Remote purchasing system and method

• US 20040093281A1
• Filed: 11/05/2003
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gula Consulting Limited Liability Company (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Barmonger LLC
• Inventors: Silverstein, Todd, Whiteman, Aaron
• Granted Patent: US 7,496,527 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/24 Credit schemes, i.e. "pay after"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system and method for enabling the remote purchasing of products or services, etc. (e.g., alcoholic beverages) wherein, as part of the buying transaction, the purchaser indicates a specific physical location where the product will be claimed, may identify a third party as the “recipient” of the product by providing the third-party'"'"'s e-mail or text messaging address, can attach a personalized message to the transaction, and can specify the information required for recipients who are already known to the system to make an expedited return purchase in real or near-real time. In one aspect, a method of facilitating a third-party purchase includes the steps of receiving, via a first communications device, an instruction from a purchaser to purchase at least one product or service for a prospective recipient at a venue designated to provide that product or service to the recipient in person, the instruction comprising data identifying at least the recipient, the product or service, and the venue; and sending to the venue, via a second communications device, data identifying at least the recipient and the product or service.

Claims

1. A method of enabling a third-party purchase, said method comprising:

receiving, via a first communications device, an instruction from a purchaser to purchase at least one product or service for a prospective recipient at a venue designated to provide said product or service to said recipient in person, said instruction comprising data identifying at least said recipient, said product or service, and said venue;

sending to said venue, via a second communications device, data identifying at least said recipient and said product or service.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising sending to said recipient, via a third communications device, data identifying at least said venue and said product or service.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising sending to said recipient an electronic message composed or selected by said purchaser.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said message includes at least one data type selected from the group consisting of:

text, audio, video, image, multimedia, SMS, and MMS message.

5. A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising permitting said recipient to respond affirmatively to a query whether to initiate a reciprocal purchase by said recipient for said purchaser.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first communications device is at a physical location remote from said venue at the time of said purchase.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said third communications device is located physically at or near said recipient.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second communications device is located physically at or near said venue.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said purchaser is a person other than said recipient.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one said communications device is in communication with another said communications device via a wireless network.

11. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said venue is a vendor of beverages, and wherein said product is a beverage.

12. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising sending to said recipient a claim code for identifying said product or service and said recipient at said venue.

13. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one said communications device is a mobile telephone, PDA, handheld or laptop computer.

14. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising sending to said purchaser a message on behalf of said recipient, said message suggesting at least a product, service, or venue specified by said recipient.

15. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising identifying or detecting said recipient using an RFID token.

16. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising displaying a list of venues;

and

permitting said purchaser to specify one of said list of venues as said designated venue.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising displaying for one of said venues at least one data item selected from the group consisting of:

venue name, address, telephone, email, nearest subway or bus stop, website URL, hours of operation, description of venue, venue category, products or services sold by said venue, pricing schedule, daily event information, cover charge, and venue rating.

18. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising displaying a list of individuals;

and

permitting said purchaser to specify one of said individuals as said prospective recipient.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein said list of individuals is generated based on the identification or detection of at least one RFID token corresponding to at least one said individual.

20. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising processing a payment for said purchaser based on said instruction.

21. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising storing an account balance for said purchaser;

and

debiting or crediting said account balance based on said instruction.

22. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said instruction further comprises a delivery date and/or time;

and

wherein said sending step is performed according to said delivery date and/or time.

23. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said instruction is for a plurality of said goods or services, for a plurality of said venues, or for a plurality of said recipients.

24. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said venue comprises a plurality of establishments at a plurality of physical locations.

25. A system for enabling third-party purchases, said system comprising:

a processor;

at least one memory coupled to said processor; and

at least one network interface coupled to said processor, said at least one network interface in communication with a first communications device and a second communications device;

wherein said memory contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to;

(a) receive an instruction from a purchaser to purchase at least one product or service for a prospective recipient at a venue designated to provide said product or service to said recipient in person, said purchase instruction comprising data identifying at least said recipient, said product or service, and said venue; and

(b) send, to said venue, data identifying at least said recipient and said product or service.

26. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said memory further contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to send, to said recipient, data identifying at least said venue and said product or service.

27. A system as claimed in claim 26, wherein said memory further contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to send to said recipient an electronic message composed or selected by said purchaser.

28. A system as claimed in claim 27, wherein said message includes at least one data type selected from the group consisting of:

text, audio, video, image, multimedia, SMS, and MMS message.

29. A system as claimed in claim 26, wherein said memory further contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to permit said recipient to respond affirmatively to a query whether to initiate a reciprocal purchase by said recipient for said purchaser.

30. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said purchaser is a person other than said recipient.

31. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said venue is a vendor of beverages, and wherein said product is a beverage.

32. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said memory further contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to send to said recipient a claim code for identifying said product or service and said recipient at said venue.

33. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein at least one said communications device is a mobile telephone, PDA, handheld or laptop computer.

34. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said memory further contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to send to said purchaser a message on behalf of said recipient, said message suggesting at least a product, service, or venue specified by said recipient.

35. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said memory further contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to identify or detect said recipient using an RFID token.

36. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said memory further contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to (a) display a list of venues, and (b) permit said purchaser to specify a venue from said list of venues as said designated venue.

37. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said memory further contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to display for one of said venues at least one data item selected from the group consisting of:

venue name, address, telephone, email, nearest subway or bus stop, website URL, hours of operation, description of venue, venue category, products or services sold by said venue, pricing schedule, daily event information, cover charge, and venue rating.

38. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said memory further contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to (a) display a list of individuals, and (b) permit said purchaser to specify one of said individuals as said prospective recipient.

39. A system as claimed in claim 38, wherein said memory further contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to generate said list of individuals based on the identification or detection of at least one RFID token corresponding to at least one said individual.

40. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said memory further contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to process a payment for said purchaser based on said instruction.

41. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said memory further contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to (a) store an account balance for said purchaser, and (b) debit or credit said account balance based on said instruction.

42. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said instruction further comprises a delivery date and/or time;

and

wherein said instruction to send is performed according to said delivery date and/or time.

43. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said instruction is for a plurality of said goods or services, for a plurality of said venues, or for a plurality of said recipients.

44. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said venue comprises a plurality of establishments at a plurality of physical locations.

45. A method of enabling a third-party purchase, said method comprising:

receiving, as a first communications event, an instruction from a purchaser to purchase at least one product or service for a prospective recipient at a venue designated to provide said product or service to said recipient in person, said instruction comprising data identifying at least said recipient, said product or service, and said venue;

sending to said venue, as a second communications event, data identifying at least said recipient and said product or service.

46. A method as claimed in claim 45, further comprising sending to said recipient, as a third communications event, data identifying at least said venue and said product or service.

47. A method as claimed in claim 46, further comprising sending to said recipient an electronic message composed or selected by said purchaser.

48. A method as claimed in claim 47, wherein said message includes at least one data type selected from the group consisting of:

text, audio, video, image, multimedia, SMS, and MMS message.

49. A method as claimed in claim 46, further comprising permitting said recipient to respond affirmatively to a query to initiate a reciprocal purchase by said recipient for said purchaser.

50. A method as claimed in claim 45, wherein said first communications event is initiated at a physical location remote from said venue at the time of said purchase.

51. A method as claimed in claim 45, wherein said venue comprises a plurality of establishments at a plurality of physical locations.

52. A method as claimed in claim 45, wherein said second communications event is initiated physically at or near said venue.

53. A method as claimed in claim 45, wherein said purchaser is a person other than said recipient.

54. A method as claimed in claim 45, wherein at least one said communications event is transmitted, at least in part, via a wireless network.

55. A method as claimed in claim 45, wherein said venue is a vendor of beverages, and wherein said product is a beverage.

56. A method as claimed in claim 45, further comprising sending to said recipient a claim code for identifying said product or service and said recipient at said venue.

57. A method as claimed in claim 45, wherein at least one said communications event is initiated by a mobile telephone, PDA, handheld or laptop computer.

58. A method as claimed in claim 45, further comprising sending to said purchaser a message on behalf of said recipient, said message suggesting at least a product, service, or venue specified by said recipient.

59. A method as claimed in claim 45, further comprising displaying a list of venues;

and

permitting said purchaser to specify one of said list of venues as said designated venue.

60. A method as claimed in claim 59, further comprising displaying for one of said venues at least one data item selected from the group consisting of:

venue name, address, telephone, email, nearest subway or bus stop, website URL, hours of operation, description of venue, venue category, products or services sold by said venue, pricing schedule, daily event information, cover charge, and venue rating.

61. A method as claimed in claim 45, further comprising displaying a list of individuals;

and

permitting said purchaser to specify one of said individuals as said prospective recipient.

62. A method as claimed in claim 45, further comprising processing a payment for said purchaser based on said instruction.

63. A method as claimed in claim 45, further comprising storing an account balance for said purchaser;

and

debiting or crediting said account balance based on said instruction.

64. A method as claimed in claim 45, wherein said instruction further comprises a delivery date and/or time;

and

wherein said sending step is performed according to said delivery date and/or time.

65. A method as claimed in claim 45, wherein said instruction is for a plurality of said goods or services, for a plurality of said venues, or for a plurality of said recipients.

66. A method of providing instant reciprocity for a purchase, said method comprising:

storing an instant reciprocity preference for said first user comprising at least one product or service predetermined by said first user;

enabling said first user to initiate the purchase of at least one product or service for said second user; and

enabling said second user to initiate a reciprocal purchase for said first user based, at least in part, on said stored instant reciprocity preference for said first user.

67. A method as claimed in claim 66, further comprising notifying said second user of the initiation of said purchase by said first user.

68. A method as claimed in claim 66, wherein said first user initiates said purchase either by a single keypress on a communications device or by an affirmative response to a query whether to initiate a reciprocal purchase.

69. A method as claimed in claim 66, said method further comprising:

storing an instant reciprocity preference for said second user comprising at least one product or service predetermined by said second user; and

enabling said first user to initiate a reciprocal purchase for said second user based, at least in part, on said stored instant reciprocity preference for said second user.

70. A method as claimed in claim 69, further comprising notifying said first user of the initiation of said purchase by said second user.

71. A method as claimed in claim 69, wherein said second user initiates said purchase either by a single keypress on a communications device or by an affirmative response to a query whether to initiate a reciprocal purchase.

72. A method of maintaining a venue directory, said method comprising:

storing a list of venues and an associated set of venue data corresponding to each said venue, said venue data comprising at least a first data item and a second data item for each said venue;

receiving data from a user of a first user type;

updating said first data item based on said data provided by said first user;

receiving data from a user of a second user type; and

updating said second data item based on said data provided by said second user.

73. A method as claimed in claim 72, wherein one of said users or said user types is a venue employee or agent, and the other of said users or said user types is a venue patron.

74. A method as claimed in claim 73, wherein at least a portion of the data provided by said venue patron is rating data for said venue.

75. A method as claimed in claim 72, wherein said venue data includes at least one item selected from the group consisting of:

address, telephone, email, nearest subway or bus stop, website URL, hours of operation, description of the venue, category of the venue, product and/or pricing information, event information, cover charge information, and admissions policy information.

76. A method of providing location-based services comprising:

providing tokens to a plurality of individuals;

disposing a plurality of token detectors at a plurality of geographically-distributed venues; and

determining the geographic position of at least one said individual by identifying the presence of said individual at one of said venues when the corresponding said token detector at said venue detects the presence of said token corresponding to said individual.

77. A method as claimed in claim 76, wherein said token is an RFID token and said token detector is an RFID transceiver.

78. A method as claimed in claim 76, further comprising sending a message to said individual via a communications device other than said token, when the presence of said individual is identified at a predetermined one of said venues.

79. A method as claimed in claim 76, further comprising plotting and displaying on a map the geographic positions of said individuals whose presence is identified at one or more of said venues.

80. A system for providing location-based services comprising:

a plurality of tokens corresponding to a plurality of individuals;

a plurality of token detectors disposed at a plurality of geographically-distributed venues;

a computer comprising a processor having coupled thereto a display device, at least one memory, and at least one network interface, said at least one network interface in communication with said plurality of token detectors;

wherein said memory of said computer contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to determine the geographic position of at least one said individual by identifying the presence of said individual at one of said venues when the corresponding said token detector at said venue detects the presence of said token corresponding to said individual.

81. A method as claimed in claim 80, wherein said token is an RFID token and said token detector is an RFID transceiver.

82. A method of providing location-based services comprising:

providing tokens to a plurality of individuals; and

determining the geographic position of at least one said individual by using at least one token detector to identify the presence of said individual at one of a plurality of geographically-distributed venues having said token detectors disposed thereat, said token detectors being adapted to transmit data regarding said identified tokensover a first network.

83. A method as claimed in claim 82, wherein said token is an RFID token and said token detector is an RFID transceiver.

84. A method as claimed in claim 82, further comprising transmitting said geographic position of said at least one individual to a user via a second network.

85. A method as claimed in claim 82, further comprising transmitting to a user, via a second network, a map of the geographic positions of said individuals whose presence is identified at one or more of said venues.

86. A method of providing location-based marketing services comprising:

providing tokens to a plurality of individuals;

determining whether at least one said individual is present at a geographic position using at least one token detector disposed at said geographic position; and

if said individual is present at said geographic position, initiating a marketing or advertising activity directed at said individual.

87. A method as claimed in claim 86, wherein said token is an RFID token and said token detector is an RFID transceiver.

88. A method of providing location-based marketing services comprising:

providing tokens to a plurality of individuals;

determining whether at least one said individual is present at a geographic position using at least one token detector disposed at said geographic position; and

if said individual is present at said geographic position, transmitting data indicating the presence of said individual to a third party.

89. A method as claimed in claim 88, wherein said token is an RFID token and said token detector is an RFID transceiver.

90. A venue claims terminal for enabling third-party purchases, said venue claims terminal comprising:

a processor;

a display device coupled to said processor;

at least one memory coupled to said processor; and

at least one network interface coupled to said processor, said at least one network interface in communication with a server;

wherein said memory contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to;

(a) receive, from said server, an instruction to provide at least one product or service for a recipient in person, said instruction comprising data identifying at least said recipient and said product or service; and

(b) display, on said display device, said data identifying at least said recipient and said product or service.

91. A venue claims terminal as claimed in claim 90, wherein said memory further contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to permit a user to indicate that said product or service has been provided to said recipient.

92. An automated marketing campaign method comprising:

establishing or accessing a plurality of profiles corresponding to a plurality of users, each said profile comprising a plurality of data items relating to said corresponding user, said data items including at least one messaging address for said user;

permitting a third party to specify at least one desired value for at least one of said data items;

sending an electronic message to said at least one messaging address of each profile containing said at least one desired value for at least one of said data items.

93. A method as claimed in claim 92, wherein said data items further include result data from a survey or campaign to which said user has responded.

94. A method as claimed in claim 92, wherein said data items further include purchase history data from at least one merchant.

95. A method as claimed in claim 92, wherein said messaging address is selected from the group consisting of:

an email address, a telephone number, a pager number, an SMS address, and an MMS address.

96. A method as claimed in claim 92, further comprising permitting said third party to select at least one functional campaign block from a set of WHO functional campaign blocks comprising blocks selected from the group consisting of:

external initiation, internal initiation via profile construction, internal initiation via end user event, and internal initiation via specific users.

97. A method as claimed in claim 92, further comprising permitting said third party to select at least one functional campaign block from a set of WHEN functional campaign blocks comprising blocks selected from the group consisting of:

one-time, repeated at intervals, ongoing, date range, and phased date range.

98. A method as claimed in claim 92, further comprising permitting said third party to select at least one WHAT functional campaign block from a set of WHAT functional campaign blocks comprising blocks selected from the group consisting of:

1-way broadcast, 2-way broadcast, encoded form, “

use during purchases”

coupon, and “

redeem at venue”

coupon.

99. An automated marketing campaign method comprising:

establishing or accessing a plurality of profiles corresponding to a plurality of users, each said profile comprising a plurality of data items relating to said corresponding user;

permitting a third party to specify at least one desired value for at least one of said data items;

initiating a marketing or advertising activity directed at the users corresponding to the profiles containing said at least one desired value for at least one of said data items.

100. A method as claimed in claim 99, wherein said marketing or advertising activity is selected from the group consisting of:

sending an electronic message to said user, sending a postal mailing to said user, telephoning said user, sending a coupon to said user, and sending a URL or hyperlink to said user.

101. A method as claimed in claim 99, wherein said data items further include result data from a survey or campaign to which said user has responded.

102. A method as claimed in claim 99, wherein said data items further include purchase history data from at least one merchant.

103. A method as claimed in claim 99, further comprising permitting said third party to select at least one functional campaign block from a set of WHO functional campaign blocks comprising blocks selected from the group consisting of:

external initiation, internal initiation via profile construction, internal initiation via end user event, and internal initiation via specific users.

104. A method as claimed in claim 99, further comprising permitting said third party to select at least one functional campaign block from a set of WHEN functional campaign blocks comprising blocks selected from the group consisting of:

one-time, repeated at intervals, ongoing, date range, and phased date range.

105. A method as claimed in claim 99, further comprising permitting said third party to select at least one functional campaign block from a set of WHAT functional campaign blocks comprising blocks selected from the group consisting of:

1-way broadcast, 2-way broadcast, encoded form, “

use during purchases”

coupon, and “

redeem at venue”

coupon.

106. An automated marketing campaign method comprising:

permitting a third party to specify at least one event;

continually accessing a plurality of profiles corresponding to a plurality of users, each said profile comprising a plurality of data items relating to said corresponding user, said data items including data indicating whether or not said event has occurred for said corresponding user; and

initiating a marketing or advertising activity directed at a user whose profile indicates that said event has occurred for said corresponding user.

107. A method as claimed in claim 106, wherein said event is selected from the group consisting of:

initiating a purchase transaction, completing a purchase transaction, completing a predetermined number of purchase transactions, being a recipient in a purchase transaction, providing a predetermined response to a survey or on an encoded form, having a token detector at a venue detect the presence of a token corresponding to said individual, completing a registration, completing a marketing registration, and activating an account by making a first purchase.

108. A method as claimed in claim 106, wherein said marketing or advertising activity is selected from the group consisting of:

sending an electronic message to said user, sending a postal mailing to said user, telephoning said user, sending a coupon to said user, and sending a URL or hyperlink to said user.

109. An automated marketing campaign method comprising:

establishing or accessing a plurality of profiles corresponding to a plurality of users, each said profile comprising a plurality of data items relating to said corresponding user;

permitting a third party to specify (a) profile criteria for the users at whom a marketing campaign will be directed based on at least one data item in said profiles, (b) time criteria corresponding to the frequency and/or duration at which the marketing campaign or a portion of the marketing campaign will take place, and (c) a marketing or advertising activity to perform; and

initiating said marketing or advertising activity based on said profile criteria and time criteria.

110. A method as claimed in claim 109, wherein said marketing or advertising activity is selected from the group consisting of:

sending an electronic message to said user, sending a postal mailing to said user, telephoning said user, sending a coupon to said user, and sending a URL or hyperlink to said user.

111. A method as claimed in claim 109, wherein said data items further include result data from a survey or campaign to which said user has responded.

112. A method as claimed in claim 109, wherein said data items further include purchase history data from at least one merchant.

113. An automated marketing campaign method comprising:

permitting a third party to specify (a) an event, the occurrence of which will initiate a marketing or advertising activity, (b) time criteria corresponding to the frequency and/or duration at which the marketing or advertising activity will take place, and (c) the marketing or advertising activity to perform;

continually accessing a plurality of profiles corresponding to a plurality of users, each said profile comprising a plurality of data items relating to said corresponding user, said data items including data indicating whether or not said event has occurred for said corresponding user; and

initiating said marketing or advertising activity based on said profile criteria and time criteria.

114. A method as claimed in claim 113, wherein said event is selected from the group consisting of:

initiating a purchase transaction, completing a purchase transaction, completing a predetermined number of purchase transactions, being a recipient in a purchase transaction, providing a predetermined response to a survey or on an encoded form, and having a token detector at a venue detect the presence of a token corresponding to said individual.

115. A method as claimed in claim 113, wherein said marketing or advertising activity is selected from the group consisting of:

sending an electronic message to said user, sending a postal mailing to said user, telephoning said user, sending a coupon to said user, and sending a URL or hyperlink to said user.

116. A method of enabling a third-party purchase, said method comprising:

receiving an instruction from a purchaser to purchase at least one product or service for a prospective recipient at a venue designated to provide said product or service to said recipient in person, said instruction comprising data identifying at least said recipient, said product or service, and said venue; and

sending to said recipient a message including at least one data type selected from the group consisting of;

text, audio, video, image, multimedia, SMS, and MMS message.

117. A method of enabling a third-party purchase, said method comprising:

receiving an instruction from a purchaser to purchase at least one product or service for a prospective recipient at a venue designated to provide said product or service to said recipient in person, said instruction comprising data identifying at least said recipient, said product or service, and said venue; and

receiving from said purchaser a message to deliver to said recipient, said message including at least one data type selected from the group consisting of;

text, audio, video, image, multimedia, SMS, and MMS message.

118. A system for enabling third-party purchases, said system comprising:

a processor;

at least one memory coupled to said processor; and

at least one network interface coupled to said processor, said at least one network interface in communication with a first communications device and a second communications device;

wherein said memory contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to;

(a) receive an instruction from a purchaser to purchase at least one product or service for a prospective recipient at a venue designated to provide said product or service to said recipient in person, said purchase instruction comprising data identifying at least said recipient, said product or service, and said venue;

(b) send, to said venue, data identifying at least said recipient and said product or service;

(c) store a list of venues and an associated set of venue data corresponding to each said venue, said venue data comprising a plurality of data items for each said venue;

(d) permit said purchaser to provide data; and

(e) update at least one said data item based on said data provided by said purchaser.

119. A system as claimed in claim 118, wherein said memory further contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to determine the geographic position of at least one purchaser or recipient by identifying the presence of said purchaser or recipient at one of said venues when a token detector at said venue detects the presence of said token corresponding to said purchaser or recipient.

120. A system for enabling third-party purchases, said system comprising:

a processor;

at least one memory coupled to said processor; and

at least one network interface coupled to said processor, said at least one network interface in communication with a first communications device and a second communications device;

wherein said memory contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to;

(a) receive an instruction from a purchaser to purchase at least one product or service for a prospective recipient at a venue designated to provide said product or service to said recipient in person, said purchase instruction comprising data identifying at least said recipient, said product or service, and said venue;

(b) send, to said venue, data identifying at least said recipient and said product or service;

(c) establish or access a plurality of profiles corresponding to a plurality of users, each said profile comprising a plurality of data items relating to said corresponding user;

(d) permit a third party to specify (i) profile criteria for the users at whom a marketing campaign will be directed based on at least one data item in said profiles, (ii) time criteria corresponding to the frequency and/or duration at which the marketing campaign or a portion of the marketing campaign will take place, and (iii) a marketing or advertising activity to perform; and

(e) initiate said marketing or advertising activity based on said profile criteria and time criteria.

121. A system as claimed in claim 120, wherein said memory further contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to determine the geographic position of at least one purchaser or recipient by identifying the presence of said purchaser or recipient at one of said venues when a token detector at said venue detects the presence of said token corresponding to said purchaser or recipient.

122. A system for enabling third-party purchases, said system comprising:

a processor;

at least one memory coupled to said processor; and

at least one network interface coupled to said processor, said at least one network interface in communication with a first communications device and a second communications device;

wherein said memory contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to;

(a) receive an instruction from a purchaser to purchase at least one product or service for a prospective recipient at a venue designated to provide said product or service to said recipient in person, said purchase instruction comprising data identifying at least said recipient, said product or service, and said venue;

(b) send, to said venue, data identifying at least said recipient and said product or service;

(c) permit a third party to specify (i) an event, the occurrence of which will initiate a marketing or advertising activity, (ii) time criteria corresponding to the frequency and/or duration at which the marketing or advertising activity will take place, and (iii) the marketing or advertising activity to perform;

(d) continually access a plurality of profiles corresponding to a plurality of users, each said profile comprising a plurality of data items relating to said corresponding user, said data items including data indicating whether or not said event has occurred for said corresponding user; and

(e) initiate said marketing or advertising activity based on said profile criteria and time criteria.

123. A system as claimed in claim 122, wherein said memory further contains computer-readable instructions for said processor to determine the geographic position of at least one purchaser or recipient by identifying the presence of said purchaser or recipient at one of said venues when a token detector at said venue detects the presence of said token corresponding to said purchaser or recipient.