Methods and apparatus for implementing a promotional reward program

• US 20080154722A1
• Filed: 09/19/2007
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TPG Rewards Incorporated
• Original Assignee: TPG Rewards Incorporated
• Inventors: Galinos, John
• Application Number:
  US11/901,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20080154722A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0237 at kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for implementing promotional reward programs are provided. It is determined whether a user is eligible for a debit code reward; and upon determination of eligibility, a user is provided with a debit code reward, wherein the debit code reward is a debit code associated with a predetermined value and is instantly provided to the user and the debit code is usable to purchase one or more products or services.

Claims

1. A method for implementing a promotional reward program, comprising:

determining whether a user is eligible for a debit code reward; and

upon determination of eligibility, providing the user with a debit code reward, wherein the debit code reward is a debit code associated with a predetermined value and is instantly provided to the user and the debit code is usable to purchase one or more products or services.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the debit code is instantly printed on a receipt at a point of sale.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the debit code is instantly provided via Internet, by email, by text message, on a coupon, or from a kiosk.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the debit code only can be used to purchase a predetermined product or service.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the debit code is usable to purchase a movie ticket.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the predetermined product or service is one or more movie tickets, books, music or other products or services that may be purchased in a retail establishment.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the debit code is a sixteen digit number.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the debit code is a bar code.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing the user to input the debit code by email, text message, at a kiosk, or through an Internet website to purchase one or more products or services.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the debit code is provided by a debit code issuer.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the debit code is provided by an in-store server or computer.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending the user a text message containing the debit code.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the debit code appears on a screen of a user'"'"'s cell phone and the user shows the debit code on the cell phone to a retail establishment to complete the purchase of one or more products or services.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the debit code appearing on the screen of a user'"'"'s cell phone comprises one or more of the following:

a sixteen digit number, or a bar code.

15. A method for implementing a promotional reward program, comprising:

determining whether a user is eligible for a debit code reward; and

upon determination of eligibility, providing the user with a debit code reward in real time, wherein the debit code reward is a debit code associated with a predetermined value and is instantly provided to the user via Internet, by email, by text message, on a coupon, from a kiosk, or on a receipt at a point-of-sale and the debit code is usable to purchase one or more movie tickets, books, music or other products or services that may be purchased in a retail establishment.

16. An apparatus for implementing a promotional reward program, comprising:

a unit for determining whether a user is eligible for a debit code reward; and

upon

determination of eligibility, a unit for providing the user with a debit code reward, wherein the debit code reward is a debit code associated with a predetermined value and is instantly provided to the user and the debit code is usable to purchase one or more products or services.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the debit code is instantly printed on a receipt at a point of sale, via Internet, by email, by text message, on a coupon, or from a kiosk.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the debit code is a sixteen digit number.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the debit code is a bar code.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising means for allowing the user to input the debit code by email, text message, at a kiosk, or through an Internet website to purchase one or more products or services.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the debit code is provided by a debit code issuer.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising sending the user a text message containing the debit code.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the debit code appears on a screen of a user'"'"'s cell phone and the user shows the debit code on the cell phone to a retail establishment to complete the purchase of one or more products or services.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the debit code appearing on the screen of a user'"'"'s cell phone comprises one or more of the following:

a sixteen digit number, or a bar code.

25. An apparatus for implementing a promotional reward program, comprising:

a unit for determining whether a user is eligible for a debit code reward; and

upon determination of eligibility, a unit for providing the user with a debit code reward in real time, wherein the debit code reward is a debit code associated with a predetermined value and is instantly provided to the user via Internet, by email, by text message, on a coupon, from a kiosk, or on a receipt at a point-of-sale and the debit code is usable to purchase one or more movie tickets, books, music or other products or services that may be purchased in a retail establishment.