Pre-sale data broadcast system and method

• US 20070073587A1
• Filed: 10/13/2006
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PayPal, Inc. (PayPal Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Mik, Magdalena, Tedesco, Daniel, Walker, Jay
• Granted Patent: US 7,856,379 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.240
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3674 involving authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0223 based on inventory
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0253 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0268 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

A method for promoting the sale of a substitute product at the point of sale (POS). At least one POS terminal communicates with a POS. server which in turn communicates with various manufacturer servers to transmit information therebetween. Upon the presentation of an original product for purchase by a consumer at a POS terminal, various manufacturers may decide to offer a substitute product to the consumer, prior to completing the purchase of the original product. As such, various manufacturers may offer promotional offers to encourage the buyer to favorably “switch” products. If the customer accepts the offer, the point of sale terminal completes the sale of the substitute product.

Claims

1. A method for promoting a sale of a substitute product, comprising:

receiving transaction data regarding an original product presented for purchase by a consumer at a point of sale terminal;

transmitting said transaction data to a server during a transaction session;

receiving information regarding a substitute product from said server; and

offering said substitute product to said consumer before the transaction session terminates.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising consummating a sale of said substitute product upon acceptance of said offering.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said consummating a sale comprises removing transaction data regarding said original product from pending sale data and substituting transaction data regarding said substitute product in said pending sale data.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said transaction data includes at least one of:

product price, product identifier and product UPC code.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising transmitting an identifier regarding said substitute product to said server.

6. The method of claim 2 further comprising transmitting an identifier regarding said substitute product to a manufacturer of said substitute product.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said transaction data comprises an original product identifier and a price.

8. The method of claim 1 comprising consummating a sale of said original product upon a consumer'"'"'s rejection of said offering.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said consummating a sale of said substitute product comprises adding transaction data regarding said original product to pending sale data after said consumer'"'"'s rejection of said offering.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said original and substitute products have different manufacturers.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein one manufacturer manufactures both said original product and said substitute product.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said offering comprises transmitting information regarding said substitute product to said consumer via at least one of:

a printer, a display terminal and a speaker.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting to said server inventory information of a potential substitute of said original product.

14. The method of claim 1 comprising consummating a sale of said original product if a retailer'"'"'s transaction volume exceeds a predetermined threshold during a predetermined amount of time.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein consummating a sale of said original product occurs prior to said offering.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting additional information to said server for determination of said possible substitute product, said additional information comprising at least one of:

product profit margin information, product inventory information, product expiration date information, retail product price information, product floor price information, product sales information, sale and promotional pricing information, product demand information, product forecast information, product class information, product pricing information, and information regarding product features.

113. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting said transaction data to the server comprises transmitting said transaction data to an intermediate server which communicates with one or more manufacturers.

17-41. -41. (canceled)

42. A method of promoting a sale of a substitute product to a consumer, comprising:

receiving, from a point of sale terminal, transaction data regarding an original product presented for purchase by a consumer during a transaction session;

determining a substitute product to be offered to said consumer; and

transmitting information regarding said substitute product to said point of sale terminal for transmission to said consumer, before the transaction session terminates.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein said determining comprises determining said substitute product based at least one of the following factors:

product profit margin, product inventory information, product expiration date, retail product price information, product floor price information, product sales information, sale and promotional pricing information, product demand, product forecasts, product class, product pricing, and product features.

44. The method of claim 42 wherein said determining comprises identifying at least one manufacturer to receive said transaction data.

45. The method of claim 42 wherein said determining comprises transmitting said transaction data to a plurality of manufacturers.

46. The method of claim 45 further comprising receiving substitute product offers from said plurality of manufacturers.

47. The method of claim 46 further comprising selecting one of said substitute product offers, and transmitting said one substitute product offer to said point of sale terminal.

48. The method of claim 42 further comprising determining a second substitute product to be offered to said consumer, and transmitting information regarding said second substitute product to said point of sale terminal.

49. The method of claim 42 wherein said determining comprises storing a database of substitute product information, and selecting said substitute product from said database.

50. The method of claim 49 wherein said developing comprises periodically receiving data regarding substitute product information from a manufacturer.

51. The method of claim 50 wherein said developing comprises periodically receiving data regarding substitute product information from a plurality of manufacturers.

52. The method of claim 42 further comprising receiving inventory information regarding a retailer'"'"'s inventory;

and determining said substitute product based on said inventory information.

114. The method of claim 42 wherein receiving comprises receiving at an intermediate server and determining comprises communicating with one or more manufacturers.

53. A method of promoting a sale of a substitute product to a consumer, comprising:

receiving, from a point of sale terminal, transaction data regarding an original product presented for purchase by a consumer during a transaction session;

determining whether a substitute product is to be offered to said consumer;

if a substitute product is to be offered to said consumer, transmitting information regarding said substitute product to said point of sale terminal for transmission to said consumer, before the transaction session terminates.

54. The method of claim 53 comprising providing an instruction signal that directs said point of sale terminal to consummate said purchase of said original product, if no substitute product is to be offered to said consumer.

115. The method of claim 53 wherein receiving from the point of sale terminal comprises receiving at an intermediate server and determining comprises communicating with one or more manufacturers.

55. A method of promoting a sale of a substitute product to a consumer, comprising:

receiving, from a server, transaction data regarding an original product presented for purchase by a consumer during a transaction session;

determining a substitute product to be offered to said consumer; and

transmitting information regarding said substitute product to said server for transmission to said consumer, before the transaction session terminates.

56. The method of claim 55 further comprising subscribing with a service of said retailer to receive said transaction data.

57. The method of claim 55 further comprising receiving inventory information regarding a retailer'"'"'s inventory;

and determining said substitute product based on said inventory information.

58. The method of claim 55 wherein said determining comprises determining said substitute product based on factors selected from the group consisting of:

product profit margin, product inventory information, product expiration date, retail product price information, product floor price information, product sales information, sale and promotional pricing information, demand rates, product forecasts, product class, product pricing, and product features.

59. The method of claim 55 wherein said server is a retailer'"'"'s server.

116. The method of claim 55 wherein receiving from the server comprises receiving at a manufacturer server from an intermediate server.

60. An apparatus for promoting a sale of a substitute product, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor disposed in communication with the storage device;

the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor configured to

receive transaction data regarding an original product presented for purchase by a consumer at a point of sale terminal;

transmit said transaction data to a server during a transaction session;

receive information regarding a substitute product from said server; and

transmit an offer of said substitute product to said consumer before the transaction session terminates.

61. The apparatus of claim 60 wherein said processor is further configured to consummate a sale of said substitute product upon acceptance of said offer.

62. The apparatus of claim 61 wherein said processor is further configured to remove transaction data regarding said original product from pending sale data and substituting transaction data regarding said substitute product in said pending sale data.

63. The apparatus of claim 60 wherein said processor is further configured to transmit a signal to said server confirming a sale of said substitute product.

64. The apparatus of claim 60 wherein said processor is further configured to consummate a sale of said substitute product, including adding transaction data regarding said original product to pending sale data after a consumer'"'"'s rejection of said offer.

65. The apparatus of claim 60 wherein said processor is configured to transmit information regarding said offer of said substitute product to said consumer via at least one of:

a printer, a display terminal and a speaker.

66. The apparatus of claim 60 wherein said processor is further configured to transmit to said server inventory information of a potential substitute of said original product.

67. The apparatus of claim 60 wherein said processor is further configured to transmit additional information to said server for determination of said possible substitute product, said additional information comprising at least one of:

product profit margin information, product inventory information, product expiration date information, retail product price information, product floor price information, product sales information, sale and promotional pricing information, product demand information, product forecast information, product class information, product pricing information, and information regarding product features.

68-74. -74. (canceled)

75. An apparatus for promoting a sale of a substitute product, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor disposed in communication with the storage device;

the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor configured to

receive, from a point of sale terminal, transaction data regarding an original product presented for purchase by a consumer during a transaction session;

determine a substitute product to be offered to said consumer; and

transmit information regarding an offer of said substitute product to said point of sale terminal for transmission to said consumer, before the transaction session terminates.

76. The apparatus of claim 75 wherein said processor is further configured to determine said substitute product based at least one of the following factors:

product profit margin, product inventory information, product expiration date, retail product price information, product floor price information, product sales information, sale and promotional pricing information, product demand, product forecasts, product class, product pricing, and product features.

77. An apparatus for promoting a sale of a substitute product, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor disposed in communication with the storage device;

the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor configured to

receive, from a server, transaction data regarding an original product presented for purchase by a consumer during a transaction session;

determine a substitute product to be offered to said consumer; and

transmit information regarding an offer of said substitute product to said server for transmission to said consumer, before the transaction session terminated.

78. The apparatus of claim 77 wherein said processor is configured to determine said substitute product based on factors selected from the group consisting of:

product profit margin, product inventory information, product expiration date, retail product price information, product floor price information, product sales information, sale and promotional pricing information, demand rates, product forecasts, product class, product pricing, and product features.

79. An apparatus for promoting a sale of a substitute product, comprising:

means for receiving transaction data regarding an original product presented for purchase by a consumer at a point of sale terminal;

means for transmitting said transaction data to a server during a transaction session;

means for receiving information regarding a substitute product from said server; and

means for transmitting an offer of said substitute product to said consumer before the transaction session terminates.

80-91. -91. (canceled)

92. A method for promoting a sale of a substitute product, comprising:

receiving transaction data regarding an original product presented by a consumer;

wirelessly transmitting said transaction data to a remote server for determination of a possible substitute product to be offered to said consumer;

upon receipt of information regarding said substitute product from said remote server, offering said substitute product to said consumer; and

receiving from said consumer an indication relating to the offering.

93. The method of claim 92 wherein receiving transaction data comprises receiving transaction data at a point of sale terminal.

94. The method of claim 92 wherein receiving from said consumer the indication comprises receiving an indication that the consumer would like to purchase the substitute product.

95. The method of claim 94 further comprising consummating a sale of said substitute product.

96. The method of claim 95 wherein said consummating a sale of said substitute product comprises adding transaction data regarding said original product to pending sale data.

97. The method of claim 92 wherein said transaction data comprises at least one of:

a product price, a product identifier, and a product UPC code.

98. The method of claim 92 wherein said original and substitute products have different manufacturers.

99. The method of claim 92 wherein one manufacturer manufactures both said original product and said substitute product.

100. The method of claim 92 wherein offering comprises transmitting information regarding said substitute product to said consumer via at least one of:

a printer, a display terminal and a speaker.

101. The method of claim 92 further comprising transmitting to said remote server inventory information of a potential substitute of said original product.

102. The method of claim 92 further comprising transmitting additional information to said server for determination of said possible substitute product, said additional information comprising at least one of:

product profit margin information, product inventory information, product expiration date information, retail product price information, product floor price information, product sales information, sale and promotional pricing information, product demand information, product forecast information, product class information, product pricing information, and information regarding product features.

103. The method of claim 92 further comprising transmitting information regarding a sale of said substitute product to said server.

104. A method comprising:

registering one or more manufacturers in a manufacturer database;

upon receiving transaction data regarding an original product presented for purchase by a consumer at a point of sale terminal, determining based on information about the one or more manufacturers within the manufacturer database if the manufacturer has an associated offer relating to a substitute product; and

presenting the associated offer relating to the substitute product to the consumer.

105. The method of claim 104 further comprising charging a fee to the one or more manufacturers for registering.

106. The method of claim 104 further comprising charging a subscription fee to the one or more manufacturers after registering.

107. The method of claim 104 further comprising contacting the one or more manufacturers.

108. The method of claim 107 further comprising establishing rules relating to the contacting.

109. The method of claim 107 wherein contacting the one or more manufacturers comprises wirelessly contacting the one or more manufacturers.

110. The method of claim 104 further comprising receiving the associated offer from the manufacturer.

111. The method of claim 104 further comprising establishing a manufacturer database.

112. A system comprising:

a communications interface; and

a processor operatively coupled to the communications interface and adapted to;

establish a manufacturer database;

register one or more manufacturers in the manufacturer database;

upon receiving transaction data regarding an original product presented for purchase by a consumer at a point of sale terminal, contact a manufacturer within the manufacturer database to see if the manufacturer has an associated offer relating to a substitute product; and

present the associated offer relating to the substitute product to the consumer.

117. A method comprising:

receiving transaction data regarding an original product presented by a consumer;

transmitting said transaction data to a server;

storing manufacturer offer rules in memory associated with the server;

determining if a substitute product offer is associated with the original product based on the manufacturer offer rules;

receiving information regarding a substitute product from said server; and

offering said substitute product to said consumer.

118. The method of claim 117 wherein storing manufacturer offer rules comprises storing said manufacturer offer rules in a secure database.

119. The method of claim 117 wherein transmitting comprises wirelessly transmitting.

120. The method of claim 117 wherein offering comprises offering as part of a transaction section and occurs before the transaction session terminates.

121. A system comprising:

memory;

a communication interface; and

a processor operatively coupled to the communication interface and adapted to;

receive transaction data regarding an original product presented by a consumer;

store manufacturer offer rules in the memory;

determine if a substitute product offer is associated with the original product based on the manufacturer offer rules; and

offer a substitute product to said consumer.

122. A method comprising:

receiving transaction data regarding an original product presented for purchase by a consumer at a point of sale terminal;

transmitting said transaction data to a server;

receiving information regarding an upgrade from said server; and

offering said upgrade to said consumer.

123. The method of claim 122 wherein transmitting comprises transmitting during a transaction session.

124. The method of claim 122 offering comprises offering before the transaction session terminates.

125. The method of claim 122 wherein offering said upgrade is conditioned on the consumer performing an ancillary task.

126. The method of claim 125 wherein the ancillary task comprises applying for a credit card.

127. The method of claim 122 further comprising accessing a customer profile before offering the upgrade.