Method and system for consumer award program for washroom usage

• US 10,395,267 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2015
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Becker, Stephen, Dunbar, Charlene, Kirkland, Jason, Moede, Warren, Schulz, Thomas H, Sheehan, Chrissy, Shipp, Jr., Peter W., Tramontina, Paul F., Zielinski, Matthew T
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoel, Matthew D
• Application Number:
  US15/552,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20180018689A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,644 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0639 Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06398 Performance of employee with respect to a job function
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/127 Shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0233 Method of redeeming a frequent usage reward
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

A system and control method are provided for encouraging patron use of washrooms at commercial establishments. A plurality of commercial establishments are enrolled in a washroom rewards program, as well as patrons that may frequent or visit such establishments. Respective point values in the washroom rewards program are established for defined washroom activities performed by the patrons in the washrooms of the commercial establishments. The identity and location of the commercial establishments are provided to the patrons. Upon the patrons performing one of the defined washroom activities in one of the commercial establishments, the patron is identified and awarded credit of the points for the defined activity to a player account assigned to the patron. Provisions are made for the patrons to redeem accumulated points in their respective account for an award.

Claims

1. A method for encouraging patron use of washrooms at commercial establishments, wherein the commercial establishments are any one or combination of restaurants, service stations, convenience stores, or retail establishments, the method comprising:

enrolling a plurality of the commercial establishments in a washroom rewards program;

enrolling patrons in the washroom rewards program;

assigning respective point values in the washroom rewards program for defined washroom activities performed by the patrons in the washrooms of the commercial establishments;

providing identity and location of the commercial establishments participating in the washroom rewards program to the patrons that are within a defined distance from the patron'"'"'s actual location or within a geographic region identified by the patron, the identity and location of the commercial establishments indicated on a map provided by an application running on a mobile smart device carried by the patrons;

upon the patrons performing one of the defined washroom activities in one of the commercial establishments, identifying the patron and crediting the point value for the defined activity to a player account assigned to the patron; and

providing for the patrons to redeem accumulated points in their respective account for an award.

2. The method as in claim 1, further comprising delivering a personalized message to the patron via a broadcast device configured within the washroom, the personalized message identifying the patron by name and stating the point value earned by the patron for the performed washroom activity.

3. The method as in claim 1, wherein the application identifies the point value of one or more of the defined washroom activities at the commercial establishments indicated on the map.

4. The method as in claim 3, wherein one of the defined washroom activities includes entering the washroom, wherein the patron is awarded a point value for visiting the commercial establishment and entering the washroom.

5. The method as in claim 1, wherein points are also earned by the patrons for activities performed at the commercial establishments.

6. The method as in claim 1, further comprising configuring the washrooms in the commercial establishments with a transmitter device that broadcasts an ID signal unique to the commercial establishment, and providing the patrons with capability to receive the unique ID signals on a mobile smart device carried by the patron upon entry into the washroom, wherein a central server is in communication with the commercial establishments and the patron'"'"'s mobile smart device and identifies the patron, the particular commercial establishment, and the washroom activity performed by the patron, the central server automatically crediting the patron'"'"'s account with the point value for the washroom activity.

7. The method as in claim 6, wherein the transmitter device is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) beacon that emits a BTLE ID signal unique to the commercial establishment, the patron'"'"'s mobile smart device configured with an application that enables the mobile smart device to receive the BTLE ID signal and transmit all or part of the BTLE ID signal to the central server.

8. The method as in claim 7, wherein the central server identifies the patron from the transmission from the patron'"'"'s mobile smart device, and generates a personalized message to the patron that identifies the patron by name.

9. The method as in claim 8, wherein the personalized message is delivered to the patron via the patron'"'"'s mobile smart device.

10. The method as in claim 8, wherein the personalized message is delivered via a broadcast device in the washroom.

11. The method as in claim 1, wherein one of the defined washroom activities for which a point value is assigned is the amount of a product dispensed from a dispenser in the washroom facility.

12. The method as in claim 1, wherein one of the defined washroom activities for which a point value is assigned is the amount of time the patron spends washing their hands.

13. The method as in claim 12, further comprising providing a timer display in the washroom facility that indicates actual hand washing time to the patron.

14. The method as in claim 1, further comprising generating and transmitting a personalized message to the patron in the washroom facility, wherein the personalized message includes health information obtained from a personal health tracker device worn by the patron.