Systems and methods for providing rewards benefits to account holders
First Claim
1. A method for providing a rewards benefit to a holder of an account, said method comprising:
- (a) providing data storage space to said account holder in a data storage device, said storage space being accessed over the Internet through a central server running on-line digital assistant (ODA) system software configured for managing data in relation to said storage space;
(b) allocating an Internet address and passcode to said account holder, said address enabling Internet access to said central server and said passcode enabling access by said account holder to said storage space; and
, (c) enabling said account holder to use said ODA system software to store, access and process data in said storage space upon submission of said passcode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods are provided for establishing rewards benefits for account holders to attract usage of such accounts. According to a first such method, data storage space is provided to an account holder, the storage space being accessible over the Internet through a central server running on-line digital assistant (ODA) system software configured for managing data in relation to the storage space. An Internet address and passcode are allocated to the account holder, the address enabling Internet access to the central server and the passcode enabling access by the account holder to the storage space. Use of the ODA system software by the account holder, to store, access and process data in the storage space, is enabled upon submission of the passcode. According to a second such method a separate, independently operable subsidiary credit card account is associated with an account holder'"'"'s main credit card account and a separate credit limit is assigned to the subsidiary account for purchase authorization purposes. For example, rewards points may be accumulated through usage of the main account (the points being redeemable for value) and the value of the accumulated points attributed to the subsidiary account, whereby the credit limit of the subsidiary account is determined by that value.
144 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for providing a rewards benefit to a holder of an account, said method comprising:
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(a) providing data storage space to said account holder in a data storage device, said storage space being accessed over the Internet through a central server running on-line digital assistant (ODA) system software configured for managing data in relation to said storage space;
(b) allocating an Internet address and passcode to said account holder, said address enabling Internet access to said central server and said passcode enabling access by said account holder to said storage space; and
,(c) enabling said account holder to use said ODA system software to store, access and process data in said storage space upon submission of said passcode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for providing a benefit to a holder of a credit card account having associated therewith a credit limit, said method comprising:
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(a) associating a separate, independently operable subsidiary credit card account with said credit card account;
(b) assigning a subsidiary credit limit to said subsidiary account; and
,(c) enabling an authorized designee of said credit card holder to effect charges against said subsidiary credit card account whereby the amount of said charges is limited by said subsidiary credit limit and any current balance of charges. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A method for providing a rewards points benefit to a holder of an account whereby points are accumulated through usage of said account and said points are redeemable for value, said method comprising:
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(a) associating a separate, independently operable subsidiary account with said account;
(b) attributing the value of said accumulated points to said subsidiary account; and
,(c) enabling an authorized designee of said account holder to use said value attributed to said subsidiary account through said subsidiary account. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A computer network system operable through the Internet for providing a rewards benefit to a holder of an account, said system comprising:
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(a) a central server having an allocated Internet address;
(b) a data storage device comprising data storage space and configured for access over the Internet through said central server; and
,(c) on-line digital assistant (ODA) system software running on said central server and configured for;
(i) allocating data storage space of said data storage device to said account holder, (ii) managing data in relation to said storage space;
(iii) permitting access to said central server using an Internet access computer device upon submission of said Internet address therefor; and
, (iv) enabling said account holder to store, access and process data in said storage space upon submission of a passcode allocated to said account holder. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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- 19. An account management and authorization software system operable on a computer processor to provide a rewards benefit to a credit card account holder, said software being configured for associating a separate, independently, operable subsidiary credit card account with said credit card account, assigning a subsidiary credit limit to said subsidiary account and authorizing a request for a charge against said subsidiary credit card account if the value of said requested charge is within said subsidiary credit limit less any current balance of charges.
Specification