Method and system for collecting and processing marketing data

• US 20030023492A1
• Filed: 06/19/2002
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bruce Morehouse, John Riordan
• Original Assignee: Bruce Morehouse, John Riordan
• Inventors: Riordan, John, Morehouse, Bruce
• Application Number:
  US10/174,577
• Publication Number:
  US 20030023492A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• 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

Abstract

A system and method for the collection of marketing data simultaneously captures at a point-of-sale all financial and non-financial data pertaining to a specific consumer transaction. An electronic invoice is constructed from the captured data and transmitted to a credit authorization location via a communication link necessarily established to transmit a credit authorization request for the transaction. The electronic invoice contains line item data for each item purchased as part of the transaction. The invoice is organized around the identification number of the payment vehicle employed by the customer to pay for the transaction, thus linking the purchasing information contained in the invoice to a particular consumer. The credit authorization location receives the transmitted electronic invoice and forwards the invoice to a data warehouse, which may be located in a location remote from the credit authorization location. The data warehouse comprises a plurality of related data structures for storing the received data. The related data structures facilitate simple and flexible analysis and searching of the collected market data.

Claims

1. A method of collecting marketing information, comprising:

collecting, at a first point-of-sale operated by a first retailer, line item data pertaining to a first transaction;

establishing a first communication link between the first point-of-sale and a credit authorization location operated by a credit authorization authority distinct from the first retailer;

transmitting a first credit authorization request from the first point-of-sale to the credit authorization location via the first communication link;

transmitting the line item data pertaining to the first transaction from the first point-of-sale to the credit authorization location via the first communication link;

collecting at a second point-of-sale operated by a second retailer, line item data pertaining to a second transaction;

establishing a second communication link between the second point-of-sale and the credit authorization location, the entity operating the credit authorization location being distinct from the second retailer;

transmitting a second credit authorization request from the second point-of-sale to the credit authorization location via the second communication link;

transmitting the line item data pertaining to the second transaction from the second point-of-sale to the credit authorization location via the second communication link;

storing the transmitted line item data pertaining to the first and second transactions in a searchable database operated by an entity that is distinct from the first and second retailers;

querying the database to obtain information concerning sales of a product, the query being submitted by a manufacturer, a distributor, or an importer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the database query seeks to identify products experiencing high sales volume to permit a manufacturer to meet demand for a product.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the database query seeks to identify information concerning product sales in a particular market segment or geographic area.

4. A method of collecting marketing information, comprising:

collecting, at a first point-of-sale operated by a first retailer, line item data pertaining to a first transaction;

establishing a first communication link between the first point-of-sale and a credit authorization location operated by a credit authorization authority distinct from the first retailer;

transmitting a first credit authorization request from the first point-of-sale to the credit authorization location via the first communication link;

transmitting the line item data pertaining to the first transaction from the first point-of-sale to the credit authorization location via the first communication link;

collecting at a second point-of-sale operated by a second retailer, line item data pertaining to a second transaction;

establishing a second communication link between the second point-of-sale and the credit authorization location, the entity operating the credit authorization location being distinct from the second retailer;

transmitting a second credit authorization request from the second point-of-sale to the credit authorization location via the second communication link;

transmitting the line item data pertaining to the second transaction from the second point-of-sale to the credit authorization location via the second communication link;

storing the transmitted line item data pertaining to the first and second transactions in a searchable database operated by an entity that is distinct from the first and second retailers;

querying the database to obtain information concerning sales of a product, the query seeking to cross-reference sales data from two or more retailers to determine whether customers who have purchased a first product from a first retailer have also purchased a second product from a second retailer that does not sell the first product.