On-line bonus program

• US 20030097298A1
• Filed: 11/20/2001
• Published: 05/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Inetbon As
• Original Assignee: Inetbon As
• Inventors: Novak, Pavel, Babicky, Petr, Klimpl, Martin, Mikulec, Jan, Dobrovsky, Jan, Slepicka, Karel, Cupa, Michal, Durcak, Martin
• Application Number:
  US09/997,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20030097298A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.23
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0222 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0227 Frequent usage incentive value reconciliation between diverse systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0229 Multi-merchant loyalty card systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]

Abstract

A bonus system that allows consumers to visit a merchant'"'"'s facility either on the internet or to physically visit a merchant'"'"'s facility to accumulate and redeem bonus points. In addition, the consumer can utilize and accumulate bonus points with several different merchants.

Claims

1. A method for providing benefits to consumers comprising

a. organizing a Bonus System Provider to administer operations;

b. activating an on-line consumer account with said Bonus System Provider;

c. activating an on-line merchant account with said Bonus System Provider;

d. providing bonus points to participating consumers for purchases from participating merchants;

e. providing credit or debit to participating merchants for purchases from participating consumers.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the Bonus System Provider administers both the consumer account and the merchant account.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the consumer makes purchases at the merchant'"'"'s facility.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the consumer makes purchases at the merchant'"'"'s web site.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the consumer makes purchases at the Bonus System Provider web site.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the consumer utilizes their accumulated bonus points at a participating merchant that is not the same as the merchant who provided the bonus points.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the consumer accumulates bonus points.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the consumer utilizes their accumulated bonus points to reduce the purchase price of products from participating merchants.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the consumer utilizes their accumulated bonus points to reduce the purchase price of services from participating merchants.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the consumer utilizes their accumulated bonus points to purchase products from participating merchants.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the consumer utilizes their accumulated bonus points to purchase services from participating merchants

12. A method for providing benefits to consumers comprising

a. organizing a Bonus System Provider to administer operations;

b. activating an on-line consumer account with said Bonus System Provider;

c. activating an on-line merchant account with said Bonus System Provider;

d. providing bonus points to participating consumers for purchases from participating merchants at the merchant'"'"'s web site and at the merchant'"'"'s place of business;

e. providing credit or debit to participating merchants for purchases from participating consumers.

13. A method for providing benefits to consumers comprising

a. organizing a Bonus System Provider to administer operations;

b. activating an on-line consumer account with said Bonus System Provider;

c. activating an on-line merchant account with said Bonus System Provider;

d. providing bonus points to participating consumers for purchases from participating merchants;

e. providing credit or debit to participating merchants for purchases from participating consumers, wherein the consumer utilizes their accumulated bonus points at a participating merchant that is not the same as the merchant who provided the bonus points.