Interactive computerized methods and apparatus for conducting an incentive awards program

• US 20020069109A1
• Filed: 08/20/2001
• Published: 06/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1995
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Phoneworks, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Phoneworks, Inc.
• Inventors: Wendkos, Brad
• Application Number:
  US09/932,091
• Publication Number:
  US 20020069109A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0633 Workflow analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0217 involving input on products or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0223 based on inventory
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals

Abstract

A computer implemented system awards promotional incentives. A participant in the awards system calls or connects to an interactive platform for registering and/or redeeming credits preferably described in uniquely identified certificates. In a telephone environment, the interactive platform is connected to a toll free telephone number where a participant'"'"'s call is handled by a computer controlled voice response unit. In a computer network environment, a computer user connects to the interactive platform over the network. The participant receives awards credits based on the unique identification of certificates. Award credits for a participant are accumulated in a stored record associated with the participant until redeemed. Award credits can also be acquired as an instant winner based on a random or algorithmic selection of callers to receive such credits. Awards include electronic prizes such as free long distance telephone time, electronic cash and/or service credits. Connection to the interactive platform may occur during execution of an application program such as an electronic game or electronic shopping.

Claims

1. Computer apparatus for carrying out a promotional awards program, comprising:

a. a processor;

b. a memory medium accessible by said processor; and

c. a database stored on said memory medium, said database including information about participants in said program and information about how calls from a participant will be handled based on information about said participants.

2. The computer apparatus of claim 1, in which said data base also includes information about awards.

3. The computer apparatus of claim 1, in which said data base also includes information about personal identification numbers.

4. The computer apparatus of claim 1, in which said data base also includes information about certificates.

5. The computer apparatus of claim 1, in which said processor is configured to request name and address from participants based on information about participants stored in said database.

6. The computer apparatus of claim 1, in which said processor is configured to provide participants with an award based on information contained in said database.

7. The computer apparatus of claim 6, in which said processor is configured to provide participants with awards in quantities and value which are under the control of a sponsor of said promotional program.

8. The computer apparatus of claim 6, in which said processor is configured to provide participants with awards with a controlled geographical distribution.

9. The computer apparatus of claim 1, in which said processor is configured to distribute awards which are electronically deliverable awards.

10. The computer apparatus of claim 9 in which at least one electronically deliverable award is access to long distance telephone service.

11. The computer apparatus of claim 9 in which at least one electronically deliverable award is an electronic transfer of cash.

12. The computer apparatus of claim 9 in which at least one electronically deliverable award is an electronic transfer of a credit.

13. The computer apparatus of claim 1, in which said processor is configured to provide messages to a participant in response to a participant'"'"'s call.

14. The computer apparatus of claim 13 in which the content of said messages for a particular call depends on information stored in said database.

15. The computer apparatus of claim 1, in which said processor is configured to provide one or more polling queries to a participant in response information contained in said database.

16. The computer apparatus of claim 15 in which said queries are selected from a pool of queries based on information contained within said database.

18. The system of claim 17 in which said network devices include telephones.

19. The system of claim 17 in which said network devices include computers.

20. The system of claim 19, in which said computers run a client process.

21. The system of claim 17, in which said processor runs a server process.

30. The method of claim 1, in which said processor is configured to distribute awards which are electronically deliverable awards.

17. A system for carrying out a promotional awards program, comprising:

a. a network;

b. a processor having a memory medium and a database stored on said memory medium, connected to said network, said database including information about participants in said program and information about how calls from a participant will be handled based on information about said participants; and

c. network devices, connected to said network, for communications with said processor.

22. A method of awarding promotional incentives to a participant, comprising the steps of:

a. receiving a communication from said participant,

b. retrieving information about said participant from a database based on information contained in said communication, and

c. controlling interaction with said participant based on information about said participant retrieved from said database.

23. The method of claim 22 in which said communication is a telephone call.

24. The method of claim 22 in which said communications is a digital connection.

25. The method of claim 24 in which said digital connection is a connection over a computer network.

26. The method of claim 22 in which said interaction includes polling one or more participants based on information contained about a participant stored in said database.

27. The method of claim 22 in which said interaction includes providing participants with awards based on information contained in said database.

28. The method of claim 27, in which said interaction includes providing participants with awards in quantities and value which are under the control of a sponsor of said promotional program.

29. The method of claim 27, in which said interaction includes providing participants with awards with a controlled geographical distribution.

31. The method of claim 22 in which said interaction includes providing audio signals to a participant in response to a participant'"'"'s call.

32. The method of claim 22 in which said interaction includes providing audio signals to a participant in response to a participant'"'"'s call.

33. Method of awarding promotional incentives to a purchaser comprising the steps of:

a. receiving a call from a purchaser;

b. recording a certificate number entered by the purchaser; and

c. incrementing award credits for the purchaser based on said certificate number.

34. The method of claim 33 in which

a promotional incentive is long distance telephone time.

35. The method of claim 34 in which said long distance telephone time can be redeemed by calling the same number which the purchaser uses to enter a certificate number and requesting connection to a long distance number.

36. The method of claim 33 in which

a promotional incentive is a credit in cash or cash equivalent.

37. The method of claim 33 in which

a promotional incentive is merchandise.

38. The method of claim 37 in which the calling number from which the purchaser makes a call is identified automatically and used to access the purchaser'"'"'s address in a database.

39. The method of claim 38 in which the purchaser'"'"'s address is confirmed by generating a vocal representation of at least a first few characters of the address and a generating a question to the purchaser whether the address is correct.

40. The method of claim 37 in which the purchaser is asked to speak the address to which the merchandise is to be sent and a response from the purchaser is stored.

41. The method of claim 33 in which said certificate is a two piece certificate which opens to reveal a certificate number inside.

42. The method of claim 41 in which a telephone number to call is also included inside.

43. The method of claim 33 in which selected callers are awarded instant winner award credits when they call.

44. A method of changing interaction with a caller who calls a telephone number as part of a promotional awards program, comprising the steps of:

a. storing an indication of the number of times a caller has called; and

b. selecting interactions based on said number.

45. The method of claim 44 in which said interactions are selected using a call flow table.

46. A method of awarding promotional incentives to a purchaser comprising the steps of:

a. issuing certificates to participants upon purchase of goods or services to be promoted, each certificate having a unique identification;

b. receiving a call from a purchaser including said unique identification; and

c. incrementing award credits for a purchaser, based on said unique identification.

47. A system for awarding promotional incentives to a purchaser, comprising:

a. a telephone system;

b. a voice response unit, connected to said telephone system; and

c. a computer system connected to said voice response unit for identifying a purchaser and for awarding promotional incentives based on the number of a certificate in the possession of the purchaser.

48. A computer program product, comprising:

a. a memory medium; and

b. a computer program stored on said memory medium, said computer program containing instructions for receiving a call from a purchaser;

recording a certificate number entered by the purchaser; and

incrementing award credits for the purchaser based on said certificate number.

49. A computer program product, comprising:

a. a memory medium; and

b. a computer program stored on said memory medium, said computer program containing instructions for storing an indication of the number of times a caller has called; and

selecting interactions based on said number.

50. A computer program product, comprising:

a. a memory medium; and

b. a substrate having a certificate number printed thereon;

b. a computer program stored on said memory medium, said computer program containing instructions for incrementing award credits for a participant based on said certificate number.

51. A computer program product comprising:

a. a memory medium; and

b. a computer program stored on said memory medium, said computer program containing instructions for receiving a communication from said participant, retrieving information about said participant from a database based on information contained in said communication, and controlling interaction with said participant based on information about said participant retrieved from said database.

52. A method of awarding promotional incentives to a user, comprising the steps of:

a. loading an interactive program; and

b. while said user is running said interactive program, connecting to an interactive platform for providing at least one promotional incentive to said user.

53. The method of claim 52 in which said interactive program is a game.

54. The method of claim 53 in which said game is stored on a CD-ROM.

55. A computer program product comprising:

a. a memory medium; and

b. a computer program stored on said memory medium, said computer program containing instructions for connecting to an interactive platform for providing at least one promotional incentive to a user of said program.