Techniques for using loyalty cards and redeeming accumulated value

• US 20040230483A1
• Filed: 02/12/2004
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DS-IQ Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Concept Shopping, Inc. (DS-IQ Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kepecs, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 7,805,333 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/06 Private payment circuits, e.g. involving electronic currency used among participants of a common payment scheme
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/28 Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/385 using an alias or single-use codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0215 Including financial accounts
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/025 by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures

Abstract

Techniques for accumulating value and redeeming the accumulated value in a flexible manner. An accumulate ID is provided that may be used by consumers to accumulate value (e.g., cash, points, etc.) in an account associated with the accumulate ID. A redemption ID is provided that enables the value accumulated in the account, or a portion thereof, to be redeemed.

Claims

1. A method of redeeming value accumulated in an account, the method comprising:

receiving information identifying a first redemption identifier;

determining a first accumulate identifier corresponding to the first redemption identifier, the first accumulate identifier used for accumulating value in an account associated with the first accumulate identifier; and

redeeming a portion of the value accumulated in the account associated with the first accumulate identifier.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the first accumulate identifier corresponding to the first redemption identifier comprises:

accessing correlation information identifying a plurality of redemption identifiers and accumulate identifiers corresponding to the redemption identifiers; and

determining the first accumulate identifier corresponding to the first redemption identifier using the correlation information.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving information indicating the portion of value to be redeemed.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving information identifying the first redemption identifier comprises:

reading the first redemption identifier from a gift card.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the gift card is initialized to a first amount, the method further comprising:

receiving information identifying the first accumulate identifier and the first amount; and

storing information correlating the first redemption identifier and the first accumulate identifier.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving information identifying the first redemption identifier comprises:

receiving information read from a gift card, the information identifying a first identifier; and

determining the first redemption identifier using the first identifier.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving information identifying the first redemption identifier comprises:

providing a card comprising the first redemption identifier and the first accumulate identifier; and

reading the first redemption identifier from the card.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the first redemption identifier is encoded in a first magnetic stripe located on the card and first accumulate identifier is encoded in a second magnetic stripe located on the card.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first redemption identifier and the first accumulate identifier are limited information identifiers excluding name information.

10. A method of enabling accumulation and redemption of value, the method comprising:

receiving information identifying one or more purchases made by a consumer;

receiving a first identifier associated with the one or more purchases;

receiving a second identifier associated with the one or more purchases;

storing the information identifying the one or more purchases, the first identifier, and the second identifier in a transaction log;

analyzing the transaction log to determine information identifying the one or more purchases and the first identifier and the second identifier associated with the one or more purchases; and

storing correlation information correlating the first identifier and the second identifier.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

determining a value based upon the one or more purchases; and

accumulating the value in an account associated with the first identifier.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

receiving information read from a card, the information specifying the second identifier;

determining, using the correlation information, the first identifier corresponding to the second identifier; and

redeeming a portion of the value accumulated in the account associated with the first identifier.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein receiving the second identifier comprises reading the second identifier from a gift card initialized with a first amount.

14. A method of enabling accumulation and redemption of value, the method comprising:

receiving information identifying a single identifier;

receiving first information specifying a context of use of the single identifier;

determining, based upon the first information, that a portion of value accumulated in an account associated with the single identifier is to be redeemed; and

redeeming the portion of value from the account associated with the single identifier.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein:

a first personal identification number (PIN) and a second PIN are associated with the single identifier, the first PIN indicating an accumulation operation and the second PIN indicating a redemption operation; and

receiving the first information comprises receiving the second PIN associated with the single identifier.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

providing an apparatus comprising a first button and a second button, wherein selection of the first button indicates an accumulation operation and selection of the second button indicates a redemption operation; and

wherein receiving the first information comprises receiving information indicative of selection of the second button.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

providing an apparatus enabling entry of a first code and a second code, wherein entry of the first code indicates an accumulation operation and entry of the second code indicates a redemption operation; and

wherein receiving the first information comprises receiving information indicative of entry of the second code.

18. A method of using a card, the method comprising:

reading a single identifier from the card;

receiving first information specifying a context of use of the single identifier;

determining a first operation from a plurality of operations based upon the first information; and

enabling performance of the first operation.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein:

a plurality of personal information identifiers (PINs) are associated with the single identifier, each PIN corresponding to an operation to be performed using the card;

receiving the first information comprises receiving a first PIN from the plurality of PINs associated with the single identifier; and

determining the first operation comprises determining an operation corresponding to the first PIN from the plurality of operations.

20. A computer program product stored on a computer-readable medium for using a card, the computer program product comprising:

code reading a single identifier from the card;

code for receiving first information specifying a context of use of the single identifier;

code for determining a first operation from a plurality of operations based upon the first information; and

code for enabling performance of the first operation.

21. A computer program product stored on a computer-readable medium for redeeming value accumulated in an account, the computer program product comprising:

code for receiving information identifying a first redemption identifier;

code for determining a first accumulate identifier corresponding to the first redemption identifier, the first accumulate identifier used for accumulating value in an account associated with the first accumulate identifier; and

code for redeeming a portion of the value accumulated in the account associated with the first accumulate identifier.

22. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the code for determining the first accumulate identifier corresponding to the first redemption identifier comprises:

code for accessing correlation information identifying a plurality of redemption identifiers and accumulate identifiers corresponding to the redemption identifiers; and

code for determining the first accumulate identifier corresponding to the first redemption identifier using the correlation information.

23. The computer program product of claim 21 further comprising:

code for receiving information indicating the portion of value to be redeemed.

24. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the code for receiving information identifying the first redemption identifier comprises:

code for reading the first redemption identifier from a gift card.

25. The computer program product of claim 24 wherein the gift card is initialized to a first amount, the computer program product further comprising:

code for receiving information identifying the first accumulate identifier and the first amount; and

code for storing information correlating the first redemption identifier and the first accumulate identifier.

26. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the code for receiving information identifying the first redemption identifier comprises:

code for receiving information read from a gift card, the information identifying a first identifier; and

code for determining the first redemption identifier using the first identifier.

27. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the code for receiving information identifying the first redemption identifier comprises:

reading the first redemption identifier from a card comprising the first redemption identifier and the first accumulate identifier.

28. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein the first redemption identifier is encoded in a first magnetic stripe located on the card and first accumulate identifier is encoded in a second magnetic stripe located on the card.

29. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the first redemption identifier and the first accumulate identifier are limited information identifiers excluding name information.

30. A computer program product stored on a computer-readable medium for enabling accumulation and redemption of value, the computer program product comprising:

code for receiving information identifying one or more purchases made by a consumer;

code for receiving a first identifier associated with the one or more purchases;

code for receiving a second identifier associated with the one or more purchases;

code for storing the information identifying the one or more purchases, the first identifier, and the second identifier in a transaction log;

code for analyzing the transaction log to determine information identifying the one or more purchases and the first identifier and the second identifier associated with the one or more purchases; and

code for storing correlation information correlating the first identifier and the second identifier.

31. The computer program product of claim 30 further comprising:

code for determining a value based upon the one or more purchases; and

code for accumulating the value in an account associated with the first identifier.

32. The computer program product of claim 31 further comprising:

code for receiving information read from a card, the information specifying the second identifier;

code for determining, using the correlation information, the first identifier corresponding to the second identifier; and

code for redeeming a portion of the value accumulated in the account associated with the first identifier.

33. The computer program product of claim 30 wherein the code for receiving the second identifier comprises code for reading the second identifier from a gift card initialized with a first amount.

34. A computer program product stored on a computer-readable medium for enabling accumulation and redemption of value, the computer program product comprising:

code for receiving information identifying a single identifier;

code for receiving first information specifying a context of use of the single identifier;

code for determining, based upon the first information, that a portion of value accumulated in an account associated with the single identifier is to be redeemed; and

code for redeeming the portion of value from the account associated with the single identifier.

35. A system for redeeming value accumulated in an account, the system comprising:

a data processing system;

an apparatus coupled to the data processing system;

wherein the apparatus is configured to receive information identifying a first redemption identifier;

wherein the data processing system is configured to;

determine a first accumulate identifier corresponding to the first redemption identifier, the first accumulate identifier used for accumulating value in an account associated with the first accumulate identifier; and

redeem a portion of the value accumulated in the account associated with the first accumulate identifier.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein the data processing system is configured to:

access correlation information identifying a plurality of redemption identifiers and accumulate identifiers corresponding to the redemption identifiers; and

determine the first accumulate identifier corresponding to the first redemption identifier using the correlation information.

37. The system of claim 35 wherein the apparatus is configured to:

read the first redemption identifier from a gift card, wherein the gift card is initialized to a first amount;

receive information identifying the first accumulate identifier and the first amount; and

store information correlating the first redemption identifier and the first accumulate identifier.

38. The system of claim 35 wherein the apparatus is configured to read the first redemption identifier from a first magnetic stripe located on a card, wherein the first accumulate identifier is encoded in a second magnetic stripe located on the card.

39. A system for enabling accumulation and redemption of value, the system comprising:

a data processing system;

an apparatus coupled to the data processing system;

wherein the apparatus is configured to;

receive information identifying one or more purchases made by a consumer;

receive a first identifier associated with the one or more purchases; and

receive a second identifier associated with the one or more purchases;

wherein the data processing system is configured to;

store the information identifying the one or more purchases, the first identifier, and the second identifier in a transaction log;

analyze the transaction log to determine information identifying the one or more purchases and the first identifier and the second identifier associated with the one or more purchases; and

store correlation information correlating the first identifier and the second identifier.

40. A system for enabling accumulation and redemption of value, the system comprising:

a data processing system; and

a first apparatus coupled to the data processing system;

wherein the first apparatus is configured to;

receive information identifying a single identifier; and

receive first information specifying a context of use of the single identifier;

wherein the data processing system is configured to;

determine, based upon the first information, that a portion of value accumulated in an account associated with the single identifier is to be redeemed; and

redeem the portion of value from the account associated with the single identifier.

41. The system of claim 40 wherein:

a first personal identification number (PIN) and a second PIN are associated with the single identifier, the first PIN indicating an accumulation operation and the second PIN indicating a redemption operation; and

the first apparatus is configured to receive the second PIN associated with the single identifier.

42. The system of claim 40 wherein:

the first apparatus comprises a first button and a second button, wherein selection of the first button indicates an accumulation operation and selection of the second button indicates a redemption operation; and

the data processing system receives information indicating selection of the second button.

43. The system of claim 40 wherein:

the first apparatus is configured to enable entry of a first code and a second code, wherein entry of the first code indicates an accumulation operation and entry of the second code indicates a redemption operation; and

the data processing system receives information indicating entry of the second code.