WO2020047561A1

WO2020047561A1 - Method and system for multiple product redemption

Info

Publication number: WO2020047561A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2019/050049
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hayden Paul Schwarz; Neil LOWE
Original assignee: Arbalest Solutions (Pty) Limited
Priority date: 2018-08-30
Filing date: 2019-08-22
Publication date: 2020-03-05
Also published as: ZA202005415B

Abstract

This invention relates to a method (10) and an associated system (30) for redeeming multiple products with a single voucher (110), the method (10) comprising the steps of: selecting a series of at least two products for bundling into a single offer (40); generating (90) a unique identifier for that specific offer (70); creating (100) a voucher (110) for that offer (70); priming (135) the series of licenses (140a, 140b, 140n) associated with the offer (70); redeeming the offer via activation of the unique identifier, in which step the customer (55) customises at least one element of the offer (70), such that all products in the offer (70) are activated via the injection of a single redemption key (120), where the redemption key (120) is associated uniquely with the unique identifier. The invention extends, further, to various aspects of validation in the method (10).

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MULTIPLE PRODUCT REDEMPTION

Field Of The Invention

THIS INVENTION relates, broadly, to a method for redeeming multiple products with a single voucher. It also extends, broadly, to a method and system for digital transaction management.

Background To The Invention

In this specification, the following acronyms and terms are used: * “product” means any of (1 ) a communication device - including, but not limited to a mobile phone, PC and tablet; (2) a virtual product or service - including, but not limited to: data, anti-virus packages, a software license, and a software subscription renewal; and (3) a combination of a communication device and a virtual product or service;

· “vendor'’ means the service provider or distributor of a product;

• “service provider” means the provider of vouchers directly to end user customers;

• “customer” means an end-user of a product;

• “URL” designates Universal Resource Locator (or internet shortcut); and

• “shortened URL” refers to the well-known HTTP redirect process technology that is utilised to convert a (relatively) lengthy URL into a (relatively) short domain name, which links onto the former. Each of these terms is well understood in the art. In addition, in this specification, references to licensed software products are understood, equally, to embrace all manner of licensed software services, too, without exclusion.

Increasingly often, software applications are commercialised via some form of license. The prior art is replete with multiple variations of these. For example, and quite commonly, software installation packages are made available over-the-counter, with a corresponding license key provided as part of the package, and the license is then activated on the customer accepting either a“shrink-wrap” or a“click-wrap" agreement. An electronic equivalent is also well-known, in which a license may be acquired on an online environment, in which a digital key is injected (that is; entered electronically) as part of the transaction. In a further alternative, single sign-on systems are also known, in which an identification token or a voucher for particular products is acquired, and then authorised by the customer on an online platform - well known examples of which include vouchers for virtual online stores, including the Apple® iTunes® store, the Microsoft® Xbox Live® store, etc).

Certain single vouchers have also been introduced that allow for the redemption of more than one product. For example: as illustrated in Figure 1 ; a cellular service provider may bundle a particular cellular handset together with a certain amount of data in a particular package. A customer wishing to accept this deal would acquire both the handset and data allocation through the redemption of a single voucher. Certainly, this has an element of convenience from the point of view that a customer is able to redeem multiple products using a single voucher. However, this type of voucher suffers from a number of inherent limitations and disadvantages, including these: first, such solutions are very restrictive in that the customer is compelled to accept every one of the specifications of the voucher, including the identity of the service provider and also the amount of data that is made available in the deal. In short: there is no possibility of personalising any element of the products offered in the package.

A further shortcoming of the prior art solution - specifically, affecting service providers - is that, typically, they are compelled to pay license fees and product fees for products in advance, to the respective service providers, at risk. The service providers are able only to recoup those costs if and when customers purchase a voucher for those products. This is regarded as financially risky and undesirable by service providers.

Object Of The Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a system that will overcome, at least partially, the disadvantages described above.

Summary Of The Invention According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for redeeming multiple products with a single voucher, the method comprising the steps of:

• selecting a series of at least two products for bundling into a single offer;

• generating a unique identifier for that specific offer;

• creating a voucher for that offer;

• priming the series of licenses associated with the offer;

• redeeming the offer via activation of the unique identifier, in which step the customer customises at least one element of the offer,

characterised in that all products in the offer are activated via the injection of a single redemption key, where the redemption key is associated uniquely with the unique identifier.

The unique identifier may be selected from the group consisting of: a shortened URL, a barcode, QR code, a ShortCode, an Aztec Code, a visual identifier, and an audiai identifier.

The method may further be characterised in that the unique identifier and the redemption key are obscured from view on the voucher on its initial presentation to the customer.

Details of each of the series of licenses may be stored in a digital vault. The step of redeeming the offer may include the customer entering at least some personal detail.

The short URL and the redemption key may be revealed to the customer via the removal of a surface coated film, alternatively via the opening of a perforated layer, in the case of a paper-based voucher.

The unique identifier and the redemption key may be revealed to the customer via the emailing of that detail to the customer, in the case of a digital voucher.

The method may further include the step of validating a voucher and, if validated, retrieving licenses associated with the voucher from the digital vault.

The method may further include the step of permitting the customer to customise at least some aspect of at least one product in the offer.

The method may further include the step of validating whether the redemption key injected matches the unique identifier associated with the offer.

The method may further include the step of validating a given email address of the customer. The method may further include the step of sending at least one product redemption link to the customer. Each product redemption link may direct the customer to a particular vendor’s website, on which a specific product voucher is generated for the customer, in accordance with the product specifications of the offer.

The method may further include the step of issuing a series of primed product-specific vouchers from at least one vendor to the service provider, the product-specific vouchers being activated only upon injection of the redemption key.

The method may further include the step of directing the customer to make payment for the transaction via a payment portal.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for redeeming multiple products with a single voucher, the system comprising:

* a catalogue of products, from which a selection is bundled into a specific offer;

• a voucher displaying a unique identifier and a linked redemption key associated with the specific offer;

• a digital vault, in which details of each voucher and their associated product licenses is stored; and • a server, on which a database of customer details is hosted, and associated with particular product licenses;

characterised in that the injection of the redemption key redeems every element of the offer in favour of the customer.

The unique identifier may be selected from the group consisting of: a shortened URL, (one-dimensional) barcode, QR code, a ShortCode, an Aztec Code, a visual identifier, and an audial identifier. Preferably, the unique identifier is a shortened URL.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

In order to describe the invention, embodiments thereof are described hereunder, purely as examples, without limiting the scope of the invention, wherein:

Figure 1 is an example of a voucher according to the Prior Art: and

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a method for redeeming multiple products with a single voucher, according to a first aspect of the invention; and

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a system for redeeming multiple products with a single voucher, according to a first aspect of the invention. Detailed Description Of The Drawings

A typical voucher disclosed in the prior art is depicted in Figurel , referred to by numeral 10, the disadvantages of which have been described above in the Background.

Referring to Figures 2 & 3, which depict a preferred embodiment of the invention, a method for redeeming multiple products with a single voucher, is disclosed and is referred to generally by numeral 20, in Figure 2, The corresponding system is also disclosed and is referred to generally by numeral 30, in Figure 3. It is instructive to review Figures 2 & 3 together. It will also be noted that the flow chart in Figure 2 has been depicted over three discreet stages A, B and C, and is also depicted with reference to which of the players (described in detail below) conducts which of the steps in the method 20.

The method 20 commences in the step designated 40, when a service provider 50 selects a series of products (not depicted) from a catalogue 60. These selected products are bundled together to form a discreet, specific offer 70. These products originate from different vendors (80a, 80b, ... , 80n) and are priced accordingly by the service provider 50. In the next step 90, a unique identifier (not depicted) is generated for that offer. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the unique identifier takes the form of an EAN barcode (a standardised barcode known as a European Article Number barcode). However, it is envisaged that in other embodiments of the invention (not depicted) the unique identifier takes the form of a shortened URL, (one-dimensional) barcode, QR code, a ShortCode, an Aztec Code, a visual identifier, and an audial identifier. It is worth mentioning: since a number of customers 55 will wish to take advantage of the same offer 70, a number of vouchers 110 will need to be generated to accommodate that demand - each customer 55 will be presented with his own voucher 110, For this reason, it follows that every voucher 110 generated for this particular offer 70 will include the same EAN barcode (since it is specific to that particular offer 70). However, each voucher 110 will also include a further, unique identifier (in a preferred embodiment of the invention, this takes the form of a C128 bar code), and each specific C128 bar code will differ between the series of vouchers 110, each such C128 bar code identifying the unique instance of each voucher 110. This is particularly useful, in that it enables individual tracking of each specific voucher 110 issued to each specific customer 55 who took-up the specific offer 70.

Regarding the vouchers 110 themselves: in the case of a paper- based voucher (not disclosed), it is envisaged that the short URL and the redemption key 120 will be obscured from view by means of a layer of film that is designed to be scratched off to reveal the detail in fact, the only detail that appears on the face of such vouchers 110 is the EAN barcode and the C128 barcode described above. In an alternative embodiment to the scratch film (not depicted) it is envisaged that a perforated portion will be provided on the voucher 110, which perforation is intended to be opened selectively in order to reveal the short URL and the redemption key 120.

In the case of the digital voucher analogue, it is envisaged that the detail displayed to the customer 55 on the screen would indicate only the same EAN barcode and the C128 barcode described above. When the offer 70 is accepted by the customer 55, the details of the short URL and the redemption key 120 would be emailed to the customer 55, and revealed to him only then. It will be appreciated that this security feature is useful in preventing unauthorised persons from utilising a bare voucher 110 to acquire the products made available in an offer 70: only a legitimate customer will be given sight of the essential short URL and redemption key 120.

Thereafter, in step 100, voucher 110 is created, and includes detail of the products constituting the specific offer 70, and also the unique redemption data for the bundled offer 70. That unique redemption data, in turn, includes a unique URL, a serial number and a unique redemption key 120. These are described in further detail below. For present purposes, and for example, typical associated pairs of data would appear as follows:

Table 1 : Typical Examples Of Paired / Associated Short URLs and

Redemption Keys It will be appreciated by the expert in the field that, even though each short URL is paired uniquely with each associated redemption key 120, neither is derived programmatically from the other. It will also be appreciated that, once a unique pair of short URL and associated redemption key 120 have been injected, they will be removed from database 230 (which is discussed in further detail below), thus preventing any other person from attempting to use the same voucher 110 to redeem the same offer 70 a second time.

In the next step 120, an order is placed for an offer 70 and the associated voucher 110 for that transaction is printed. In the embodiment depicted in the accompanying Figures, this step 120 is initiated by the customer 55 himself, either via an online purchase, or over the counter at a service provider's 50 store (not depicted), in another embodiment of the invention (not depicted) step 120 is initiated by the service provider 50 itself, in bulk, and in anticipation of selling these vouchers 110 at a later date.

It is stressed that, whereas each of the products in offer 70 originates from a discreet vendor (80a, 80n, ... , 80n) they are all linked to a single, unique set of redemption data made available on each voucher 110 - that is one of the core advantages of the present invention. At this stage in the method 20, two things occur substantially simultaneously: first, in step 130, the voucher 110 is delivered to the customer 55 - it will be appreciated by the expert in the field that the mode of delivery of the voucher 110 will correspond appropriately to the manner in which step 120 was initiated. So, for example: if customer 55 initiated the order for offer 70 in-store, the voucher 110 is printed there are handed to the customer 55; conversely, if customer 55 accepted the offer 70 online, then a virtual voucher 110 is generated for customer 55 to print. The second aspect to occur, in step 135, is that vendor licenses (140a, 140b, .... 140n) are requested from each of the corresponding vendors {80a, 80b, 80n). It is important to stress that, at this point, those licenses (140a, 140b . 140n) are primed, but not yet activated - this is quite intentional.

The allocated licenses (140a, 140b, ..., 140n) are allocated in step 150 and then stored in a virtual vault 160. Each license (140a, 140b . 140n) is linked uniquely to each voucher 110 via the unique set of redemption data described above. This is what enables the advantage of customer 55 achieving redemption of every one of the discreet products in offer 70 substantially simultaneously.

At this point, customer 55 has now received voucher 110, and is ready to receive each product of the offer 70. This is done by the customer 55 accessing the unique URL through a web browser (not depicted) in step 170, Typically, this will be done by the customer 55 typing in detail of the URL 50 into a web browser (not shown). In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a visual identifier, such as a QR code (not depicted), is presented on the voucher 110 instead of or in addition to the printed shortened URL, which the customer will access using a conventional QR code reader (not depicted). On accessing the URL, customer 55 is directed to a custom online store, where detail is displayed of each of the products that he purchased in offer 70. in order to access and activate the products, customer 55 is required, first, to enter the unique redemption key 120 (which appears on voucher 110) and also prompted to enter at least some detail personal to the customer 55. This detail includes information such as the customer 55's name, preferred email address, communication preferences, and the like. It will be appreciated that this detail is typical in the relationship between a software licensor (not depicted) and licensee (not depicted), in order to give effect to the relationship between the parties. This is conducted over internet environment 220, although it will be appreciated that a closed intranet environment would work equally well instead in other embodiments of the invention.

In an embodiment of the invention, at part of this step 170, customer 55 is presented with an opportunity to customise at least some element of the offer 70, For example: in an instance in which one of the products included in the offer 70 is the provision of data from a vendor 80, customer 55 is able to select which particular vendor (80a, 80b, ..., 80n) he would prefer, and also precisely how much data the customer 55 would like provided each month, etc. Conveniently, this process is accommodated via the provision of drop-down menus (not depicted).

At this stage, in step 180 on the service provider 50’s server 190, customer 55’s details are captured on database 230, voucher 110 validity is tested by validating whether the redemption key injected exists, is valid, and that it is associated with the unique identifier (for example: the short URL that was entered by the customer 55 in step 170). if, and only if, this validation is positive, will the relevant licenses (140a, 140b, ..., 140n) be retrieved from the vault 160.

It will be appreciated by the expert in the field that licenses (140a, 140b, ... , 140n) are activated only at this stage in the method 20. This provides a significant financial advantage to service provider 50, in that the service provider becomes liable for the cost of such licenses (140a, 140b, ... , 140n) only at this point, even though they were issued to the service provider

50 by vendors (80a, 80b, ... , 80n) in step 135, when the licenses (140a, 140b, ... , 140n) were primed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in step 200, an email is sent to custom 55’s elected email address in order to authenticate the same. This verification check 200 is also conducted at the server 190. Following successful validation, in step 210, customer 55 is then emailed a series of unique product redemption links (not depicted), each of which will direct the customer 55 to a dedicated download web page (not depicted) each respective vendor (80a, 80b . 80n) on which the digital rights to delivery of the software product will be activated, and the desired software application will be downloaded, onto the customer’s 55 computer (not depicted) thus concluding the transaction. In clicking on these links, customer 55 is able to install and active each respective product, Correspondingly, in cases in which a product is a communication device, the redemption link is substituted for a voucher that the customer 55 is able to redeem instore at a vendor location.

In an embodiment of the invention (not depicted), the method 20 further includes a step in which customer 55 is directed to a payment portal, where he is primed to make payment for the offer 70.

For completeness, it will also be appreciated that detailed reporting relating to the licenses (140a, 140b, ... , 140n) and respective products will then be reconciled between the service provider 50 and vendors (80a, 80b, ... , 80n).

It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that numerous embodiments of the invention could be performed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the consistory statements above.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method (10) for redeeming multiple products with a single voucher

(110), the method (10) comprising the steps of:

* selecting a series of at least two products for bundling into a single offer (40);

* generating (90) a unique identifier for that specific offer (70);

* creating (100) a voucher (110) for that offer (70);

* priming (135) the series of licenses (140a, 140b, ..., 140n) associated with the offer (70);

* redeeming the offer via activation of the unique identifier, in which step the customer (55) customises at least one element of the offer (70),

characterised in that all products in the offer (70) are activated via the injection of a single redemption key (120), where the redemption key

(120) is associated uniquely with the unique identifier.

2. A method (10) according to claim 1 wherein the unique identifier is selected from the group consisting of: a shortened URL, a barcode, QR code, a ShortCode, an Aztec Code, a visual identifier, and an audial identifier.

3. A method (10) according to claim 1 wherein the unique identifier and the redemption key (120) are obscured from view on the voucher (110) on its initial presentation to the customer (55). 4. A method (10) according to claim 1 wherein details of each of the series of licenses (140a, 140b, 140n) is stored in a digital vault

(160). 5. A method (10) according to claim 1 wherein the step of redeeming the offer (70) includes the customer (55) entering at least some personal detail.

6. A method (10) according to claim 2 wherein the short URL and the redemption key (120) are revealed to the customer (55) via the removal of a surface coated film, alternatively via the opening of a perforated layer, in the case of a paper-based voucher (110).

7. A method (10) according to claim 2 wherein the unique identifier and the redemption key (120) are revealed to the customer (55) via the emailing of that detail (200) to the customer (55), in the case of a digital voucher (110).

8. A method (10) according to claim 1 which further includes the step of validating a voucher (110) and, if validated, retrieving (180) licenses

(140a, 140b, ... , 140n) associated with the voucher (110) from the digital vault (160). 9. A method (10) according to claim 1 which further includes the step of permitting the customer (55) to customise at least some aspect of at least one product in the offer (70). 10. A method (10) according to claim 1 which further includes the step of validating whether the redemption key (120) injected matches the unique identifier associated with the offer (70).

11. A method (10) according to claim 1 which further includes the step of validating a given email address of the customer (55).

12. A method (10) according to claim 1 which further includes the step of sending at least one product redemption link (210) to the customer (55).

13. A method (10) according to claim 12 wherein each product redemption link directs the customer (55) to a particular vendor’s website (170), on which a specific product voucher (110) is generated for the customer (55), in accordance with the product specifications of the offer (70).

14. A method (10) according to claim 1 which further includes the step of issuing a series of primed product-specific vouchers (110) from at least one vendor (80) to the service provider (50), the product-specific vouchers (110) being activated only upon injection of the redemption key (120). 15. A method (10) according to claim 1 which further includes the step of directing the customer (55) to make payment for the transaction via a payment portal.

16. A system (30) for redeeming multiple products with a single voucher

(110), the system (30) comprising:

• a catalogue of products (60), from which a selection is bundled into a specific offer (70);

• a voucher (110) displaying a unique identifier and a linked redemption key (120) associated with the specific offer (70);

• a digital vault (160), in which details of each voucher (110) and their associated product licenses (140a, 140b . 140n) is stored; and

• a server 190), on which a database (230) of customer (55) details is hosted, and associated with particular product licenses (140a, 140b, .... 140n);

characterised in that the injection of the redemption key (120) redeems every element of the offer (70) in favour of the customer (55).

17. A system (30) according to claim 16 wherein the unique identifier is selected from the group consisting of: a shortened URL, (one- dimensional) barcode, QR code, a ShortCode, an Aztec Code, a visual identifier, and an audial identifier.