Computer system for card in connection with, but not to carry out, a transaction

• US 20050038701A1
• Filed: 08/13/2004
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2003
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Alan Matthew
• Original Assignee: Alan Matthew
• Inventors: Matthew, Alan
• Application Number:
  US10/918,127
• Publication Number:
  US 20050038701A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.380
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0219 based on funds or budget
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]

Abstract

Machine for, and method of, collecting consumer accessible transaction data. The method can include the steps of: reading consumer profile identification information from a card in connection with, but not to carry out, a point of sale transaction; generating transaction data from the transaction; communicating the profile identification information and the transaction data to a computer; using the profile identification information to identify a profile in a database; inserting the transaction data into the profile; and providing the profile to the consumer.

Claims

1. Method of collecting consumer accessible transaction data, the method including the steps of:

reading consumer profile identification information from a card in connection with, but not to carry out, a point of sale transaction;

generating transaction data from the transaction, including the identity of the entity carrying out the transaction;

communicating the profile identification information and the transaction data to a computer;

using the profile identification information to identify a profile in a database;

inserting the transaction data into the profile; and

providing the profile to the consumer.

2. The method of claim 1, further including the step of:

providing the profile data to a third party.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of reading includes reading a magnetic media from the card.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction is triggers replacement of inventory.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein issuance of the card does not include age verification.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein issuance of the card does not include financial verification.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein issuance of the card is upon application, such no criteria is used to reject a complete application.

8. The method of claim 1, further including the step of changing association of the data to carry out a trade of the card for another card.

9. The method of claim 1, further including the step of accessing a Web site to obtain the card.

10. The method of claim 1, further including the step of consolidating the transaction data with other transaction data in forming a combined report, the transaction data corresponding to use of one charge card, and other transaction data corresponding to use of a different charge card.

11. The method of claim 1, further including the step of consolidating the transaction data with other transaction data in forming a combined report, the transaction data corresponding to use of MasterCard, and other transaction data corresponding to use of a charge card that is not MasterCard.

12. The method of claim 1, further including the step of consolidating the transaction data with other transaction data in forming a combined report, the transaction data corresponding to use of American Express, and other transaction data corresponding to use of a charge card that is not American Express.

13. The method of claim 1, further including the step of consolidating the transaction data with other transaction data in forming a combined report, the transaction data corresponding to use of a charge card, and other transaction data corresponding to use that does not include a charge card.

14. The method of claim 1, further including the step of consolidating the transaction data with other transaction data in forming a combined report, the transaction data corresponding to use of a debt card, and other transaction data corresponding to use that does not include a debt card.

15. The method of claim 1, further including the step of consolidating the transaction data with other transaction data in forming a combined report, the transaction data corresponding to use of cash, and other transaction data corresponding to use that does not include cash.

16. The method of claim 1, further including the step of consolidating the transaction data with other transaction data in forming a combined report, the transaction data corresponding to use of one payment handler, and other transaction data corresponding to use of another payment handler.

17. The method of claim 1, further including the step of issuing a reward responsive to use of the card.

18. The method of claim 1, further including the step of issuing a reward to a card holder responsive to use of the card.

19. A card for collecting consumer accessible transaction data, the card including:

a card having a surface and information sufficient for creating consumer data by reading the information in connection with, but not to carry out, a point of sale transaction, the information sufficient such that transaction data from the transaction, including the identity of the entity carrying out the transaction, can be inserted into a card user'"'"'s computer data file.

20. The card of claim 19, wherein the information is in a format readable by a card swipe reader.

21. Apparatus to collect consumer accessible transaction data, the apparatus including:

consumer profile identification information readable from a card in connection with, but not to carry out, a point of sale transaction;

transaction data produced from the transaction, the data including the identity of the entity carrying out the transaction;

a communication of the profile identification information and the transaction data to a computer, the computer programmed to carry out the steps of;

using the profile identification information to identify a profile in a database;

inserting the transaction data into the profile; and

providing the profile to the consumer.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, further including:

of;

wherein the computer is programmed to communicate some data from the profile data to a third party computer.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the consumer profile identification information is readable from the card by means including magnetic media.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, further including a signal responsive to the transaction to trigger replacement of inventory.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, further including a card issuing entity wherein computerized issuance of the card does not include age verification.

26. The apparatus of claim 21, further including a card issuing entity wherein computerized issuance of the card does not include financial verification.

27. The apparatus of claim 21, further including a card issuing entity wherein computerized issuance of the card is upon application, such no criteria is used to reject a complete application.

28. The apparatus of claim 21, further including a web site to enable obtaining the card.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, further including a web site to carry out a trade of cards, including the card, to trigger changing association of the data corresponding to the card.

30. The apparatus of claim 21, further including a report generated to include the transaction data consolidated with other transaction data in a combined report, the transaction data corresponding to use of one charge card, and other transaction data corresponding to use of a different charge card.

31. The apparatus of claim 21, further including a report generated to include the transaction data consolidated with other transaction data in a combined report, the transaction data corresponding to use of MasterCard, and other transaction data corresponding to use of a charge card that is not MasterCard.

32. The apparatus of claim 21, further including a report generated to include the transaction data consolidated with other transaction data in a combined report, the transaction data corresponding to use of American Express, and other transaction data corresponding to use of a charge card that is not American Express.

33. The apparatus of claim 21, further including a report generated to include the transaction data consolidated with other transaction data in a combined report, the transaction data corresponding to use of a charge card, and other transaction data corresponding to use that does not include a charge card.

34. The apparatus of claim 21, further including a report generated to include the transaction data consolidated with other transaction data in a combined report, the transaction data corresponding to use of a debt card, and other transaction data corresponding to use that does not include a debt card.

35. The apparatus of claim 21, further including a report generated to include the transaction data consolidated with other transaction data in a combined report, the transaction data corresponding to use of cash, and other transaction data corresponding to use that does not include cash.

36. The apparatus of claim 21, further including a report generated to include the transaction data consolidated with other transaction data in a combined report, the transaction data corresponding to use of one payment handler, and other transaction data corresponding to use of another payment handler.

37. The apparatus of claim 21, further including a reward generated responsive to use of the card.

38. The apparatus of claim 21, further including a reward issued to a card holder responsive to use of the card.