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Methods and apparatus for implementing loyalty programs using portable electronic data storage devices

  • US 20040249710A1
  • Filed: 05/13/2004
  • Published: 12/09/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2003
  • Status: Abandoned Application
First Claim
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1. A system for managing loyalty programs which uses at least one portable user device to store data including loyalty points, said system comprising:

  • a server for distributing loyalty point program information; and

    a plurality of merchant terminals coupled to said server, said plurality of merchant terminals including at least a first merchant terminal and a second merchant terminal, said first and second merchant terminals being located at different locations within a first store;

    the first merchant terminal comprising;

    i) a memory for storing a first set of loyalty point program information, said first set of loyalty point program information including information about award points to be accorded for purchases made at said first terminal;

    ii) a first interface for receiving loyalty point program information updates from said server;

    iii) a first user device interface for reading from and writing to a portable user device; and

    the second merchant terminal comprising;

    i) a memory for storing a second set of loyalty point program information, said second set of loyalty point program information including information about award points to be accorded for purchases made at said second terminal, the second set of loyalty point information being either;

    different from said first set of loyalty point information and providing for loyalty points to be awarded at a rate or in an amount that is different from a rate or an amount at which loyalty points are awarded by said first terminal in accordance with the first set of loyalty program information or being the same as the first set of loyalty point program information and providing for loyalty points to be awarded for items corresponding to a first department at a rate or in an amount that is different from a rate or an amount at which loyalty points are to be awarded for items corresponding to a second department which is different from said first department;

    ii) a second interface for receiving loyalty point program information updates from said server; and

    iii) a second user device interface for reading from and writing to a portable user device.

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