such as through a system terminal connected to the score generator without communications over the Internet, a WAN, or LAN, or similar network.

[0120] In some embodiments, the system 600 may comprise a physical or logical connection established between a remote microprocessor and a mainframe host computer for the express purpose of uploading, downloading, or viewing interactive data and databases online in real time. The remote microprocessor may be operated by an entity operating the computer system 600, including the client server systems or the main server system, an/or may be operated by one or more of the data sources 619 and/or one or more of the computing systems 617. In some embodiments, terminal emulation software may be used on the microprocessor for participating in the micro-mainframe link. [0121] In some embodiments, computing systems 617 who are internal to an entity operating the computer system 600 may access the recommendation system module 606 internally as an application or process run by the CPU 602.

User Access Point

[0122] In an embodiment, a user access point or user interface comprises a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, an e-reader device, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a GPS system, a Blackberry® device, a portable computing device, a server, a computer workstation, a local area network of individual computers, an interactive kiosk, a personal digital assistant, an interactive wireless communications device, a handheld computer, an embedded computing device, an audio player, or the like.

Other Systems

[0123] In addition to the systems that are illustrated in FIG. 6, the network 616 may communicate with other data sources or other computing devices. The computing system 600 may also comprise one or more internal and/or external data sources. In some embodiments, one or more of the data repositories and the data sources may be implemented using a relational database, such as DB2, Sybase, Oracle, CodeBase and Microsoft® SQL Server as well as other types of databases such as, for example, a flat file database, an entity- relationship database, and object-oriented database, and/or a record-based database.

[0124] Conditional language, such as, among others, "can," "could," "might," or "may," unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. The headings used herein are for the convenience of the reader only and are not meant to limit the scope of the inventions or claims.

[0125] Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Additionally, the skilled artisan will recognize that any of the above-described methods can be carried out using any appropriate apparatus. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in connection with an embodiment can be used in all other embodiments set forth herein. For all of the embodiments described herein the steps of the methods need not be performed sequentially. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system for dynamic processing of transactions and distribution of promotions, the system comprising:

a transaction processing engine that receives, through a computer network from a transaction initiation system, transaction data relating to an incomplete transaction,

the transaction processing engine configured to generate a unique transaction identifier for the incomplete transaction and to store the unique transaction identifier associated with the transaction data in an electronic transactions database,

the transaction processing engine further configured to transmit, through the computer network to the transaction initiation system, the unique transaction identifier, enabling the transaction initiation system to generate a machine readable code comprising the unique transaction identifier,

the transaction processing engine further configured to receive, through the computer network from a user access point system, the unique transaction identifier and an identification of a user, wherein the user access point system acquired the unique identifier by scanning the machine readable code;

a promotion engine that determines a promotion to offer to the user, based at least in part on the transaction data, and generates a unique promotion identifier associated with the promotion,

the transaction processing engine configured to transmit, through the computer network to the user access point system, the unique promotion identifier and at least a portion of the incomplete transaction data,

the transaction processing engine further configured to complete the incomplete transaction for the user based on a response received from the user access point system,

the promotion engine further configured to process a redemption of the promotion for a second user based on a receipt of the unique promotion identifier from a second user access point system; and one or more computers configured to operate the transaction processing and promotion engines, wherein the one or more computers comprises a computer processor and an electronic storage medium.

2. The system of Claim 1, wherein the machine readable code is printed on a physical document.

3. The system of Claim 2, wherein the physical document comprises at least one of: a receipt, a bill, an invoice, a recurring bill, and an advertisement.

4. The system of any of Claims 1-3, wherein the machine readable code comprises at least one of: a barcode, a QR code, an infrared code, and a code invisible to a human eye.

5. The system of any of Claims 1-4, wherein the transaction data is associated with the identification of the user after the user access point system scans the machine readable code.

6. The system of any of Claims 1-5, wherein the response received from the user access point system comprises a rating associated with the incomplete transaction, and the transaction processing engine is further configured to transmit the rating to a merchant system associated with the incomplete transaction.

7. The system of Claim 6, wherein the rating is transmitted to the merchant system without data identifying the user.

8. The system of any of Claims 1-7, further comprising:

a performance tracking engine configured to generate for display to a promotions administrator a graphical indicator of at least one loyalty attribute for a plurality of users.

9. The system of Claim 8, wherein the at least one loyalty attribute comprises at least one of a number of visits, a frequency of visits, an average value of orders, and a maximum value of orders.

10. A system for dynamic processing of transactions and associated promotions, the system comprising: a transaction processing engine that receives, through a computer network from a transaction initiation system, incomplete transaction data relating to an incomplete transaction,

the transaction processing engine configured to generate a unique identifier for the incomplete transaction and to store the unique identifier associated with the incomplete transaction data in an electronic transactions database,

the transaction processing engine further configured to transmit, through the computer network to the transaction initiation system, the unique identifier, enabling the transaction initiation system to generate a physical document comprising a machine readable code comprising the unique identifier,

the transaction processing engine further configured to receive, through the computer network from a user access point system, the unique identifier and a user identifier, and to associate the user identifier with the incomplete transaction data in the transactions database, wherein the user access point system acquired the unique identifier by scanning the machine readable code of the physical document;

a promotion engine that analyzes the stored incomplete transaction data and user data associated with the user identifier to determine a promotion to offer,

the transaction processing engine configured to transmit, through the computer network to the user access point system, the promotion and at least a portion of the incomplete transaction data,

the transaction processing engine further configured to complete the incomplete transaction based on a response received from the user access point system; and

one or more computers configured to operate the transaction processing and promotion engines, wherein the one or more computers comprises a computer processor and an electronic storage medium.

11. The system of Claim 10, wherein the incomplete transaction data is associated with the user identifier after the user access point system scans the machine readable code.

12. The system of Claim 10 or 11, wherein the machine readable code comprises at least one of: a barcode, a QR code, an infrared code, and a code invisible to a human eye.

13. The system of any of Claims 10-12, wherein the physical document comprises at least one of: a receipt, a bill, an invoice, a recurring bill, and an advertisement.

14. The system of any of Claims 10-13, wherein the promotion engine is further configured to generate a second unique identifier and to store the second unique identifier associated with the determined promotion in an electronic promotions database, wherein the transaction processing engine is further configured to transmit the second unique identifier to the user access point system, enabling the user access point system to share the promotion with another user by transmitting the second unique identifier to another access point system.

15. The system of Claim 14, wherein the transaction processing engine is configured to receive from a second user access point system a second user identifier and the second unique identifier, and to enable a redemption of the promotion by the second user access point system.

16. The system of any of Claims 10-15, wherein the promotion engine is further configured to analyze a merchant preference in determining the promotion to offer.

17. The system of Claim 16, wherein the merchant preference is received by the transaction processing engine with the incomplete transaction data.

18. The system of Claim 16, wherein the merchant preference is stored in a promotions database accessed by the promotions engine.

19. The system of any of Claims 10-18, wherein the response received from the user access point system comprises a rating associated with the incomplete transaction, and the transaction processing engine is further configured to transmit the rating to a merchant system associated with the incomplete transaction.

20. The system of Claim 19, wherein the rating is transmitted to the merchant system without data identifying a user associated with the user identifier.

21. A system for dynamic processing of transactions and associated promotions, the system comprising:

a promotion configuration device comprising a user interface enabling an administrator to set parameters for a promotion, at least one of the parameters configured to enable redemption of the promotion by more than one user, wherein the promotion configuration engine transmits, through a computer network to a transaction processing system, the promotion parameters;

a transaction initiation engine that transmits, through the computer network to the transaction processing system, transaction data relating to an incomplete transaction,

the transaction initiation engine configured to receive, from the transaction processing system, a unique transaction identifier associated with the incomplete transaction;

a printer that electronically communicates with the transaction initiation engine to enable application by the printer of a machine readable code to a physical document, the machine readable code comprising the unique transaction identifier, wherein the machine readable code is scannable by a camera of a user access point system associated with a user to enable completion of the transaction by the user, the promotion configuration device configured to receive, from the transaction processing system, a first electronic confirmation comprising an indication that the promotion has been issued to the user, and a second electronic communication comprising an indication that the promotion has been redeemed by a second user associated with a second transaction; and

one or more computers configured to operate the promotion configuration device and transaction initiation engine, wherein the one or more computers comprises a computer processor and an electronic storage medium.

22. The system of Claim 21, wherein the physical document comprises at least a receipt, a bill, an invoice, a recurring bill, and an advertisement.