MULTIPLE PARTY REWARD SYSTEM UTILIZING SINGLE ACCOUNT

• US 20080097857A1
• Filed: 12/18/2007
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Groupon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Groupon Incorporated
• Inventors: Rodgers, Joshua, Van Luchene, Andrew, Tedesco, Daniel, Walker, Jay
• Application Number:
  US11/958,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20080097857A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.27
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase
• 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]

Abstract

A method enabling a frequent shopper reward system capable of tracking performance data of a plurality of members or account holders linked to a single frequent shopper account.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving first transaction data and sub-account holder data of a first transaction with a first sub-account holder, wherein the first sub-account holder is associated with a primary account holder;

receiving second transaction data and sub-account holder data of a second transaction with a second sub-account holder, wherein the second sub-account holder is associated with the primary account holder;

determining a reward for the first sub-account holder based on the first transaction data; and

determining a second reward for the second sub-account holder based on the second transaction data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a reward for at least one of the first sub-account holder and the second sub-account holder comprises updating a reward level record in an account database.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a reward for the primary account holder based on at least one of the first transaction data and the second transaction data.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a sum of accumulated awards of the first sub-account holder and of the second sub-account holder; and

issuing a reward to the first sub-account holder and to the second sub-account holder if the sum of accumulated awards exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a first transaction rate for the first sub-account holder and a second transaction rate for the second sub-account holder;

issuing a reward to the first sub-account holder if the first transaction rate exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and

issuing a reward to the second sub-account holder if the second transaction rate exceeds the predetermined threshold value.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a first transaction rate for the first sub-account holder and a second transaction rate for the second sub-account holder;

penalizing the first sub-account holder if the first transaction rate falls below a predetermined minimum transaction rate value; and

penalizing the second sub-account holder if the second transaction rate falls below the predetermined minimum transaction rate value.

7. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to:

receive first transaction data and sub-account holder data of a first transaction with a first sub-account holder, wherein the first sub-account holder is associated with a primary account holder;

receive second transaction data and sub-account holder data of a second transaction with a second sub-account holder, wherein the second sub-account holder is associated with the primary account holder;

determine a reward for the first sub-account holder based on the first transaction data; and

determine a second reward for the second sub-account holder based on the second transaction data.

8. The computer readable medium of claim 7, wherein determining a reward for at least one of the first sub-account holder and the second sub-account holder comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to update a reward level record in an account database.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 7, which further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to determine a reward for the primary account holder based on at least one of the first transaction data and the second transaction data.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 7, which further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to:

determine a sum of accumulated awards of the first sub-account holder and the second sub-account holder; and

issue a reward to the first sub-account holder and to the second sub-account holder if the sum of accumulated awards exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 7, which further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to:

determine a first transaction rate for the first sub-account holder and a second transaction rate for the second sub-account holder;

issue a reward to the first sub-account holder if the first transaction rate exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and

issue a reward to the second sub-account holder if the second transaction rate exceeds the predetermined threshold value.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 7, which further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to:

determine a first transaction rate for the first sub-account holder and a second transaction rate for the second sub-account holder; and

penalize the first sub-account holder if the first transaction rate falls below a predetermined minimum transaction rate value; and

penalize the second sub-account holder if the second transaction rate falls below the predetermined minimum transaction rate value.

13. A system, comprising:

a transaction controller including a microprocessor and a memory; and

at least one input device operatively connected to the transaction controller;

wherein the at least one input device is configured to receive first transaction data and sub-account holder data of a first transaction with a first sub-account holder, and to receive second transaction data and sub-account holder data of a second transaction with a second sub-account holder, and the microprocessor is configured to determine a reward for the first sub-account holder based on the first transaction data, and to determine a second reward for the second sub-account holder based on the second transaction data.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising at least one server configured to communicate with the transaction controller, wherein the server further comprises an input/output circuit, a microprocessor, and a memory including at least one of an awards rules database, an awards database, and entertainment programs.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one input device comprises at least one of a biometric device, a voice recognition unit, a license plate scanner, a handwriting recognition unit, a fingerprint scanner, a retinal scanner, a barcode scanner, a touchscreen, a keyboard, and a computer mouse.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the microprocessor is operable to calculate a reward, and to allocate the reward among the primary account holder, the first sub-account holder, and the second sub-account holder.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the input device comprises a card reader, and an account holder provides data by using at least one of a frequent shopper card, bank card, credit card, debit card, and an affinity card.

18. A method comprising:

receiving voice recognition data associated with a customer transaction;

determining, based on the voice recognition data, frequent shopper account data that includes information identifying a primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder, and the physical presence of at least one of the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder; and

transacting with at least one of the primary account holder and the sub account holder.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

generating transaction data that includes at least one of physical presence information and a cost associated with the transaction; and

updating performance data of at least one of the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder in accordance with the transaction data.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein updating performance data comprises at least one of adding reward points, subtracting reward points, calculating a reward level, and allocating a calculated award level to at least one of the primary account holder and to at least one sub-account holder.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the frequent shopper account data further comprises previous order data, and the method further comprises, prior to transacting, transmitting the previous order data.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

analyzing the voice recognition data to obtain stress data; and

modifying a transaction environment if the stress data exceeds a stress threshold level.

23. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to:

receive voice recognition data associated with a customer transaction;

determine, based on the voice recognition data, frequent shopper account data that includes information identifying a primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder and the physical presence of at least one of the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder; and

transact with at least one of the primary account holder and the sub account holder.

24. The computer readable medium of claim 23, which further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to:

generate transaction data that includes at least one of physical presence information and a cost associated with the transaction; and

update performance data of at least one of the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder in accordance with the transaction data.

25. The computer readable medium of claim 24, in which updating the performance data further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to at least one of add reward points, subtract reward points, calculate a reward level, and allocate a calculated award level to at least one of the primary account holder and to at least one sub-account holder.

26. The computer readable medium of claim 23, in which determining the frequent shopper account data further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to retrieve previous orders data, and instructions configured to transmit, prior to transacting, the previous order data.

27. The computer readable medium of claim 23, which further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to:

analyze the voice recognition data to obtain stress data; and

modify a transaction environment if the stress data exceeds a stress threshold level.

28. A system, comprising:

a transaction controller including a microprocessor and a memory; and

a voice recognition device operatively connected to the transaction controller;

wherein the voice recognition device transmits voice recognition data associated with a customer transaction to the transaction controller, the transaction controller determines frequent shopper account data based on the voice recognition data which includes information identifying a primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder, determines physical presence information indicating the presence of at least one of the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder, and authorizes the customer transaction with at least one of the primary account holder and the at least one sub account holder.

29. The system of claim 28, further comprising at least one server in communication with the transaction controller, wherein the server comprises an input/output circuit, a microprocessor, and a memory including at least one of an awards rules database, an awards database, and entertainment programs.

30. The system of claim 28, further comprising at least one input device, wherein the input device comprises at least one of a biometric device, a license plate scanner, a handwriting recognition unit, a barcode scanner, recognition unit, a fingerprint scanner, a retinal scanner, a touchscreen, a keyboard, and a computer mouse.

31. The system of claim 28, further comprising a card reader operatively connected to the transaction controller, and wherein an account holder provides data by using at least one of a frequent shopper card, bank card, credit card, debit card, and an affinity card.

32. A method comprising:

receiving transaction data that includes frequent shopper data and item or service data associated with a customer transaction;

determining, based on the frequent shopper data, frequent shopper account data that includes information identifying a primary account holder, at least one sub-account holder, and at least one previous order;

displaying the at least one previous order associated with the frequent shopper account;

receiving an instruction to purchase another item or service according to the at least one previous order; and

processing the customer transaction in accordance with the transaction data and the received instruction.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

receiving physical presence information identifying the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder present during the transaction;

evaluating the customer transaction based on at least one of the physical presence information, the transaction data, and the instruction to purchase an item or service according to the at least one previous order; and

updating performance data of at least one of the primary account holder and the at least one sub-account holder.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein updating performance data comprises at least one of adding reward points, subtracting reward points, calculating a reward level, and allocating a calculated award level to at least one of the primary account holder and to at least one sub-account holder.

35. The method of claim 32, further comprising providing a reward to at least one of the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder.

36. The method of claim 35, in which providing the reward comprises providing at least one of an immediate discount associated with the transaction, an increase in reward points, a future discount, a coupon, and a monetary rebate.

37. The method of claim 35, in which providing the reward further comprises allocating the reward between the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder account according to at least one rule.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the at least one rule comprises at least one of transaction rules, reward rules, physical presence rules, and affiliation rules.

39. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to:

receive transaction data that includes frequent shopper data and item or service data associated with a customer transaction;

determine, based on the frequent shopper data, frequent shopper account data which includes information identifying a primary account holder, at least one sub-account holder, and at least one previous order;

display the at least one previous order associated with the frequent shopper account;

receive an instruction to purchase another item or service according to the at least one previous order; and

process the customer transaction in accordance with the transaction data and the received instruction.

40. The computer readable medium of claim 39, which further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to:

receive physical presence information identifying the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder present during the transaction;

evaluate the customer transaction based on at least one of the physical presence information, the transaction data, and the instruction to purchase an item or service according to the at least one previous order; and

update performance data of at least one of the primary account holder and the at least one sub-account holder.

41. The computer readable medium of claim 40, in which updating the performance data further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to at least one of add reward points, subtract reward points, calculate a reward level, and allocate a calculated award level to at least one of the primary account holder and to at least one sub-account holder.

42. The computer readable medium of claim 39, which further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to provide a reward to at least one of the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder.

43. The computer readable medium of claim 42, in which providing the reward comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to at least one of issue an immediate discount associated with the transaction, increase reward points, provide a future discount, issue a coupon, and provide a monetary rebate.

44. The computer readable medium of claim 42, which further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to allocate the reward between the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder account according to at least one rule.

45. A system, comprising:

a transaction controller including a microprocessor and a memory; and

an input device operatively connected to the transaction controller;

wherein the input device receives transaction data that includes frequent shopper data and item or service data associated with a customer transaction, and

wherein the microprocessor determines, based on the frequent shopper data, frequent shopper account data that includes information identifying a primary account holder, at least one sub-account holder, and at least one previous order, provides instructions to display the at least one previous order, receives an instruction to purchase an item or service according to the at least one previous order, and processes the customer transaction in accordance with the transaction data and the instruction to purchase an item or service according to the at least one previous order.

46. The system of claim 45, further comprising at least one server in communication with the transaction controller, wherein the server comprises an input/output circuit, a microprocessor, and a memory including at least one of an awards rules database, an awards database, and entertainment programs.

47. The system of claim 45, wherein the input device comprises at least one of a biometric device, a voice recognition unit, a license plate scanner, a handwriting recognition unit, a fingerprint scanner, a retinal scanner, a barcode scanner, a touchscreen, a keyboard, and a computer mouse.

48. The system of claim 45, wherein the microprocessor is operable to calculate a reward, allocate the reward among the primary account holder and the sub-account holders, and to update an account of at least one of the primary account holder and at least one sub-account holder.

49. The system of claim 45, wherein the input device comprises a card reader, and an account holder provides data by using at least one of a frequent shopper card, bank card, credit card, debit card, and an affinity card.