Method and apparatus for identifying customers for delivery of promotional materials

• US 20020107730A1
• Filed: 02/05/2001
• Published: 08/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Bernstein
• Original Assignee: Robert Bernstein
• Inventors: Bernstein, Robert
• Application Number:
  US09/777,098
• Publication Number:
  US 20020107730A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0248 Avoiding fraud
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0268 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for identifying potential customers for delivery of promotional materials. The method includes the steps of forming a customer profile by a vendor for targeting delivery of the promotional materials to potential customers, identifying customers which match the customer profile within a database of a third party and forwarding promotional materials to the identified customers.

Claims

1. A method of identifying potential customers for delivery of promotional materials, such method comprising the steps of:

forming a customer profile by a vendor for targeting delivery of the promotional materials to potential customers;

identifying customers which match the customer profile within a database of a third party; and

forwarding promotional materials to the identified customers.

2. The method of identifying potential customers as in claim 1 further comprising detecting a purchase by a customer of the identified customers.

3. The method of identifying potential customers as in claim 2 wherein the step of forwarding promotional materials further comprises printing out the promotional materials at a point of sale of the purchase.

4. The method of identifying potential customers as in claim 3 wherein the step of forwarding promotional materials further comprises printing out a coupon.

5. The method of identifying potential customers as in claim 1 wherein the step of forwarding promotional materials further comprises composing an e-mail to the identified customer.

6. The method of identifying potential customers as in claim 5 wherein the step of forwarding promotional materials further comprises providing indicia of authenticity within the promotional materials.

7. The method of identifying potential customers as in claim 1 wherein the step of forming the customer profile further comprises specifying a geographical locale of prior purchases made by the potential customers.

8. The method of identifying potential customers as in claim 1 wherein the step of forming the customer profile further comprises specifying a subject matter of prior purchases made by the potential customers.

9. An apparatus for identifying potential customers for delivery of promotional materials, such apparatus comprising:

means for forming a customer profile by a vendor for targeting delivery of the promotional materials to potential customers;

means for identifying customers which match the customer profile within a database of a third party; and

means for forwarding promotional materials to the identified customers.

10. The apparatus for identifying potential customers as in claim 9 further comprising means for detecting a purchase by a customer of the identified customers.

11. The apparatus for identifying potential customers as in claim 10 wherein the means for forwarding promotional materials further comprises means for printing out the promotional materials at a point of sale of the purchase.

12. The apparatus for identifying potential customers as in claim 11 wherein the means for forwarding promotional materials further comprises means for printing out a coupon.

13. The apparatus for identifying potential customers as in claim 9 wherein the means for forwarding promotional materials further comprises means for composing an e-mail to the identified customer.

17. The apparatus for identifying potential customers as in claim 13 wherein the means for forwarding promotional materials further comprises means for providing indicia of authenticity within the promotional materials.

18. The apparatus for identifying potential customers as in claim 9 wherein the means for forming the customer profile further comprises means for specifying a geographical locale of prior purchases made by the potential customers.

19. The apparatus for identifying potential customers as in claim 9 wherein the means for forming the customer profile further comprises means for specifying a subject matter of prior purchases made by the potential customers.

20. An apparatus for identifying potential customers for delivery of promotional materials, such apparatus comprising:

a data entry device adapted to form a customer profile by a vendor for targeting delivery of the promotional materials to potential customers;

a comparator adapted to identify customers which match the customer profile within a database of a third party; and

a communication processor adapted to forward promotional materials to the identified customers.

21. The apparatus for identifying potential customers as in claim 20 further comprising a transaction processor adapted to detect a purchase by a customer of the identified customers.

22. The apparatus for identifying potential customers as in claim 21 wherein the communication processor further comprises a printer adapted to print out the promotional materials at a point of sale of the purchase.

23. The apparatus for identifying potential customers as in claim 20 wherein the forwarding promotional materials further comprises indicia of authenticity provided within the promotional materials.

24. The apparatus for identifying potential customers as in claim 20 wherein the customer profile further comprises a geographical locale of prior purchases made by the potential customers.

25. The apparatus for identifying potential customers as in claim 20 wherein the customer profile further comprises a subject matter of prior purchases made by the potential customers.